Gentlemen and of course Ladies,
Having been around another marque forum for some time I generally get the drift. Please let me warn you I do like to push the boundaries now and again, but please accept my apologies in advance and please take all I say in the spirit it is intended.
I am the proud owner of a 98 Freelander XEDi in white (no not ex-police vehicle they apparently didn't like them!). Bought as a sort of winter-is-coming, (my other car is a 5 series BM sport that last year did a remarkable impression of a hovercraft when it snowed down here) stress toy (my wife, love her, won't let me have a bike, too old apparently, me not the wife). So here I am.
My first impressions was " 'king slow". So in my very focussed way I set about looking to address this. Having asked around I found a remarkable character lurking in the depths of Derbyshire by the name of Jeremy J Fearn who if you cross his palm with about 400ish (inc vat) sovs will transform your tractor (failed) into a low end and mid range stormer. Picture this, I drive all the way to Matlock from Devon wondering if I dare to overtake the 45 footer on the motorway without offending every following driver for the 2 miles it will take me to get past him. I eventually get there, he kindly offers me coffee and a place to do some work on the PC, 90 minutes later he hands me back the keys and sends me on my way. This time not only do the rolling Derbyshire hills pose absolutely no problems but on the motorway the 50-70 times and the 70-90 (yes I do mean 90 mph) are so different I suspect he has stuck in a 3 litre BM oil burner. Seriously if you want your L series motor transformed into an engine with more BHP AND torque than a TD4 and with just as wide a spread then give him a call. (I am sure all of you veteran Landies know of JJF already, this is aimed at us newbies).
So what next. Well I have just secured a 2004 bumper and rear and I am waiting for the lights. I will then do a cut and shut and take 6 years off the beast in one fell swoop.
I have some 17" Freedom alloys lined up for the summer (I intend keeping the 16" kitted with some proper winter tyres) and I am also considering some serious rubber on 15" steels just for the off road stuff.
Inside I am fitting the 6 cd changer just because it is soooo damn cheap to get one. I have already replaced the radio/clock display (yawn) and had the sunroof replaced. I also now have a roof rack with a huge top box for trips to friends in Switzerland and more importantly journeys home with wine (for our own personal consumption of course). I also have some Safari 3000 spots but I am a little perplexed where I am going to fit them on the new front end. I also want a leather interior (the standard cloth? Persian carpet meets Mexican ethnic statement...yuck!)
So my occasional toy is turning into a labour of love and with it comes an increasing interest in all things Landrover. OK my Landy has got independent suspension, not much more clearance than your average van, and doesn't have a splitter gearbox but do you know what, I don't care.
Any tips warmly welcomed, any pointers greatfully received. I refuse only blows.
Nice forum people, look forward to talking to you again
Regards
Keith
Having been around another marque forum for some time I generally get the drift. Please let me warn you I do like to push the boundaries now and again, but please accept my apologies in advance and please take all I say in the spirit it is intended.
I am the proud owner of a 98 Freelander XEDi in white (no not ex-police vehicle they apparently didn't like them!). Bought as a sort of winter-is-coming, (my other car is a 5 series BM sport that last year did a remarkable impression of a hovercraft when it snowed down here) stress toy (my wife, love her, won't let me have a bike, too old apparently, me not the wife). So here I am.
My first impressions was " 'king slow". So in my very focussed way I set about looking to address this. Having asked around I found a remarkable character lurking in the depths of Derbyshire by the name of Jeremy J Fearn who if you cross his palm with about 400ish (inc vat) sovs will transform your tractor (failed) into a low end and mid range stormer. Picture this, I drive all the way to Matlock from Devon wondering if I dare to overtake the 45 footer on the motorway without offending every following driver for the 2 miles it will take me to get past him. I eventually get there, he kindly offers me coffee and a place to do some work on the PC, 90 minutes later he hands me back the keys and sends me on my way. This time not only do the rolling Derbyshire hills pose absolutely no problems but on the motorway the 50-70 times and the 70-90 (yes I do mean 90 mph) are so different I suspect he has stuck in a 3 litre BM oil burner. Seriously if you want your L series motor transformed into an engine with more BHP AND torque than a TD4 and with just as wide a spread then give him a call. (I am sure all of you veteran Landies know of JJF already, this is aimed at us newbies).
So what next. Well I have just secured a 2004 bumper and rear and I am waiting for the lights. I will then do a cut and shut and take 6 years off the beast in one fell swoop.
I have some 17" Freedom alloys lined up for the summer (I intend keeping the 16" kitted with some proper winter tyres) and I am also considering some serious rubber on 15" steels just for the off road stuff.
Inside I am fitting the 6 cd changer just because it is soooo damn cheap to get one. I have already replaced the radio/clock display (yawn) and had the sunroof replaced. I also now have a roof rack with a huge top box for trips to friends in Switzerland and more importantly journeys home with wine (for our own personal consumption of course). I also have some Safari 3000 spots but I am a little perplexed where I am going to fit them on the new front end. I also want a leather interior (the standard cloth? Persian carpet meets Mexican ethnic statement...yuck!)
So my occasional toy is turning into a labour of love and with it comes an increasing interest in all things Landrover. OK my Landy has got independent suspension, not much more clearance than your average van, and doesn't have a splitter gearbox but do you know what, I don't care.
Any tips warmly welcomed, any pointers greatfully received. I refuse only blows.
Nice forum people, look forward to talking to you again
Regards
Keith
