Thread: preparing for the big lap

Originally Posted by Genevieve

hello
i own a D3 HSE 2005. I have had a new engine and transmission put in 1 year ago, with over 20,000$ spent on it.
The reason for this was i blew up on a camping trip, moving forward to now we have decided to take it round Australia. My question is how confident should i be in it. My husband and i have got PTSD surrounding the car and would hate for something else to happen to it and ruin our trip. What are peoples thoughts on the capability of it taking us and our 3 children comfortably around Australia for a year. I guess i am hoping everyone can distill some much needed confidence. We will be aiming to tow an expanda type caravan.

My second question is how do we set the car up so we can be ready for the lap. we have hoped to get this but are their any other essentials that we must have. we don't intend n going crazy 4wding as we are not to confident in our abilities.

it has- electric breaks
-dual batteries
-bull bar driving spot lights.
-
we are thinking of getting-

-roof rack and awning
-snorkel
-draw system and fridge slide

any help would be greatly appreciatedAttachment 135818Attachment 135819

Just watch as many tips you can find on You Tube it is all there and go to a couple of caravan clubs to question others about balancing the weight in your van so you distribute the weight correctly. Your car will be very capable for your trip

Wheel alignment check (which will be done if LCAs are changed)

Originally Posted by Genevieve

Seems to me i am going to have to get one of these ECU units. where is the best place to get one?

Generally the best pricing is via UK based LR parts sellers. Try Duckworthparts.co.uk and Island-4x4.co.uk
The most popular unit is the iiD Tool with Bluetooth by Gap.

Scott

My two bobs worth on travelling with 3 kids for a long time. I'd make sure there was a spare seat in the back for most of the long hauls. I'd save the other side for a fridge on a slide.

Mate given what you've been through, I would cut your losses and get something more reliable. We went through the same thing with a 2008 D3 bought second hand with 160k on the clock. We thought for a modern 4x4 this was relatively low kms and had full service record. Unfortunately we had 12 months of dramas and suffered PTS with the car and ended up cutting our losses and getting a Toyota Prado and have not looked back. I admit we loved the landcover ride, but could not recover from the random beeps and alarms. Over a 12 month period we had the battery replaced, both computers (the transmission module and the main computer), high pressure fuel pump and the EGR blew (actually burnt through the plastic manifold - like little cigarette burn holes in it). Unfortunately, we had no confidence in the car after all of this and would stress about whether we would make it the 50km to work or not. As recognised in the many posts, landrover scheduled servicing is under servicing. Good luck on your trip.

That hasn't been our experience. Perhaps yours had been in a lake.

Originally Posted by tony_d3

Mate given what you've been through, I would cut your losses and get something more reliable. We went through the same thing with a 2008 D3 bought second hand with 160k on the clock. We thought for a modern 4x4 this was relatively low kms and had full service record. Unfortunately we had 12 months of dramas and suffered PTS with the car and ended up cutting our losses and getting a Toyota Prado and have not looked back. I admit we loved the landcover ride, but could not recover from the random beeps and alarms. Over a 12 month period we had the battery replaced, both computers (the transmission module and the main computer), high pressure fuel pump and the EGR blew (actually burnt through the plastic manifold - like little cigarette burn holes in it). Unfortunately, we had no confidence in the car after all of this and would stress about whether we would make it the 50km to work or not. As recognized in the many posts, landrover scheduled servicing is under servicing. Good luck on your trip.

Wow i thought we had it bad lol. Our computer issues have been very minimal

We are have decided that we are going to take the land rover but have a backup plan if something was to happen.
The amount of work done on it there is no way we could recoup the money, you name it, its been replaced. his was done a year ago and since then we have had minimal problems. The only major thing is the TX valve for the air conditioner is leaking. which is annoying because to replace it we have to get the body removed. So i am getting this done at the end of the month up in Newcastle and while its off they are doing a check in detail that everything is in tip top shape. its a 'before you go check'. while there they are putting roof bars on, snorkel and winch.

We have gone with the option of taking it because if something was to go wrong on the road (and i am sure something will happen) it shouldn't be anything to major (no more then any other car breaking). so hopefully the cost wouldn't be to much. The second reason is that if we were to get another car, we cant afford to get new so we wouldn't know the history of that car anyway. so it could also break. Thirdly we are going to have backup funds, so if the car ****s itself we will have money put aside to use to get another car. but if we make the trip with little hiccups then we have saved that money.

Also this page has actually given me more confidence in the car and also having access to so much knowledge and people willing to help is awesome. We plan to get the car serviced throughout the trip.

Originally Posted by orville

That hasn't been our experience. Perhaps yours had been in a lake.

My thoughts exactly. Reversed too far down the boat launch ramp or someone was too aggressive with high pressure washers.