Hi newbie here with a hippo?

Hi all,

Got myself a freelander as a runabout after selling my L200.

This was the L200


And this is the freelander


I've got some ML event AT tyres in the garage to fit. What are the freelanders like on sand?

Any advice on what to do and what not to do would be good.

Thanks in advance.

Sam

Welcome!

Hello mate. How much sand you expecting? And I bet all them light's on the slitty were bright.

I used my Freelander to level a sand arena the day after the arena was built. The sand was really soft and dry so the wheels initially sunk in by over 6 inches but she drove through it no bother while towing a wooden pallet which quickly filled with sand.
So long as the propshaft is in situ it should be great in sand regardless of the tyres.

Ditto what Alibro says. I fish sandy beaches. With the old Disco as soon as you hit the sand it stopped - I had to put it in lock and low range and it was fine after that - which is fair enough - you'll be used to putting the L200 into 4Low I suppose . I was a bit worried switching to the Freelander that it wouldn't cope - but it just piled straight through it No faffing around. You have to be a bit more careful with driftwood as there isn't as much clearance.

Just keep your eye on the Viscous Coupling - read up on the 1 wheel up test, and make sure all your tyres are the same make/model/pressure or else you'll end up with a 2WD car and expensive bills. If you understand how the transmission works and check the VCU/tyres properly they're awesome trucks. I learnt the hard/expensive way before joining LZ! Do some reading on here to familiarise yourself with it - its not a "switchable" or "permanent" 4WD - its AWD.

I presume its a TD4, if its a petrol be especially careful of coolant levels. If its a 1.8, research now what type of head gasket you will use when it fails, it its the V6, sell it - or at least take advice now on how you're going to keep the engine running.

Thanks guys. It will be used on the beach to drop/recover my jetski in and out of the sea. I've had the vcu checked over and it appears all good.

Taking it down tomorrow to have the tyres fitted. It is a td4. Anything in particular I should Be looking out for?

The lights on the L200 were brilliant if not a bit of overkill I had a hid kit fitted as well.

Don't trust any garage to test your VCU. Very few know anything about them and they could end up costing you a series amount of money. Read up on the one wheel up test and do it. It ain't perfect but it's the best we've got.

Alibro said:

Don't trust any garage to test your VCU. Very few know anything about them and they could end up costing you a series amount of money. Read up on the one wheel up test and do it. It ain't perfect but it's the best we've got.

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I know what you mean about trusting them I had some real problems with main dealers and places like Kwik fit trying to sell me more then I need or just defaulting to a computer for the answer.

The chap I go to is independent and has been brilliant with all my cars and trucks. It helps that he is a massive landrover fan, having 2 discovery's, 2 freelander's and a defender to himself. I was under the ramp with him when it was checked. I did the one wheel check when I got it. He checked it over for me and solved a few of the issues which got me it cheaper. I can't fault the service he provides.

TD4... Check the breather on it you want the BMW breather mod you'll never have to touch it again lots of people forget to service it and I've personally known it blow engines theres also a good YouTube video and I'm sure its done by landrover tool box talk guys aimed at new owners of freelanders.. Im urrently in the process of getting my freelander sorted and on the road and then I'm thinking the disco will go

joshremlin said:

TD4... Check the breather on it you want the BMW breather mod you'll never have to touch it again lots of people forget to service it and I've personally known it blow engines theres also a good YouTube video and I'm sure its done by landrover tool box talk guys aimed at new owners of freelanders.. Im urrently in the process of getting my freelander sorted and on the road and then I'm thinking the disco will go

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Awesome, I was going to service everything at the end of this month, I will add this to list of parts.

Thanks

Sam-323 said:

Awesome, I was going to service everything at the end of this month, I will add this to list of parts.

Thanks

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No worries buddy... You'll probably only be able to find it on fleabay or at a aftermarket LR supplier like paddocks though it's something poeple like Euro parts don't supply but you could always try muddymods.com you should really be paying around £15 for it that seems to be the going rate for one... Next time I service mine if I manage getting it on the road that is I'm going down the route of a K&N filter because there washable so can save money there over time .

Josh

joshremlin said:

No worries buddy... You'll probably only be able to find it on fleabay or at a aftermarket LR supplier like paddocks though it's something poeple like Euro parts don't supply but you could always try muddymods.com you should really be paying around £15 for it that seems to be the going rate for one... Next time I service mine if I manage getting it on the road that is I'm going down the route of a K&N filter because there washable so can save money there over time .

Josh

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eBay- https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271910275174

As for the filter £25 cheaper then the K&N

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/162111852960

That's what your wanting bud..