Member Since: 24 Nov 2011
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 84
My D3 - G4
Hello, I’ve been on here for a while but this week I got my first D3, a 2008 G4 which was used at Eastnor for selections for the cancelled 2009 G4 Challenge. So far, I’m really pleased with it, seen here with my G4 RR.
Click image to enlarge
D3 G4 Selections car ‘08
L322 G4 2003 Event car ‘03
110 G4 Event car ‘03 and ‘06
Series 2a ‘68
1st Apr 2021 11:31 am
CY
Member Since: 16 Aug 2005
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 4506
Hey, that looks awesome. What a pair to have in the drive - love it! Enjoy your first D3. They look great in G4 guise - welcome to the orange club!
Member Since: 24 Nov 2011
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 84
Thanks CY, enjoying being part of the orange family! The RR makes a much nicer sound but the D3 is frugal by comparison! Needless to say it’s spat the dummy with an EGR code but I’ve a plan in place to sort that out.D3 G4 Selections car ‘08
L322 G4 2003 Event car ‘03
110 G4 Event car ‘03 and ‘06
Series 2a ‘68
1st Apr 2021 2:54 pm
bigjc
Member Since: 24 Nov 2011
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 84
It’s been a while since I posted last about the G4. Since it arrived it’s proved a bloody useful bit of kit due to its van like qualities once the dog guard is out and the seats are down.
On other threads I’ve reported the failed turbo which was replaced with a new OEM one, new control arms, blanked EGR and BAS electrickery and just this weekend I treated it to some new Duratracs tyres. I also bought a new rear prop as the bearing wasn’t supported by the rubber surround so I had a bit of vibration.
However, its driving really well now and very pleased with it. I took it back to Eastnor Castle once lockdown had lifted as my wife had bought me a day driving the new Defender there. Some of the staff there worked on the 2003 & 2006 events so it was good to hear some of the stories from behind the scenes.
D3 G4 Selections car ‘08
L322 G4 2003 Event car ‘03
110 G4 Event car ‘03 and ‘06
Series 2a ‘68
4th Oct 2021 11:58 am
CY
Member Since: 16 Aug 2005
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 4506
It looks great Glad you're enjoying it.2007 Porsche Boxster (987) 2.7
2008 Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE G4 Challenge (1 of 68)
2023 Defender 90 D250 X-Dynamic HSE
4th Oct 2021 3:15 pm
bigjc
Member Since: 24 Nov 2011
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 84
Since my last post, I’ve been using the G4 as a van thanks to its flat folding rear seats and cavernous capacity. Coupled with the rack, its a great load lugger!
I’ve been focussing on pre-winter maintenance, cleaning the underside and then treating the surfaces and cavities so generous coatings of Bilt Hamber products. It’s now also wearing 4 new Duratrac tyres after a brief spell on MT’s which were just too hardcore for how I mostly use it. Using a combination of Halfords Goodyear offer on 4 (15%) and my BlueLightCard discount (7%) when you buy a Halfords e-gift card, it worked out at a £112 per tyre.
Also underneath, I’ve changed the fluid in both diffs and I’m also awaiting the transfer box fluid so I can change that. New JLR oil filter and sump plug picked up from Kendals main dealer and was pleasantly surprised that it was cheaper than most aftermarket suppliers! Costco will be supplying the Castrol 5w30 as 20 litres works out cheaper than 15 litres at Eurocarparts so it’ll do for a few changes!
This afternoon, its going into Henshall Engineering in Chelford for a gearbox flush. Getting a slight fluctuation of revs between 1.5 and 2k revs, a dithering between ratios almost and this was similar to the TDV8 RR I had. Bodsy cured that with a flush so I’m hoping the D3 works out the same.
The biggest win though has to be replacing the two outer rear parking sensors! The Gap tool allowed me to find out why I got the continuous annoying tone when selecting reverse and Jay Tee’s YouTube how to video gave me the excellent tuition on how to remove the rear bumper and swap over the sensors. Result…. Working sensors! Still amazed how much stripping down is required to swap the sensors.
As it my wedding anniversary this weekend, I’ve managed to persuade the good lady to buy me 3 replacement Hella HID Illuminator roof light inserts so I can swap out the crusty ones. In return she gets a long weekend in the Lakes and will mostly be treated to some jiggling around…. On green lanes of course (wash your minds out).
[/img]D3 G4 Selections car ‘08
L322 G4 2003 Event car ‘03
110 G4 Event car ‘03 and ‘06
Series 2a ‘68
4th Nov 2021 9:16 am
bigjc
Member Since: 24 Nov 2011
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 84
Gearbox flushed at Henshall Engineering, superb professional and friendly service as always! Even had two new bonnet struts as it tried to decapitate James when he popped the bonnet!
Dare I say the ride home was quieter and the revs a lot steadier at 50mph through the m6 average speed cameras.
