First, I apologize as this will be a long post...but if you want to skip ahead and contribute, just suggest some mods and upgrades you have enjoyed on your vehicle! Otherwise read-on for the full scoop.

So the wife's car is a 2009 LR3 HSE Lux, and it has recently taken a back seat as the "family car" to my Chevy SS sedan...which probably seems comical. But at this point the SS is just much newer and in better shape. Yes the LR has seen better days, and has been lacking in attention as of late. Don't get me wrong...it's had plenty of maintenance, from brakes, to tune-up, replacing a front wheel hub assembly\bearing...and then doing that again on the other side, tire changes, battery\electrical issues, and oh so many fluid changes. It's certainly had it's fair designation of $$$...unfortunately not much in the way of fun.

I've thought about upgrading to an LR4, but I haven't come across one as well equipped as my 3, much less in a price I'm willing to pay at this point. I've even thought about swapping it out for a dare I say Grand Cherokee Trailhawk...but let's not go there right now.

But what I am thinking now, is that I might "revive" the ol' 3 and garner it some much deserved appreciation, if I can make it feel new and fun again. I figure I can do this by:

1. making the remaining issues less noticeable
2.throwing on a few upgrades and off road mods.

I want to do this as a pseudo Christmas gift for the wife, and of course I would love to keep the vehicle until it is driven into the ground if at all possible.

What I'm looking for from you guys, is some ideas for fairly simple upgrades that I can do, to accomplish that goal.

First I'll list out the issues, and then some of the types of upgrades I am thinking.

Issues:

1. Air Suspension - Still functions on startup, but after a few minutes the fault indicator comes on. My indy says it's the compressor failing. I plan to purchase and replace the compressor myself in the spring, if I don't identify something more simple before then.
2. Key fob - Thing is busted, barely works to lock or unlock the doors.
3. Locks\etc. - Nevermind the fob being busted, there's some other problem where even when using the internal button to lock the car, I still need to pull out the key and lock the drivers side to secure the car. Not to mention the seatbelts don't retract well, and the door handles get stuck sometimes as well.
4. Starter\electrical - Periodically the car has trouble starting...but then for long periods of time it does not. Occasionally have other sensors go off, like HDC fault and hood open. Battery was upgraded to a much better one with over 900 cold cranking amps... which resolved alot of the faults, but they still happen occasionally.
5. Aesthetics\Other - The interior could use a good detailing, as leather, etc. is fairly dirty, an an exploding soda disaster has left the headliner stained (don't ask). Also 2 parking lot hit and runs and several door dings have left the exterior looking a little rough. We have a factory dvd system, with headrest screns, but the dvd player is locked up and one of the screens displays garbage.

Ideas for mods:

1. 18" wheels and new AT tires. We have factory 19's at the moment, and put Cooper Zeons on when we first bought the vehicle. But after 30k they were fairly trashed, and they didn't seem to hold up to the weight of the vehicle well. We are currently running Michelin all seasons which are getting on the lower side, and I would love to run an AT again, especially one with an aggressive look. There just aren't many options in 19's. I would love suggestions on 18" wheels that look and fit great on these cars, and which tires you would go with if you had your choice!

2. Exterior mods - Roof rack, ladder, bumper\winch, snorkel, light bars...however not really looking to spend a fortune here. If you had to pick one or two to start with, with the best bang for buck, which would it be?

3. Interior mods - Upgraded\Custom leather seats or some other interior mod that could make the overall feel of the car like new again!

4. Off road mods - Sliders, skid plates, johnson rods, etc.

So with that, I ask again, if you had a few k to revive your rover, what would you do? Maybe a full custom interior, or a matte vinyl wrap with exterior decals...either way nothing is off the table, so let's hear what you've got!

 

A few K makes your want list pretty difficult.

The CFE bumper is on sale right now along with lift rods from www.lucky8llc.com. Add some 18" rims with a 32" all terrain along with some off road lights. That will change up the look but will eat up a large chunk of your budget. A rack will likely be out of the budget unless you find a couple good deals on used parts.

 

1- Replace compressor
2- change Driver door lock actuator
3- repair or replace key fob
4- HDC: check transfer case ECU for corrosion

with the $150 you have left get it detailed.

next Christmas come the mods.

 

I assumed the repairs were outside the upgrade budget

 

I assumed the budget was for everything.

you know what they say about “assume”.

donkey out of you and me...

 

very true

 

Thanks for the responses so far. The budget could go either way really. Was thinking to decide on a few things to repair, and pick a mod or two, which would have the most impact. I left the numbers kind of open for interpretation...as I might only throw 1 or 2k at it for now, but could also be persuaded to get into the 5k+ range...given I'm considering just buying a newer\more expensive car alternatively.

 

I think I'll skip the bumper for now. A roof rack has been a want for a while, but yes the new ones seem to be more than I'm willing to pay at the moment. Would love to pick up an oem LR rack for under $500, if that's a real thing.

Any aftermarket 18" wheels (besides compomotive) that you would recommend? I might be down with some factory wheels, if I paint them black.

 

There are black steel wheels available from Lucky8 by Terrafirma.

Otherwise factory would be what I would do.

 

Wow...yeah fix all that $hit first. Just go down Abran's punchlist. Also, for the door dings find a local Paintless Dent Removal (PDR) technician in your area. Some have the "R" as Repair and not Removal, google on both and find a person...you would be AMAZED at what can be done and the LR3 for the most part provides good access to the backside of the ding unless they are somewhere crazy. I've had three done and they are straight GONE from my vehicle...not just "kinda taken care of" I mean eradicated.

The soda spill...ugh. I don't eat or drink in my Rover. NO ONE does. That's why it looks and feels and smells the same or better as it did 12 years ago, but I'm not hear to judge or preach. What I can tell you is that Resolve might help with your headliner. You know, the spray-on carpet cleaner stuff....? Give that a shot.

Mods: Tires and sliders are your best upgrades. Stick with LR wheels...and throw on some BFG KO2s if you want to stay all-terrain. I have Rover Specialties sliders and they have been the best investment...wow. Those and the IIDTool (see below) have paid for themselves. I don't know what sliders are good now since I haven't looked into that market for years...but check at Lucky8.

The IIDTool by GAP Diagnostics is as important to have in your LR3 tool kit as a regular screwdriver.

So there ya go, that's a good start. Mod it up, take it off-road and your SS will be looking like a 2nd class citizen.