Freelander Mods Thread

[GrumpyGel]

Fave Mod : Converting to 2WD - it saved me loads of cash when the transmission imploded. Has given perfect reliability without needing to worry about the VCU or being anally cautious about tyres. On-road it hasn't affected handling that I can detect. Oh and if I come to sell it, it has improved fuel economy

Worst Mod : Converting to 2WD - why did I save a few pennys, I can't go where I want to now!

Other than that, I haven't modded it other than installing 'standard' Freelander options that were not on my car.

I am though getting more and more tempted to start pushing the boat out as I see what people have done. There's some pretty inspirational threads to follow. The first thing will be to put it back 4WD - we have family visiting in the new year, so won't touch it before then as it will be performing its tour bus duties - but I have given myself a target that once they've gone - that's when the transmission gets swapped!

 

[blue beasty]

Fave Mod : Converting to 2WD - it saved me loads of cash when the transmission imploded. Has given perfect reliability without needing to worry about the VCU or being anally cautious about tyres. On-road it hasn't affected handling that I can detect. Oh and if I come to sell it, it has improved fuel economy

Worst Mod : Converting to 2WD - why did I save a few pennys, I can't go where I want to now!

Other than that, I haven't modded it other than installing 'standard' Freelander options that were not on my car.

I am though getting more and more tempted to start pushing the boat out as I see what people have done. There's some pretty inspirational threads to follow. The first thing will be to put it back 4WD - we have family visiting in the new year, so won't touch it before then as it will be performing its tour bus duties - but I have given myself a target that once they've gone - that's when the transmission gets swapped!

I have been informed in no uncertain terms that converting to 2wd makes it handle dangerously and increases the emergency stop distance considerably so apparently you're driving a death trap.



It's amazing what you can learn on Facebook

 

[Nodge68]

I have been informed in no uncertain terms that converting to 2wd makes it handle dangerously and increases the emergency stop distance considerably so apparently you're driving a death trap.



It's amazing what you can learn on Facebook

I thought the brakes stopped the car, not the VCU. However do normal 2WD cars avoid crashing then

 

[JC600]

I've done it on a couple because they ran so badly. Announced that they need a new one, then you never see them again cos they run so well with them unplugged.

Yeah, I fitted a correct genuine Bosch maf and it done the same. It runs perfect now with it unplugged, been out all morning in it. Driving through all the big puddles lol

 

[Diesel Do]

I have been informed in no uncertain terms that converting to 2wd makes it handle dangerously and increases the emergency stop distance considerably so apparently you're driving a death trap.



It's amazing what you can learn on Facebook

It's like anything. It depends how you use it. If you have mud terrains and drive like a looney. Then they aren't great. But if your sensible they're fine. I think more come into the sensible bracket than don't so 2wd is rarely a problem. Put mud terrains on a v6 and a looney behind the wheel then throw in some rain and it'll under steer and wheelspin everywhere

 

[blue beasty]

I thought the brakes stopped the car, not the VCU. However do normal 2WD cars avoid crashing then

Some handling difference I could accept but the stopping distance claim made me smirk

 

[GrumpyGel]

It's amazing what you can learn on Facebook

Don't believe anything read on Facebook - always go by Wiki

Put mud terrains on a v6 and a looney behind the wheel then throw in some rain and it'll under steer and wheelspin everywhere

I do try, I really really do.... but its really difficult to drive like a looney in a standard L Series Freelander. Actually, its just plain embarrassing if you try!

 

[Diesel Do]

Some handling difference I could accept but the stopping distance claim made me smirk

No idea on stopping distances. But I found with mine only once granted, no abs, wet road, mud terrains, missed a junction on a country lane and could I hell stop it. Fronts just kept locking up. It never did it 4x4. Can't say if there was diesel on the road or anything else contributing. But normally no real difference. This was my old one before someone blames my big brakes.
I maintain it's down to the driver as the vast majority have no complaints then there are some that all say they have the same issues.

 

[Diesel Do]

Don't believe anything read on Facebook - always go by Wiki

I do try, I really really do.... but its really difficult to drive like a looney in a standard L Series Freelander. Actually, its just plain embarrassing if you try!

My 1.8 would easily spin it's wheels trying to pull out quickly on a wet round about. But 4wd you could rev the nuts off it and dump the clutch and it'd just go.

 

[Nodge68]

My 1.8 would easily spin it's wheels trying to pull out quickly on a wet round about. But 4wd you could rev the nuts off it and dump the clutch and it'd just go.

You want to try a V6 in 2wd. It spins it's tyres for a past time. I had the TC kick in at 20 Mph in mine, when it kicked down into 1st one sunny afternoon. The V6 is a real handful as a 2wd, unless you are very careful with the throttle.

 

[GrumpyGel]

My 1.8 would easily spin it's wheels trying to pull out quickly on a wet round about. But 4wd you could rev the nuts off it and dump the clutch and it'd just go.

But what about on a cross roads going straight across - the steering would be straight. You won't get the round about Freelander ABBA - no not Agnetha, Bjorn, Benni and Arnold (names supplied by Wiki) - its the Freelanda Automatic Brake Binding Affect!

Anyway, I never floor the smoke peddle and dump the judder peddle. As I say, just to embarrassing

 

[Diesel Do]

You want to try a V6 in 2wd. It spins it's tyres for a past time. I had the TC kick in at 20 Mph in mine, when it kicked down into 1st one sunny afternoon. The V6 is a real handful as a 2wd, unless you are very careful with the throttle.

I've heard that from others too which to be fair could make for some exciting times.

 

[Diesel Do]

But what about on a cross roads going straight across - the steering would be straight. You won't get the round about Freelander ABBA - no not Agnetha, Bjorn, Benni and Arnold (names supplied by Wiki) - its the Freelanda Automatic Brake Binding Affect!

Anyway, I never floor the smoke peddle and dump the judder peddle. As I say, just to embarrassing

I fall into the loony category at times.

My L would easily spin it's wheels 2wd.
Trying too hard in the wet at any junction will result in wheelspin, uphill you start wondering if the car bearing down on you will get you first

 

[Nodge68]

I fall into the loony category at times. My L would easily spin it's wheels 2wd.

You know you really are in the loony category, when you spin all 4 wheels .​

 

[GrumpyGel]

I fall into the loony category at times.

My L would easily spin it's wheels 2wd.
Trying too hard in the wet at any junction will result in wheelspin, uphill you start wondering if the car bearing down on you will get you first

I think I can honestly say that in 3 years I have only ever spun the wheels up on gravel. The wife though regularly spins them up!

 

[Diesel Do]

You know you really are in the loony category, when you spin all 4 wheels .​

Yeah. Used to do that in my subaru. Freelander not so much.

 

[Nodge68]

I think I can honestly say that in 3 years I have only ever spun the wheels up on gravel. The wife though regularly spins them up!

You know what that means GG.

 

[Nodge68]

Yeah. Used to do that in my subaru. Freelander not so much.

The scooby has a slight power advantage and a weight advantage or disadvantage, depending on your point of view

 

[Diesel Do]

The scooby has a slight power advantage and a weight advantage or disadvantage, depending on your point of view

Just a bit. If the freelander went like that it'd be Flippin amazing

 

[Diesel Do]

Not to mention a deadly killing machine.