Could my freelander have been converted to 2WD?

Really sorry if this has been done before... I did have a hunt around the forum but couldn't find he answer I was looking for.

Basically, going up a snowy/icy hill at weekend and got stuck. OH (who was driving) said it didn't feel like it was in 4wd and that it felt like just fronts were spinning. This is the first time it's been driven in any sort of adverse conditions since I bought it, but come to think of it it did do some crazy spinning in a dry field last summer.... Anyway, Tried to test it by going to an icy car park and booting it... Front wheels span, backs didn't but then it moved off forward.

Could the prop shaft (i think?!) have been removed by a previous owner?

Any help much appreciated

PS: my knowledge of Freelanders/ cars is limited!

It's been done to death


have you tried looking underneath?

to see if props are fitted?

if not, do it....then report back

2 wheel drive for shore

As above, have a look underneath to see if you have got a prop shaft attached to the diff on the rear axle. It will be right in the centre of axle.

Sorry to sound like a total idiot but I know jack all about cars (I'm trying my best to learn). What exactly am I looking for? I have no idea what it should look like...

a long pole type thing going in the centre of the car from front to rear

It's like a long pipe running underneath the car from front to back, with a lump in the middle.

Some people remove the whole thing, some just remove the front or back half.

4x4Newbie said:

Sorry to sound like a total idiot but I know jack all about cars (I'm trying my best to learn). What exactly am I looking for? I have no idea what it should look like...

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Try Google for an image! ... common fault ... owners remove a prop to cover up a much more serious issue ... the VCU (viscous coupling unit) ... checking this when purchasing saves much heartache and wallet drainage!

This is what a prop shaft looks like. The end on the right is the part that should be attached to your diff in the centre of the rear axle. It will look like picture 2 when fitted, you can just see the diff on the left in picture 2.

Grayo said:

This is what a prop shaft looks like. The end on the right is the part that should be attached to your diff in the centre of the rear axle. It will look like picture 2 when fitted, you can just see the diff on the left in picture 2.

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Amazing, thank you. I'll check this when I get home... Will have to get the torch out mind! I've had no end of trouble with my freelander the chap who sold me it must have been laughing... The clutch and flywheel went 3 days after I bought it. It's such a shame as I love the car but it has put me off buying another

4x4Newbie said:

Amazing, thank you. I'll check this when I get home... Will have to get the torch out mind! I've had no end of trouble with my freelander the chap who sold me it must have been laughing... The clutch and flywheel went 3 days after I bought it. It's such a shame as I love the car but it has put me off buying another

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Don't be put off, they're a great car. I've had mine seven years now with no problems what so ever, I'm still on the original battery and exhaust. It does sound like you were ripped off by the seller. What model and engine have you got and what year is it.

Grayo said:

Don't be put off, they're a great car. I've had mine seven years now with no problems what so ever, I'm still on the original battery and exhaust. It does sound like you were ripped off by the seller. What model and engine have you got and what year is it.

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2002 TD4.

So far have had the following issues:

New clutch and flywheel
New battery
Back window regulator broken
Boot handle snapped off
Drivers door won't open on central locking
Rear door won't open on central locking
Passenger window won't work
Tailgate leaks
Heater intermittently cuts out.

I've owned it for the grand total of 8/9months...

Par for the course. None of those issues are likely to return if you look after it .

WLJayne said:

Par for the course. None of those issues are likely to return if you look after it .

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No... But if the VCU needs replacing its gone

4x4Newbie said:

No... But if the VCU needs replacing its gone

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That's a shame, but understandable. There has to come a point when you say enough is enough and if the car isn't growing on you even with it's problems then no one would blame you.

VCU is almost certainly fecked, or much worse your IRD.

WLJayne said:

That's a shame, but understandable. There has to come a point when you say enough is enough and if the car isn't growing on you even with it's problems then no one would blame you.

VCU is almost certainly fecked, or much worse your IRD.

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what's the IRD?

4x4Newbie said:

2002 TD4.

So far have had the following issues:

New clutch and flywheel
New battery
Back window regulator broken
Boot handle snapped off
Drivers door won't open on central locking
Rear door won't open on central locking
Passenger window won't work
Tailgate leaks
Heater intermittently cuts out.

I've owned it for the grand total of 8/9months...

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Well it's not to bad LOL. Clutch and Flywheel on 10/11 year old car can be expected. As can the rest of your list. Personally I think it's very good for that age car I was expecting a lot worse LOL.

The IRD is the Intermediate Reduction Drive - it is the Freelander equivalent of a transfer box. It reduces the revolutions coming from the gearbox by a fixed amount and provides drive to the front and rear wheels and also acts as the front diff. If your VCU seizes shut then it grind the gears inside this unit, reconditioned ones can be had for just over £600 for the part. You really need to have it looked at by a proper freelander specialist like Bell Engineering, they will be able to tell you exactly what state your transmission is in and they can do all the work and supply parts.

Pretty much every used FL1 needs at least a new VCU when it is bought as they are only good for around 70k miles. However because LR never told anyone this there are FL's all over the place with fooked VCU's which will eventually knacker their IRD's.

If you have the money and skill to fit a new VCU and IRD to a bargain basement buggered Hippo then you can get alot of car for not much money. But it's getting to the points where these cars aren't worth the parts and labour fees for non DIY owners, thats how it looks to me anyway.

Probably half the feckin things don't have a rear prop but no bugger notices until they want 4x4 again.

Grayo said:

Well it's not to bad LOL. Clutch and Flywheel on 10/11 year old car can be expected. As can the rest of your list. Personally I think it's very good for that age car I was expecting a lot worse LOL.

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even if VCU shot?! It might only be smallish things but it's been a very expensive few months!

4x4Newbie said:

even if VCU shot?! It might only be smallish things but it's been a very expensive few months!

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Pshaw the VCU is only £230 with new bearings! You better hope it aint your IRD!!!