This will make the Tratterers sit up and take notice
standard.jpg
 
Purple line, who make caravan accessories do an adjustable aerofoil that can go on an FL1.
To be honest though, unless you have a caravan or trailer on the back to 'throw' the air over, it just makes the vortex worse.
I looked into one when they came out and worked out for the cost of the aerofoil I would need to drag the caravan upwards of 5000 miles before I broke even. Now as I don't use it for towing it's irrelevant, cos I has a Jeep:)

Anyway, the Freelander is a brick, as has been mentioned. Unless you want to lower it to the floor, put a splitter, side skirts, rear skirt and some form of wing on the back, then stick it in a wind tunnel to get the adjustment right, it's a bit of a waste of time and money.
But if you come up with something, I would be interested to see it working.

Mike
 
The Freelander doesn't have a huge vortex of low pressure air behind it.
The wife's Kuga is terrible by comparison. On a cold morning, the steam from its exhausts licks the rear window, the vortex is that large. The rear window also gets soaked by water spray from the tyres. The Freelander doesn't swirl its exhaust gas behind it, or road spray the rear window. However there isn't a huge amount that can be done to reduce its drag, short of slamming it to the floor and fitting splitters and diffusers to it.
If night driving at high speed is done. Folding the mirrors will make a difference, but not a lot.
 
Last edited:
Having viewed Mike's video - a possible solution that sprung to mind would be to fit the windscreen from a Tratter. Then you could fold it down and lower the back window - hey presto, I recon you've reduced the brick affect by about 1/3 :)
 
Having viewed Mike's video - a possible solution that sprung to mind would be to fit the windscreen from a Tratter. Then you could fold it down and lower the back window - hey presto, I recon you've reduced the brick affect by about 1/3 :)
Yer would probably get flies in yer teeth and it would mess up yer hair.
Just saying.
 
I actually have one of those spoilers that someone posted a link to on the rimmer bros site. Theyre sold out because they didnt make that many in the first place.

It may have been placebo but i felt the rear end more planted with it fitted. Even though it seems like its more for show than practicality. For the record i wasnt scared of getting the back end slip out when i was a bit younger and without sense.

Im yet to figure out if i want to keep it or not. At the moment its sitting on my old freeby thats retired over in Ireland. Hasnt moved for a few years so im likely to break the freeby. But im not sure whether im keeping the spoiler for another old school freeby 1 build in the future. I like the idea of a 2006 freeby 1 vvc and turbo (yes its something im experimenting with in a rover 25 atm).
 
Okay, so I'm a highly experienced & retired RAF Aircraft Technician, who is also a confirmed Petrol-Head and have been since the age of 11. I have a 2006 Freelander Td4, a vehicle that has the aerodynamics of a flying-brick, especially when it's going quite fast. I love it though.
Can anyone point a finger towards where I can lay my hands on an aerofoil for its flat arse-end? It's not to keep its butt on the deck - like a sports car might need, but to smooth-out the confused and sucking-backwards airstream behind, thus giving a more comfortable drive as well as more MPG. I'm all for efficiency.
And I have to say, that considering some remarks from previous threads, I would appreciate serious answers to help me with the question in hand. Therefore, to those who might be able to give me an encouraging answer, please, please do.
If, however, the answer is in the infantile and puerile category (that'll get some backs up I'm sure - I can't wait for their responses as I enjoy a good laugh & can perhaps use them in my OU psychology studies, talk-about-waving a RED flag to a bull), please desist. I'm implying the wrong kind of answers may be given because some have already been dished-out for other questions, etc. I find it difficult to understand why some individuals go out of their way to be outrageously silly instead of being helpful. I reckon they may have had a difficult childhood or have suspect DNA.
I am a professional engineer (BSc) and hope that someone can help me in my quest to smooth-out the negative & expensive drag... in a professional manner. Please - pretty-please. I have also studied many other subjects - including psychology, of which I've almost finished my Diploma. So I'm sort of perversely hoping there may still be some individuals who can inadvertently help me with my final studies by writing interesting or maybe colourful ideas or crude suggestions that may be of no use at all, except to help me pass my exams. lol. But I'm really praying that someone does know where I can get a functional aerofoil/spoiler for my Freelander - if such a thing exists. Might it?
Thanks.

So were you a Dog botherer, Fairy, Rigger or Sooty ?

I have one fitted, I cant say I have noticed a performance benefit from having it fitted although it does help to keep the rear window clean slightly longer. At the end of the day I wanted it because you do not see many fitted to them.
 
The FL1 does have the aerodynamics of a flying brick - and it impacts on the fuel economy on the motorway.

I suspect that the spoiler mentioned is for aesthetics more than function? I can't quite see how it would help with airflow detachment from the rear of the roof.

The FL1 has a number of aero problems. A large frontal area is something that you can't do much about (other than fitting smaller door mirrors). Huge wheel arches with no air flow management around them that I can see. The under body is probably not too bad, but you could fit a tray between the sills to smooth things out further. Big panel gaps. But it is the tail gate area that could be improved most.

Question is what do you use your car for, and how much do you want or can modify it without compromising its primary purpose?
 

Similar threads