When up and over the Wayfarer in Wales on Sunday, great day out.

Freelander impressed me considering it didn't have low range etc. Stayed in first gear about 95% of the way, so clutch smelt a little bit burny by the end. Traction Control hardly even kicked in despite all the wet conditions and the grip was very impressive. The car seemed to 'walk' itself up steps and over rocky paths very well. Used HDC a couple of times on the way down. The car seemed easy to manoeuvre and remained quite responsive.

Biggest problem was clearance. After first five minutes, I was having a nervous breakdown listening to to knocks and bumps from underneath, as the ruts are quite deep all the way. I kept getting out and checking the exhaust, but what seemed to be catching all the time was the under-engine tray, also a u-shaped metal bar that seems to be behind that, under the IRD from what I can see, and finally the recovery points at the back, which also seem to be lower than any part of the exhaust system.

Just 3 more inches would have made all the difference Stressing about damage took the edge off it slightly, but I was impressed with the way the vehicle handled everything else. I guess the Wayfarer is quite a tame route really, and I don't think the Freelander would handle a lot more, but then someone else might be able to prove otherwise?!

Would definately go out again though. We went as prepared as poss, and also went with a mate from work in a huge Land Cruiser to pull me out if/when I got stuck!

James

I'd love to take my Freelander off road but the misses has forbid me from even looking at fields and tracks
I was told that the exhaust is the only thing that lets the Freelanders ground clearance down. Even jacked up Discos have their bellies bashed. You can buy a modified exhaust back box for the Freelander that increases clearance at the back end. If you plan on more off road trips it may be worth a look.

I prefer sand dunes as the bumps under the floor rarely cause damage! I replaced my back box a few years ago with a "standard" aftermarket number and the clearence difference is about 4 inches! The original seemed VERY bulky and round whereas the new one is more oval and sits much higher under the car. Try the dune route from Barmouth to Harlech in Wales - very challenging but low damage risk and GREAT fun!

Really interested about these back boxes, but Google is failing me!

Anybody got any links?

One part of the exhaust system that I noticed was really exposed was the 'kink' in the pipe that runs by the rear passenger-side suspension arms. Wonder if this would be improved with an aftermarket system?

Cheers

tinytdi said:

Try the dune route from Barmouth to Harlech in Wales - very challenging but low damage risk and GREAT fun!

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Sounds ace ... is it marked as a BOAT on the map, or will I need to find the route out somehow? If so, could you PM me?

Thanks!

James W said:

Sounds ace ... is it marked as a BOAT on the map, or will I need to find the route out somehow? If so, could you PM me?

Thanks!

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We normally stay at Shell Island (biggest camp site in europe) and drive from there in either direction towards Barmouth or Harlech or just potter about on the dunes on the island. To get onto Shell Island you may have to wade as it is a tidal island with a causeway...had Tiny up to her headlights regularly with no problems. Not sure if you are allowed to go dune jumping or drive along the beach but we have not been told off for it yet!

Yup, I know Shell Island! Lovely place.

Must go back there soon. I think I'd try and research access because a lot of dunes are ecologically protected areas - but obviously the Shell Island area is all about the camping so hopefully there's no damage to be done there.

Thanks!

James

There is a very innocent looking slope to the beach - easy to get down - NIGHTMARE to get up. Even my mate got his Defender stuck...snigger snigger... If all else fails getting off the beach head towards Harlech and there is a sneaky access road...wink wink..

I know that neck of the woods very well (check out where my pics are taken in the Freelander Gallery ;-)) as I worked down there with the National Park Warden and MR in the past. Get caught driving in the inland dunes on Shell Island and Messrs Workman Snr. or Jnr. will not take kindly to you being on the island much longer - I have first hand experience of people being escorted off the island for this (failed attempt in a 4X4 Fiat Panda of all things!)
Across Morfa Dyffryn towards Barmouth or the Mochras Bar towards Harlech are a definate no no and you will get into a world of poo of you get caught driving along them, they are classed as an SSSI and there are signs aplenty these days explaining why vehicles should not be there and outlining the hidden dangers the exist in eroded dunes. Sand dunes can be bloody dangerous places, the hidden holes that can exist can change place from day to day and they can have ledges that are safe one day and drop into a Freelander sized hole the next.
I am hoping I have misread where you mean but I cannot for the life of me see where else you could mean along there - as well as being an SSSI, the dunes are also subject to a byelaw that permits naturists to sunbathe in the dunes without being disturbed!
Please dont take this as a deliberate flame against you or your post tiny - I am all for peoples rights to get out and about and greenlane where it is safe and appropriate. This area is legislated by Snowdonia National Park and the Rangers work extremely closely with the police.- if you are still unsure about this, try phoning the police station in Barmouth and ask them about 4X4's using that dune path.

oops...

Point taken Outlander...thanks for the tip!!

I found a nice mountain road in Costa Brava if anyone is interested???

....Kind of as I suspected!

Oh well, sure driving across to and around the island is still fun enough!

Nice one folks!! - thanks for not getting the hump with me / my post

Just to prove that I am not a complete killjoy I know of some pretty good places around there that you can have a play around without getting into trouble or upsetting anybody though.

If you come off Shell Island and head back in to LLanbedr - turn left (North towards Harlech) at the bridge by The Vic and head out of Llanbedr for about a mile or so until you have cleared LLanfair. Just as the road starts to rise but before you hit signs for Lllandanwg(sp?) there is a right turn that goes through some pretty little cottages and then the road starts to climb and narrow - go up as far as the first cattle grid and then take the left hand (East) fork in the road, after a couple of cattle grids lets just say that you are far up enough in the mountain not to disturb anybody and the land is essentially 'common land' - a word of warning though - the land is pretty rocky in this region, that 'grassy' bump may well be more 'rocky' than 'grassy'!!

Ah! Know it well! If you look carefully there are several sumpguard shaped chunks missing out of the ground...snigger snigger...

James W said:

Just 3 more inches would have made all the difference

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A two inch lift gives you the same clerarance as there is under a standard Defender's diff!

(Besides, size isn't important, it's what you do with it that counts.)

Cheers

Blippie