Order of modification

[InMused]

I have just dropped cash on a 2007 D3 (No for the price in the window). Over the next year I will be building it up to full overlanding spec. This will be done slowly as I can afford the items. On the list are:

OL Front bar
winch
rear bar and carrier
sliders
compressor protection
comms
rear draw
17" wheels and tyres
raised hitch
Front Runner roof platform
other stuff that is shiny.

My question is: It seems that front clearance in the D3 is pretty good and that damage to the sills and compressor are of a higher risk that the front bar. Should compressor and sill protection be at the top of my list? Or something else.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/01/286.jpg

[ScottyD]

Looks great mate.

I run no front bar, but do run Sliders and a Compressor Guard. The front has never touched anything I've done, whilst the sliders and compressor guard have been used quite a few times.

I'd even suggest some other method of gaining more clearance before a bar (LLAMS, IID Tool, Rods, Taller tyres). That way you get more clearance for the whole car, not just the front.

I've only lightly touched the rear on a few tracks too, it seems to stay out of the way pretty well :)

[InMused]

Looks great mate.

I run no front bar, but do run Sliders and a Compressor Guard. The front has never touched anything I've done, whilst the sliders and compressor guard have been used quite a few times.

I'd even suggest some other method of gaining more clearance before a bar (LLAMS, IID Tool, Rods, Taller tyres). That way you get more clearance for the whole car, not just the front.

I've only lightly touched the rear on a few tracks too, it seems to stay out of the way pretty well :)

Cheers. I'm looking into the GOE rods to give me more clearance when needed. I've also jumped up a tyre size for a small increase, but I want to didtech the 18" for 17"s down the track. (no pun intended)

[Disco-tastic]

This is what happens when you give the compressor guard a good bump:

Click Here

A compressor guard is next (well, first) on my list, followed by sliders. The APT gear looks pretty good!

I have some second hand lift rods which i havent installed yet, as its a bit of a pain getting the old ones off. If you're buying new rods i'd seriously look at a Gap IIDBT tool as they're about $580 delivered at the moment and can do a whole lot more than the rods, including fault diagnosis, and come highly recommended for any d3/4 owner.

Welcome to the club!

Dan

[InMused]

This is what happens when you give the compressor guard a good bump:

Click Here

A compressor guard is next (well, first) on my list, followed by sliders. The APT gear looks pretty good!

I have some second hand lift rods which i havent installed yet, as its a bit of a pain getting the old ones off. If you're buying new rods i'd seriously look at a Gap IIDBT tool as they're about $580 delivered at the moment and can do a whole lot more than the rods, including fault diagnosis, and come highly recommended for any d3/4 owner.

Welcome to the club!

Dan

Thanks Dan. This is my second LR. My D2 died last week. Time for an upgrade. What a shame.

[~Rich~]

I'd add a long range tank and get rid of the spare from underneath to the back of the car for touring.

Bullbar is a personel thing, all my 4wds up to the D3 had one. Decided not to fit one because of the extra weight / expense and I generally don't drive at dusk in areas of probable animal strike.

Winch - had an awesome PTO on a RRC, thing was I used it more on other people than me! Again I generally always travel with others to assist in recovery of any of us, most times a snatch strap is all that is required. I have been winched in my D3 but this was in serious 4wd terrain, not touring.

Suspension - LLAMS all the way for me / ease of use comes to mind especially to bypass the silly 40kph limit to off road height when driving fast dirt roads.

Sliders - again it depends on what you want to do with your Disco, touring not really essential.

Compressor guard / front undertray protection - yep, get them!

[InMused]

I'd add a long range tank and get rid of the spare from underneath to the back of the car for touring.

Bullbar is a personel thing, all my 4wds up to the D3 had one. Decided not to fit one because of the extra weight / expense and I generally don't drive at dusk in areas of probable animal strike.

Winch - had an awesome PTO on a RRC, thing was I used it more on other people than me! Again I generally always travel with others to assist in recovery of any of us, most times a snatch strap is all that is required. I have been winched in my D3 but this was in serious 4wd terrain, not touring.

Suspension - LLAMS all the way for me / ease of use comes to mind especially to bypass the silly 40kph limit to off road height when driving fast dirt roads.

Sliders - again it depends on what you want to do with your Disco, touring not really essential.

Compressor guard / front undertray protection - yep, get them!

Thanks for your advice.

I intend to put the spare on the back; whether it's a full Karmar bar or a swing away arm, I haven't decided. I am leaning to just a swing away arm and keeping the sensors.

I like the look if the front end of the D3. Most 4wd's look like the designer couldn't give a rat's about the bumper as they know every one of them will be ripped off and replaced with steel.

I do like the idea of a discrete winch mount. I do a lot of 4wding by myself in fairly hilly terrain.

I'll probably end up with a LLAMS box now that I have read about it. BUt that will be down the list I think.

Cheers

[AnD3rew]

My order would be: (for function not looks, if priority is looks it might be different)

Tyres
Llams
Compressor guard
Sliders
Rack
Front bar (if you do touring and are worried about Roos but not really necessary if you aren't at risk of significant roo damage)

From there it will depend on what your usage and needs are

Snorkel if you are likely to do a lot of crossings or dusty touring

Long range tank if you are doing a lot of remote touring

Winch - when I put mine on the guy who runs the workshop and is a Disco driver and fan said "you will never need it in this car" so far he has been right, I have only ever used it to maneuvre my camper trailer. But I do a bit of solo off road driving so I'm glad I have it as an insurance policy. If you usually travel with others you probably don't need it.

