So to introduce myself - I've been a long time lurker (and I thought member of this and other LR sites) for years.

I have both a V8 90 and a TD4 Freelander both automatic.

I teach 4x4 driving as a BORDA Specialist Trainer at Trax and Trails down here near Tavistock where I have been teaching off-roading for about 17 years and a competitive RTV driver for about 22 years.

My 90 (Lara) started life as a 2.5 4 pot petrol hardtop and is now *slightly* different. It has gained a 4.6 Megasquirted V8, LPG, autobox, viscous box and a soft-top. It at one point had the heated 'leccy seats from a P38 which I stupidly insisted I could get to fit and work after winning on fleabay while doing an RTV section

The Hippo (Ziggy) is a TD4 Auto 5 door which has now got a RonBox as well as a damp drivers footwell - not related I hasten to add. Probably sunroof drains...

I am also building a Megashift Automatic gearbox controller for the 5 speed Jatco gearbox (as fitted to the Freelander and Rover 75) due to a mate building a trialler which has a 2.5V6 and Jatco from a Rover 75 fitted where the passenger normally goes.

So Hello.

Hello neighbour.

Some piccies

Trewey said:

Hello neighbour.

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Where you at then?

kourgath said:

Where you at then?

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not far from Duchy College

Yup, not far then

I'm next bridge down the Tamar.

Hello and welcome

v8geoff said:

Hello and welcome

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Thanks very much. With a Hippo and a 90 plenty of work to do!

kourgath said:

So to introduce myself - I've been a long time lurker (and I thought member of this and other LR sites) for years.

I have both a V8 90 and a TD4 Freelander both automatic.

I teach 4x4 driving as a BORDA Specialist Trainer at Trax and Trails down here near Tavistock where I have been teaching off-roading for about 17 years and a competitive RTV driver for about 22 years.

My 90 (Lara) started life as a 2.5 4 pot petrol hardtop and is now *slightly* different. It has gained a 4.6 Megasquirted V8, LPG, autobox, viscous box and a soft-top. It at one point had the heated 'leccy seats from a P38 which I stupidly insisted I could get to fit and work after winning on fleabay while doing an RTV section

The Hippo (Ziggy) is a TD4 Auto 5 door which has now got a RonBox as well as a damp drivers footwell - not related I hasten to add. Probably sunroof drains...

I am also building a Megashift Automatic gearbox controller for the 5 speed Jatco gearbox (as fitted to the Freelander and Rover 75) due to a mate building a trialler which has a 2.5V6 and Jatco from a Rover 75 fitted where the passenger normally goes.

So Hello.

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:welcome2: to the loonyzone!

90 sounds great! Commiserations on the freelander!

You might be interested to know that with sight allowances of spelling you username means "giant cat" in Cornish!

Turboman said:

:welcome2: to the loonyzone!

90 sounds great! Commiserations on the freelander!

You might be interested to know that with sight allowances of spelling you username means "giant cat" in Cornish!

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Thanks Turboman,

the name came from a book where it was a nickname which meant mountain cat or similar, is similar to courgar and now (thanks kind sir!) Cornish...
I've been kourgath on many a forum from before the web back in the day of gopher/ftp and BBS.

I've driven Hippos and taught in them at Trax and Trails before and decided that the best one to use was a TD4 Auto as you get better control of speed and the torque convertor helps to provide better low-speed torque for off-roading. Also it doesn't have the expensive dual-mass flywheel/clutch problems

The 90 is currently on the critical list with a rusted/cracked chassis by the tubular outrigger/fuel tank so needs a new mid section which no one sells

I'm tempted to set up a couple of RTV sections using the Hippo ensuring that there are plenty of axle-traps

kourgath said:

Thanks Turboman,

the name came from a book where it was a nickname which meant mountain cat or similar, is similar to courgar and now (thanks kind sir!) Cornish...
I've been kourgath on many a forum from before the web back in the day of gopher/ftp and BBS.

I've driven Hippos and taught in them at Trax and Trails before and decided that the best one to use was a TD4 Auto as you get better control of speed and the torque convertor helps to provide better low-speed torque for off-roading. Also it doesn't have the expensive dual-mass flywheel/clutch problems

The 90 is currently on the critical list with a rusted/cracked chassis by the tubular outrigger/fuel tank so needs a new mid section which no one sells

I'm tempted to set up a couple of RTV sections using the Hippo ensuring that there are plenty of axle-traps

Click to expand...

the word for cat seems to be pretty similar in many languages. Would be Gath kowr in Cornish really, sentences are the other way round, but same difference!

Can you take the tub off the 90, and plate up the centre section? You will find some amazing chassis rebuilds on the forum for inspiration/ technical guidance.

Tbh, mate, I have never driven a freelander, or even been in one. I am sure they are good in their own way, but don't think I would trade my 90 for one for farm use!

Turboman said:

the word for cat seems to be pretty similar in many languages. Would be Gath kowr in Cornish really, sentences are the other way round, but same difference!

Can you take the tub off the 90, and plate up the centre section? You will find some amazing chassis rebuilds on the forum for inspiration/ technical guidance.

Tbh, mate, I have never driven a freelander, or even been in one. I am sure they are good in their own way, but don't think I would trade my 90 for one for farm use!

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I should ask my mate who is a Bard about spelling

I understand fully about the concerns over the Hippo but given I have the mad 90 (custom springs/dampers etc) for RTV I need better mpg on the road. The hippo goes pretty far actually - I had it round our training site yesterday and got it most places I wanted - it just needs more thought and care than a 90 Ground clearance is the main issue as it has about 0.6 inch less ground clearance than a Disco/RR on standard tyres. Apparently you can fit 205/80R16 on the Freelander (which was the original RR/Disco size) without mods, this gives about an inch lift for the underbody.

More clients are having soft-roaders so it was about time I had one. I have driven almost all the LR stable (not the Ewok or new RR/RRS) off-road as well as plenty of other 4x4s. TBH the Freelander caught the ground in the same places that un-modified Nissan Terrano, Kia Sportage, Frontera Sport, Jimny, Vitara as well as some of the 4x4 pickups have. So it isn't all that bad. Main issue is no low-range. I chose the auto as this (with HDC & TC) gives more control.

Plating the chassis is possible but there is the problem of a 30 yo well abused chassis and chasing the good metal... I'm probably going to go new/galv chassis and a lack of money for quite some time...
Cheers