Land Rover Rescue! Can The LR4 Tow it 1500 Miles Home? (NOPE)

Today we finally tow with the Budget Overland LR4. It turns into a process.
But how do you think the Rover handled towing 8000 lbs on a 1500 mile road trip?
It has been a minute but we finally got to do another Rover rescue trip, happy to have another to put to good use and not let it go to waste.
Huge thanks to William and his family, their links are down below. As you saw with the Lost Cause piece, they do some really neat work!
aelhaus.com
/ aelhaus
Link to the budget winch that just keeps putting in work: amzn.to/3OUgRCP
www.TheLostCauseRanch.com

[@aelhaus]

Joe, it was a pleasure hanging with you for the day! Look forward to what you make of Merlin. Yeah, we name all our vehicles. ;)

[@LostCauseRanch]

Much appreciated. It was great meeting you and your family. Can’t wait to see what the future holds for Merlin as well!

[@patrickquinn3574]

Dude... as someone who tries to lone Wolf everything I do! I been there!!! What a Cluster-F-Fest! Very awesome they donated it to the cause!

[@LostCauseRanch]

I love the lone wolf stuff. There is always a way out of everything, just makes life more interesting when stuff goes sideways. It really was a fun trip even with the stuff that went wrong.

[@stevenpeavler959]

We took our LR4 on a cross country trip with the whole family last year. Six thousand miles in the dead of summer. It was a total champ. Not a single problem.

[@leecampbell8750]

Have always lusted over Land Rovers particularly the LR4, but after stumbling upon your channel not sure I want one now 😂

[@LostCauseRanch]

I mean I do think I put mine through the paces haha. So I may make them look worse then they are in certain scenarios (and better in others). But in all reality I do love my LR4 and will probably always have at least one in the stable.

[@leecampbell8750]

@@LostCauseRanchfair enough. May still break down and buy one eventually ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@douggriffith8435]

Great adventure and more stories for you to tell. It’s a win

[@LostCauseRanch]

Definitely, no regrets on the trip. Always love a little problem solving when your hand is forced.

[@azpaquin]

I love it!! What a great family to send the ol’ Merlin your way. My vote is to keep it nice, fix it , show the Rover community along the way and give it away to someone in need after it is fixed. I will donate some $$ toward the cause!

[@LostCauseRanch]

I like that idea!

[@nihallee]

Had a parking break jammed locked issue. I was able to temporary unlatch it with the GAP IID tool but as soon as I stopped the app on my phone, it would lock again. The issue was the switch and had to take it appart completely to clean it. Now it works like a charm!

[@LostCauseRanch]

It wouldn’t connect to the ecm, tcm, abs or the epb modules. So I couldn’t get in there with the scan tool and release it. I’ll have to figure out the communication issues. Funny enough I need to pull the switch on the silver one as well as it has been finicky lately.

[@nihallee]

Once I got the switch assembly out, I tried just an alcohol spray cleaner and it worked for a month and then it started to fail again (on a family trip, of course but the GAP IID saved the day). So back home, I disassembled the switch to clean it thoroughly. The hardest part is to take the plastic cover without breaking it. But then, you push out the 2 pivot stainless pins and it will come appart easy. I was able to diagnose that the previous owner was using 2 milk and 1 sugar in her coffee and most likely without a lid! ;o) Anyway, it was worth it, now it's running very smoothly.

[@nihallee]

I'm super happy to see the LR4 will keep driving with a blacked out cluster and most likely under 11V. That is a great news to me! Thanks!

[@LostCauseRanch]

It was definitely not happy when it got down that far, was getting a little Bucky. But it was in the mid 8s voltage wise when I shut it off. I think the cluster went dead somewhere in the 9.5v range. Pretty neat that it would run that far down. It kind of gave a step of warnings. First the charging system warning. Then the next was the transmission fault. Then it popped abs/traction and everything else then a few minutes later came the dead cluster.

[@nihallee]

Thanks for those details! Wow, 8V! Means we could run this engine on a 9V toy battery ;o) Glad you could make it back!

