Has anyone fitted defender arches on their freelander 1?

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Tkdboyo82

Tkdboyo82

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Location
East Lothian
Hi all

I am new to this forum so be kind…I have recently started to modify my freelander to make it a little better off road. I fitted a 2” lift and 8 x 15 modular wheels with Insa Turbo Dakar Tyres (235/75/15) with a negative 32 offset. Naturally this means they stick out quite a bit from the arches. I have fitted arch extensions so the car would pass its MOT but now looking for something more permanent. Having discussed with my local LR indy garage, they suggested putting wide defender arches on might be possible. I appreciate there will be a lot of chopping needed but having searched the net for hours I cannot find anything on it. Guess someone will have done this somewhere in the world. Does anyone know if this is possible or has anyone seen this done (guess anything is possible)

thanks in advance!

Steve
 
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Tkdboyo82 said:
Hi all

I am new to this forum so be kind…I have recently started to modify my freelander to make it a little better off road. I fitted a 2” lift and 8 x 15 modular wheels with Insa Turbo Dakar Tyres (235/75/15) with a negative 32 offset. Naturally this means they stick out quite a bit from the arches. I have fitted arch extensions so the car would pass its MOT but now looking for something more permanent. Having discussed with my local LR indy garage, they suggested putting wife defender arches on might be possible. I appreciate there will be a lot of chopping needed but having searched the net for hours I cannot find anything on it. Guess someone will have done this somewhere in the world. Does anyone know if this is possible or has anyone seen this done (guess anything is possible)

thanks in advance!

Steve
Click to expand...
Welcome to LZ!


I don't think a standard freelander with good tyres is bad off road. Might be better to spend the money on an off road driving course.
 
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Experience has shown that large offset or large spacers produce instability and excessive bearing and ball joint wear.

Lift kits accentuate roll and instability at speed. Also, these can affect camber and castor angle if not fitted with modified suspension arms and suitably modified suspension components.

I have seen similar modifications make the vehicle undriveable on the road.

For off road only, where insurance may be invalid anyway, try it out but the standard set up with good off road tyres takes some beating within the capability of the 4wd system installed on the Freelander. Certainly road use will involve describing modifications to your insurers and expect a heavy increase in premium or no cover being offered due to the risks involved.

Send some photos if you get the arches fitted!
 
As above.

Before wasting money on frivolities, I'd be making sure the IRD, VCU and rear diff are in good condition.
Also going too large on tyres will take the clutch out as they increase the gear ratio, which is the opposite as to what is needed off road.

Having decent tyres of a sensible size will get you to more places than huge budget off road tyres.

If you want to do the sort of off roading that requires extensive modifications, then you've got the wrong vehicle.

A disco 2 can be had for slightly more money than a good connection Freelander 1, and I hate to say is better in serious off road situations.
 
Turboman said:
Welcome to LZ!


I don't think a standard freelander with good tyres is bad off road. Might be better to spend the money on an off road driving course.
Click to expand...

Agreed…I just wanted a more aggressive look. I have almost 20 years of road experience including months on safari in Africa where it would challenge the best off roaders. Guess what I used…my mates Freelander and loved it, hence the recent purchase. Thanks
 
The sort of mods you've made do come with reliability issues, don't think anyone has mentioned shortened life of drive shafts.

However, people have enjoyed their modded Freelanders and done it safely.

Don't recall any threads about Defender arches.
 
GrumpyGel said:
The sort of mods you've made do come with reliability issues, don't think anyone has mentioned shortened life of drive shafts.

However, people have enjoyed their modded Freelanders and done it safely.

Don't recall any threads about Defender arches.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply. Yeah aware of these issues and happy to deal with them as they arise.

very keen on the defender arches…I think I may experiment
 
Tkdboyo82 said:
Hi all

I am new to this forum so be kind…I have recently started to modify my freelander to make it a little better off road. I fitted a 2” lift and 8 x 15 modular wheels with Insa Turbo Dakar Tyres (235/75/15) with a negative 32 offset. Naturally this means they stick out quite a bit from the arches. I have fitted arch extensions so the car would pass its MOT but now looking for something more permanent. Having discussed with my local LR indy garage, they suggested putting wide defender arches on might be possible. I appreciate there will be a lot of chopping needed but having searched the net for hours I cannot find anything on it. Guess someone will have done this somewhere in the world. Does anyone know if this is possible or has anyone seen this done (guess anything is possible)

thanks in advance!

Steve
Click to expand...

hi steve welcome to lz, im sure ive got @ sp@re set of 90 @rches in the g@r@ge im down
loch lomond side if you f@ncy @ drive.
cheers kev
 
kernowsvenski said:
Hard to imagine how defender arches would fit as the FL1 is has much rounder profile. You'd probably be better with some after market rivet on type, like people fit on those cool 70's/80's Japanese cars with wide tyres...

https://static1.hotcarsimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/hakosuka.jpg
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply! You’re right. I was thinking ones with rivet holes as you say. Apparently you can heat the plastic and bend them a little into position. I’m going to attempt it see how it looks and take it from there. Thanks a lot
 
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This one's using standard arches, not sure its legal though...

1876960147.jpg


They want £7.5k for it...

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/land-rover/listing/3891724380

TD4 with 220k kms.

- Muddy Maximus Tires
- Buckshot rims
 
GrumpyGel said:
Th@t one is the right colour for the 50th anniversary editions - think there were only 1 or 2 colours offered.

The body kit is reasonably shite common. (over here at least, pos because of the high number of Jap imports)

Edit : its a 2003, so to late of a 50th.
Click to expand...

seen @ yellow one over here @bout @ ye@r @go it h@d stupid low miles n w@s minted
the misses liked it, but the ch@p w@nted w@y over the odds for it so me being me told him
to feck off. :D
 
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