Llams or rock sliders

[Bluepippa]

Ok.. So here is the question.
You have a D4 and want to spend around $600 on something...
Now rock sliders will save the chassis in the unlikely event that you venture onto some really gnarly tracks, but the rest of the time do nothing... Llams however will save you from the same rocks if you know what your doing but also give you more options playing with the suspension on a day to day basis....

So what would you spend the money on ?

[connock]

You just answered your own question, Llams


connock

[winaje]

LLAMS first then sliders as soon as you need and/or are able. This is what I will be doing in my D3.

[AnD3rew]

Yep, Llams is the best single mod you can do IMHO.

Also you will struggle to get a good set of rock sliders for $600.

[Trngia]

Yup. Llams was my first mod. Use it every day as it allows me to fit in the garage with a roof tent and saves the annoying suspension lowering when on the beach and going a bit faster than would normally be allowed. Saying that I now also have the rock sliders fitted and a compressor protection plate.

[~Rich~]

LLAMS wins everytime :)
Sliders do not protect the chassis, just your sills.

LLAMS will give you clearance over obstacles that your sills / sliders would hit.

[101RRS]

Well I have LLAMS and think it is great BUT given the options in the OP I would go rock sliders and get GOE Rods with the change - best of both worlds.

The save your pennies and then get LLAMS later.

Garry

[giskard]

For those with LLAMS, do you operate it day to day in stock position or lowered? If the latter do you get a better ride?

[101RRS]

I drive around on a day to day basis with LLAMS set at -20mm - ride is no different to normal onroad height. No need for wheel alignment.

Garry

[Bluepippa]

Thanks all.... Looks like Llams is winning the vote... :-)

[Redback]

Yep, Llams is the best single mod you can do IMHO.

Also you will struggle to get a good set of rock sliders for $600.

Disco3QLD does sliders for $640 delivered, well, back when I bought them, I'm pretty sure they are still the same price, excellent sliders too.


Thanks all.... Looks like Llams is winning the vote... :-)

I would do the Llams first also, then save up for a set of Disco3QLDs sliders, great sliders and great value also.

Baz.

[AnD3rew]

Disco3QLD does sliders for $640 delivered, well, back when I bought them, I'm pretty sure they are still the same price, excellent sliders too.


Baz.

I stand corrected. Wish I had known that before I bought mine.

[AnD3rew]

For those with LLAMS, do you operate it day to day in stock position or lowered? If the latter do you get a better ride?

I wouldn't say I use it regularly but I use it pretty frequently. I often use it when going into carparks as I have a roofrack on and it allows you to go lower than the standard access height.

I use it pretty much every time I go off road or on soft sand.

I don't use it lowered around town, but I do on smooth highways, It makes the ride worse if you are on a bumpy road, but I like the way it feels at speed on a smooth highway. My only caution is that I have twice had suspension faults occur when heavily loaded with Llams at -20 at speed on a bumpy section corner. Greame swears it isn't the Llams, but I am not convinced. But all it has taken to resolve the problem is to stop, turn the car off and then on again and it clears.

[Epic pooh]

As a within budget suggestion, have you considered something like an IIDTool for Land Rover - GAP Diagnostic (http://www.gap-diagnostic.com/products/iidtool.html) ?

Will let you do all kinds of fiddling to your suspension (although not as simple or versatile as LLAMS), will possibly give you a bit of peace of mind when touring (can review and clear faults etc) and maybe reduce reliance on mechanics to tell you whats up with your vehicle. And probably other stuff too depending on your level of fiddling interest.

[Graeme]

By my reckoning a diagnostic tool that at least reads fault codes is a must for these vehicles, and possibly the first accessory for anyone who lives or travels away from the cities. If only occasional height changes are required and don't yet have a diagnostic tool then I know what I'd be buying, having made good use of my Faultmate to avoid the dreaded tray-top truck.

[TerryO]

I agree completely with Graham, a diagnostic tool that can clear faults is number one on the list. I met a gentleman last weekend at the RRC basic training day who was off to do the Simpson this week in pretty much a bog stock standard D4 apart from A/T's and a roof rack with a second spare wheel and jerry cans.

I tried to convince him to get some sort of diagnostic tool that would allow him to clear faults if he got stuck out there. I also offered to lend him my GOE rods for the trip to help him get up Big Red if required. He was pretty confident that all would be fine.

He was going with a number of mates who all had Toyota's, meaning no one would have a clue what to do with a Disco if he ran into trouble, Llams, GOE rods nor rock sliders would help him if his Disco decided it needed a little rest out there.

Might not be a flash thing but a decent diagnostic tool is the first thing to get.

[~Rich~]

Yes I agree Graeme & Terry, I guess you have to consider where you are going short term and be steered by that.
If doing W/E 4wd trips I'd still say LLAMS.
If it was long distance or desert / more remote trips I'd say Faultmate or IID tool etc would be a good start.

[Epic pooh]

Some folk may find the proper diagnostic tools (fault mate, IIDTool) a little daunting (possibly dangerous) and may prefer NRMA Premium care ... personally I always carry both wherever I go ... :wasntme:

[Rocket00]

Hi Guys
I would put a big vote for LLAMS, we crossed the Simpson last month with our D4. Absolutely needed at least LLAMS or RODS for some of the faster flat sections. The D4 conquered Big Red (the hardest line) first time whilst the Toyota Prado and HiLux with us needed three or more tries..
Here is the toy at the top of Big Red.