[@1911Fan85]

Hey brother, welcome to TN. I’ve got a 2013 LR4 if your interested. It has 134k new tires and runs like a top!!

[@LostCauseRanch]

I really like Tennessee. I decided a couple years ago if I move it’s going to be to the Chattanooga area. Shoot me an email with the info on the LR4. [e-mail] If it’s not something I want I always have others looking for/asking about them.

[@TheVeganTravelShow]

Came here wondering if the LR4 would be a suitable caravan towing vehicle. Left totally convinced it’ll be just fine.

[@LostCauseRanch]

They tow pretty nicely for the size. The air suspension helps a ton as well. This would have been 7000+ lbs behind it for that trip. Just need to have a working alternator is all haha.

[@RickActual]

Love this video. Perseverance must be your middle name!

[@LostCauseRanch]

Stubborn is more like it haha. But I just like to turn problems into adventures, then they don't bother you as much. Appreciate you watching! This one was kind of fun to make.

[@AddictedMotors]

Everything here tracks. Love it

[@LostCauseRanch]

Par for the course with these things. Haha

[@AddictedMotors]

@@LostCauseRanch the content makes itself.

[@derelict_wanderer]

Well, I noticed those Kentucky metal roofing crosses and wondered how far south you were headed. Welcome to TN! Glad to see Tennesseans were of service (as far as alternators go, along with the southern porch for the pooch).

[@LostCauseRanch]

Everyone kept getting nicer and nicer the further south I got. I love it in Tennessee. If I ever move from Iowa the Chattanooga area is where I’m headed. Sasha had a great time hanging with Merlin’s family on the porch.

[@jonarnejorgensen1179]

Good job!! :)

[@LostCauseRanch]

It was a fun one! Sasha did all the problem solving so it was good she was along haha.

[@ajones5683]

beautiful. Mariana black is such a cool color (a little biased). Looking forward to future videos with Merlin. Tho I do not envy that trip at all. Glad you made it home safely.

[@LostCauseRanch]

They are good looking in that aren’t they? It will be interesting to see what happens with Merlin, unsure yet. Trip was entertaining, it was a little stressful at times but I’m always up for something that makes a good story to tell years later.

[@ajones5683]

@@LostCauseRanchthat was a hell trip!! At least you had Sasha. What are you thinking of doing with it 🤔

[@roverdogs_keithwhelchel]

Well gues that was not the ending you where hoping for when Sahsa barfed, but heck my Loki hates just being in the car when its running. If it is turned off no problem lmao. Still see your keeping up with the safety protocols. Oh and nice of Walmart to keep you going.

[@LostCauseRanch]

That’s too bad with Loki, Sasha (and Honey did) love being in the car. I think she was over it though as it needed up being quite a long time in there. Hey, I had wood stacked underneath the jacked up one this time haha. Not too often I can say I like Walmart, but all the workers there I interacted with were outstanding people.

[@johnsimpson6676]

Great road trip video! Looking forward to seeing what you do with the Disc, looks to o nice to break up for parts. Maybe fix it up and donate to a volunteer mountain rescue team or some volunteer group that need off road capability. Looking forward to what ever you do it will be good viewing I am sure.

[@LostCauseRanch]

Yes, I’m kind of excited to see what happens with it. Not quite sure the direction yet. Appreciate you following along!

[@RegularGuitars716]

loving the frequent videos!

[@LostCauseRanch]

Good to hear! Trying to get back on a regular schedule again.

[@markbielawski]

OMG, what an exciting episode!!!! I'm glad Supervisor Sasha was there to feed you all those good ideas to make the trip there and back. 😁 Now I'm wondering... Did Merlin jump time, or are the guides just worn out and slapping around in there. 🤔 Glad you and Sasha made it home safely.

[@LostCauseRanch]

Sasha is pretty smart. (Ted may have had some of those ideas via phone as well). Merlin was still running, just in limp mode so there is a good chance the valves are good yet.

[@stevenmoran4060]

Well at least the tow hitch was well up to the job!

