Compare & Contrast

[Platypus]

Hello All
Have just finished reading the last 60 odd pages of threads relating to D4 and now have a handle on the beast.
I'm upgrading from a 21 year old Patrol TD42 which has served us well in the high country of Victoria.
Went in last Saturday to ULR in Malvern to talk about a D4 TD2.7.
Walked out 4-5 hours later with an order for a TD 3.0SE with a few bells & whistles including e-diff of course. I figured that tyre types will catch up with rim sizes in next year or three. ULR have thrown in a set of Michelin AT tyres which they have imported for those of us who dare to take them where they belong but not sure as to exact type yet.
The title of this thread is to do with the two types of 'systems' for raising suspension to greater than standard Off-Road height. Those are the Llams and the GOE Height sensor rods. For those with knowledge/experience in these types of methods of raising the vehicle a little further can you comment on the pros and cons of each system (how about both and make a MonsterTruck :-)).
PaulB

[Graeme]

Hi Paul,
That's quite a big step moving to a 3.0 D4 for what you're use to driving, but I'm sure you will get used to the new wheels soon enough.

Each lift method has its own advantages and disadvantages, the importance of which will determine which is the preferred one for a particular person. There are many comments by owners as to why they chose a particular method which should help you decide which would suit you the best.

[Disco4SE]

Hi PaulB,
Welcome to the wonderful world of Land Rover.
I too bought my D4 3.0 from ULR Malvern, almost two years ago. Sounds like you have done your homework as there are many threads on the 3.0Lt V 2.7Lt. Having had both myself, I would never look back.
There is the tyre debate. I agree with your point that the tyre companies will / are catching up with the increase in rim sizes.
I bought a second hand set of 19" rims with MTR tyres. Only takes 10 minutes to swap them over before heading bush. This way, my rims stay pristine and I get to drive on a good road handling tyre (Pirelli ATR's in my case).
Happy motoring and remember, it didn't happen without photos :)
Cheers, Craig

[Platypus]

Thank you Graeme and Craig,
The fellow at ULR was helpful without being pushy. I have a (much) more local dealer 40km away in Geelong (sells everything under the sun) but ULR seemed a more dedicated LR (& Jag as they're twinned products and Tata owned) dealer and when we came back after our second test drive (3.0SE) they had 'come to the party' and offered us a realistic trade in for my daily commute(Audi A4) and 'thrown in' a change of tyres, this on top of the fact I found out (to my obvoius delight) I was eligible for a Corporate purchase which includes 3 years free servicing, free floor mats (whoa!) and a loan car when my car is in for service, also they service on a Saturday which my 'local' dealer stopped about 5 years ago. So I'm happy. SWMBO actually made the the comment the first time she got in that she didn't want to test drive it as she'd have plenty of time after we bought it.....high praise indeed. But after 21 years of the Nissan, you're right, chalk and cheese, but the D4 has a lot to live up to especially ability in the High Country, thus my enquiry as to the 'better' system for my likely needs.
The tyres as I had mentioned have been brought in as a container load by the principals at ULR. They send me more details later, but to come out of the showroom with dedicated AT tyres seems a Very Good Thing from my perspective anyway.
Quick p.s. I've done offroad driving courses with VAFWDC and through the Nissan Patrol Club of Vic with whom I was a member for several years. To get to know the abilities (and limitations) of the new beast when it arrives (hopefully in mid Feb) where or whom offer course(s) that cater to the D4 and its armoury of weapons?
Cheers
PaulB

[lrdef110]

Hi Paul, I don't think you will regret your decision although the tyre choice is still the archillies heal of the D4 3.0 litre with 19" wheels. I have the 19" GG AT tyres fitted to mine and spent 6 hours yesterday in low range traversing rocky creeks, steep stony mountain sides and burnt out forest with lots of timber/stakes on the ground and came away unscathed and very impressed. Obviously the 18" wheels available through Gordon open up a lot of options but for the time being I think the GG AT's will suffice for me. I have the Llams system and for the money I would front up again every day of the week. It is just so simple to use and gives a lot of options. I needed the extra height yesterday for creek crossings and rocks the Llams delivered at the turn of a switch. The rods might be just as good but I have no experience with that option. I just think Llams does the suspension settings so well.

PS I was with 3 double locked Patrols, and the D4 just did everything so perfectly.

