Range Rover Sport for the Lap of the Map

I’m sure you will receive some useful advice pb, but even better would be the Australian Landrover forum. All dedicated owners and some first hand knowledge you won’t find elsewhere.

Just a comment about 20 or 19 inch rims. A friend of mine took a RR Sport with 19's over the Simpson Desert a year ago (fitted with low profile AT tyres). After dropping pressures to get over the dunes, he later found that the tyre sidewalls had been damaged by being hammered by the rims. Three tyres were later destroyed on the rocky roads from Innaminka to Tibooburra. I'd recommend you fit 18 inch wheels, but you'll need to check they will fit over your front brake calipers (my friend had big Brembo calipers and 18's did not fit).

Make sure you take along a spare new brake master cylinder, because these are a notorious problem on the RRS (and a few other Landrovers).

There was a major recall on the brake master cylinder, has this been done on your vehicle?
Even after the recall, many RR owners are still reporting brake problems.

A mate with a 2007 RRS (2.7 TD) had his master cylinder reconditioned after experiencing constant brake problems (leaking fluid, sinking pedal, hard pedal) - but the brake reconditioning crowd couldn't buy one of the new internal valves required, so they installed the old one!

He went from Perth to Melbourne towing his 'van and the brakes failed again in Melbourne. He cut short his holiday and came home. In his words, "he's lost confidence in driving it".

Range Rover Sport and Disco 3 brake recall

Cheers, Ron.

You have not said what engine you have - if a diesel you can get 17" rims from a D3 or even a BMW X5. If you have a Supercharged V8 then I think you are stuck with OEM sizes but if a TDV8 then the mentioned aftermarket Tuffant/Commotive Rims should be OK.

There is no aftermarket snorkel but the OEM RAI can be sealed to make it a snorkel. The D3 bar can fit but it is not legal to have it fitted as the OL and ARB are not complianced for the RRS.

Suspension get a LLAMs height controller as it allows you to drive at offroad height faster than 50kph. Also purchase or make an Emergency Inflation Kit (check AULRO) as you can then raise the suspension to a reasonable height if there are issues (caused by lack of maintenance).

Standard fuel filtration is good enough but all systems will still let water through. the car has a water trap and alarm but I would also advise fitting a Water Watch water trap and alarm system.

Get a good set of AT tyres - about 265 wide in what ever size wheel you end up with.

The fuel tank size is OK for normal use - gives similar range to a V8 Landcruiser as the Cruiser uses a lot more fuel - however like all vehicles heading outback and additional tank is helpful and a D3 auxiliary will fit - but then you will need to work out where to put your spare.

Roof racks are available - if your towing get a D4 tow bar or install a Mitchell Bros Hitch.

Otherwise the vehicle is just as capable as any other for outback trips.

From my experience and what I have seen, the most common point of failure will be tyres if you do many of the outback dirt roads. This is especially so with a lot of Land Rovers because of the large rim size and lower profile tyres. I love Land Rovers but would be sourcing lower diameter rims at the expense of all the other modifications you mentioned combined. I would also get a roof rack and carry an extra spare tyre carcass on the roof to save weight. Outback servos are unlikely to have RR size tyres in stock but will be able to repair damaged ones and swap your second spare onto a rim if required. Personally, I've only ever needed a second spare when I've left it at home. :-)