Decisions, decisions...

[Gordo]

I'm in a bit of a quandary about what to do Land Rover-wise.

Currently I have a Freelander, which is great: comfortable for long journeys, does the limited off-road stuff that I do, tows stuff etc.

Now I'm wondering if I should modify it to make it a little more off-road orientated, with a 2" lift, rock sliders etc., or buy a "proper" Land Rover like a 90 for using off road.

The Freelander is never going to be as good as a Defender off road, and is too new to risk damaging with anything too technical (I love that euphemism for difficult!). But I like driving something different, and showing people that the Freelander can do the off road stuff.

Once I've worked out what I'm going to do, I can sort out a budget - although modifying the Freelander is going to cost less than a decent 90. (And then there's the decision on what sort of 90: estate, pick-up, van... or whatever the proper terms are!).

Any thoughts / comments / suggestions? :-k

[mass199]

Why not buy a good rust free 300tdi Discovery

Good off road, fairly comfortable and can be found for a lot less than a 90

[Gordo]

Why not buy a good rust free 300tdi Discovery

Good off road, fairly comfortable and can be found for a lot less than a 90

Good suggestion, but the Freelander would cost too much to sell right now because I've not had it all that long. Whichever route I chose, the Freelander will be staying.

The reason I'm thinking of a Defender is because, to me, it's the definitive Land Rover of recent times.

[clbarclay]

Do you have space to park a trailer? If so then how about making/buying a pure off road toy (which can of course be LR based) and using the freelander to tow it about. The defender may be the "definative land rover" and are very capable in their own right, but they can still leave a lot to be desired, hence the number of people modifying them.

[V8MoneyPit]

If you haven't already, have a look at http://www.mad-freelanders.org.uk/. There is some useful modding advice on there.

We've just gone with a 2" lift and BFG AT's. Although she liked the look of my Kumho KL71's. My wife won't let me fit a snorkel because she knows I'd use it!!

[Disco Matt]

I've been told that a Freelander will tend to float away before a snorkel is needed!  :lol:

Seriously, if you want a laning tool I would go for either modding the Freelander or buying a rot-free Disco. They're a lot more comfortable than a Defender and I've yet to find anything sensible that mine won't handle.

[V8MoneyPit]

I've been told that a Freelander will tend to float away before a snorkel is needed!  :lol:

Yes.... can it be the only LR product where the door seals actually work??  :shock: :lol:

[Skibum346]

I've been told that a Freelander will tend to float away before a snorkel is needed!  :lol:

Yes.... can it be the only LR product where the door seals actually work??  :shock: :lol:

Any truth to the rumour that door seals are now listed in the parts system as "water filter"? That's all mine seem to do... filter the fish out of the rivers that run through my footewell!

 8-[ :lol:

[Gordo]

If you haven't already, have a look at http://www.mad-freelanders.org.uk/. There is some useful modding advice on there.

We've just gone with a 2" lift and BFG AT's. Although she liked the look of my Kumho KL71's. My wife won't let me fit a snorkel because she knows I'd use it!!

I've a pretty good idea what I want to do to the Freelander if that's the way I go. If you don't mind me asking, who fitted / supplied the lift-kit for your Freelander? And how much was it?

[Disco Matt]

I've been told that a Freelander will tend to float away before a snorkel is needed!  :lol:

Yes.... can it be the only LR product where the door seals actually work??  :shock: :lol:

Any truth to the rumour that door seals are now listed in the parts system as "water filter"? That's all mine seem to do... filter the fish out of the rivers that run through my footewell!

 8-[ :lol:

I've had a look at my door seals, and come to the conclusion that they'd be fine if some wally at Land Rover hadn't cut chunks out of them. I've heard the excuse that they "let water in so you don't float away" yet the Land Cruiser, Pajero, etc seem to manage perfectly well without this "feature"...