[Bytemrk]

As Rich points out, what should be high on your priority list depends a lot on how you intend to use the vehicle.

My D4 has a lots of bits hanging off it.... some fitted by the original owner.. some added by me. If i was building it from scratch today..... there are some I'd skip.. just to save weight. (These vehicles get very heavy very fast)

Compressor Guard - I'd do pretty early on - not because it is a huge risk, but it's a relatively cheap item that is dead simple to install.... so why not.

Sliders - that really depends, are you going rock hopping?.... likely to be climbing steep narly rutted tracks? If not, I'd either skip them or push them down your priority.

Winch - I'd look at the same....I had one on my previous vehicle, but it got 99% of its use pulling my camper trailer up and down my drive :angel:... so the D4 doesn't have one and I haven't missed it. Your use may be different from mine though.

Bullbar/ Rear Wheel Carrier/Roof Rack/Rear Draws - if and when you install all of these things will be far more dependant on where you intend to travel, than what someone here says you should do.

I always add a UHF early in a build - unless you have a good hand held, in which case you may want to wait.

I can easily add plenty of other things I think should be on your list:

A diagnostic tool - particularly if you are going remote, very useful to know whats going on or rest faults. ( My D4 has 11 computers! - I assume the D3 is the same ) - I'd recommend IIDtool, I own both an IIF and Nanocom and prefer the IIDtool.

As others have mentioned a way to raise the vehicle higher (Llams or Rods etc.) - My vote would be LLams - a great product that would be my first addition to any D3, D4 or RRS I bought

If you are planning long outback trips, I'd add a long range tank - LOVE mine, makes a huge difference on big trips.

Being in Vic, are you likely to want to explore the high country?.... if so, I'd add a cargo barrier to your list going down a steep hill - luggage in the back of the head sucks. (or worse).

Dual Battery Kit?... the list goes on and on for ever. ;)

You have got yourself a nice looking D3, I'd take you time and plan the mods slowly and carefully - keep in mind weight. I mentioned early these things get heavy fast, but seriously, if you add all the items listed here, you"ll be unlikely to be able to carry a couple of adults and a pile of camping gear in it without going over GVM. Certainly worth considering when planning what you do or do not "need"

Good luck with it - looking forward to seeing how you go.

[InMused]

As Rich points out, what should be high on your priority list depends a lot on how you intend to use the vehicle
....

Good luck with it - looking forward to seeing how you go.

Thanks for taking the time out for such a comprehensive response.

I need to think differently about this vehicle.

Weight will be an issue for us. We are a family of five and we use the third row. WE do live in a rural area with roos. However, I am not inclined to disguise my Land Rover as a Nissan or Toyota for something that might happen.

I am still thinking that sill and compressor protection and essential for me. I play in Wombat State Forest and rocks protruding out of the clay base are ver common.

The only items I place on my roof are a set of maxtrax and a shovel. My Hi-Lift will live on the rear carrier when I get one. So a roof rack is not necessary. I have rails setup to take the trax and shovel. Weight and money saved there.

I do like the idea of a lighter (9000lb) winch as security as we do travel solo a lot. I am inclined towards the discrete winch mount so save weight.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/01/279.jpg

So many ideas. It's just as well I can't do it all at once.

[LandyAndy]

Nice looking D3.
Keep a real close eye on gumtree,plenty of the gear you want does come up for sale,much cheaper than new.
ENJOY
Andrew

[TDV6]

The car looks great and should do the job for whatever you want, towing exploring etc, having said that my priority's are to return to civilization whenever I venture outback visiting remote locations, so my priority may differ from you.

An OBD2 diagnostic scan/reset tool Bearmach Hawkeye or similar.

A workshop manual then additional gauges to tell you what is happening to the motor etc "Scanguage and Engine Watchdog TM2" LR gauges tend not to move at all aside from the fuel gauge.

An Air compressor to re-inflate tires and an ARB Tyre plug tool.

A torque wrench (LR lug tool is crap).

A spare "coolant outlet housing" they are only around $30 and at least a liter of coolant.

UHF radio and if going off beaten track an EPIRB or sat phone.

Bull Bar and winch, haven't hit anything yet, Emu's have come close as well as hoppy's and a camel really put the wind up the boss.

Add extra lighting in the rear or carry a torch to see whats in the luggage area.

Modify the rear tailgate to add a release cable to the actuator in the lower tailgate for the upper tailgate release.

Add a Mitch hitch if towing and Tim's Traxide SC 80 dual battery kit.

Add a steel pan to the tranny and change the oil, if towing then plan on changing the oil every 50 to 70k otherwise every 100k

HTH

Ryall

[LandyAndy]

I would grab that roof rack in the AULRO markets,similar to what you want for an absolute bargain.
QUICK AND THE DEAD FELLAS!!!!!
Andrew

[InMused]

I would grab that roof rack in the AULRO markets,similar to what you want for an absolute bargain.
QUICK AND THE DEAD FELLAS!!!!!
Andrew

Thanks for the thought Andy...but I am trying to keep weight down. :)