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n190/rodtay00/imagejpg1_zps5f07aef0.jpg

[RHS58]

Hi Guys
I would put a big vote for LLAMS, we crossed the Simpson last month with our D4. Absolutely needed at least LLAMS or RODS for some of the faster flat sections. The D4 conquered Big Red (the hardest line) first time whilst the Toyota Prado and HiLux with us needed three or more tries..
Here is the toy at the top of Big Red.

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n190/rodtay00/imagejpg1_zps5f07aef0.jpg

It's all relative.
Crossed the Simmo in 2009 in our Prado.
Crested Big Red first go.
So did brother in law in LC100.
Sadly the D3/4 with us failed several attempts at it - and this after getting bogged in the puddle at the base of Big Red beforehand. And being snatched out by a Toyota driven by a girl. The shame of it.
Am sure it comes down to experience and knowing your vehicle. And tyres and pressures.
Not the vehicle.... More the driver.
My 2c worth for your consideration.

[Redback]

It's all relative.
Crossed the Simmo in 2009 in our Prado.
Crested Big Red first go.
So did brother in law in LC100.
Sadly the D3/4 with us failed several attempts at it - and this after getting bogged in the puddle at the base of Big Red beforehand. And being snatched out by a Toyota driven by a girl. The shame of it.
Am sure it comes down to experience and knowing your vehicle. And tyres and pressures.
Not the vehicle.... More the driver.
My 2c worth for your consideration.

Yes would agree with this, the driver plays a big part in certain tasks, when I tackled Big Red, it was a doddle really, yet some vehicles(2 80 series cruisers and 1 Defender were having 5, 6 and 7 goes, yet me and friends in various vehicles had no problems.

Big Red fully loaded, I was basically seeing our well the Disco would handle the dunes, as on the Monday we would be crossing the desert towing the camper.
MOV05731 on Vimeo

Baz.

[AnD3rew]

I think like many 4wd situations Big Red is a combination of things. vehicle is a part of it but load, clearance, tyre pressures and driver experience and expertise especially with speed and throttle control are all a part of it.

It did give me great pleasure to drive circles up and down Big Red around a stuck Patrol driven by a complete xxxx tag-along your leader who previously had seen fit to try and give me and others some unasked for and unwanted and officious directions about where and how to drive and we were not part of his tour.

I had a big grin on my face as he was digging and swearing and gesticulating as I drove around him about 3 or 4 times:D:D

I then recovered someone else while he watched but left him to his own devices. Heartily deserved every bit of it, no remorse at all.

[Bluepippa]

Llams turned up today and with a little telephone advice from Graeme, how to get the centre console out, it's all in and working great....

So....
Llams... Tick
IIDTool... Tick

Thanks again Graeme, great service :-)

[winaje]

Llams turned up today and with a little telephone advice from Graeme, how to get the centre console out, it's all in and working great....

So....
Llams... Tick
IIDTool... Tick

Thanks again Graeme, great service :-)

Excellent. Can't wait to fit mine, but have to get D2 out of the garage first...

[Rocket00]

Interested as to why you change from the Prado to the Discovery, seem the Prado was doing the joab and the family (brother) seems a strong Toyota follower :)

[4evershiva]

unfortunately i dint read this thread.....have selected rock sliders and bash plate first....next thing is definetly the llams....

[RHS58]

Interested as to why you change from the Prado to the Discovery, seem the Prado was doing the joab and the family (brother) seems a strong Toyota follower :)

Yep, Prado did the job required of it. Great car.
It was time to change it over for a number of reasons......
1 I needed something with bigger towing capacity.
2 Toyota seems to be having issues with diesel injectors in Prado's, HiLux's and LC200's. Expensive fixes when the engines D4Detonated. Mine was reaching the critical mileage when this problem becomes a risk. Mr Toyota seems to be in denial that there is a growing problem.
3 have you seen the size of a LC200? Too big for me.
4 a number of acquaintances have D4's or RRS's and were very happy with them.
5 I had a test drive and really liked the SDV6. (The D4 exterior styling I am still getting used to....but it's spacious and functional and growing on me)
6 I could afford it.
7 the other options were the utes like Mazda BT50 or Ford Ranger, or Isuzu D-Max - not my go.
That's why.

[Rocket00]

Similar reason to me, I changed from a TDV8 FFRR, I felt the Disco was a better Tow Vehicle with the 8 speed and extra space. Tried the LC200 4 times but it was such a truck!! So far it has proven to be everything I expected, not quite as plush as the Vogue but certainly more practical for what I have planned. The availability of after market is certainly better.
And still our friends at Toyota remain in denial :)

[Disco4SE]

Tried the LC200 4 times but it was such a truck!!
Believe it or not, the Disco is actually wider than a LC200.
Certainly doesn't look it, but it is......

Cheers, Craig

[BMKal]

I think like many 4wd situations Big Red is a combination of things. vehicle is a part of it but load, clearance, tyre pressures and driver experience and expertise especially with speed and throttle control are all a part of it.

It did give me great pleasure to drive circles up and down Big Red around a stuck Patrol driven by a complete xxxx tag-along your leader who previously had seen fit to try and give me and others some unasked for and unwanted and officious directions about where and how to drive and we were not part of his tour.

I had a big grin on my face as he was digging and swearing and gesticulating as I drove around him about 3 or 4 times:D:D

I then recovered someone else while he watched but left him to his own devices. Heartily deserved every bit of it, no remorse at all.

Love it. :D

This wouldn't happen to be a certain SA based Nissan driving tag-along tour guide who is also a prominent moderator on the 4WDAction forum would it.

I remember this clown posting in the past that if any Land Rover owners wished to book a tag-along tour with his company, he would advise them to get another vehicle before they would be allowed on the trip. Complete tosser. ;)