Over(free)landing

MarcDelonghi91 · Aug 19, 2024

Hey everyone,

I recently bought a Freelander (Larry), with the main purpose of serving as camping car (besides a fridge, still some modifications to do to call it a camper). The main trip planned for next year is a drive to Senegal & Gambia, and back (to The Netherlands). Quite the journey that requires some prepping. Of course did some reading about the trip, conditions, border crossings you name it, but part of the preparation I am looking for two things:

- Get connected to someone who did this before (not specifically in a Freelander) to understand better what to expect (and who isn't going to tell me I should get at least a Disco to do this :vb-smash:

).

- What kind of mods would be recommend for the car, so far on the list are, AT tyres, Roofrack + tent, snorkel, bull bar with lights, new suspension, additional fuel + water, and the regular maintenance that's due.

And in case people would be interested, I could post some pictures of the process of course!

KR,
Marc

Freddie17 · Aug 19, 2024

MarcDelonghi91 said:
Hey everyone,

I recently bought a Freelander (Larry), with the main purpose of serving as camping car (besides a fridge, still some modifications to do to call it a camper). The main trip planned for next year is a drive to Senegal & Gambia, and back (to The Netherlands). Quite the journey that requires some prepping. Of course did some reading about the trip, conditions, border crossings you name it, but part of the preparation I am looking for two things:

- Get connected to someone who did this before (not specifically in a Freelander) to understand better what to expect (and who isn't going to tell me I should get at least a Disco to do this).

- What kind of mods would be recommend for the car, so far on the list are, AT tyres, Roofrack + tent, snorkel, bull bar with lights, new suspension, additional fuel + water, and the regular maintenance that's due.

And in case people would be interested, I could post some pictures of the process of course!

KR,
Marc

Pictures of the project are a must. None of us will help you at all if we don’t see pictures

Is Larry a td4?

First thing to do is check Larry has his 4 wheel drive system working correctly, if you haven’t already. Are the props in place, and does the VCU run ok? For that journey, I’d seriously consider getting the VCU replaced with a quality unit from Bell, unless you know the current history for certain.

A good friend of mine did the Mongol Rally about 5 years ago in a second hand Skoda.

Sounds like a fun trip… I’m not jealous - much!

MarcDelonghi91 · Aug 19, 2024

It’s a TD4 ‘05 with 210k km.

VCU was checked when I bought it and confirmed in good condition, but we’re doing a test week this week to Slovenia and come up with a list of things to consider on top of what the experts here come up with

For now, this is what Larry looks like.

GrumpyGel · Aug 19, 2024

Sounds like a challenge.

You might like to research the tyres you want to make sure they are available in Africa. Mismatched tyres cause big problems on Freelander, so if you get a couple of punctures that can't be repaired, your 1 spare won't be enough. You could carry another spare tyre, even if its not on a rim, but they are bulky.

I'd strip the rear brakes down before your trip, make sure the drums & shoes are not worn - but also the pins holding the shoes are not rusted. Lube up the adjuster and make sure the cylinder and pipework to it look OK.

I'm sure you will anyway, but replace the oil in the IRD. Making sure the old oil shows no sign of wear in the IRD.

Check the diff front mount, if its suspect, only replace with a trusted (OEM) brand. Same with the VCU support bearings, even if the VCU checks out fine.

MarcDelonghi91 · Oct 10, 2024

So, this is still alive and kicking, good to share an update.

Larry has been at the garage for a while now, with quite the list of things to fix and replace. Wheel bearings, springs, some fresh IRD oil, some general checks, and some smaller things here and there. But a lot of small things still add up to 3k

So far we think that the technical state is fine after these repairs. VCU was checked but seems in good shape, considering to bring this as a spare.

Next on the list:
- New tyres
- General maintenance on the brakes, filters, engine oil etc.
- Building cabinets for storage
- New welded roof rack to store more stuff next to the rooftop tent
- Extra lights
- Light guards on the front and back
- Guard on the back window

So far, no pictures to share, but coming winter the car will be stored somewhere.

Again, if you have any tips or experiences, looking forward to hear! And if you have or know someone, who might have the light guards, and/or the guards for the back window, that would greatly help!

