Rear prop shafts.. needed for light off road?

Hi,

Can someone confirm if the rear prop shafts are needed for light off roading?

Picking up my freelander this afternoon. Guy says they are not needed for the amount of off roading it will do, but has offered to fit them if I want.

VERY minimal off roading - fields, dirt tracks, man made stone tracks etc.

Is it worth having them put on? Or keep them off as not needed?

Many thanks in advance

Why get a Freelander instead of a Mondeo estate if you think 2WD will cope?

Ground clearance....

I have done the above in my 03 golf tdi for the last few years, but regularly rip off the trays underneath.. plus I always have to go so slowly, mainly due to ground clearance...

I was putting off getting another 4x4 for as long as possible.. that time is now, only to find out that the one I have decided on, is currently on 2wd.. but can be put back to 4wd if I want it to be... hence my original question....

Would the light off roading it will do, suffice on 2wd, or should I have it back on 4wd...

Simple question.. or so I thought... I don't 'think' a 2wd will cope, I was 'asking'......

Go ahead as planned, I do the same with prop-shafts removed and have never had a problem, even when towing my horse box off-road. Just make sure you get the prop-shafts for future use/sale. Have fun.

get them put on, then take for a drive. they have "probably" been removed to mask an underlying problem with VCU/IRD/diff

ste220 said:

get them put on, then take for a drive. they have "probably" been removed to mask an underlying problem with VCU/IRD/diff

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Seconded: Don't buy the car without road testing in 4wd. D..

Dann said:

Seconded: Don't buy the car without road testing in 4wd. D..

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You could be buying a pup here! As said do not commit to buying the vehicle until you are entirely satisfied that the COMLETE transmission system is sound.

Retail value will be rock bottom if it has problems. Do some research of the forums before you buy.

Thirded, Fourthed and fifthed......... its always worthwhile having the 4WD capacity (and fitted) as damp grass, muddy track, loose stones are always able to have the 2WD fumbling. As stated, make sure the VCU/IRD isnt the reason its currently non standard.

Walk away from this one, you'll find a better one with less trouble involved. Its a buyers market.

Thanks everyone....

How do I check the 'VCU/IRD isnt the reason its currently non standard'?

Howardo - Have sent you a pm, thank you

Well first of all get the rear prop back on and then have a look at the Freelander forum sticky George has put (Board Message) regarding the checks to be done. Where abouts the UK are you Suz? There is bound to be someone close to help out.

Suz said:

Thanks everyone....

How do I check the 'VCU/IRD isnt the reason its currently non standard'?

Howardo - Have sent you a pm, thank you

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Need the props on to check.

Have put another reply on your thread in introduce yourself section.

Thanks everyone...

Skynet - I am in Surrey

I have decided (thanks to all of you) to ask for the props to be put back on.. (which he offered to do as soon as I found out it was only currently 2wd anyway) If all is well - great, if not, will cross that bridge when we come to it.. he is a friend of my dads, who trusts him, so am sure he will sort it... The FL didn't have prop shafts when he got it, so doesn't know if there is or isn't a problem...but bought prop shafts for it, just not got around to fitting them prior to putting it on the market, as it wasn't officially for sale when I heard about it (fingers crossed as love it and can't wait to get it!)

Thanks again, you have been a great help... will update this afternoon.

Check the vcu out immediately after the props are fitted - willo/tipex method. If the vcu is seized or you hear ANY "grumbling" noises - runaway quick - or get at least £1500 off the price. It IS a doozil, int it?

As the Peculiar bloke says TD's are preferred over petrol, esp'lly K series. George's guide to VCU check is a good one to follow (shows you where to put the marks). If your Dad's mate is unaware of any problem due to long term disconnection of rear prop, its probably in his best interests too as anyone else buying would be looking for the same issue.

Besides, once its sorted out you can join us on Salisbury Plain for some PROPER mud

Dave

Hang on! You used the plural for Prop shaft.... Did he buy both? did he get a VCU too???

Skynet said:

Besides, once its sorted out you can join us on Salisbury Plain for some PROPER mud

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yu have fitted a CB now, I hope - it werent till after I had spent all day on the noobies trip giving feedback to you Hippo owners about prospective problems, routes etc that I was told none of yu guys had one .

Skynet said:

Hang on! You used the plural for Prop shaft.... Did he buy both? did he get a VCU too???

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maybe its a V6 and he got one for each bank?:bolt:

The Mad Hat Man said:

yu have fitted a CB now, I hope - it werent till after I had spent all day on the noobies trip giving feedback to you Hippo owners about prospective problems, routes etc that I was told none of yu guys had one .

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ahhhh ermmmmm.... LOL Actually I'm in the proceess of sorting a FM one out as I realised my old AM int ligil nay mor.... also got a couple of 2-ways for use outside the vehicle. I'm enrolling with Wessex 4x4 Response and will buy the kit for that mainly.