Freelander 1 Six speed gearbox?

I've discovered that my 04 Freeby 1.8 manual HSE has a six speed gearbox. Now, I can imagine the thoughts, "how did he not know his motor had a six speed box?", but as the beastie hasn't been running, and the gearstick isn't marked, nor is the gearbox casing, how was I to know???.... Does anyone know if this was an option for the Freelander, or whether it might be a mod? I certainly wasn't aware of this as an option, but then I'm fairly new to Landy ownership and regard myself as fairly higgerant of such worldly things

No five forward, one reverse !

Lol, normally, yes. This one has six forward one reverse! Looking forward to trying it out on a long trip.

It must have 5 forward gears. The PG1 box wasn't available in a 6 speed, and a seriously doubt someone would spend thousands of pounds on a custom gearbox for a FL1.

Can you post a video of all 6 forward gears being used and revers too. Also pictures of this unique gearbox please.

Nope, definitely six forward gears. Couldn't believe it myself until I accidentally put in into sixth. 2, 4 and reverse are back, 1, 3, 5, and six are all forward.

Can post a video of the box in use, but can't do it moving till road legal (MOT etc...)

No way, Jose

Pictures are needed. A custom gearbox costs anything upwards of £6,000.
Is all the 4WD still functional too?

Will video the gears being selected tomorrow, and will video the gearbox too.
The 4wd seems to be functional, at least the propshaft is in place and driving the rear wheels.

Sounds interesting and extremely expensive. The gearbox would cost many times the value of vehicle, which is why it seems so unlikely.

Anyone wants to come and have a look to verify they're more than welcome. I put it into fifth, then up into sixth to get a feel for the difference, and there's quite a bit between the two.

Much is I'd like to try it out. I'm not about to drive 700 odd miles to see for myself. Some detailed pictures of the whole gearbox and IRD would be very interesting though.

Lol, okay. I'll video the gear selection tomorrow and take photos too. I will say this though, the box has slight differences to the one on my Freelander S, for example, the reversing light switch is just to the rear of the 1st gear switch instead of further back or on top of the box.

Is it April 1st?

No, Gel, I'm serious. It's a six forward speed box. Six forward, one reverse. As I said, I didn't know until I accidentally knocked it into sixth.

Its just a fookin gearbox..

Who gives a shyte

Indeed it is. I just wondered if it was an option or was a mod, that was all.....................

Bowyer said:

Indeed it is. I just wondered if it was an option or was a mod, that was all.......

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It wasn't an option. At the time when the Freelander was first built, only ZF made 6 speed gearboxes for vehicles like the BMW M3. More general production vehicles and 4X4s like the Freelander only came with standard at the time, 5 speed boxes.

To get a 6 speed box to even fit the Freelander, a lot of adaption would be needed, or a custom gearbox made, which would cost many time the value of the car.
So it's interesting and very very unusual too.

Henry_b said:

Its just a fookin gearbox..

Who gives a shyte

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Clear oft yer make the place look untidy

Bowyer said:

Lol, normally, yes. This one has six forward one reverse! Looking forward to trying it out on a long trip.

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What year is it?
FL1 has 5 forward gears.
FL2 had 6 forward.
Is it defenitly a FL1? Does the boot door open sideways?