[@LostCauseRanch]

It did fantastic haha. It really was a fun trip still, I love the unexpected. Spices up life.

[@iadubber]

That's a cool wood piece!

[@LostCauseRanch]

It is! Super nice of them to make that.

[@patrickkirby5003]

Thats not bad mileage, ive got a hemi durango thats been nothing but headaches after i paid it off, gets 12 mpg on town on top of being unreliable lol. Glad to see the battery charge get you there though bud

[@LostCauseRanch]

Funny how they can turn on you as soon as you officially own them. I'm usually 11-12 in town with this thing as well. The battery charge worked wonders, thanks again!

[@badm0t0rf1ng3r]

Commenting before watch... I'm hoping for the best... planning on the worst.

[@LostCauseRanch]

It is somewhere on that scale haha.

[@badm0t0rf1ng3r]

Sasha is precious and do everything to give her comfortable places to lay around.

[@paulwatson4650]

u have 2 beast nice trucks them trucks LR4 turn heads out here in jamaica KOOOOOOOL

[@LostCauseRanch]

I bet they are something special down there! They are definitely beasts. Thanks for following along.

[@paulwatson4650]

yeah they are but its mostly deisel out here right hand drive great truck u take care of them they will last long @@LostCauseRanch

[@MegaSkypes]

That was an excellent and exciting experience well done! I’m going to comment more but for now I’m going to sleep! Chat soon!

[@LostCauseRanch]

We are all just worn out around here aren't we?

[@Okierover]

Isn't this always the case? The spares and tools I carry for my Range Rover Classic are silly and necessary. You just don't stop at the O'Reilly's when she breaks down and expect them to have anything to get you back on the road.

[@LostCauseRanch]

The Classic would definitely be even harder to get parts locally. But yeah takes some extra precaution with these things going on trips.

[@secret5.]

Is a timing chain replacement due to neglected maintenance, low oil pressure, or actually something that commonly goes wrong on those motors.

[@LostCauseRanch]

It is multiple things that can lead to the failure. The 2010-2012's had a subpar tensioner guide rail that was updated in 2013. That extended the life quite a bit. Another problem is Land Rover recommended oil changes at 15k miles, so that coupled with the early poor design guides really didn't fair well. We've experienced an extended chain life on LR4's that had short (5-7000 mile) oil changes compared to dealer serviced. We've replaced chains on one owner dealer maintained vehicles as early as 60k miles and this one in the video was on the original chains until 183k miles. So there is a range. I have a video going up today on the complete replacement, it's kind of long, but if it interests you at all you can see a little more in depth what happens to them. Feel free to skip around in the video.

[@secret5.]

@@LostCauseRanch Appreciate the feedback. I've been looking at v6 models and came across your channel. Wondering if they have similar issues. I've been a Toyota owner but have been considering an LR4 for a bit more luxury. I I know I understandably will have more maintenance issues, just trying to get a feel for how much more. We use our Tundra on road trips to pull a small camper but also do a fair bit of off road trails and remote camping. The Tundra is unfortunately loud, not a great ride, and has terrible mpg, but it has always been incredibly reliable and that means a lot. We've thought about taking our Highlander on trips but it sucks off road.

[@SavoyPrimeable]

Question for you! (awesome video btw) Im looking at a vinyl hood decal for my 2013 LR4 - I know they only last typically around 3-5 years... my question is, do vinyl wraps/decals ruin the paint underneath? I don’t want to take the vinyl off and the paint underneath be ruined from the vinyl.

[@LostCauseRanch]

Thanks for watching it, it was kind of a fun journey. On the decal. If the paint is decent quality it usually holds up fine as long as it’s a good quality vinyl. The one thing that can happen depending on the color is differing amount of paint fade between what is under and what isn’t. But typically a light buffing after pulling it off makes everything look normal.

[@1manmanythings144]

Did you reset your adaptations.

[@LostCauseRanch]

I didn’t mess with anything more until I got everything home.

[@ThatCivilGuy]

You are the embodiment of Land Rover ownership - the highs, lows, and spirit that keeps us endeared to that dumb green oval.

