freelander 1 td4 advice

[dufusmuppet]

Im looking at a small 4x4 and the above seems to fit the bill as a 100 mile a week commuting vehicle with some occassional green laneing, any advice would be appreciated..

[camel_landy]

Cracking cars but if you're off-roading it, get an auto...

Use Google to read up on the following:

• IRD
• Viscous Coupling
• Diff mounts
• Prop bearing

M

[Odie]

Im looking for something similar too, any other suggestions other than an FL1?

Perhaps something Japanese

SWB prefered.

[dufusmuppet]

camel_landy said:

Cracking cars but if you're off-roading it, get an auto...

Use Google to read up on the following:

• IRD
• Viscous Coupling
• Diff mounts
• Prop bearing

M

Thanks,are they a camchain,freelander 2 is a belt im lead to believe...

[camel_landy]

The TD4 used in the Freelander1 is a BMW donk and uses a cam chain.

Not 100% sure about the 2.2 TD4 in the Freelander2, though don't be surprised to find it uses a chain.

M

[camel_landy]

Odie said:

Im looking for something similar too, any other suggestions other than an FL1?

Perhaps something Japanese

SWB prefered.

Why Jap?

The Freelander is a cracking car and pretty reliable with it too.

It's also BRITISH! (You know, jobs, industry, economy, blah, blah...)

M

[Odie]

is the Freelander 2 only available in LWB?

[PH lurker]

FREELANDER 1 Td4 (BMW M47)

2000-2006 with that engine option.

Check for oil leaks and for a clogged air filter.
Check the service history for a record of the fuel filters (which can corrode [because of road crud in wheelarch] so can be difficult to replace) - they are prone to causing issues with fuel injection if not changed regular.
Turbo hoses can split - kit to replace is about £50 - £70. I think.

General:

4WD system relies on viscous coupling unit (VCU). Can almost seize as silicon fluid can thicken with miles/ time then it is harder for the powertrain. This can cause Intermediate reduction drive failure and rear diff failure.
VCU usually last for about 70,000 miles.
VCU exchange is for reconditioned £250-£300.
Intermediate reduction drive £600-£700 exchange for reconditioned.
Rear diff mounts can fail.
Need same tyres all round to prevent VCU failure.
Electric windows can break down. Particularly the tailgate window which winds down (very handy if you have (a) dog(s) might need a window regualtor mechanism.

Unlike other Land Rovers it cannot tow 3500 kg, only 2000kg (still very respectable).
There is no low range box, so as stated by others, an auto may be better if you will drive off road frequently. There is no reason why it shouldn't be capable for driving on tracks without tarmac (gentle greenlanes) or on fields etc.

[PH lurker]

Odie said:

is the Freelander 2 only available in LWB?

It's only available as a 5-door, I think and I presume just the one wheelbase.

[camel_landy]

Odie said:

is the Freelander 2 only available in LWB?

It is only available as the one wheelbase of approx 104". I'll leave it up to you to decide if that is SWB or LWB as size is relative...

M

[A.J.M]

PH lurker said:

FREELANDER 1 Td4 (BMW M47)

2000-2006 with that engine option.

Check for oil leaks and for a clogged air filter.
Check the service history for a record of the fuel filters (which can corrode [because of road crud in wheelarch] so can be difficult to replace) - they are prone to causing issues with fuel injection if not changed regular.
Turbo hoses can split - kit to replace is about £50 - £70. I think.

General:

4WD system relies on viscous coupling unit (VCU). Can almost seize as silicon fluid can thicken with miles/ time then it is harder for the powertrain. This can cause Intermediate reduction drive failure and rear diff failure.
VCU usually last for about 70,000 miles.
VCU exchange is for reconditioned £250-£300.
Intermediate reduction drive £600-£700 exchange for reconditioned.
Rear diff mounts can fail.
Need same tyres all round to prevent VCU failure.
Electric windows can break down. Particularly the tailgate window which winds down (very handy if you have (a) dog(s) might need a window regualtor mechanism.

Unlike other Land Rovers it cannot tow 3500 kg, only 2000kg (still very respectable).
There is no low range box, so as stated by others, an auto may be better if you will drive off road frequently. There is no reason why it shouldn't be capable for driving on tracks without tarmac (gentle greenlanes) or on fields etc.

This is what you need to look for in a nutshell.
EGR valves can be blanked for £50, makes a decent improvement to throttle response and low revs pick up.
The crankcase filter needs changed every service, there is a BMW mod to remove the filter with something more long lasting. Cheap and worth doing.

With decent tyre's they are very good in wet grass/snow. Lighter weight and clever traction control over other LR's means they don't suffer when cross axeled, they can deep moving if you let the TC do it's stuff.

