I have always wanted a Land Rover & I believe now is the time!!!! I am reaching out as a new member to get advise on this journey with about $13,000 to spend with an HSE in mind. I am confused with the traction options available (Traction Control, Locking Front & Rear Difs). I know they have center dif but is there a heavy duty package that adds locking difs like the LR3 I should be aware of, are there different configurations to different model specifically, Is the 4X4 shifter onboard called out with locker settings & dash lights setup? What is the best setup for serious offroading? How reliable are these rigs? What can I expect to pay on maintenance per year with offroading 10 to 15 times? Whaty to look for with a high mileage rig? Any input would be very helpful.

Thanks

 

Do plenty of reading/research here and shop around before you buy.
You should be able find a really nice one for half of that or less.
Put the other half back for accessories, upgrades, parts, and repairs.
Of the two year models mentioned, 04 has center locking diff and 03 doesn't.

 

Find a good '04 with low miles and a blown engine. Buy it for $1k or less. Have a new engine with Top Hat liners put in it.

Have all the other miscellaneous stuff fix if it needs it, and you still have about $3k to start tricking it out if you want to.

 

This really is the best route. If you do get one with a blown engine and go for a top hat block, then pay the extra money to install an aftermarket cam and have a port and polish done on the heads. It makes a world of difference. To add to this, there weren't really any off road options other than the difference between coils and air bags, and obviously the '03 not having the CDL. None came stock with either front or rear lockers.

For off roading, you will want 16" rims with probably a couple inches of lift. With 2" lift you will be able to fit 32" tires. The next thing you will want is lockers and probably a winch to pull out all your jeep buddies
Anything beyond that is just personal preference. Maybe some 4.11 gears if you dont plan on driving on the interstate at 75mph much, but thats mostly preference too.

As for reliability, it's not spectacular. You will go through patches of reliability and patches of a thing or two breaking every week or so. I'm currently in the latter patch, but the end is in sight. You will want to know how to work on it yourself, and you'll learn quickly.

Also, make sure it has a rebuilt front driveshaft with grease nipples in the u-joints. If it doesn't or if there is play in the one on the truck, replace it very first.

Be sure to keep up on maintenence to a tee. Use Rotella 15w40 with a Mobil 1 m1-301 filter. Yes, it's larger than stock. Yes, it will fit. Never use Dexcool, only standard green anti-freeze.

A note: you are going to average around 10-14 mpg depending on how you drive it and you will never increase that number. Trust me, I've tried. I've never even made it to 14.

You will want an ultra gauge or an aftermarket temp gauge because the factory gauge is ****. By the time it moves past the point it reaches at around running temp, your engine is already dead. It literally does not move for a large temp gap. You'll want a 180 degree thermostat too.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head. Do a LOT of research.

 

Get an '04 that someone has given up on, and swap in a Turner long block with the H180 sport cams and gas flowed headers. That would be sweet.

 

Can confirm, the h180 cam is great. That, coupled with Rhoads lifters and a port an polish boosted my hp by 60 and torque by 100 (about). Headers are next, but they'll be useless without high flow cats and a better muffler, or no muffler and just leave the resonator.

 

Buy a Toyota and put some land rover stickers on it. (Ok, I admit I'm feeling a little jaded today).

 

But that wouldn't be near as much fun!

 

13k way too much to spend...Cost should be half that for a sweet minty ride. Buy a 04 with a CDL. replace the motor with a Cannibal V8 rebuilt (google it). All Stock motors are time bombs and will cost you money. All D2's leak oil and fluids from driveline, pumps etc... over time...They all Break bottomline just some worse than others! Cut the loss now and be happy with new rebuilt motor (not stock) don't do it and you will be unhappy. Lockers and lift kit will be needed for serious offroading as well as bumpers, guards etc....maint - these definitey cost $$$ to maintain and drink gas...not a economic decision I assure you. Have I scared you away yet BTW I love mine now that it has had almost every problem area addressed.

 

Thanks for all the great input!!! Just with the center lock dif is that enough to get lost & make it back or recommend lockers. How much will I be looking at to add front & rear lockers?