Keep you posted!

eduard_andrei · Oct 17, 2024

Also check your rear differential mounts & bushes, they tend to wear out and the diff starts moving too much.

MarcDelonghi91 · Oct 22, 2024

Good one, this was indeed fixed

Alibro · Oct 22, 2024

When you say the VCU was checked and is in good condition what do you mean? How was it checked?
A lot of mechanics no nothing about them.

Stance · Oct 22, 2024

I'd learn and train myself to do most of usual repairs that can go wrong and make you stop on the road. And take the spares & needed tools with me. These would be brakes related, fuel pumps, filters. Even wheel bearings, though these probably would need to find a garage but you bring the right part with you.

The challenge with Freelander for a extended overlanding trip is the size. Even for a one person only it's tight if you are going to carry enough water, fuel, spare tyres etc in the car.

MarcDelonghi91 · Oct 22, 2024

Alibro said:
When you say the VCU was checked and is in good condition what do you mean? How was it checked?
A lot of mechanics no nothing about them.

No clue, but this was a land rover specialist, who seemed to know the Freelander inside and out. But can still do the water bottle test myself of course.

Stance said:
I'd learn and train myself to do most of usual repairs that can go wrong and make you stop on the road. And take the spares & needed tools with me. These would be brakes related, fuel pumps, filters. Even wheel bearings, though these probably would need to find a garage but you bring the right part with you.

The challenge with Freelander for a extended overlanding trip is the size. Even for a one person only it's tight if you are going to carry enough water, fuel, spare tyres etc in the car.

Size in this case matters yeah.. Trying to be more creative but welding a better roof rack, so we can bring some more stuff on the roof too. That would already help for water and fuel. The parts you mention are good point, these things I'm handy enough for. Wheel bearing perhaps another story, but would still make the car driveable. So trying to split between absolute crucial parts that would cause us to strand, versus break downs that are still driveable. But the Haynes car manual seems to come in handy for sure.

Car is now in winter storage, and we're designing and planning now for the overlanding part, meaning turning it into somewhat of a camper.

MarcDelonghi91 · Tuesday at 11:48

For those who are interested, we are making some progress!

Put in the bottom protector, installed some extra lights. Furthermore making good progress with the internal storage as you can see.

Still to do for making it a Freelander Camper: kitchen on the back door, some internal lights, power converter, solar panels.

For the Sahara trip we still need to do normal maintenance, new tyres, diesel storage on the towbar (ideas are welcome!), attach the snorkel

and the light guards. Oh and the protection guards at the back window.

If you have any cool mods or ideas, let me know!

Alibro · Tuesday at 14:27

MarcDelonghi91 said:
For those who are interested, we are making some progress!

Put in the bottom protector, installed some extra lights. Furthermore making good progress with the internal storage as you can see.

Still to do for making it a Freelander Camper: kitchen on the back door, some internal lights, power converter, solar panels.

For the Sahara trip we still need to do normal maintenance, new tyres, diesel storage on the towbar (ideas are welcome!), attach the snorkel and the light guards. Oh and the protection guards at the back window.

If you have any cool mods or ideas, let me know!

Looking good.

Do you know the condition of the window regulators? In most Freelanders of that age they either have failed and been replaced or are about to fail. It might be worth taking the door cards off for a peek to check for frayed wires and maybe a spray of silicone lube.

MarcDelonghi91 said:
No clue, but this was a land rover specialist, who seemed to know the Freelander inside and out. But can still do the water bottle test myself of course.

Size in this case matters yeah.. Trying to be more creative but welding a better roof rack, so we can bring some more stuff on the roof too. That would already help for water and fuel. The parts you mention are good point, these things I'm handy enough for. Wheel bearing perhaps another story, but would still make the car driveable. So trying to split between absolute crucial parts that would cause us to strand, versus break downs that are still driveable. But the Haynes car manual seems to come in handy for sure.

Car is now in winter storage, and we're designing and planning now for the overlanding part, meaning turning it into somewhat of a camper.

An experienced Freelander Mechanic could probably be able to tell by jacking up a rear wheel and putting a wrench on a wheel nut. If the wheel turns with a little force then probably OK. If it is hard to make the wheel turn or you can't then you need to do a proper test with a 1.2m pole on the centre nut and 5 litre container.

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