[@LostCauseRanch]

They are quite the roller coasters aren’t they? Wouldn’t trade it for the world though.

[@МаксимМаксим-щ4ю7л]

Hey man my lr3 got the same bs once I disconnect battery wait 2 minutes and connect it back it starts charging again thought it was alternator swapped it but no it’s just lr3 acting up

[@LostCauseRanch]

That is nice when you can clear something up like that. I meant to show the alternator in this video. I’ll show it in the next but it something broke in the clutch/pulley.

[@nihallee]

Hey Joe, if you have some timing chain experience on any 2014-2016 3L SCV6, would you please share that while fixing Merlin? I know the chains are updated but I don't know about the tensioners or what else they made better (or did not). I personally took my secondary battery out to disable the stop/start (ECO mode). I mean, that has to be the worst idea on a car that has timing chains getting slacky loosy. My 2016 LR4 is 112000km and it's been well maintained at the dealer but I can hear her ticking when cold already. I'm really not sure what I should use as a threshold for having the chain/tensioners replaced? It's a hot topic on the forums and not much good answers. Anyway, your thought would be appreciated on those later years. Insert in any episode you feel makes sense, I watch all your videos anyway. Cheers from Montreal, Canada!

[@LostCauseRanch]

I definitely can, the timing chain setup is the same on the 6 and 8 cylinder ones now. The big update which all of the 6 cylinders had was a steel button on the guides so the tensioner doesn’t wear into the aluminum. But there has also been several part number revisions on the tensioners which usually means some sort of change. How often are you doing the oil changes? In my experience the dealer service interval has been some of the issue on these. We keep them between 5-7k miles. Ditching the stop/start is probably a good idea if you are having symptoms. Typically you will see some timing deviation codes in the ecm before it goes catastrophic and that is a good time to get the fix done. But each case is different and hard to predict. All the ones I’ve had near failure make a fair amount of noise all the time before so if you are listening for it.

[@nihallee]

@@LostCauseRanch, Thanks this is soooo valuable info! Also brings down my stress level a lot! LR did oil changes every 12000Km (7500 Miles) or less but I'll certainly do it under 10000Km (6000 Miles). It's so easy with the tube and a pump! About the stop/start, when taking the battery out, you are left with a bright ECO mode off" yellow light in your dash. Lots of people are trying to find out how to get rid of that so if you ever find out... Tanks again!

[@az6877]

is it myth that land rover keeps on breaking down all the time?

[@rangerover943]

Hello, if you are going to brake it up for parts for how much would you sell me complete dashboard? I have a low millage LR3 with sentimental value and want to do lr4 interior swap.

[@LostCauseRanch]

We will see what we do with it. Where about are you located?

[@rangerover943]

I am in Europe, Croatia.

[@jamesray3920]

Batteries just don't die unless the alternator dead or serpentine belt broke my comment are before I watched entire video

[@LostCauseRanch]

I’m guessing you saw that it was the alternator. I was just using the batteries to make it until I got to the alternator to replace it with haha.

[@jamesray3920]

You must have lied about what you was hauling, uhaul will ask you what are towing on car hauler that car hauler has a 5200 pound rating lr4 weigh 5800 I used my jeep commander that has a 4inch superlift to haul my 05 jeep wrangler unlimited rubicon that is modified that weights 5800 with the same uhaul car hauler trailer I felt like I was going to pop a wheelie steering felt lite , so I drop trailer and went home to use my 01 Chevrolet Silverado 4x4 2500hd 8ft box , now I have a ton of control didn't even notice I was pulling anything , so know before you tow and know uhaul will ask what you are towing if the vehicle too heavy they won't rent you the trailer

[@LostCauseRanch]

I bet it felt sketchy with the lifted commander. The nice thing about the LR4 on that end of things is the air suspension so it didn’t squat it and make it feel all squirmy. It handled it decent, just couldn’t do 75-80mph like you can with a 3/4 or one ton. I may have said it was a Land Rover Discovery to make the online reservation happy.