My LR3 has like 89,000 miles on it. Its in mint shape and have changed out front, rear, middle diff fluids recently but not touched the transmission fluid.

After seeing a videos on how to do it and getting turned down by like 4 shops I decided its not worth it. Jacking up the motor, busting rusted nuts, exhaust etc. I saw so many ways for it to go horribly wrong that I don't even want to go that route. One transmission fellow said "Why pay a grand to change oil when I can get you a new tranny for 3.5K just drive it till it breaks then buy new one. He seemed to think it was a waste of time, as they can go over 300,000 miles on same fluid.

I've heard of this metal oil pan swap that does not need all the fuss.

Reports of how hard it was to swap out? regrets etc?

I can't seem to find the ZF part in USA.

Which ZF tranny is in the USA LR3 HSE gas V8?

Which pan has the drain plug? I thought it was like from a BMW and not a landrover that had a plug.

Is the swap out pan doable without a shop lift?

 

YEs its doable.

Follow this thread to the end:

https://landroverforums.com/forum/lr...service-70478/

 

I dd a fluid flush and re-fill; kept the same pan and filter. That is an alternative and I think it costs about 60% of the full pan/filter change AND you get to keep the original capacity and not lose a quart.

 

In answer to the question about which one:

ZF 6HP26X, some newer models supposedly have the 28X, is that the 8-speed?

 

New owner here, I did this very service within a month of ownership.

It was very doable in my garage on 4 rhino ramps in off-road height (4 jack stands under frame). Some bolts required creativity to get a tool on, but took me and my brother in law (mostly me) about 4 hrs total, including beer breaks.

Got all parts from thectsc.com about $400 all in (metal BMW pan with fill and drain plugs, filter, gasket, bolts, 6 qts Lifeguard 6 fluid)
Got a fluid pump ($10) and infrared thermometer ($20) from amazon, and larger internal-hex sockets for $20

looks like thectsc is out of stock on the pan kits, but may get more - just ask. their service was top-notch, and shipping was super fast. helps that i am within 2 hrs of them though. Their site also has some instructions and torque specs.

Our trans is the 6HP26X.

Zero regrets, as I now know the change has been made. I also have the experience of doing, and a cheaper filter change in 50k miles. Some say this pan holds 1qt less, but I'm not so sure. i got about 4.5qt out, and put about 4.5qt in. did it leak an entire qt before service? who knows. either way, I plan on changing fluid/filter again in 50k so not concerned about it.

Same pan on eBay, but you have to piece together your kit.
ZF6HP26 Transmission Metal Oil Pan with Bolts and Drain Plug 2002 and Up 6HP26 | eBay

Good luck.

edited to say that my main motivator was fixing a leaking pan seal (a dripping "new" car is not fun). A previous owner already dealer-replaced a leaking electrical connector sleeve at 77k miles so it got a new pan/filter and fluid then. my change was done at 117k, and i will replace the connector sleeve next time, as it is not leaking now.