Mondo / 2 WD

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gavmoulds

Member
Posts
86
Hi all...just wanted to say...removed my rear drive components yesterday. 52 TD4, 130,000.
Guess what......I did not use a jack or axle stands. It was relatively easy. There are absolutely no adverse effects and in fact overall as a road vehicle it is miles better.

No wheel spinning. If this is happening then you are driving like a lunatic and thrashing your car to death.

No warning lights...everything is just fine.

Front end feels much better, steering is miles more positive and feels lighter but positive. Goes around tight corners better.

And fuel consumption...Jesus show me the money. You would not believe the difference.

And before you all start on the band wagon....... I have told my insurance....I don't need the four wheel drive part and if I do it will be easy to put it back on.

Yes its heavy, but just be careful. I did it by simply crawling underneath. One socket drive ratchet, one spanner, two star nut thingys and a toll box to lower the VCR on to.

Much easier than I have heard many describe on here.

THATS IT.
 
how many miles you done in a day to see better fuel consumption ? Took mine off for 6 weeks and it was no better.
 
and a toll box to lower the VCR on to.

THATS IT.

So while you had the Toll box, was there long queues waiting to pay to cross a bridge and why was your motor fitted with a Video Cassette Recorder.
Incidentally is it a Betamax or VHS?
and
You're right I don't believe there is a difference in fuel consumption

:p
 
Hi
Took mine off for 3 years fuel consumption was the same the only difference was the rear tyres lasted longer.
 
Hi
Took mine off for 3 years fuel consumption was the same the only difference was the rear tyres lasted longer.
Yeah that's because they're not fighting the fronts any more on corners :D

Fuel economy there's practically no difference in the change - unless your VCU is shot and causing massive resistance due to transmission wind up.
You still have to accelerate the same mass with the exception of a shaft, which shouldn't make that much difference overall.

I do agree with the fact that the car sometimes becomes a LOT easier to handle though, but this is usually a symptom that your VCU was on its way out anyway.
 
lol - I wouldn't have one given to me.... actually... I was offered one as a company car when I was offered a job... I turned down the job because of the car! - lol
Now I drive an A5 SLine TDI as a company car!
 
This improved fuel consumption thing pops up from time to time. I ran my V6 6000 Miles with a stiffening VCU. Then ran the same 6000 Miles ,give or take, the following year without the VCU. The measured difference in MPG was tiny, something in order of 0.15 MPG. This was on the thirsty V6 which never averaged more than 19.5 MPG on my daily commute.
As for the wheel spin comment. On the auto boxed V6, wheel spin was easy. Press the throttle slightly and it scrabbled for grip. Press it harder and it smoked a tyre. Smaller engine Freelanders in FWD will also spin the wheels unless care is taken.
 
As for the wheel spin comment. On the auto boxed V6, wheel spin was easy. Press the throttle slightly and it scrabbled for grip. Press it harder and it smoked a tyre. Smaller engine Freelanders in FWD will also spin the wheels unless care is taken.
I'm in 2wd in my 1.8 at the moment while I rebuild the prob.
In the dry its not so bad, just occasionally lights up a tyre if you're turning out of a junction.
In the wet it's a complete wheelspin animal. I don't drive it hard at all either. Most of the time I use less than than 50% throttle and it scrabbles for traction like a dog on a polished tile floor.

I have a feeling the petrols struggle because the K series is SO light.

Really don't like it in the wet...
 
ok. so the general consensus is:- only MONDO until your 4x4 is rebuilt....
Cheers.... I'm still looking for parts to finish this one off before I get it on the road.
 
I'm in 2wd in my 1.8 at the moment while I rebuild the prob.
In the dry its not so bad, just occasionally lights up a tyre if you're turning out of a junction.
In the wet it's a complete wheelspin animal. I don't drive it hard at all either. Most of the time I use less than than 50% throttle and it scrabbles for traction like a dog on a polished tile floor.

I have a feeling the petrols struggle because the K series is SO light.

Really don't like it in the wet...
The KV6 isn't at all light at the front, it's the heaviest Freelander in fact. The V6 has twice the torque of the 1.8 at 1600 RPM where the TC starts to transfer most drive. This is when the wheel spin starts, unless care is taken.
ok. so the general consensus is:- only MONDO until your 4x4 is rebuilt....
Cheers.... I'm still looking for parts to finish this one off before I get it on the road.
Yes it's best used as a 2WD for a temporary measure.
 
Its not a comparison of cars as such, its to illustrate the point that owning a 2wd Freelander is so pointless that you might as well buy any bland fwd hatchback and save yourself the grief of Freelander ownership.
 
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