Cheers, Barry

[oldsalt]

Hi Paulb - I think if you check you'll find out that ULR put on LR "experience" days, I did one last year and it was great - learnt a lot and it gave my wife a lot of confidence in the vehicle after she saw what it can do under a variety of conditions.
cheers

[Platypus]

Just thinking today about the suspension lift available, when upgrading my old Patrol along with extended springs came heavier duty Koni dampers. Are the standard OE shocks 'good enough' or is an upgrade advisable when changing to Llams/sensor rods and if so, has anyone done this as I can't remember seeing any threads in this forum pertaining to different shocks only to the EAS?
I did ask ULR about driving experience and they said they did not offer this.
Cheers
Paul

[~Rich~]

I was the same, all my previous Toyota's I upgraded to Koni or Big bore Tough Dog shocks as a must straight away. But what I have found is the standard shocks are of a good standard. Yes eventually they will need replacing but when that will be will depend on how you use your vehicle.
It may be 50,000 k or even 150,000 k.
Save the money at this point of time for other goodies!

Back to Rods vs LLAMS
Anytime I've been 4WDing you have a trip home on sealed roads, normally high speed freeways. I don't want to have to stick my arm under a muddy / dirty D3 to swap the rod length to get the alignment back to standard height settings.
With LLAMS it's just a twist of a knob, another plus is you can lower the vehicle to get into car parks or under fallen trees that are a sqeeze for Toyota's & Nissans to fit under. :)

[adzee]

I bought my D3 (So a little different) from ulr 3/4 weeks ago, and been offroad every weekend since! I had purchased the llams before getting my car but didn't give myself any time to install it and I can tell you that it was needed!!!

Wether you get rods or llams, they both give you the lift when over 40 kph, which is must. That bong did my head in! I chose llams cause I regularly go offroad and I still wanted standard comfort and handling when getting there, the other benefit is that I have no time (even though it's claimed to take minutes) I hate even airing down, I do everything possible to make my trips seamless and comfortable, so the less I have to do the better it is. $600 is alot, but it's a permanent suspension lift which you could spend on a patrol or cruiser, so really, it's cheap!

I love the fact that when off road height is selected I can raise it to extended height when I get to those rocky hill climbs etc, so worth it's weight in gold.

Hope you enjoy. As for ulr - even after a warranty claim have been very helpful.

[oldsalt]

Maybe my off road experience was organized through Lance Dixon - can't remember, anyway I'm sure someone on here will put you straight re the experience days ... well worth it, lots of fun and you learn heaps.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

cheers

[Platypus]

Thanks for all replies. I tend to see the Llams solution as being probably easier to live with as height can be changed on the move but I've still got a while before delivery so if there are any more comments I'll take them all into account. I'm sure I'll have more questions on other issues before then.
Cheers
PaulB

[WhiteD3]

I just spent 5 days at Fraser Is using the GOE rods. Once installed it takes 2 minutes (pull the EAS fuse, leave the door open, change over the rods blind) to change them over to off road height.

Worked perfectly and a nice, low tech solution.

[Ashes]

You can joing LROCV and do the driver training course they offer. A theory session and a drive day at Werribee. Well worth it.:)

[oldsalt]

Just thinking today about the suspension lift available, when upgrading my old Patrol along with extended springs came heavier duty Koni dampers. Are the standard OE shocks 'good enough' or is an upgrade advisable when changing to Llams/sensor rods and if so, has anyone done this as I can't remember seeing any threads in this forum pertaining to different shocks only to the EAS?
I did ask ULR about driving experience and they said they did not offer this.
Cheers
Paul

I was just reading the latest copy of "Review" - the magazine of the LROCV - and the back page is a full page ad for MLR & ULR and it says in large letters "ask about our 4WD days at Werribee" - so whoever you spoke to at ULR obviously wasn't up to speed on what they offer !!!

[outasight]

Agreed - there is even a big poster mounted near the Service/Spare Parts counter too about these ...

Although they were/are booked out for this year ...

Edit: ... and here is the link to it on their website ...

http://www.ulr.com.au/landrover/aboutus.asp

[Platypus]

Thank you,
I'll have another ask when I next contact them. Maybe I asked the wrong person!:confused:
I'm hoping I'll receive the new car in time for 4WD show on 19th Feb. Be nice to catch up and put faces to names.
PaulB.