Does anyone know of a direct email address for Special Vehicles Dept or similar in the UK? We're planning a trip across Western Australia, inc the Canning Stock Route, but have been told by lots of people, including professional tour operators, not to take a Sport or LR4 as the suspension can't handle the corrugations. Basically they suggest the reason is that the suspension can't be held at the offroad height at the required 75 to 80km/h and thus is constantly bottoming out ...... for 800 odd kms at a time. Land Rover Australia suggest to 'drive slowly over them' but I don't have a spare six months to travel the distance.
Although we can, and will, combat the problem by fitting the replacement sensor rods, I'd just be interested to see what LR have to say about their products not being recommended as expedition capable vehicles, and how they would set them up themselves if they were tasked with such an expedition.
Also any advice or comments from you guys would be welcomed.
Cheers 4wding only starts when you have to get out the cab. Everything before that is just driving on crap roads!

Don't have the contact details you need, but when you do contact LR, don't mention the shortened rods if you give them your VIN etc. They'll use them as an excuse to get out of warranty work.

Shortened rods are a good idea, as is increasing ground clearance by fitting higher profile tyres. Quite a few people on aulro.com (Australian LR forum - check it out) have done long offroad trips in D3s, which are virtually the same(mechanically) as RRSs, so you shouldn't have issues.

Underbody protection is available from various outfits, but it ain't cheap.

Thanks Leo, I'll check that website out, and I'll be sure not to mention the rods. 4wding only starts when you have to get out the cab. Everything before that is just driving on crap roads!

I've had several clients/friends do the Canning Stock Route in D3's and D4's. The RRS should handle it easily, having a shorter wheelbase and being slightly lighter. They're telling you porkies ............

Cheers,

Gordon 2015 RRS SDV6 SE, Santorini Black, GOE 2-way HS rods, Traxide dual battery, 275/55R20 Nitto TerraGraplers

2015 Discovery 4 SDV6 HSE - GOE 3-way HS rods, GOE underbody plates and sliders, 275/65R18 Courgia MT

Afternoon Gordon,
That's great news. I must admit, I was a bit dubious when I first heard it, but it's been three tag-alongs that have said it now, and several 'experts' (landcruiser and patrol drivers) too. So you found no problems with high speed corrigations? 4wding only starts when you have to get out the cab. Everything before that is just driving on crap roads!

I towed an off-road camper over the Docker River Rd before it was graded in 2006. Worst corrugations I've ever encountered - made the Gibb River Rd look like a ironing board (well not quite, but you get the idea)!

This was in a D3, averaging 90 kph. The camper had a Land Rover County rear axle and spring set-up. It broke - the D3 didn't!
Doubt you'll have a problem. Many tour operators say the same thing - when pushed, their explanation is usually that they'd have know idea how to fix it if it went wrong, and/or that the owners didn't have a clue how to use the vehicle. So make sure you're up to speed with the TR, DSC, EAS etc and if you can, carry a Hawkeye or Faultmate with you - for peace of mind.

Cheers,

Gordon 2015 RRS SDV6 SE, Santorini Black, GOE 2-way HS rods, Traxide dual battery, 275/55R20 Nitto TerraGraplers

2015 Discovery 4 SDV6 HSE - GOE 3-way HS rods, GOE underbody plates and sliders, 275/65R18 Courgia MT

Thanks very much Gordon, I'll do that. (Sorry about the lateness of the reply, .... I love telstra / bigpond!) Have a great long weekend. 4wding only starts when you have to get out the cab. Everything before that is just driving on crap roads!