When you say "still interested in an easier way" are you referring to updating to zv8? Using FOTAkill to stop the update is about as easy as it gets. Go here and read rootabaga's thread. I only tested it for about a week or so with one of my f3's, running 7. It seems to work fine on our phone model. Btw, I have it in my system/app folder on the one running 8. Just in case we see zv9 before Christmas, lol.

If you want to know which method to update with, I need to know what you've done to the phone since rooting?

 

Yes, I own two f3's. One is for my daily drive, the other is for testing projects I'm currently developing for this phone. This latest update has been far worse then the last in terms of difficulty with a rooted device. The main problem being re-rooting after running it (zv8 ota) on an already rooted f3. The update does not remove the su binaries which is what give us root privileges. When you try to root with Stump, it sees the su file in system/xbin from the previous rooting and tells you you're rooted but in actuality your not. There is no option in Stump to try and root again. It's a one time shoot. If this is your case all you can do is use LGFT (LG Flash Tool) from the Unbrick sticky to flash back to zv7. This method will return the phone back to original out-of-the-box state. From there you can root and use FOTAkill to stay on 7 or you can run the ota for 8 and then root with Stump. Fyi, Stump works with both FW versions. Just remember not to root before updating to 8. Also if you have a prior backup you can re-install cwm. Restore data (your stuff) and sd-ext (Link2SD) 'only' to get the phone back to the way you had it setup before all this happened. I wish there was another way but without the ability to root and gain r/w permissions there just isn't anything else you can do. The project I'm working on now addresses the rooted zv7 to zv8 ota update issues. Unfortunately you're past the point of it working for your situation. I hope this helps you to better understand but if not. Don't hesitate to ask for more.