Well quick update of me motor - still going strong BTW. Been more aware of feeling front dragging back and rear tyres going saw tooth so bull by horns and with help of my lad (who is adverse to getting hands dirty normally) decided prop shaft off at weekend. Cant afford a new VCU just now (£370.00) and no appetitite to cause damage to IRD, diff etc and to be honest have always fancied trying mondo. I have every intention of fitting new vcu and returning to 4x4 but I have to say I'm liking how she drives in 2WD. A bit more nippy, rolls much better, less noise. must be better on fuel? Any thoughts gang - do most of us return our Freelanders to 4x4 in the end?
"Here we go again"
- Thread starter DD3
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I can see why people run a Freelander in mondo mode. But at the same time, I also think it's a bit silly. It's kinda like having a convertible car with a roof that doesn't open, or a fridge that doesn't keep things cold, or a door which you can't open.
Out of interest, which year was your Freelander built in? Apparently the IRD ratio was changed in 2001. If that's the case, that would explain why many posts related to VCU/IRD failure are often referring to pre-2001 Freelanders.
Out of interest, which year was your Freelander built in? Apparently the IRD ratio was changed in 2001. If that's the case, that would explain why many posts related to VCU/IRD failure are often referring to pre-2001 Freelanders.
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Russell Jupp
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My 1.8 is mondo for most of the year. I too have no desire for a kanckered IRD!!
I dont need 4wd till winter, but i enjoy a car that is a little taller than most, also great for dogs and kids, + its convertible, so i kinda get the best of everything!!
I think it drives far better in mondo, tho i dont think the economy is any better. Approx 30mpg.
Russ
I dont need 4wd till winter, but i enjoy a car that is a little taller than most, also great for dogs and kids, + its convertible, so i kinda get the best of everything!!
I think it drives far better in mondo, tho i dont think the economy is any better. Approx 30mpg.
Russ
Blippie
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DD3, have you actually tested the VCU?
Cheers
Blippie
Cheers
Blippie
Mines a 2001 model year k series 1.8 but is facelift so has revised ratios. Done 94k, 25 with me and no vcu change so far as i can tell, so due change!!
I agree with your thoughts on mondo but it is a way of preventing damage till i can afford new vcu and to be honest in summer weather it drives fine.
I think this is fair enough - its your motor. I do intend to return to 4wd as soon as money allows. Interesting that economy not better, I'll see how mine is over coming weeks.
Hi Blippie, No I have not tested the vcu but I drove an '05 (50k miles) Td4 a few weeks back and it was much better than mine re turning etc, so im going by this.
Can someone please confirm that they have been thru MOT successfully with prop removed? I have searched as sure previously covered but not found answer. On fuel consumption mine is proving marginally better in mondo, may be 2 mpg better. I think i may be driving it slightly harder as it seems more willing to go, certainly on motorway, so could prob get 4 or 5 more mpg. worth having me thinks in summer months but no swop for 4x4 in snow. Its actually doing 30 odd up from 28. 34 or 5 might be too optimistic but 32 is doable.
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BigDaftAl
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I'm an MOT tester and can assure you that it would not fail due to the propshaft not being fitted. I actually run mine without a prop so I checked the wording specifically in the MOT testing guide just to be sure.
The thing is, your insurance company should be informed as it is classed as a modification from standard. As we know they don't need much of an excuse to quibble over a payout or decline altogether.
I find my Freelander drives a lot nicer at low speeds but if I drive enthusiastically in the wet it is easy to get the outside wheel to break traction. I plan to fit a new VCU as soon as poss.
Al.
Many thanks for solid experienced based advice! Problem i have now (cash drought aside) is that missus greatly prefers the way our Freelander drives as a mondo. Need to convince her that the £370 would be money well spent - never a dull moment in the world of LR.
BigDaftAl
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Aye true! If I had the time and money I'd look into some sort of electromagnetic lock up & release for a centre vcu. Sort of like a clutch on an air con compressor. Or a haldex unit which works well on my Audi A3, I'm surprised no one has tried to employ either of these onto a Freelander 1. Maybe they have, who knows!
timfreecom
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what a great idea bigdaftal, come on some one.
BigDaftAl
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Just been Googling, apparently the FL2 has a Haldex unit, don't know how it's operated though, automatic or with manual override?
Hoping you can get manual (my mates has got terrain control, so the technology decides, or so I believe) cos surely I want one and what we all would really prefer is choice of 2 or 4 WD and not this vcu thing. I agree it works well in snow etc but nobody seems to know exactly the score with the darned thing and its £370!
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