Thread: L322 TD6 Inspection

I am not sure that an L322 is quiet a soft roader but i would be concerned for the fuel tank and that daft looking exhaust system behind the rear axle its just begging to get ripped off.
All those soft painted bumpers are just ready to get scratched up.
The dash layout and controls for the air suspension, switches etc are a bit confusing.
And i am pretty concerned that most of the ones for sale in the $30k range have been poorly looked after, it must be great to have a $140k vehicle from new and abuse it and get another.
I guess when Mr Howard gave away a 50% rebate on company cars alot of people thought it was an offer to good to refuse.

Yes the late model 38s still look like good value.
But SWMBO still wants an L322 im pretty sure it wont look as good as my 38 after after 10yrs of use though.

What do you expect when looking at the cheapest examples around, maybe you should compare them to p38s that are advertised for 5-7k for condition and wear?

If the suspension controls are confusing (up, down and lock…) and everything underneath will be ripped off then don’t buy one.

These are observations only, and im not trying to upset anyone!

I do drive a $5k P38 so i know what they are like. Interior wise mine is pretty good as most of them are.
It seems that the quality of trim in an L322 is not built to the same standard.
As some people have said in many posts/threads before the newer Rangies are loosing their off road practicality in the pursuit of the luxury car market.

Originally Posted by harlie

Bit of tall poppy syndrome going on here....

Nope, you misread me Harlie. Perhaps that huge chip on your shoulder obscured the view?

No need to shoot the messenger mate, more than happy to have my dots points shot down/corrected though.

I must admit to never closely inspecting the transmission plugs on a L322, and was relying on information provided by a trusted friend and LR mechanic who makes a living out of servicing them.

Totally agree with you about the complexity thing... the P38 was significantly more complex than the RRC and hence more daunting, and the L322 is a degree more complex and daunting again. It is all relative I suppose.

Hoges - yes I do sleep, but not enough espcially at this time of year with EoFY accounts for 2 businesses, a "day job" running several major capital projects, and doing the sales enquiry/fulfillment thing for Hard Range in between does take its toll. Distracting myself by jumping back and forth to AULRO of an evening is a bit of therapy, even at 3am

Cheers, Paul.

L322s are easier to work on than a p38, just as P38s are easier than a classic. Things are easier to get at.

Some trim is made from the same coating as the later p38 center consoles (you can pick it off if you try hard).

l322s are better designed than a p38. Look at the size of the td6 aircleaner, its near 1/2 a metre long!

You can buy the outside glass of the headlight if you get a stone chip.

You can access the in tank fuel pump from the 2 (yes 2) holes in the top, through the access pannels in the floor.

twin batterys (in my case tripples) are very very easy.

Yes they have IFS and IRS, but when they came out in 02, Land Rover Owner international were quoted in saying, "a 322 on standard tyres will go further than a new defender on mud tyres." This is the largest LR mag in the world, by the way.

17 inch wheels fit. (and so do 32" tyres with a little plastic trimming).

All should have been recalled for the front diff.

Bad points, they have a $1800 heated windscreen, most have stupid wheels, v8s gearbox coolers clog up and overheat, v8 top ends stuff up, gearboxes die after many kms of not being serviced (duh), they dont sound like pauls car (and my diesel never will). Everything else can be put down to wear and tear or neglect. Speedo and center display pixels stuff up (not 'too' pricey to fix)

I would still have my grey MY01 p38 if i wasnt offered my current 04 HSE at a very stupid cheap price, and i would guarentee that anyone reading this would have done the same (including paul).

If anyones interested, i will be soon starting a build up in members rides of my car to continue on from the one in the l322 section.


Andy

Ps, i have always said, you can get a 10 year old top of the line disco for 10k, and a 10 year old top of the line rangie for 20k. So just wait a year or 2. (theres already a few v8 vouges for 25k on ebay).

Originally Posted by andrew e

I would still have my grey MY01 p38 if i wasnt offered my current 04 HSE at a very stupid cheap price, and i would guarentee that anyone reading this would have done the same (including paul).

You are right Andy. I know what you paid for that L322 and I would have jumped at it too, especially considering how well you have got it running now
I was sorry to see that grey P38 go... it would have looked so nice with a lift kit, front and rear bars, sliders, snorkel, chopped guards and a chunky set of 35"s

Cheers, Paul.

Gees this topics getting touchy.... so take it easy one me.

I would eventually go for a L322 if and when the price is right. By comparison for those that don't know, the L322 are almost priced at the same second hand price range as 100 series Toyota Landcruisers (dough....i said it again) and GU Nissan Patrols with similar KM's. The RR's are an un-tapped resource from the general public, which is why the prices are somewhat where they are. That's why it's a good idea when selling yours not to go to crazy on aftermarket mods, as enthusiasts like us on this forum will pick up on that and walk the other way. I don't know about you all, but i like to keep my vehicles as original as possible with only a few minor cosmetic changes to spruse the image a little i.e Tinted windows, Good tyres, Bull bar or Nudge bar etc. but no further. The thing i love about the L322 eventhough i don't own one, is the advanced suspension system. The suspension gets picked on by many so called 4WD die-hards for their air suspension, and the fact it's independent all round, but when going off-road with them and showing (like i did with my P38) that you can still tackle Mud soaked hills in the back of Warburton on road tyres and not get bogged combined with a bit of skillfull driving reaching the top of the hill in a grand reception of everyone with their cameras out snapping away with their jaws dropped expecting you to be bogged is saying something. The Rangie is still King.......not the Landrcuiser (DOUGH!!!)

For me value wise you get so much more for you dollar AND travel in luxury, instead of hopping out of the vehicle with a sore Ar se in tight coiled sprung Japanese rice burners (nothing racist about that, so don't start!!) or a P38 that didn't buy a EAS kicker of Paul and had to drive home on bump stops OR worse a DEFENDER.................i'm running.

Now Paul, i will get that Bullbar off you this summer when the funds start flowing again, i promise. And will have to get a few smaller nick nacks in preparedness for the Birdsville trip in the next 2 to 3 weeks when my tax cheque clears, so will be in touch.

Ok all,
I have had a drive in a V8 L322, good long one too.
Boy they are smooth sound great and i love the old fasioned induction roar trying to get out.
What a free revving engine, my P38 hardly ever sees 3200rpm these newer engines easily pop into the 5000s.
You can really feel the P38 under the skin somewhere.

Is a Hawkeye a good option for an L322 V8 DIY owner? It seems to be able to do most of the fiddling one might like to do and with one cable unlike the P38s 4 or so cables.