Hey everyone - picking up my new (to me) lr3 from the dealer tomorrow. I'm going straight to the auto parts store to pick up supplies. My question is: what should a new owner of a used (80k) lr3 do to it straight away?

After much reading, here is my list so far:
1. MAF sensor cleaner
2. A can or six of sea foam
3. A can of that royal purple ****? What is that and why do I need it?
4. Cabin air filter (if needed)
5. Fluids? Fluid flush tools?

I also thought it would be cool to put together an lr3-specific tool set. Does anyone else have this? I was thinking it would contain only size-specific, applicable wrenches, screw drivers, any special LR tools needed etc. it would be nice to just keep some kind of "repair bag" with the vehicle.

What does everyone think?

 

Spares Kit Carb Cleaner Fluids, etc.

Year? Engine?

 

I would be pretty slow to purchase anything without a lot of research. Your 3 is no Chev 350 as you will very quickly ascertain.

The auto parts store down the street, (or Walmart), is not where you will normally find LR3 parts or fluids that work OK with your 3.

Take some time and research the forums looking at what the guys choose and why etc.

As an example, a simple routine item like an offshore tail light bulb even when apparently working can show on your readouts as "replace the automatic transmission". Back in about 2006, LR was doing just that under warranty until they figured out that owners have been installing "auto parts store" cheap bulbs due to the early failure of the LR spec bulbs. The spec bulbs were failing due to alternator regulator concerns but that is another story.

 

Lol, there is no "kit" or magical list of things that will turn your newly-purchased LR3 into a showroom performer once again.

I'm not saying there's anything specifically wrong with it, but save your money and learn to diagnose things that should be cause for REAL concern.

There's an 80% chance 6x cans of seafoam will do absolutely nothing for you except waste time and possibly throw a CEL. However the same price might get you a new front left wheel bearing and fix a slight vibration you barely noticed AND prevent you from breaking down on the side of the road one 110 degree evening coming back from work. Which would you rather do?

Again - just an example, I'm not saying you need a front left wheel bearing BUT I guarantee there are issues such as that one which should be fixed before the blanket-bandaid approach to restoring vehicle performance which may not even be absent anyways.

If it's got decent maintenance records, that kinda stuff should be fine. I recently replaced the front, rear, and transfer case oils with RP synthetic. About half of my motivation behind that was to see what life expectancy the diffs and TC had. Front is shot (oh well, I had figured based on slight HF NVH) rear had been replaced before I got it and was okay. TC was about 50/50 but might have just needed new fluids.

These are very heavy, nearly 6000lbs. As such, front control arm bushings / ball joints, sway bar end links, tie rods, brake pads/rotors, and tires/alignment will always be your primary concerns.

The only easy thing you might want to do ASAP is clean the throttle body/butterfly as it can usually smooth out idle issues. Beyond that, you'll need to drive it with HVAC / radio OFF and listen to her for a couple days and let us know what your main concerns are and we can go from there.

Good luck and congrats!

 

Well, if you are looking for a "renew" plan to bring it back to factory, I can help you with a list and recommendations. I did this exercise and it works. However, it's going to be fairly pricey.. 3-4k + labor.. You can start with a fellow I know who is selling a set of suspension arms, and new air struts, and then we can break down the items I replaced.

This would include, all suspension arms, arb bushes, cv joints, drive shaft, brakes, rotors, front & rear wheel bearings, inner / outer tie rods, etc..

At that stage you'll be as good as new with a height calibration and 4 wheel alignment. At least with respect to ride.

I'd first focus on diffs, transfer case and transmission with fluid changes for all. Filter Pan or Metal pan for the tranny.

 

No no no. I'm not looking to "restore" my LR3 like an old woman getting botox to look younger. I'm looking to "maintain" it so I can ensure it goes gracefully into old age (staying with the analogy: like an old woman taking fish oil for joint pain). I wanted to know, for an 80k, V6 LR3, if anyone had some recommendations on things they would foresee me needing. Take the Seafoam for example: I can't count how many times I've read issues and CEL's on this forum that have literally been taken care of with a can of seafoam. What that says to me is: "hey, I should probably have a can of seafoam on hand." So I'm just looking for those "on hand/just in case" type things to have.

I appreciate everyone's input. I know this place is a wealth of info, so I'm grateful to be able to pick everyone's brain.

 

See my article upcoming project reference checking your cowl on page one, and on page 2 a fairly complete list of spares, that are handy to have on hand.