htr
Well-Known Member
Generally agreed it will have little if any impact on MpG, there will be no strain on the IRD from a stiffening/ed VCU, don't believe you will have sportier performance either, some recon handling is a bit skittish - possibly get some wheel spin when pulling away with a heavy foot... may impact you insurance - best to contact your insurers.
Nodge68
Well-Known Member
The Freelander is better as an AWD vehicle. They handle differently when in FWD mode. The suspension is optimised to work with the AWD functional. So in FWD they don't feel so sure footed on the road, especially in the wet. They spin the front wheels when pulling out of junctions, especially the 1.8 an V6.
There is a slight increase in economy, but it's tiny and not noticeable in reality.
Some insurance companies won't insure a 2WD Freelander, simply because it's classified as a modification.
There is a slight increase in economy, but it's tiny and not noticeable in reality.
Some insurance companies won't insure a 2WD Freelander, simply because it's classified as a modification.
saxavordian
Well-Known Member
I suspect the reason why a few insurers do not like modification are to do with integrity of a vehicle when a crash is involved. Such as you say when bad or severe weather is concerned and the vehicle relies on the AWD to prevent or aid it response to an accident. Plus the replacing the cost of repairs adds to the policy. Luckily Adrian Flux has been my insurer for my modified Freelander 1 td4 ie no props or vcu. I took photos of the mod and posted this to AF.
GrumpyGel
Well-Known Member
I've been running my diesel in 2WD for 3 years - its been a perfect car. It handles fine, just like any other FWD car.
The only benefit in converting a 4WD setup to 2WD is reliability - ie eliminating wind up causing damage to the car's transmission. It may only be 1 benefit - but it is potentially big one. In 4WD, if you don't test and keep an eye on your VCU and tyres you have the very real chance of killing your Freelander - the cost of repairs being more than the car's value. It may only be a couple of days with a tyre low on pressure, if you don't notice or realise what it is, then there's a big possibility of problems.
However, the 4WD transmission does not just give benefits when going off road. On-road traction on frosty winter days is much better in a 4WD than a 2WD.
The only benefit in converting a 4WD setup to 2WD is reliability - ie eliminating wind up causing damage to the car's transmission. It may only be 1 benefit - but it is potentially big one. In 4WD, if you don't test and keep an eye on your VCU and tyres you have the very real chance of killing your Freelander - the cost of repairs being more than the car's value. It may only be a couple of days with a tyre low on pressure, if you don't notice or realise what it is, then there's a big possibility of problems.
However, the 4WD transmission does not just give benefits when going off road. On-road traction on frosty winter days is much better in a 4WD than a 2WD.
Nodge68
Well-Known Member
There is definitely more movement of the power unit in 2WD. The propshaft absorbs some of this, when it's fitted. I've checked the deflection of the lower tie bar bush on my old V6. When in 2WD, the bush allowed nearly an inch of movement. When in AWD, there was less than half an inch of deflection. As to the exact reason there's less movement, I'm not sure. It'll either be the physical connection of the props. Literally supporting the bottom of the engine, joining it to the rear diff. Or it'll be that a proportion of the drive is transferred to the rear. The former makes more sense to me however.
