I don't think the suspension has been modified though. The understeer that the extra lump of metal hanging out of the front induces (added to body roll from the couple of hundred kilos of roof rack) doesn't exactly encourage you to hustle the car along winding roads, but I guess that's not the point...
As mentioned, I am based in Australia so the likelihood of needing a winch is increased on many of the trips we do, particularly as we've just ordered an "Ultimate" off-road camper trailer. I thought about the hand-held units but have struggled to find one that is rated high enough.
However, I guess I'm still not 100% sure that I will be able to mount the factory recommended Warn winch to a TDV8 in a RRS guise. Thr FFRR is obviously a different chassis all together and it sounds as though there would be a quite of work involved on my RRS to relocate oil coolers, parking sensors, disabling the ACC etc to make it work.
If only I could afford to upgrade to the new 4.4 TDV8 FFRR then problems would be solved :P
The ACC sensitivity isn't affected by the winch, well certainly not on mine anyway and I use the ACC a few times a week. The 2 park sensors can be fitted into the winch cradle, drill a couple of holes in the front of it for them, extend the wiring and bobs your aunties brother. I think in that respect it's easier for you to do the installation as you've already got all the necessary wiring in place & the ecu knows it's there, whereas I'm missing the park sensor wiring for the inner 2 sensors. Cutting up the front bumper skin, not difficult and I'm happy to provide you with measurements off my front bumper to show where it's cut.
Moving the coolers is a little different, but if LR have done it then there's clearly a solution. Never having looked behind the bumper of a TDV8 to see how much space there is I couldn't comment. Contact the suppliers from camel-landy's post and I'm sure you'll get the right answers.
Would there be any issues with regards to the 'approvals' or otherwise for use in Aus ? I seem to recall there being a few hurdles to jump when I enquired about shipping my RRS out there ? BV55 YZE, Fleet No 19 - Thailand 2006
I'll certainly investigate the Tirfor portable winches as it will certainly be better to only have to carry one when we might need it rather than modify the car for something that we might only need a couple of times a year. I have never managed to get myself seriously stuck yet and the e-diff combined with mud terrain tyres has certainly done the job for me so far (but you just never know).
Thanks,M