That is EXACTLY what a working IRD does!
And, you don't even need a pin or anything!
It just does it.
CharlesY
That is EXACTLY what a working IRD does!
And, you don't even need a pin or anything!
It just does it.
CharlesY
GrumpyGel
Well-Known Member
Um. . . .jist your thoughts of ways to make ya gaylander 2wd[known for ref,as mondo mode] un 4wd , , , ,yer mod suggestions. . . .
Its been a while since this thread peterred out. Having just read all 17 pages it appears the only ways are...
1) Remove both parts of prop shaft including VCU.
2) Remove only 1 part of propshaft - seams easier to remove the whole thing to me, and if the VCU was working, this would trash it as it would have permantent drive to 1 side only (ie constantly locked up).
3) Remove both parts of prop shaft including VCU, and the rear pinion from the IRD and replace with a blanking plate - may overcome some problems with IRD.
4) Fit a 2WD replacement IRD with rear pinion disabled.
How to companies modify the IRD to make it 2WD while retaining the pinion? I presume a gear is taken out.
Some pretty good ideas for enhancing the 2/4WD capabilities in the thread? Did anyone get any more info?
Personally, I think you were all looking at the complicated solutions. I bought one of those pump jobbies that suck in oil and pump it out - to fill my IRD. So I'm thinking I could mount this in the center console and run a pipe from it to the VCU - when I want 2WD - I simply suck all the viscous fluid out of the VCU and then pump it back in again for 4WD.
However, the PTO option had my attention - could finaly find a use for this on my SIII....
how do you suck the gel out whilst the VCU is revolving at 1500RPM? :doh:
GrumpyGel
Well-Known Member
Looks like I might come across a couple of teething problems
Besides which they were a bit premature considering the 3 winters that soon followed
Yeh, I think everyone would prefer to keep 4WD ability in their Freelander. Its just a lottery as to when the VCU will hit the car's self destruct button.
I would like to know how the IRD is changed to operate 2WD whilst still maintaining the rear drive pinion. This has nothing to do with conning anyone when I come to sell. At the moment my IRD is being rebuilt and I don't want to install it as 4wd for a while. I want to get it running, then replace the VCU at some point. But if I remove the prop shaft, it will need to go through certification here in NZ and that's about 250 quid.
Hippo
Lord Hippo
There's a few options. They could have removed the lay shaft. They could have cut the head off the pinion gear. Something could have stripped itself causing loss of drive to the rear.
why bother buy a 2wd carUm. . . .jist your thoughts of ways to make ya gaylander 2wd[known for ref,as mondo mode] un 4wd , , , ,yer mod suggestions. . . .
webley2000
Active Member
+1
If I wanted 2 wheel drive I wouldn`t have a Freelander.
I think the VCU is a lot less hassle than all the Haldex stuff and if you have to change it know and then so be it.Less than the cost of 3 tanks of diesel.
Mines original by the way.
Mileage 146,000
I just keep an eye on the tyres and pressure`s.
Hippo
Lord Hippo
Peeps like the seating/driving position, driving style and the feel/appearance of the Freelander. Issues with the drivetrain can be a put off for some. Others just want a quick fix after failure. Either way removing something to make it 2 wheel drive is the easy option. It reduces the cost of repair if there's a problem and also reduces the chance of failure. If that's what peeps want to do then so be it. As long as they're happy with their Freelander and don't need the 4x4 system in full working order, then that's the way to go. I know it's a but difficult to see from their side, but try moving from a Freelander to something like a ford focus and you miss the high up driving position. I drive hire cars at work sometimes so I miss my Freelander instantly when driving a lower down car. If all cars were Freelanders everything would be ok.
webley2000
Active Member
Just time to post this before the Moto GP.
I tend to agree with most of your points Hippo.
I just think part of the feel and driving style of it is down to the permanent 4 wheel drive.
I just wish it had a sixth gear and it would be near a perfect allrounder.
At 3000 rpm my TD4 is doing 60 mph.
Wife`s Skoda at this speed 2000rpm.
I tend to agree with most of your points Hippo.
I just think part of the feel and driving style of it is down to the permanent 4 wheel drive.
I just wish it had a sixth gear and it would be near a perfect allrounder.
At 3000 rpm my TD4 is doing 60 mph.
Wife`s Skoda at this speed 2000rpm.
GrumpyGel
Well-Known Member
Thanks Hippo.
Exactly, there's loads of reasons why people want to do it. Manufacturer's realise that as well which is why lots offer their SUVs/Crossovers is either 4WD or 2WD.
The Freelander needs the extra 1,000 RPM of power to make up for the power drain of the VCU.
Spacemonkey...
Well-Known Member
I agree a 6th would be VERY nice.
When I took the prop off my Freelander it felt lighter and zippier (it was - obviously...) but when I refitted with a decent recon VCU (which does 4wd) it didn't feel much different. It doesn't really 'feel' 4wd like other things do when centre diff locked and it shouldn't really. After all, the Freelander IS front wheel drive (mainly) until the fronts spin then the VCU does it's thing. Does make me giggle when people talk about feeling the back end pushing, as it really shouldn't...
Why drive a 2wd Freelander? Why not- they even sell them now in the FL2 IIRC...
Me? I'd rather sort mine, which I did, so the 4wd works as it should, when it should.
When I took the prop off my Freelander it felt lighter and zippier (it was - obviously...) but when I refitted with a decent recon VCU (which does 4wd) it didn't feel much different. It doesn't really 'feel' 4wd like other things do when centre diff locked and it shouldn't really. After all, the Freelander IS front wheel drive (mainly) until the fronts spin then the VCU does it's thing. Does make me giggle when people talk about feeling the back end pushing, as it really shouldn't...
Why drive a 2wd Freelander? Why not- they even sell them now in the FL2 IIRC...
Me? I'd rather sort mine, which I did, so the 4wd works as it should, when it should.
Hippo
Lord Hippo
The only problem I have with 2 wheel drive Freelanders is when the owner doesn't know about it.
Those who sell 2 wheel drive IRD's should mark the rear of the case so a potential buyer could have a look and confirm it's a 2 wheel drive Freelander. If they don't do this they should be shot. They know what they're doing and do it just to make a sale. If the next buyer buys it without knowing it's 2 wheel drive only, or it's going to cost several hundred pounds to convert back to 4 wheel drive, then that's not fair. You could say it's up to the buyer to come on ere and research their new purchase. But all too often we only see peeps come on ere when they sort of guess there's something wrong, but don't know what.
Those who sell 2 wheel drive IRD's should mark the rear of the case so a potential buyer could have a look and confirm it's a 2 wheel drive Freelander. If they don't do this they should be shot. They know what they're doing and do it just to make a sale. If the next buyer buys it without knowing it's 2 wheel drive only, or it's going to cost several hundred pounds to convert back to 4 wheel drive, then that's not fair. You could say it's up to the buyer to come on ere and research their new purchase. But all too often we only see peeps come on ere when they sort of guess there's something wrong, but don't know what.
Spacemonkey...
Well-Known Member
True I agree. I looked at a few without props and I truly believe some people genuinely didn't know. Those others said they took it off for economy (which makes no difference I found) and that means you'd have no idea if the IRD was shot. But when I said fine, I'll take it if you knock off the price for a recon IRD, VCU and diff as you can't prove them, they declined. NOBODY wanted to refit them for a test drive either...
