As its been a few years since I picked up my first G4 (two more have appeared - D3 and Defender) and this month marks the 20 year anniversary of the first G4 Challenge, I thought it about time I posted a bit about it.

I was lucky enough to buy this Range Rover via a facebook group as Graeme (previous owner) had mentioned he was selling and as a 2003 event car, it had a reasonably good tracable history. The G4 Owners Club was able to share its fleet number and that it had been used in Australia (stage 3) by the Russia/Australia team, I was even provided with the Aussie registration number and Sat Phone number!

The G4OC forum also provided some UK ownership history about the car along with some issues that it had in the past mainly relating to the electrics and LPG, always good to know what has/hasn't be done to the car.

The plus points first, it wasn't completely naked! It came with the rack (minus ply deck), the rack cowl that sits between it and the front edge of the rack. 4 x warn lights, 2 sets of wheels including 2 goodyear MTR tyres which are possibly from 03! It has the rear ladder but not the original. It's in reasonably fine fettle mechanically, engine is still strong (and thirsty) but needed new timing chain and guides after the former ate the latter. The gearbox is relatively smooth and when it arrived it was wearing General Grabber Mud tyres (Now Goodyear Duratracs). The lamp guards are intact and body wise, it's not too shabby but it has been painted in the past.
It starts first time, every time and makes a glorious noise when it does and never fails to put a smile on my face.

I'll call this bit work in progress as I'm committed to restoring it as close to 2003 spec as I can.
Its missing the front underbody protection and this is really hard to replace as is the winch. If you have any of this kit and would be willing to sell, please do get in touch.

The rear arches are corroded so need replacing and its at that point, I'll most likely get the whole car repainted, new decals applied and rack and ladder stripped and powder coated.

The rear ladder isn't the original as its too thin but thanks to the forum, I've managed to source a replacement which is correct for the car.

At some point the car had been converted to run on LPG but the tank fitting in the wheel well necessitated the relocation of the EAS pump. When the system was removed, the pump was relocated back to its original position.

All the original in car entertainment has been removed and a new head unit fitted which is nice to have and all the original kit came with the car should I wish to retrofit it.

The brake discs and pads have been swapped to EBC drilled and grooved discs and green stuff pads but they are not too inspiring so these will be changed to Delphi parts at some point soon.

Things that I have done since taking ownership in November 2020:
Air filter, pollen filter, Engine oil and filter change, I also had to restore the oil filter bracket as it was cable tied on (!).
Both diff oils and transfer box oil has been changed (v stinky).
Front and rear brake lines and flexis and the handbrake shoes and cable have been replaced.
The subframes have been wire brushed back to remove a lot of the surface corrosion and then these have been waxoiled along with other key parts of the chassis. The chassis rails have been injected with a anti corrosion wax (Bilt Hamber S50) to try and keep them from deteriorating.
All 4 tyres were swapped to Goodyear Duratracs as these are much better suited to daily driving, the old tyres were sold on to fund this swap. However if I'm offered a set of MTR's, I'll happily buy them for my spare set of wheels.
The rear parking sensors have been replaced as they didn't work, prompting a minor altercation with the house porch (doh...).
I've fitted an autovox front and rear dashcam which doubles up as a reverse camera or it can stay one in the same way the new defender camera does.

Some pics of it in action wearing its Aussie plate ending 653 (from G4OC/Nick Dimbleby/JLR) with the winch in place, during its time with LRE Eastnor and from its with me.

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

I’ve had some new Delphi discs and pads in the boot for a little while so took advantage of the good weather yesterday. My efforts were curtailed by a solid Caliper which didn’t look too old, still wouldn’t move with a block of wood and a hammer! New ones going on today.
The car came with cross drilled and grooved EBC discs and green stuff pads, tbh they’ve never been great and carry the risk of mud and stones getting stuck when it goes off road. Hopefully putting them back to as LR intended will improve things, I do miss the old TDV8 with Brembos though.

Click image to enlarge

I tried drilled and grooved with Fatty offroader, TBH they were about the same as stock, I did find the grooves and holes are too small to trap stones though....

I did get a lot of stones stuck behind the disc shield due to it's design, I ended up removing them and didn't suffer any more, never noticed any difference without the shields in place in normal use either...