Annoying thing is that simply buying new seals won't do it as they will also have the silly cutouts. I'm considering methods of filling the gaps. I don't end up swimming but I'd rather not have to clean the mud off the plastic trims and wait for the carpet to dry out.

[V8MoneyPit]

If you haven't already, have a look at http://www.mad-freelanders.org.uk/. There is some useful modding advice on there.

We've just gone with a 2" lift and BFG AT's. Although she liked the look of my Kumho KL71's. My wife won't let me fit a snorkel because she knows I'd use it!!

I've a pretty good idea what I want to do to the Freelander if that's the way I go. If you don't mind me asking, who fitted / supplied the lift-kit for your Freelander? And how much was it?

The lift kit was from Celtic 4x4, but I'm not sure he's doing them any more. I had to cut huge chunks of bodywork away to allow full rebound travel/full lock of the front suspension.

Before and after pics....

[Gordo]

Thank you for that. I assume it has an effect on the handling too?

It doesn't look too obvious either - I'm trying not to turn my Freelander in to something that looks like a battle-ready 4x4.

[V8MoneyPit]

Hasn't had any noticable effect on the handling.

We used camber adjustment pins on the front and it's been set up by a race car company to get it back to factory settings.

[Gordo]

Thank you for the info: I've decided to take the plunge, and Freelander Storm will hopefully being doing the honours with kit from Tornado Motorsport.

...now, what next? Winch...?  :-k

[Llanigraham]

Don't bother with a winch, Gordon. The only way to fit one to the front now, needs a great deal of modification to the bumper and metal work behind it. Geraint (ex Celtic 5x4) tried to sort one out, but it didn't look very "pretty". You could fit one in the back, where the cubby box is, but you would need to introduce some strentheners back to the frame.

[Gordo]

Don't bother with a winch, Gordon. The only way to fit one to the front now, needs a great deal of modification to the bumper and metal work behind it. Geraint (ex Celtic 5x4) tried to sort one out, but it didn't look very "pretty". You could fit one in the back, where the cubby box is, but you would need to introduce some strentheners back to the frame.

It wasn't a serious suggestion - I'll leave that sort of thing to more heavy-duty Land Rovers.  :D

[V8MoneyPit]

If you are going to use it for anything... err..... interesting, it might be worth getting some under body protection. The lift will help, in that you'll hit less underneath! But I have heard a few significant crunches from under Sarah's Freelander when I've used it off road.... just don't tell her  8-[

[Gordo]

I've already got a Mantec sump-guard and DAP rock sliders, but an exhaust guard is more tricky owing to a tow bar in the way.

[Llanigraham]

I'm sure there must be a way of building a rear guard onto the tow bar.

[carbore]

Dont mantec do a exhast guard wiht a built in receiver? im sure they do.

I have also seen a basket type guard on the web for the Freelander, cant remember if that leaves the hitch accessible.

[Gordo]

Well I've done it - modified the Freelander:



And in a couple of weeks it'll be at Abingdon for a proper test-drive.

Thing is, and I know it's a bit late, I'm wondering if I've done something silly...  :-k

[mill2020]

Don't worry Gordon,

It's perfectly normal to feel a little bit strange, when you tell other Landy owners you have modified a Freelander, you will be greeted by a look of complete insanity  :-. :-. :-.  just take it off road and you will feel reassured.

Whilst it's no Defender or Disco, the Freelander is still very good offroad, but has always been let down by a lack of ground clearance.
The 2" lift kit improves the offroad performance ten fold.

Just don't go and do anything really crazy - like drive it accross the desert ;)

[V8MoneyPit]

Thing is, and I know it's a bit late, I'm wondering if I've done something silly...  :-k

Welcome to the wonderful world of the totally insane!

Have you cut the inner wings? If not, have you checked full lock at full rebound?

[Gordo]

Have you cut the inner wings? If not, have you checked full lock at full rebound?

Pass - someone else did it for me...

I'll drop them a line and ask.