Hi All, New LR3 owner here! New to Land Rover but not new to off-roading, mods or wrenching.

I recently picked up a low mileage 2009 LR3 HSE with the intention of turning it into a trail rig that can tow an offroad trailer.

What’s the first thing I do?
https://lmgtfy.com/?q=Land+Rover+LR3+33+Tires

Apparently, the general forum consensus is that “it can’t be done… shouldn’t be done”
Not to be a nonbeliever, but here we are.

Full disclaimer – I plan to cut and hack the inner wheel wells and trim the finders till I achieve my goal.

Here is what I have ordered so far to start

- PROUD RHINO SYA OFF ROAD EXTENSION KIT PLUS FOR LR3
- [ANITAS] MUDTECH PRO LIFT For LR3
https://www.mudtech4x4.com/en/anitas-suspension-unit/
- GAP DIAGNOSTIC IIDTOOL FOR LR3 2005-2009 BLUETOOTH
- LR3 COMPLETE POLLY BUSHING SET
- LR3 UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS & HARDWARE SETS

This should get me started...
__________________________________________________ _______________

WHEELS / TIRES

I need to decide on a wheel and tire combination.
I see 3 bolt on options that will work with tires up to 32” of tread.

-Lucky8 18X8" STEEL WHEEL SET OF 4
https://www.lucky8llc.com/products/s...wheels-for-lr4

- COMPOMOTIVE WHEEL
https://www.lucky8llc.com/products/compomotive-wheel

-TUFFANT WHEELS
https://www.tuffantusa.com/product-p...8-steel-wheels

These wheels all seem to work perfect on vehicles with up to 31-32.5” of tread.
BUT in order to stuff 33" or larger, my understanding is wheel spacers are needed to move the wheels out to clear the rubber off the suspension components?

I’m familiar with wheel spacers. I’ve run them of a few rigs without issues for years. Good quality spacers and proper installation and maintenance (Checking torque specs before each major trip) have proven to be trouble free in my experience.

So this brings me here. Before I pull the trigger on wheels and spacer – I’m going to open the can of worms further by asking why not run a WHEEL ADAPTER to change the bolt pattern to allow for more wheels options?

Realistically I want a bead locked wheel if I am going to order new wheels so after a bit of research, I’ve arrived at this option. Am I crazy?
With a bolt pattern wheel adapter I would have a lot more options wheel wise. I also have the option to send wheels to OMF to have bead locks added.

I know there are some of you running 33, 34 and 35” tires. What was the perfect Rim / Spacer / Offset / Backspacing combination for your build?
Ideally, there must be a sweet spot to stuff larger tires into the wheel wells and keep it from rubbing on the suspension components?

__________________________________________________ __________________
BUMPERS

I only see 3 feasible options bumper wise.

- ARB
- TACTICAL ROVER
- PROUD RHINO

I’m leaning towards the Tactical Rover bumpers ( Front & Rear)

However, I’ve taken time to read a lot of the reviews online for each and the one thing I don’t see mentioned anywhere is APPROACH ANGLES on any of these bumpers.
Can anyone provide feedback ?

 

I like the approach angle on Tactical. Never seen a proud Rhino in person, but it looks similar.

 

That mud tech pro lift is interesting. I'm relatively new to LR3s myself and the only question that comes to mind with the more lift is will the air suspension handle it and not overextend? Will it not hinder the travel of the suspension design? The drop is where these thing shine off road (from what I've gathered) and the higher you go the less wheel drop you will have, I realize you know this just talking out loud. I actually run 33s with proud rhinos and my gap tool so I'm already pushing the limit.
This mud tech pro is intriguing though, I'm going to have to look into it. Thanks for the link!
Also please keep updates on where you land on the lockers please.

 

33's have been done it's easy.

Proud Rhino bumper for the win.

I use the TerraFirma steel wheels and no spacers for 33x12.50 rubber

If you look in the what did you do to your LR3 today thread there should be pics of trimming that is needed.

Someone will be along sooner or later to tell you big tires are stupid however lol

 

Big tires are stupid!!

Hahahahaha.....

 

See told you

 

Big is so relative though! HAHAHA!!

 

Only if you are small...

 

I like big tires and I can not lie.