Freelander soft top/removable top?
Discussion
If I recall correctly there were 3 tyoes of 2 door. Pure soft top, don't think anybody bought these, a hard top which was removable (never saw one with it removed) & the normal tin top,
Always though they were were a missed opportunity, I think they open versions also came with atarga type panel over the drivers/passengers seat.
Always though they were were a missed opportunity, I think they open versions also came with atarga type panel over the drivers/passengers seat.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
I had an early Freelander and quite liked it, however, IIRC...It has a viscous coupling to direct drive to the rear if the front wheels start to slip, so not a proper 4WD. didn't seem to want to ever lock the rear wheels on mine, even with a new coupling
Viscous couplings can seize and destroy the gearbox - some people remove the rear prop, leaving you with 2WD only
Sunroof couldn't be removed (but it did break on mine)
Fuel tank cradle rusted through and was a faff to find a new one / better used one
High pressure lift pump seals became leaky and so it wouldn't start from cold
Good fun when it was all working though
smn159 said:
I had an early Freelander and quite liked it, however, IIRC...
It has a viscous coupling to direct drive to the rear if the front wheels start to slip, so not a proper 4WD. didn't seem to want to ever lock the rear wheels on mine, even with a new coupling
Viscous couplings can seize and destroy the gearbox - some people remove the rear prop, leaving you with 2WD only
Sunroof couldn't be removed (but it did break on mine)
Fuel tank cradle rusted through and was a faff to find a new one / better used one
High pressure lift pump seals became leaky and so it wouldn't start from cold
Good fun when it was all working though
It's still a proper 4WD, it just works slightly differently to other systems.It has a viscous coupling to direct drive to the rear if the front wheels start to slip, so not a proper 4WD. didn't seem to want to ever lock the rear wheels on mine, even with a new coupling
Viscous couplings can seize and destroy the gearbox - some people remove the rear prop, leaving you with 2WD only
Sunroof couldn't be removed (but it did break on mine)
Fuel tank cradle rusted through and was a faff to find a new one / better used one
High pressure lift pump seals became leaky and so it wouldn't start from cold
Good fun when it was all working though
If you want to a bit of background reading, hit google with "IRD" & "VC" in the search terms.
FWIW - TD4 Auto is the best of the bunch.
M
I had 2 hard top facelift ones.
The hard top removes by moving 2 levers at the boot sides and 2 clamps on the roof.
It’s a two person job and if it has the roof rails then you need a ratchet and TX50 I believe for the 4 Bolts.
The sun roofs lift up, or can be removed.
I liked mine, decent enough to drive, SE spec had lots of toys. Also rather good in the snow.
I towed a new Tiguan out a street after it had dug itself a nice hole with its drivetrain.
The hard top removes by moving 2 levers at the boot sides and 2 clamps on the roof.
It’s a two person job and if it has the roof rails then you need a ratchet and TX50 I believe for the 4 Bolts.
The sun roofs lift up, or can be removed.
I liked mine, decent enough to drive, SE spec had lots of toys. Also rather good in the snow.
I towed a new Tiguan out a street after it had dug itself a nice hole with its drivetrain.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
The Freelander was available as a 3 door or a 5 door. But they are the same size vehicle, just the 3 door has longer front doors and a split sunroof.The 3 door has a removable hardback or softback. It's only really over the boot area. They are the same vehicle and you can swap the hard for a softtop and vice versa. Soft tops are like hens teeth.
On the 3 door the rear side windows and sunroof also popout and stow in bags in the boot on the back of the seats.
On both models the rear tailgate window is retractable.
Both are good vehicles. But have their issues, as do all.
They will all leak into the boot area, various causes and fill up the little covered security lockbox in the floor.
The AWD system is not Haldex, although not hugely different in concept. They drive the front wheels primarily and feed the rear as required automatically. There is a viscous coupling which can fail and they only have a service live of under 70,000 miles.
Sadly people don't replace these and don't spot when they have failed. Driving them like this then breaks the IDR unit (essentially the transfer box) which means you loose RWD (aka 4wd). And sometimes this busts the rear diff too.
So make sure the rear prop is fitted to any you go to look at. Many have not been maintained or if broken, just converted to fwd.
As for engines. I like the 1.8i, they go super well in these. I think they are nicer than the Td4 if honest. And almost as good on fuel. The TD4 can have the typical BMW foibles. Not a bad lump though. I do personally think the earlier L-Series diesel is a nicer engine. So don't discount them.
And of course the KV6 ones. Although these are all autos. And sadly this era of KV6 have a few issues too, but if sorted, they are lovely, if thirsty options.
If you plan to off road, make sure it has TCS. It was optional on earlier examples, although I think it may have been standard on the facelift versions.
And as there is no low range in these. The manuals are left a bit wanting off road, the auto Td4/Kv6 are much better for the rough.
As a point of reference, we have 3 Freelander 1's in the family currently. But have had a total of 5.
HOWEVER
You said Wrangler. These are a lot more money, surprised you are considering both. A Wrangler is Defender money or more. And as charming as the FL1 is, the Wrangler is a far superior 4x4 in every regard. Apart from mpg. The 4.0 litre ones go really well. And I doubt you'll loose any money on a Wrangler. They have super strong residuals and if anything the YJ and TJ models are appreciating.
This was mine.
Actually a nice car, genuine LR light guards, spots and the rare A bar all fitted under my ownership.
I hated the wheels from the day I bought it...
I still hate them 8 years later.Td4, check the hoses under the bonnet, “lose” the egr...
and make sure the crank case filter is changed at every service.smn159 said:
I had an early Freelander and quite liked it, however, IIRC...
It has a viscous coupling to direct drive to the rear if the front wheels start to slip, so not a proper 4WD.
Just as a point of interest, many classic Range Rover's, all p38 Range Rover's and the BMW powered L322 Range Rover's all also have a viscous centre diff also. Not the same setup as the Freelander. It has a viscous coupling to direct drive to the rear if the front wheels start to slip, so not a proper 4WD.
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