LR3 Lift Rod Questions
 

I was very fortunate to win a British 4x4 Outfitters $100 gift certificate from the raffle at the rally in Moab last weekend. I have a stock 2008 LR3 and really liked the LR3 and LR4s that had the rods installed on them at the rally. Id like to get a little bit larger tires than the stock ones and the rods seem to be the easiest and cheapest way to make that happen.

But before I pull the trigger on them I would like to know it they cause any additional wear to the compressor, air bags, or steering components. British 4x4 Outfitters have one set of Proud Rhino lift rods for $125 as well as Rock Armor adjustable lift rods for $75. Haha its either the rods or the Smoke Side Markers since those are the only things in the $100 range!

Special thanks to British 4x4 Outfitters for donating the Gift Certificate and to the Solihull Society for putting on the raffle!

You'll want to have it aligned afterward.

If you were spending the money out of your own pocket, I'd suggest applying it toward an IID tool or nanocom, as both of those can adjust the ride height and have LOTS of other features, over the lift rods. I'm not sure if British 4x4 sell either of those, so you may not be able to do that with their gift certificate.

Off topic but my aluminum gas tank skid on the d1 came from them great price and perfect fit, fast service will definitely use them again

My 90 came from them, the whole vehicle. And the fuel tank skid that I have yet to install. They also sponsor and come to SCARR and the Arkansas Rover Society rally. They are good guys.

An alignment will definitely take place right after installation. But what Im worried about are the bags and compressor mostly. Ive also heard it may wear out control arms faster. Any thoughts from the tech guys?

You won't have to worry about any of that (including the alignment) if you take the first responder's advice and use the $100 to go towards an IIDTool. That way you can roll around the street at stock height, and only go to your new modified Off-Road height on the trail, when necessary. At those speeds and few miles (most trails are < 10 miles, right?) you won't need to get a $200 alignment, nor will you add wear to your suspension components.

I've done both. I won't be going back to rods. IIDTool is awesome.

OK what's the 11D tool?

I need to buy tires so I am debating leaving this stock with stock size tires or what?

My wife will not be offroading the vehicle and it sports factory running boards for her

thoughts?

The IIDTool is an electronic plug-in device produced by GAP Diagnostics. It plugs into the OBDII port and can interface the EAS and you can adjust your suspension....along with reading/clearing faults and a myriad of other things.

Also...running boards SUCK for off-roading; take it from me.

Yeah learned that on the d1 but this will not be going offroad

I'm also looking at purchasing a IID tool. I would still get an alignment if you're getting new tires. I looked into LR3 Lift Kit - Johnson Rods - Range Rover Sport Lift Kit at one point but I'm leaning towards the IID tool at this point.IIDTool for Land Rover - GAP Diagnostic
There's also a tire size chart on the johnsonrods.com website that is helpful.

Why are you getting larger tires if it's not going off-road, Tom?

...and WYRover, why would you need an alignment with new tires?

I usually have one done just to make sure it's within specs. Don't really feel like spending $$$ on tires only to have them wear out prematuraly because the alignment was off. The shop I use will check it and if it doesn't need it they will let me know and if it does they align it.

Oh I see. I thought you were implying that one needed to be done if a guy went to larger tires, regardless of how "fresh" the alignment is.

Ok I think you have me convinced to get the IID tool instead of the rods but holy crap they are expensive! Im new to this so forgive me but is there a specific IID tool I should be getting that is better for an 2008 LR3? It seems there are many different ones at many different price points. British 4x4 has two with the cheapest being $380 which for now is way out of price range.

Would lifting the LR3 with the IID tool be any less wear and tear on the bags, compressor or steering components than the rods?

the 05 had 265 65 18, did not see rubbing, bigger then the door lists and looks good but dry rotted to death from the vehicle sitting since 09


the wheels I swapped in have 255/55/19, way smaller

Yes, at least the way I used both, it is. With the IIDTool you can wait until you are at the trail head before you apply the lift. I think with some of the fancier rods now you can do that as well, so it could all work out even. Thing is...I don't know the price of rods these days, and with the IIDTool there is a lot of other stuff you get too in terms of capability.

Honestly if $400 for an essential piece of kit is too much, you're not going to like wheelin' in the LR3. It's awesome and very capable....but the cost of admission is higher. EVERYTHING is more expensive on a modern Rover verus, say, a RR Classic or a Jeep.

The IID tool is nice but expensive. The lift kit is a much easier way to get the lift and its been proven effective. Just get an alignment and your set. No programming to worry about. Simple and highly effective.

[IMG]https://landroverforums.com/forum/Attachment 37204
Attachment 37203Attachment 37204

Costs more, yes....but you get something for the extra money. IIDTool does more than just the lift.

I'd say you get a lot for the extra money. In my opinion, comparing rods to an IIDTool (or BlackBox Nanocom Evolution) is like comparing a box cutter to a Swiss Army knife.

I've used my IIDTool to add a new key to my LR3 ($150 if my dealer did it), I added the navigation on the move, and I added the clock on dashboard. Diagnostic features let me figure out what I need to fix or go into a shop with enough info to have an intelligent discussion.

The real reason I bought it is to deal with issues while off-road and far from assistance. As an example, if I develop a leak in an air spring (or a height sensor goes bad) the IIDTool will let me manually inflate the 3 good corners (all 4 if just a sensor) and then disable the EAS so it won't make any more automatic adjustments. With rods only you may very well be on your bump stops and unable to clear obstacles you drove over on the way in so now you can't get out.

-Rob

Yep! It saved me once in a similar manner as Rob has described. Lost an air spring and a sensor. Was getting cross-articulation errors with the EAS enabled. Used the IIDTool to "pump it back up" and then pulled fuses and drove home.

Ill keep trolling ebay and see if I can pick up a used one. It seems to be a pretty awesome little tool. Is there a specific brand or type that is better for the LR3 than others?

The brand is GAP Diagnostics and the model is IIDTool for LR3. I don't think that your plan of finding a used one will work. They are "keyed" to a specific VIN. You'll just have to save up your pennies and buy one new.