New FL1 Owner

Hi all, new to the landy world just bought a 2006 FL1 TD4 with 85000 miles on it.

Have slightly crazy plans of doing it up over winter then it will be driving from South Africa to Kenya mainly gravel roads with some off-roading when those run out.

First thing is replace all fluids and filters. And I assume I’m on borrowed time with the VCU so that will be on the shopping list.

What else should I be looking to do before I’m away on work this week but once away I will be on the underside scrubbing away the years of grime so I can see what I’m working with.

Welcome to the Looney Zone

a grown-up will be along shortly to give more sensible answers ...

meanwhile have a search on the Freelander section for the usual check and stuff ...

@Hippo , @GrumpyGel

It's mostly on this pinned thread.

Sorry I'm not yet regarded as a grown up

Enjoy your hippo and hello

Nice looking motor and nice low mileage for the age too. I should think you'll want an aircon re-gas for the trip you've got planned

Nice example…
First thing - look underneath and make sure the prop is connected! Then you know that the VCU is at least ‘trying’ to work.
A missing prop likely indicates VCU and IRD issues in the past. Then follow the post Andy listed above. Lots of info for you on here, and lots of knowledgable people

Some even know about Freelanders

Fingers crossed - sounds like a great project.

… and welcome!

(Are you round my neck of the woods? Recognise the trailer in the background)

Cheers for the the warm welcome.

Been looking over some of the guides it had a new propshaft and bearings about 5000 miles ago but pretty sure the VCU needs doing as on lock it feels like the car is braking. At the moment my job list is

Air Filter
Oil Filter
Crank Breather Filter
Fuel Filter
Engine Oil
Dif Oil
EGR replacement
VCU replacement
Lift Kit (20mm or 30mm????)
New tyres (225/65R17 Toyo or Falkens????)
Sump Gaurd
Light Bar
Aircon Regas

I was questioning whether it’s worth doing the Meyle HD drop link and control arms any feedback will be appreciated

S4RPF said:

Cheers for the the warm welcome.

Been looking over some of the guides it had a new propshaft and bearings about 5000 miles ago but pretty sure the VCU needs doing as on lock it feels like the car is braking. At the moment my job list is

Air Filter
Oil Filter
Crank Breather Filter
Fuel Filter
Engine Oil
Dif Oil
EGR replacement
VCU replacement
Lift Kit (20mm or 30mm????)
New tyres (225/65R17 Toyo or Falkens????)
Sump Gaurd
Light Bar
Aircon Regas

I was questioning whether it’s worth doing the Meyle HD drop link and control arms any feedback will be appreciated

Click to expand...

That’s a long wish list
Why did they do a new prop and bearings, but no VCU? Do you know if it had a prop because it was ‘missing’? = a worry.

Try the one wheel up test for the VCU. If it has been run whilst buggered, then there may be issues with the IRD. I’d get the drivetrain sorted to a position that your are happy with (i.e. all tested and working), then focus on the oil switches.

Note ; you must have matched tyres if running the prop (i.e. 4 wheel drive), with even tread wear.

Only then, if viable, would I look at lift kits and light bars.
You can fit a slighter larger Geolander AT tyre on a stock FL1…

Invoice just says noise and vibration from that area with note saying if this doesn’t fix will need VCU. But agreed is a bit strange you would of thought if you had gone to that length you may aswell of done the VCU.

Also forgot to add gear linkage bushes so yes it’s a very long list but I’ve got 6 months to do it and I’d much rather do it now rather than a 100km from anything

Hmmm….
Have a read of that link above… (post 3). Items 1,2 and 3!
Lots of F1’s have/had their props removed (so just running in 2WD) due to issues with a VCU or IRD.
This is your first issue to resolve / check, in my mind.

I run the Geolander GO15 AT tyres on my mine. I have 225/65/17 fitted with no issues, and I do not have a lift kit.

Welcome to landyzone fireplace for smoking kippers.

Your list of things to do in order of priority...

1. Check all tyres are matching make & model, and they are pumped to the same pressure.
1. 1 wheel up test on VCU.
1. Check oil in IRD to make sure it looks like oil and does not have a metallic sheen to it.
1. Remove props, make sure there's not to much rotational play on IRD pinion and no lateral play.

You will know if the car can be run 4WD then and/or what you are in to to make it so. You may still need a rear diff and things like prop diff supports/bushes.

999. Everything/Anything else.

WARNING, when checking the IRD oil, which basically means draining it to check for swarf/shiny particles, make sure you remove the fill/level plug FIRST (before the drain plug). Otherwise if you drain first then the fill/level plug rounds off (as it's made of chocolate) you won't be able to refill the IRD, you have been warned (also use a single sided socket not bi-hex type). Welcome to the asylum & BTW that looks like a nice clean example, have you got a service history with it ? Ideally invoices for work done rather than a 'stamp in the book' & you can look up the mot history for any advisories.

Yes thank you I read that guide will get a spare one before I attempt.
some receipts and only thing was a number plate light and dirty break lines stopping inspection on the MOT Fingers crossed it’s just the vcu I had mentally budgeted replacing that as part of the trip prep.

Hi, not strictly necessary to get a new filler plug if the old one comes out & looks ok, I've had mine over seven years now & changed the IRD oil yearly & because it's torqued up (to the correct torque) it's never a problem & it could well be the original plug (MY2004 with over 180,000 miles on it). The VCU on mine was the original one when I got it (with 134,000miles on it) but a changed it as a precaution (with Bell eng. recon item) after reading on here back in 2017 the damage they could do, so you'd be wise to change it given your future plans,all the best.

I am sure there’s a less clean example to go on your golly
Looks a saver in my own humble opinion

Dar ran Dar ran said:

I am sure there’s a less clean example to go on your golly
Looks a saver in my own humble opinion

Click to expand...

All being well it will do just fine and will enjoy retirement in South Africa at my partners family beach house to be used when ever we are in the country.

Productive weekend a lot of jobs struck off the list

spent some time under the car cleaning it up removing old mud and rust proofing it.



Then all my parts came like Christmas. so we replaced the Air, Oil, Crank Breather, Turbo Vent filters. some nice new oil. replaced the EGR Valve, Intercooler, Radiator, and Condensor.



Drives nicely now no smoke under acceleration. and seems more eager to pull at lower revs. Tyres booked for Thursday and a regas.

And a photo of the fun cars proving that I'm a sucker for punishment with to BL group cars though I wasn't brave enough to have to K Series engines

Looking great! What make intercooler did you fit?