Outfitting our “home away from home” for the Pan-American expedition was a thrilling yet demanding experience. As the departure date approached with just eight weeks remaining, the reality of making our Land Rover Lr3 expedition-ready set in, marking the first concrete step in our ambitious journey.
Our LR3 story began about a year into Andy’s US visa as a Land Rover technician. An LR3 came into the shop needing a new transmission, and the owner decided to sell. Andy seized the opportunity, knowing it was a bargain and within his skill set to repair. While perfectly suited for weekend off-roading, this LR3 needed significant upgrades to tackle over 20,000 miles of remote living.
As is often the case, most parts arrived just three weeks before we were set to leave. This tight timeline meant intense days and late nights filled with installations. Fortunately, the incredible team at CARRS4x4, our local Huntington Beach shop, stepped up to help. They opened their doors and enthusiastically joined the project. The build team, consisting of Abrham, Andy, and fellow Land Rover technicians Daniel and Chris, poured immense effort into transforming our LR3. We are incredibly grateful for their support, without which achieving this level of preparedness in such a short time would have been impossible. In just eight weeks, we transitioned from two weekend-capable vehicles to fully equipped expedition rigs. This transformation included essential additions such as roof tents, durable gear cases, robust roof racks, new off-road tires and wheels, enhanced lighting, reliable dual battery systems, protective rock sliders, and practical refrigerators – the list goes on, all crucial for our long overland journey.
We extend our deepest thanks to CARRS4x4 for their invaluable support and for opening their workshop to us. This LR3 build was a true labor of love, fueled by hard work and shared passion.
Here’s a closer look at the specifications of our expedition-ready LR3!