I had 2, both facelift td4 manual SE example's. Good car's, i got 37-40mpg from mine, all the interior toys worked fine and it was a comfy car for long distances. Good leg room for friends in the back but the boot was small for the size of the car.

Manual clutch systems can give issues, mine had to get both master and slave cylinders changed. If you need to do that. ONLY BUY GENUINE! I was lied to by 2 garages, they said the replacements were genuine, they weren't. I got 4k out of 1, and 18k out of a 2nd before getting a genuine fitted.

[dufusmuppet]

Thanks for the advice so far guys,looks like ive found my next car and coming from an alfa the list of parts that could be an issue seems reasonable....

Thanks again...

[Odie]

dufusmuppet said:

Thanks for the advice so far guys,looks like ive found my next car and coming from an alfa the list of parts that could be an issue seems reasonable....

Thanks again...

Im thinking about getting a freelander too, but im coming from an MX5 the list of parts seems outrageous lol.

Thanks Guys.

So if i wanted to use a freelander for pay and play offroading would it be capable? what mods would I need to do?

[PH lurker]

Odie said:

Im thinking about getting a freelander too, but im coming from an MX5 the list of parts seems outrageous lol.

Thanks Guys.

So if i wanted to use a freelander for pay and play offroading would it be capable? what mods would I need to do?

TBH from what I have read, they aren't suitable for pay and playing. These aren't for mud plugging without serious alterations - I would go with a Discovery if it was to be green oval for this purpose at this price point. Mods I would do would be to lift it which ruins one of its main 'advantages' over a 300 series Disco - car -like to drive on the normal road. I would fit bigger wheels and off road tyres and alter the approach and departure angles, and I would fit a snorkel. But to be honest I wouldn't stop there and there are better starting points for this, mostly with a Ladder Chassis. This is important (makes things easier) for serious off roading with modifications from what I have read. For small and more road car like - why not a Forester?

Alternatives to the Freelander may (or may not) include the Mitsubushi (Shogun) Pinnin, Forester, Jimny (V. good off road) and Cherokee (Cheap to buy).
Also consider the L-series diesel if you go Freelander 1 for this purpose.

[camel_landy]

Frankly, if you want to 'pay & play' I'd look at a Cherokee or SportTrack. i.e. something soooo cheap, you can simply throw it away when you trash it!!

M

[Odie]

I wouldnt considered the forester as i would like something that is basically like a Land Rover Defender/90 but more comfortable, better on the road.

How come the Jimny is good off-road when it only has a 1.3l petrol, i actually wanted my mum to get one of these instead of another Vitara.

Edited by Odie on Saturday 29th December 11:31

[PH lurker]

Odie said:

I wouldnt considered the forester as i would like something that is basically like a Land Rover Defender/90 but more comfortable, better on the road.

How come the Jimny is good off-road when it only has a 1.3l petrol, i actually wanted my mum to get one of these instead of another Vitara.

The Jimny has good ground clearance and approach/ departure angles as illustrated by my wicked computer skillz.
It has a narrow track (the L-R Series/ Ninety/ One-Ten/ Defender does have a narrow-ish track considering three seats go across) and straight sides so it is easy to place off road and can go where others can’t. It is very manoeuvrable off-road.
It is light compared to a Discovery etc. This is excellent off road.
It has an easy to maintain petrol engine of simple (relative) design.
It has a ladder chassis which allows more modifications which I believe will become more popular soon and more varied mods. Just look at the stuff done to the SJ in the past – it’s beyond anyone’s initial expectations and surely the Jimny will go the same way.
It has a ladder chassis which must surely make repairs to bodywork easier???
It has a low gearbox, which is extremely useful off-road. If you think about it, theoretically you could have a tarmac road at 80 degrees. If you parked a Seat Leon (100PS) at the bottom on the slope it wouldn’t get up. A CR-V probably wouldn’t either. But an old Jeep with an old fiat engine with 26 PS could climb it if the gearbox was altered to have such a low gear. I hope someone clarifies or dismisses this. Basically the lack of power does not matter so much on a steep muddy hill because of mud tyres, four wheel drive and a low gearbox. It also gives you a lot more control.
Snorkels have been fitted.
They can go up tracks effectively made by SJs where a Discovery (etc.) may not fit.

I hope this helps to explain some of its benefits.

Edited by PH lurker on Saturday 29th December 12:36

[PH lurker]

To go with ^
Suzuki SJ project
http://www.suzuki4x4club.com/forums/viewtopic.php?...

Jimny project http://bigjimny.com/index.php/forum/18-build-threa...

[Odie]

Thanks for the advice, been seriously considering a Jimny, seems to be just what im after.