I am thinking of adding a few choice extras in order to help/protect the vehicle. I have no intention of doing any "extreme" offroading, but I do want to continue to use the car a bit more in terms of what it can do (e.g. a few trips and on some offroading events).
Now here is the tricky bit - it's a lease car. It goes back in 3 1/2 years. I have the all-clear to add what I want as long as its back to "normal" when I'm done (unless I decide to purchase). Anything I add would probably end up on ebay or on this site for resale later on.
So, out of the following I would like some insight into what people think would be worth fitting with a comment on:
1) how easy to put on (either by me or by someone who knows what they are doing...)
2) how much cutting/drilling/body work damage etc can I expect
3) based on number 2 how easy to take off and make the car look original (and for someone who is challenged with even finding the right cloth to wipe the interior, let alone filling holes...)
Here's the few bits I'm thining about:
1) Mantec / Uncle Ray underbody protection - either sump guard or full kit (from what I have seen, this is a straight fit...?)
2) Sill protection
3a) Raised air intake - LR version
3b) Or Raised air intake /snorkel - Safari Snorkel version
4a) Extra driving lights - not on an A-bar; fitted to the bumber (will need switches and wiring but can't drill too many holes in the dash etc)
4b) Or lights fitted to a roof rack if I decide to get one - obviously no holes in the bumper but what about cabling etc?
Pearls of wisdom from one and all appreciated...Thanks.The next American ex-pat that calls it a "truck" is going to find out what 2.7 tons feels like on their foot...
Club "yes, I too have had the EGR's replaced..."
Club "yes, I too have had the compressor replaced..."
Club "yes, I too once had the car at the dealer for a couple of weeksnearly 4 weeksover 4 weeks...5 weeks"
Club "yes, I too have had EPB failure..."
Club "yes, I too get mysterious bings and bongs..."
5th Oct 2008 7:32 pm
MacLeod 313
Member Since: 18 Apr 2008
Location: away
Posts: 10723
Well the RAI needs holes drilled into the wing, and a hole largened on the top of the windscreen behind the trim, and the Mantec uses the same holes on the chassis that already are there.
I have an A Bar too, that requires two large 32mm holes drilled either side and the spots can fit to the Bar
5th Oct 2008 7:38 pm
craig
Member Since: 08 Aug 2006
Location: Home of LR.
Posts: 2545
Re: Some advice - putting on and taking off...
JF Lux wrote:
1) Mantec / Uncle Ray underbody protection - either sump guard or full kit (from what I have seen, this is a straight fit...?)
2) Sill protection
3a) Raised air intake - LR version
3b) Or Raised air intake /snorkel - Safari Snorkel version
4a) Extra driving lights - not on an A-bar; fitted to the bumber (will need switches and wiring but can't drill too many holes in the dash etc)
4b) Or lights fitted to a roof rack if I decide to get one - obviously no holes in the bumper but what about cabling etc?
Pearls of wisdom from one and all appreciated...Thanks.
Mantec is 4 bolts on and off - no problem to the lease company
Sill protection - no problem
RAI - 2 bolts into the wing and into the a pillar trim - can get them filled in the wing for a few euros and a new a-pillar trim isn't too expensive. But do you really need a RAI?
Driving lights - not too much of an issue so long as you can get them mounted out of eye sight or pay Slimer for a new bumper....
Roof rack lights - again no issues - especially if TFC works his magic - once single hole into the car that the lease company won't see
I'd have a peek at AndrewS's gallery at the Blue Pearl - went from loaded to butt naked, but pretty much perfect when she was sold
5th Oct 2008 7:40 pm
POINTYED
Member Since: 22 Mar 2008
Location: BURY,LANCS
Posts: 2758
hi
try these for a start
uncle ray does sump guard[easy fit]and powder coated rock slider sills[seen these,look tops]
put the lights on the roofrack they look alot better then run the wiring along and down the back and in under the rear lights like the cb aerial wire does.alot of wire maybe but a nice neat job[and no drilling]
do you really need a snorkel?i was toying with the idea but i not going to do extreme offroading either so cant justify it.the other stuff is easily removeable with no body damage but you need to drill holes for the snorkel also.scary
dunc life is tooooo short.enjoy the moment.dont worry be happy
Thanks for the prompt replies - and they make sense as well...
