LR109 S3: Add more weight carrying capacity (3000kg weight)

Hi All,

I have a few LR109 S3. One is fitted with 2800cc daihatsu Diesel engine, and quite powerful. I am planning to increase the weight carrying load of this LR to like 3000kg (weight load alone). I am planning to either:
(A) change the axlel to double-tyre (4 tyre axle)
OR
(B) add more single tyre axle

Choice (A) may look simple, but I need to get axle which has the same ratio as the front axle, as I will be using the 4x4 (or maybe 6x6?). My question: What type (double-tyre)axle that has the same ratio as the front LR axle? I can purchase a used lorry axle (Japanese most likely), but getting a matching the ratio to the front axle is a problem.

Choice (B) will need for some suspension addition/modifications as to fit the extra axle at the back of the existing axle. I can buy 109 axle quite easily or get from the donor LR that I have.

My futher questions:
(1) Which would be better in term of weight carrying ability?
(2) Which would be easier to do? (For those who has embarked on this modifications)


Any advice is welcome and thanks in advance.

PS: I need the extra weight carrying ability as I need to transport my excavator (2900kg) to my oilpalm plantations in which I have to transport the excavator in rubber tyred vehicle as not to damage the road (tar macadam). I cannot leave the excavator in the plantations as there are many thieves which steal things from it at night (the fav being the main pump etc). So, i have to transport it to the plantation, do my digging work whatever, then transport it back to my home. I have tranported 1600kg of oilpalm bunches in the standard 109, but 2900kg would be far too much for the single-tyre axle, I think.

Thanks so much.

Zul
Malaysia

Why not use a trailer to transport it? I don't see that thaere is any way you can get a land rover to carry a 3000kg payload. The chassis is just not designed to take that kind of weight. Not to mention the brakes and steering components.

Thanks Martin1512,

Trailer should work. But I hate the idea of having to drive a trailer as it can be quite difficult, ie reversing. I have a tractor with trailer, but it is not easy with narrow roads etc. That is why I am looking at the possibility of having this rigid truck sort of thing.

I have transported about 1600kg payload with no problem on the standard 109 pickup. Have seen vegetable farm owners in Cameron Highlands transporting 2000-2500 kg payloads on hilly and winding roads.

Is there any way that I can strengthen the chassis to take this kind of load? I am not using this on public roads, rather it will be on remote farm roads. But the road is quite narrow (8ft wide), some tarred roads and some laterite/crusher-run roads.

Any ideas?

Zul
Malaysia

Probably easiest answer will be to fit a third axle , you would need to stretch chassis so could plate it to uprate weight capacity at same time . Trying to find dual tyre axle with same ratio as LR would be very difficult , and so would modding chassis to fit other makes springs. Trying to go to 6x6 would be very expensive for a reliable set up . you have 4wd which should be plenty for track type terrain . HTSH

you need a big yank pick up, or 4x4 iveco two tonne on a 6x6 defender is wobbly, so 3000kg up high will be shocking