Four wheel drive?

OK, I'm a newbie to Land Rovers and especially to Freelanders.

My question is, on the face of it, quite simple - is the 2004 Mk 1 1800cc three door (Serengeti) Freelander fixed four wheel drive?

I ask because some tell me it is "intelligent" four wheel drive (cuts in when needed), while others tell me it's permanently in 4WD.

I realise this will probably cause vast amusement amongst those who know, but at least I've put a smile on someone's face - not a totally wasted day then!

Mike

Hi
By means of a viscous coupling in the middle of the propshaft the FL is permanent 4 x4
But on tarmac it's biased to the frontt wheels. When on a loose or slippery surface the VC tightenens up and give a full split of power to all wheels.
Welcome to the forum

Hi Mike, and :welcome2:

The 'intelligent' bit is that without needing extra levers, knobs, buttons, bells, or whistles it gets on and does the job.

In many (I hesitate to say most) circumstances and slippery situations the Freelander does as well as most 4X4s driven by experts who are selecting low-ratios, diff-locks, free-wheeling hubs etc.

The viscous coupling means that the beast cannot be cross-axled - a situation with diagonally opposite wheels in the air or with no traction - which leaves many vehicles stuck.

It can still make progress if only one wheel has grip.

But I've never seen one with three wheels up for any length of time!!!
Not even on an island where three legs is a common site. Ha ha.

Enjoy your Freelander - its a very capable vehicle - more than many think.

Regards, Singvogel.

Beast?

Brilliant, not only answer my question, but in a way that I can understand!
Cheers guys (Girls?)
Mike

Singvogel said:

The viscous coupling means that the beast cannot be cross-axled - a situation with diagonally opposite wheels in the air or with no traction - which leaves many vehicles stuck.

It can still make progress if only one wheel has grip.

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surely it's the traction control that does this, not the vcu ?

the vcu is in effect an automatic centre diff lock, which splits drive to the front and rear wheels and no further. If one front and one rear is spinning without traction control, then no drive will be transmitted to the stationary wheels.

ready to be corrected...

Optimus Prime said:

surely it's the traction control that does this, not the vcu ?

the vcu is in effect an automatic centre diff lock, which splits drive to the front and rear wheels and no further. If one front and one rear is spinning without traction control, then no drive will be transmitted to the stationary wheels.

ready to be corrected...

Click to expand...

:doh: You are correct Opt P - I was oversimplifying in an attempt to be brief.
I never mentioned the TC - but you are right - it's the combination of the VCU and the Traction Control that does it - as in Hippo's recent axle-twisting video.

I should have read my post over more carefully.

My apologies,
Singvogel.

where is Hippos video?????freelander twisting a axle?????????? maybe a limp wrist

Glad to be of help ManxMike

Singvogel said:

:doh: You are correct Opt P - I was oversimplifying in an attempt to be brief.
I never mentioned the TC - but you are right - it's the combination of the VCU and the Traction Control that does it - as in Hippo's recent axle-twisting video.

I should have read my post over more carefully.

My apologies,
Singvogel.

Click to expand...

no apologies necessary singy old bean, we're all a team here !:lvhug-035:

Fur Trapper said:

where is Hippos video?????freelander twisting a axle?????????? maybe a limp wrist

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* cough * it's a suspension test video.

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f9/axle-twister-fun-orf-road-173409.html

Hippo said:

* cough * it's a suspension test video.

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f9/axle-twister-fun-orf-road-173409.html

Click to expand...

Oops - sorry, Mr Hippo - I remember that re-categorization - but I said axle so the OP could find it easily - honest.

Singvogel said:

Oops - sorry, Mr Hippo - I remember that re-categorization - but I said axle so the OP could find it easily - honest.

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Just helping out the mercan as they easily get confuddled. It's easier to talk about axle pairs as peeps will understand front un rear sets. It's the durdy tratterers lerking on ere that get upset when we ses our trucks have axles. They don't like to let on Freelanders are 4 wheel drive.

you dont have axles you have independant suspension

jamesmartin said:

you dont have axles you have independant suspension

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Yassir, Boss - but I was referring to axles as in the original or 'Biblical' sense as used by our Lords and Masters - the VOSA in their massive tome - MOT Testers Manual.

Note to self: Must check Chambers Technical Dictionary.

i should think so:smokin:

jamesmartin said:

you dont have axles you have independant suspension

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Yer but no but I can see the axle one side, and if I go round the other side I can see the axle coming out the other side...

where

jamesmartin said:

where

Click to expand...

One ends connected to the... left wheel. Un the other ones connected to the ... right wheel.

but you only have drive shafts and a diff no axle ,which unfortuneatley is the future