Why do I need a RAI...? I suppose don't really and if its that much hassle compared to the other stuff then it comes off the list...
And I forgot one thing - rear access ladder. How easy is that to get on and off ?
Thanks.The next American ex-pat that calls it a "truck" is going to find out what 2.7 tons feels like on their foot...
Club "yes, I too have had the EGR's replaced..."
Club "yes, I too have had the compressor replaced..."
Club "yes, I too once had the car at the dealer for a couple of weeksnearly 4 weeksover 4 weeks...5 weeks"
Club "yes, I too have had EPB failure..."
Club "yes, I too get mysterious bings and bongs..."
Ladder is very easy, 10-15mins to fit/removeThe End
5th Oct 2008 8:20 pm
craig
Member Since: 08 Aug 2006
Location: Home of LR.
Posts: 2545
Rear access ladder is easy to install and easy to remove with no effects when you hand it back to the lease company. Biggest issue with the ladder is getting the tape residue off, the top of the door....
5th Oct 2008 8:21 pm
POINTYED
Member Since: 22 Mar 2008
Location: BURY,LANCS
Posts: 2758
hi
access ladder is easy fit but dont buy that chrome one off ebay.its cr p
dunc life is tooooo short.enjoy the moment.dont worry be happy
Wouldn't dream of getting a chrome one - be it of good qulaity or not
I think a couple of PM's are in order...
Thanks all The next American ex-pat that calls it a "truck" is going to find out what 2.7 tons feels like on their foot...
Club "yes, I too have had the EGR's replaced..."
Club "yes, I too have had the compressor replaced..."
Club "yes, I too once had the car at the dealer for a couple of weeksnearly 4 weeksover 4 weeks...5 weeks"
Club "yes, I too have had EPB failure..."
Club "yes, I too get mysterious bings and bongs..."
5th Oct 2008 8:28 pm
POINTYED
Member Since: 22 Mar 2008
Location: BURY,LANCS
Posts: 2758
hi
just as a side note
uncle ray does export
dunc life is tooooo short.enjoy the moment.dont worry be happy
Can honestly say I don't think you need to worry about genuine LR parts being added, if they would leave a hole you have to either fill it, or leave the part in place.
Hardest part for me was getting them to maintain the added parts while I had the car - for instance I swapped from 17's to 19's. Did it officially and they replied saying they would continue to supply tyres / insure the mod throughout the lease. Wonderful service and took away the oh moment when you have to get a fix or an accident repair.
Even better, they then had no problem with me taking it all off again when the car went back. Big tip - take a day off the week before your car goes back - I was up most of the night !!!
I change my mind over a RAI like the tides . . . Currently having just forded
POINTYED - are you on commission or something...? Talk about putting immediate temptation in my way...
Anyway - it worked... I just sent a PM to godd 'ol Uncle Ray... The next American ex-pat that calls it a "truck" is going to find out what 2.7 tons feels like on their foot...
Club "yes, I too have had the EGR's replaced..."
Club "yes, I too have had the compressor replaced..."
Club "yes, I too once had the car at the dealer for a couple of weeksnearly 4 weeksover 4 weeks...5 weeks"
Club "yes, I too have had EPB failure..."
Club "yes, I too get mysterious bings and bongs..."
5th Oct 2008 8:58 pm
POINTYED
Member Since: 22 Mar 2008
Location: BURY,LANCS
Posts: 2758
hi
i wish i was
i think its coz i just respect craftmanship
and ray is a top man
you wont be dissapointed
dunc life is tooooo short.enjoy the moment.dont worry be happy
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
p
I just sent a PM to godd 'ol Uncle Ray... 
