It's about 282 000 km's now and this is not my daily driver, so I don't care if it spends more time in my garage than on the road. Been really enjoyable times to work with it. My first LR ever and super happy with it. Don't know is there any point to change the serpentine belt in TD4? Don't...

Nothing, absolutely nothing. I am actually a bit worried now, because I have fixed all the known issues in my FL1 that I bought last December (drum brakes, wishbones, tie rod ends, clutch, VCU & bearings, diff mount, fuel tank cradle). It has no issues. Maybe I just drive it? ;)

Got it tracked today and it drives straight and nice again. Important thing to get done if suspension related parts are loosened and/or replaced.

I bought my 2004 FL Sport TD4 in the end of last year and read here about the VCU first time after the purchase. In other 4wd systems there are also weak points that can brake if oil changes are neglected. But stiff VCU taking IRD and Diff with it is of course thing that is not that common and...

Sunday morning coffee outdoors.

New fuel tank cradle in. Wasn't the most pleasant job have to say...Subframe has to come down to get old cradle out and new in. And lot's of rust and dirt in my mouth and ears.

This was definitely done. Wasn't sure can the front mount be removed without taking others loose but it was doable by wiggling it out towards the front. And new one in same way.

Weekend again and I'm under the Hippo. Fuel tank cradle replacement but before that I'll change the front diff mount while the prop is off.

Generally speaking these 1k-3k cars can be anything in terms of reliability. Freelanders are now in the bottom of their value and it is very typical that owners neglect every maintenance and fix if possible. If you find one that has been cared and serviced well despite its age and low value, it...

Preparing the new tank cradle. Gave it a layer of rust preventive paint and on the bottom side facing down I sprayed couple of layers of stone chip protection.

Bolt porn

Didn't have anything special planned for this weekend, so decided to do some preventive bolt maintenance :) I'm doing the fuel tank cradle replacement some time in the future. Wanted to try to get the rear subframe bolts (4 x 18mm) out. They were relatively easy actually, no rust at all. Took...

Drove the car (FL1) on ramps and gave the rear subframe bolts (4 x 18mm) a wd40 bath and brush. Going to try take those out tomorrow just to see. Should change the rusty tank cradle but don't have the new cradle yet.

Thanks for the tip.

Really, that is frustrating for sure to notice....any tips for cradle that fits? LR genuine 407€ - aftermarket 104€ from Rimmerbros.

That's what I thought also andyfreelandy, there's no way you could avoid dropping the subframe. I'll go with an replacement cradle for mine.

Thought I'll share this for everyone looking to do diff oil change for FL1. Did it once again for mine this morning. If you have done it already, you know that it's a bit tight place to get there because of the subframe and muffler. I'm using a vacuum pump to suck the old oil out through the...

Was looking at these also. Those look like the tubes in the cradle. Installation would also be the same as replacing the cradle, wouldn't it?

2004 FL TD4 Sport 172 000 miles.

Well, higher sidewall would be nice. I already have 16" wheels and standard size tyres for winter. I don't think I'll lift this because it's Sport variant. Not worth it and I won't be offroading.