Tires are bolt-on accessories. They are not integral to the mechanics of the suspension or drivetrain. Any LR3 can change tires and it's normal to do so. That's like wearing a different pair of shoes....that doesn't change any biology.

The GAP tool and lift, that really does flirt with a mod, I will agree on that. If I can argue that it's still stock, I would do so based on the fact that the GAP tool only teases out capability that is already within the EAS. That and it's not permanent. You can get an LR3 into the same height by lowering it onto a cinder block...that doesn't make it "temporarily modified." Extended Height is part of the stock specs.

I call my LR3 stock. It's got some nice bolt-on accessories, but it is mechanically the same as when it left Solihull.

 

Ah but some bits are Land Rover accessories. They offered racks snorkels, Winches and mounts. Some dealers even offer them with lift installed. Coil springs we're also a stock choice in other markets.

Other motors yup from other brands? Yup Rover did that to with straight 6 BMW motors in some defenders. Italian diesels etc...

Rover made a great looking canvas and they left it to us to finish the master piece.

 

Sure, finish the masterpiece all you want but you can't call it the same name once you start changing its DNA. a snorkel? A roof rack? Accessories.....diff? Suspension hardware? Engines? Still a Rover, but no longer "a Disco" per se. If you replaced EAS with the OEM coil setup fine, it's still an LR3, because it conforms to some LR spec. Otherwise, no.

Maybe that is our line in the Sand: does it have LR drawings & specs that describe it?

Here is what is motivating this: above, Don stated that while the LR3 is good for moderate Wheeling; but you are better off in a Disco or RRC for the severe stuff. That statement is wholly misleading without the clarification that he meant MODIFIED Disco.

...and that is my point. Discos lifted way up with different running gear and suspension are "Discoveries" in namesake only.

 

 

 

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Abran with the best point yet.

 

Okay Lars here are some classifications:

1. Any changes conform to available items from factory = STOCK
2.Change tire size/types or bolt on accessories, etc = NOT STOCK
3. Changes to suspension using IIDTool or rod-mod, etc = SLIGHTLY MODIFIED
4. Changes to drivetrain or suspension like gearing or
lockers or major suspension change or engine = NEW VEHICLE TYPE

...and this also serves Don's original point. You really can't do #4 to an LR3, that's why the "Disco" is better for severe off-road stuff, because you can build it (albeit into something else!) and make it more suitable for large obstacles.

 

Shouldn't there be a step 3.5 - 'highly modified'? Or do we skip straight to 'not a Rover'?

 

Also, assuming my D1 didn't have radically different suspension (5" RTE + 1" body), lockers (Detroit rear, ARB front), etc, would it still be a Rover as the roof has been cut off and replaced with a roll cage? Original chassis and original body...at least what's left of it.

 

Just a few so far for me, hoping for much more in the future!

Bee Canyon Truck Trail near Idyllwild CA
Lake Havasu AZ
Mojave Desert CA