Good luck with the bodywork, as you say, needs to go to the right place who will do a proper job...  Pete

__________________________________________________
2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Parchment over Navy Interior. Sold
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand, Jet Interior. Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green, Ivory over Aspen Interior (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

Both front discs, pads and calipers refreshed, the rears are next and then some bedding in.

Click image to enlarge

Cracking job!

Got the rears changed apart from the calipers - new ones are in the post, wish I’d bought handbrake shoes but I’ll get them and do them at the same time.

Took it for a bedding in run and they are noticeably better - most likely due to functioning front calipers but it feels safer.

Bit of a grumble from the rear could be prop nose bearing but its not a constant whine, could just need a diff juice change. Just found I don’t have the required 14mm hex/Allen socket so more tools required.
It could also be the prop but it’s not making the same noises the D3’s prop did when it needed replacing, lets see how stinky/shiny the diff juice is?! 2002 L322 4.4V8 - G4 Challenge Car - Australia leg
2003 Defender G4 110
2008 Discovery 3 G4
1968 Series 2a

This weeks job was something I’ve wanted to do since buying the G4, removing the window tints. I’m not against them, they suit a lot of Range Rovers but not this one so off they came!
I also managed to source a genuine winch mount and Warn 9.5ti winch from a non G4 car that is becoming a donor car, that will get fitted at some point.
It’s also going up to Scotland in June for the LRE Scotland Trek under the stars event so it will be going into the garage for some preventative TLC in the form of a gearbox oil and filter change and 4 wheel alignment. Then the hunt for someone to repair the rear arches resumes in ernest.




 2002 L322 4.4V8 - G4 Challenge Car - Australia leg
2003 Defender G4 110
2008 Discovery 3 G4
1968 Series 2a

One thing I forgot to note down was a bit of a grumble from the rear of the car. Sounds like a wheel bearing noise, a hum, but they’ve been changed in my ownership. It happens when the car has been driven for more than 10 mins and warmed up and seems to be only under load as opposed to all the time. It’s not getting louder but it is noticeable.

The diff oils were changed (stinky but no metallic bits), transfer box oil has been changed so I’m guessing rear prop or maybe the diff bearings? It’s definitely from the rear of the car and there’s no vibration with it.

Any guesses? 2002 L322 4.4V8 - G4 Challenge Car - Australia leg
2003 Defender G4 110
2008 Discovery 3 G4
1968 Series 2a

The last time I posted, there was a grumbling. Turned out to be stuff in the gearbox as I had it flushed and new filters put in, all is well again.

I took it up to LRE Scotland for their Adventure Trek weekend along with a couple of G4 competitors and another G4 club member in his TDV8 RRS G4. It was great, well organised and very chilled.

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

She’s all loaded up as we start to move bits and bobs north as part of our relocation to Cumbria. Also, there a chap that has been recommended to weld up my sills and arches and he’s taking a look at it on Saturday. Fingers crossed he’s that chap to do it!
Still not got to the bottom of my poor performance despite new VANOS solenoids and cam position sensors… it had new timing chains and guides last year, may be the timing is a little out?

Anyhow, I’ll enjoy the trip to the Lakes tomorrow in her! Have a good weekend all.

 2002 L322 4.4V8 - G4 Challenge Car - Australia leg
2003 Defender G4 110
2008 Discovery 3 G4
1968 Series 2a

Enjoy....  Pete

__________________________________________________
2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Parchment over Navy Interior. Sold
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand, Jet Interior. Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green, Ivory over Aspen Interior (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

Another pic of her out in the wilds…took this pic as it looks like a toy/model next to the trees.

Last weekend I managed to acquire a Mantec sump/bash guard. These are hard to find and looks to be from a 2006 vehicle but I’ll make it fit with the winch.

Click image to enlarge

The G4 is away to my preferred local independent for some TLC, namely refitting of the old o/s cat as it’s been welded and new 02 sensors installed.

I also put n/s 02 sensors and a fuel filter in the boot for the garage to install. I’ve also described the lack of power to them which shouldn’t be the case with a 4.4 V8 petrol engine, despite new Vanos solenoids, it still feels flat up hills so I’m hoping a big of proper diagnosis from someone that knows what they are doing may yield the answers. 2002 L322 4.4V8 - G4 Challenge Car - Australia leg
2003 Defender G4 110
2008 Discovery 3 G4
1968 Series 2a

Oh… and I fitted the sump bash plate