Upgrading a blank sheet of canvas

[sjj]

Hi all. First time poster, moderate time lurker.

It looks like I might have acquired myself a stock 98 RR Hse. What I want to do, it turn this into something that would serve me well for a bit of off-roading, obviously nothing too extreme! Day trips with the family....that sort of thing.

What I was wondering was what everyone's opinion on what would be the right things to get to make the vehicle nicely and reasonable inexpensively up to the task. (not that it isn't already)

My thoughts are...

First priority - Tyres. Basically the biggest tyres I can get onto the stock rims (or a steel equivalent of the same size) without interfering with the wheel wells, or poking out, or needing the body lifted.

Second - Protection. Sliders down the side, and perhaps something under the engine??

Third - Recovery. Excuse the ignorance, but does it need recovery points, or should they already be there (don't have the car yet....so I can't look.)

Fourth - Suspension. I'm happy to suck it and see with the EAS, but I do believe I need a "kicker"?? Also, I've read about re-programming it to get the off road setting a little higher. Thoughts on this?

Excuse the ignorance here. I've never owned a RR before, and I've ony driven one once. I used to muck around FWDing back in the day in my dual cab ute, but that was sold 6 or so years ago when the kids came along. But I was only ever a day-tripper with the occasional overnighter thrown in.

Thanks in advance!

[Craig_Keira]

I've was in your situation about a month ago. Done a lot of 4wding, know nothing about RR.

First: tyres. Depends on the 4wding you want to do. I would think for a RR, a BFG A/T type tyre would be a good starting point. Someone else should be able to provide guidance on size. I don't know that you want to go too big without a lift kit.

Protection: I don't know that I'd worry too much about this straight up.

Recovery: Front and rear supplied. I don't know of anyone tearing them out in recovery.

Suspension: The EAS rocks. Be prepared to keep it up to the job. That means knowing the condition of your air springs, valve block and compressor. From what I've been told as long as you do that, you shouldn't have much problems. An EAS kicker is a good idea, but I'd seriously suggest you consider buying a Nancom. These do all the ECUs without you having to go to the dealer.

Hope that helps - as mentioned, I'm pretty new to this caper too :)

[Hoges]

Major question: are you confident and competent enough to undertake your own repairs?
If so, then first up, get a copy of RAVE and download it on your computer...it's about 3,500+ pages of searchable pdf format workshop manual/electrical /tech bulletins etc "don't leave home without it ":eek:

Read the rangerovers.net website... see newrremedies (http://www.rangerovers.net/newrremedies.html) : there's a wealth of info for DIY diagnosis and repair...

There are also several UK businesses which specialise in LR parts for export...you'll generally save a lot of $$$ buying on-line.

Welcome to the forum!

[Keithy P38]

G'day and welcome!

Sounds like you've had a good read of the forum so far!

You'll get a set of 255/70/16 tyres on it without modification! Many people run a varying range of tyres here so you won't be short of people's opinions! Mine are BFG mud terrains.

Hard Range manufacture some front protection and many other awesome products if you are looking! You likely won't need underbody protection as everything is tucked up above the chassis rails! I've done heaps of hard low range driving in mine and only underbody bump has been the fuel tank.

Others can warn you about the suspension, but as mentioned by Craig, if you look after it - it'll look after you!

There are heaps of diagnostic tools out there at reasonable prices. I have a faultmate msv-2 extreme and would recommend it highly, others can tell you about the other tools!

Good luck mate! Hope you get it!

Cheers
Keithy

[sjj]

Thanks a heap for the replies so far.

From what I've read in the last day or so here and elsewhere on the web, I'm starting to get the impression that as far as protection is concerned, sliders and perhaps a bullbar are all I really need at this point. I've seen the "Hard Range" guys' stuff, and it looks really slick. I looked at the website, but it looks like they're not doing any fabricating at the moment. Does anyone have any better info on that?

I'm pretty happy to hear about the EAS. I'm a big believer in preventative maintenance, so hopefully the EAS and I will get along fine.

Once again, thanks again for the responses!!:D

[33chinacars]

As Hoges said RAVE is your best friend. An upgraded EAS kicker will let you reset suspension faults & make adjustments to heights. Tyres are up to you but dont try to go too big from stock & stay with the 16" rims.
Also look at E-Bay.co.uk & internet for most of your parts. A lot cheaper that Aus.
Welcome to the forum and enjoy your P38. You will love it & hate it all at the same time. :)
Would also be looking at the new Nancom from BBS to reset any other faults.

Gary

[PaulP38a]

I've seen the "Hard Range" guys' stuff, and it looks really slick. I looked at the website, but it looks like they're not doing any fabricating at the moment. Does anyone have any better info on that?

Aw shucks, thanks :D Welcome to the forum.

Hard Range is still operating, I just got sick of fighting the awful shopping cart software we were using. I like to think of us as being more of a boutique operation these days :p

We can hook you up with a front bar (SRS airbag certified) and a Raised Air Intake (aka snorkel - the only production unit for the P38 in the world), EAS Emergency Bypass Kit (life/spine-saver), EAS Vale Block O-ring and compressor repair kits, EAS Unlock Cable, EAS Kicker Lite and EAS Buddy (for clearing EAS Faults).
Sliders would be nice... we have some but they are not production-ready, and nor is the rear bar/tyre carrier.
We can also do a 2" lift that retains the EAS. I don't recommend it unless your P38 is off-road biased and you want to look accross/down at lifted Cruisers and Patrols.

Cheers, Paul.

[glenhendry]

Concur with all before. Get the Hard Range kit first, like EAS bypass kit and on board air, etc. Paul will be your helpful and informed friend.

I will never go back to AT tyres after getting mudders. They are great off road and on. They are just fine and not too noisy on the road too. If you are going to have mudders, then a Rangey, with all its sound insulation is the car to do it on.

Do NOT rely on the recovery points. The front is stronger than the rear, but I have ripped the rear out, the weld just failed. It was dangerous. Use a recovery hitch in the towbar.

Protection isnt going to be too big an issue early and can be added later easily.

Keep the EAS!

Take off the front bumper lower trim before going 4wding. Its easy to do and will save it from getting in the way.