Dave Smith's Freelander

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What GC do you have? That's what I fancy!
A nice WJ 4.7 V8, or the 4.0 I6 at a push. I'd keep a Freelander obviously (if only to average out the fuel consumption a bit!).
I lived in Aus for a while and when I went out there the company hired a relocation expert for a couple of days. She was quite well-to-do and rolled up in a GC Laredo. This was early 97 so must have been a ZJ. At the time it seemed like the most amazing thing. Since that day I have promised myself that I will own one.
 
2011 3.0 V6 diesel Limited, but with added toys and a tow bar. Amazing car, would love a hemi, but the mpg is ridiculous. We're averaging 32mpg which I don't think is too bad. Best thing is that 405ftlb of torque, it's astounding when you push the go pedal. The look on people's faces when you chop their fancy sports car, it's priceless:)
Mike
 
davidsmith1307 said:
Get you.... :cool:
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I know, very lucky.
We try and buy the best we can with money available (fortunately the wife has a good job) Then keep hold of them.
The Freelander is now 14 years old and we've owned it for 13. Makes fixing it slightly easier as I know what's been done and what needs doing.
Now I've fixed the gearbox/electrical issue I'm going to start on the suspension, new shocks, bushes, drop links etc. Also the fuel tank cradle looks like it needs some attention.
But, if I keep doing it bit by bit when money allows, I should still have it running in another 13 years!!
Mike
 
That's why I am veering towards older cars. It is possible to mend and adapt them. Are you confident that you'll be able to get all the ECUs for a WK2 in 10 years? That is what is killing off the old ZJ Cherokees - ECUs are failing and it is hard to get working ones.
Plus I get bored easily, spending 3 hours a day in the same seat. I like a car where I can make changes like fitting DAB or whatever new things come in. My XC70 is pre-DAB and I'm stuck with it. It also has ****y little buttons for things like heated windows that force you too look away from the screen to find them.
 
There are so many ecu's in the Jeep, it's unbelievable. I was talking to the sparky at Jeep, and he said, whatever you do, don't mess with the wiring, especially the bits under the seats.
So I looked under the seats, and you wouldn't believe it, talk about bad placement. If I remember I'll take a photo and post it. I'm going to build a kick plate to protect them.
I am fortunate enough to have an auto electrician brother in law, and he's got a 1995 Grand Cherokee straight 6 petrol, he's a bit of a Mopar freak. So its not too hard to get him to work on ours. But like you say, the ecu's will probably die well before the car.
Mike
 
You don't need an auto-sparks nowadays, you need a network engineer and a programmer (oh, that's me!)
I wouldn't care though, the WK2 is a really handsome car. Guy near me has a white one and it looks the part.
 
As much as I like my current TD4 SE auto. If a facelift V6 SE or HSE with low miles popped up for sale near me, I'd probably buy it. The V6 is so much nicer to drive than the TD4.
 
Just had a look at the V6. Usual round of disappointments.
  • No prop (surprise!) and V6 VCUs aren't cheap.
  • Owner said that he had had steam from the expansion bottle. I reckon it is the cap. Bottle looks fine.
We topped off the expansion bottle with tap water (yes, I know) and started her up. Purred like a kitten after half a second cranking. No steam, no mayo in the oil. Seemed to be running nice. As soon as I turned the heater to full she drank all the water.
Gut feeling is that the cap allowed loads of water to boil off and it needs a proper drain, fill and bleed.... but what other damage? Guy said that the temp gauge never went over half way.
If it hasn't sold by Sunday he's going to leave me the key and a few quid to get a new bottle, cap and coolant if I can be arsed.
Body and interior are very clean, and only 68k miles.
 
davidsmith1307 said:
Just had a look at the V6. Usual round of disappointments.
  • No prop (surprise!) and V6 VCUs aren't cheap.
  • Owner said that he had had steam from the expansion bottle. I reckon it is the cap. Bottle looks fine.
We topped off the expansion bottle with tap water (yes, I know) and started her up. Purred like a kitten after half a second cranking. No steam, no mayo in the oil. Seemed to be running nice. As soon as I turned the heater to full she drank all the water.
Gut feeling is that the cap allowed loads of water to boil off and it needs a proper drain, fill and bleed.... but what other damage? Guy said that the temp gauge never went over half way.
If it hasn't sold by Sunday he's going to leave me the key and a few quid to get a new bottle, cap and coolant if I can be arsed.
Body and interior are very clean, and only 68k miles.
Click to expand...

Whats the history like? have belts been done?

If not with the coolant problem and missing prop I'd want it dirt cheap
 
Didn't get that far. He had a stack of paperwork but I didn't have time to sift through it. Too busy pouring water in!
I'm going to bide my time. If someone else wants to pay good money for it then that's fine, but if it won't sell......
 
Skinny Mike said:
Get it cheap and rip the interior out for the other one. Then theres the wheels for spares, headlights etc.
Could turn a profit if you can get the price down.
Mike
Click to expand...
Makes financial sense but I don't really have the space, time, enthusiasm or wife for parting a Freelander on the drive. She puts up with a lot but not that!;)
I also don't like breaking decent cars, and I'm not convinced yet that this is ready for palliative care.:(
 
£400 is the highest offer he's had. He doesn't want to take it because it is a 4x4 place and he knows they'll tart it up and make a wedge on it. But he still needs it gone.
 
LOL, There is a guy near me looking £500 for a 2000 Freelander with no engine. He has no chance, I offered him up to £150 for various nits I want but he's holding out for £500 for the lot.
Bonkers.
 
Alibro said:
LOL, There is a guy near me looking £500 for a 2000 Freelander with no engine. He has no chance, I offered him up to £150 for various nits I want but he's holding out for £500 for the lot.
Bonkers.
Click to expand...

Its same all over lately we put offer in on a house on market back in feb for 248k offer rejected several times as they wanted the full 250k asking price ( its peak district so things aint cheap) so we went bought elsewhere for 50k cheaper ( and nicer to be fair) , spotted they'd dropped price on house to 230k the other day and i bet their killing themselves!! :D serves em right for being greedy



Hows the yellow ish peril looking these days Dave ? is it on road yet?
 
Not on the road yet (been too lazy) but I have a couple of weeks off soon to have a good crack at it. MOT requirements only - no nice to haves. Finish back brakes and lights mainly.
Then all the drivetrain related headaches can start.
 
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