D3 G4 Selections car ‘08
L322 G4 2003 Event car ‘03
110 G4 Event car ‘03 and ‘06
Series 2a ‘68
4th Nov 2021 4:31 pm
bigjc
Member Since: 24 Nov 2011
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 84
Since my last post the G4 has been used quite a lot, dragged my G4 RR to the garage when it ate the timing chains, took us on hols to Yorkshire and took in a few roads and was recently on the G4OC stand at LRO Peterborough.
It’s not been without faults, the TC gave up necessitating a replacement and whilst in there I went for a new gearbox too as its the same labour and it was knocking on 200K miles. Got to have it running as good as it can for our Morocco trip in Feb next year.
Sadly the screen cracked on the way home from Peterborough so its booked in for a replacement. Had to remove the Raised Air Intake as the technicians are not a fan of them as it hinders getting under the a pillar. Looks a bit weird, especially as I’ve now mocked up a dummy intake guard!
D3 G4 Selections car ‘08
L322 G4 2003 Event car ‘03
110 G4 Event car ‘03 and ‘06
Series 2a ‘68
13th Sep 2022 2:29 pm
ronp
Member Since: 29 Nov 2006
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 15264
Was your G4 on the G4 owners stand?
Did have a look around.
I'd have kept your modded air intake quiet, everyone will now want to copy it.
Good luck with the screen replacement ... oh and make sure they secure the pillar trim properly .... or the RAI will need to come off again if it's a loose os trim....... always on the road less travelled 🚧
13th Sep 2022 4:21 pm
bigjc
Member Since: 24 Nov 2011
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 84
It sure was on the stand, its top right of the pic with the roof tent.
My RR was also on the stand which I did a few laps of the arena in with Safety Devices and the G4/Camel display.
Click image to enlarge
I’ll be watching the Autoglass chaps like a hawk and making sure they put a heated screen in too, read a few stories where they’ve not done that.D3 G4 Selections car ‘08
L322 G4 2003 Event car ‘03
110 G4 Event car ‘03 and ‘06
Series 2a ‘68
13th Sep 2022 5:59 pm
bigjc
Member Since: 24 Nov 2011
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 84
It’s been a while since I last updated this but here’s where its up to…
We’re off to the Western Sahara in a couple of weeks so prep has started on making it more camper/travel friendly. The beauty of the D3 is it versatility, the rear seats that fold flat and enormous boot. However, the 3rd row seats weren’t getting used as the car is normally carrying some form of kit, so out they came.
I’m awaiting a phenolic board to arrive so I can build the floor that the fridge slide will mount to. I did try to get one of the OEM sliding floors but they’re either at the other end of the country or sold! So, this will do instead.
Once installed, it will provide some storage for stuff that hopefully wont be used but is there just in case.
As a bit of prep and given the car was down to 21mpg (yes its a diesel), it was dispatched to James over at Henshall Engineering Ltd who’s super knowledgeable about D3’s and L322’s and well, most land rovers.
He diagnosed a leaky injector number 6 so out that came and in with a new VDO unit. The aircon had the usual leak on the front to rear pipe so it now has the front only aircon pipe as thats all we’ll need really.
A full service and she’s back to rude health and returning 27mpg which at todays fuel prices should cover the garage bill in about 10 miles 😁
The roof tent is back on and the car is also carrying a spare ‘spare’ wheel and tyre as I’m not too sure how common 255/55/19’s are in the desert. Thank you to JLR for designing a rack with movable cross bars, the tyre fits nicely now.
I’ll post a pic of the boot before it gets filled with stuff and once it’s ready for travel…. Now where’s that bloody courier with my plywood?
D3 G4 Selections car ‘08
L322 G4 2003 Event car ‘03
110 G4 Event car ‘03 and ‘06
Series 2a ‘68
23rd Jan 2023 9:43 am
tanters
Member Since: 24 Oct 2007
Location: Oireland
Posts: 4287
Nice work
Where did that net come out of?A happy childhood ... is the worst possible preparation for life.
23rd Jan 2023 11:31 am
bigjc
Member Since: 24 Nov 2011
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 84
The net was just off amazon or ebay. Only a tenner but its got a zip pocket too. Hangs off the 2nd and 3rd row grab handles nicely. Originally got it for coats to be out of the way but easy to grab.D3 G4 Selections car ‘08
L322 G4 2003 Event car ‘03
110 G4 Event car ‘03 and ‘06
Series 2a ‘68
23rd Jan 2023 12:12 pm
tanters
Member Since: 24 Oct 2007
Location: Oireland
Posts: 4287
Yeah, very handy A happy childhood ... is the worst possible preparation for life.
23rd Jan 2023 12:17 pm
bigjc
Member Since: 24 Nov 2011
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 84
Finally, the buffalo board turned up today so I was able to crack on with the false floor that will allow the fridge slide to be mounted. Just a temporary mock up as it needs support in the centre underneath but pleased with the progress.
D3 G4 Selections car ‘08
L322 G4 2003 Event car ‘03
110 G4 Event car ‘03 and ‘06
Series 2a ‘68
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