Too deep for a Freelander?

Would you attempt this in a Freelander?

http://s680.photobucket.com/albums/...16-May-10/?action=view&current=May2009031.jpg
Pic courtesy of jamese1505

I'm thinking of attempting that route later tonight but I'm worried my Freelander might suddenly think it's a boat. I'm also guessing that the water level will be a bit lower given that we've had a lack of rainfall.

Cue the door jokes!

Cheers

Rich

Must remember that the specified wading depth for a Freeby is only 18"

para1966 said:

Must remember that the specified wading depth for a Freeby is only 18"

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I just went and measured it. 18" comes up just above the door sills. Is that really all it can do? I know it's not exactly a Defender but no wonder people joke about the doors falling off! Heck, so basically I can't go in anything much deeper than a puddle?!

It's a judgement call & depends on so many factors, is your freebie lifted, what tyres have you got on etc etc. get out roll your trousers up & go for a paddle (as long as the water isn't flowing so fast that it would knock you over ), poke around with a stick & see what you think, if you are in any doubt don't do it. If you look at the picture the guy has built a bit of a bow wave & water level is roughly up to the bottom of his sills but is that as deep as it gets, it might be a lot deeper in the middle. My personal limit is the top of the tyres in stagnant water, any deeper & the suspension begins to go a bit "light" as you start to float. Obviously in flowing water the safe limit comes down. Make sure you don't do it alone, you will need someone to call Air Sea Rescue if you float off downstream.
Have a look at pics 36, 37 & 38, that bit looks tricky unless you've got a lift kit, underbody protecion & decent AT tyres.
Good Luck & post some pics. By the way where is that lane, it looks a cracker !

Ty for the reply, will go and have a look later. I probably won't complete the whole lane though. Btw, is it easy to float the Freelander?

The lane is near the town of Axminster (Devon), or more specifically, very close to the village of Westwa/ter. For some reason, the swear word filter won't let me say Westwa/ter, weird.

RichM said:

I just went and measured it. 18" comes up just above the door sills. Is that really all it can do? I know it's not exactly a Defender but no wonder people joke about the doors falling off! Heck, so basically I can't go in anything much deeper than a puddle?!

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18" is the "official" limit, they will go a bit deeper. Just remember that if you don't have extended breathers on your rear diff or IRD you might get water in there, I haven't got extended breathers so I get the fluids changed at 3000 miles max intervals or if I have done something really silly (which happens most weekends:doh more often

RichM said:

Ty for the reply, will go and have a look later. I probably won't complete the whole lane though. Btw, is it easy to float the Freelander?

The lane is near the town of Axminster (Devon), or more specifically, very close to the village of Westwa/ter. For some reason, the swear word filter won't let me say Westwa/ter, weird.

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Thats because it says Tw*t in the middle.

RichM said:

I just went and measured it. 18" comes up just above the door sills. Is that really all it can do? I know it's not exactly a Defender but no wonder people joke about the doors falling off! Heck, so basically I can't go in anything much deeper than a puddle?!

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The quoted wading depth for a Defender is 20", so a Freelander isn't too bad.
Having said that I'd be happier exceeding it in a Defender than a Freelander.

if you do wade a Freelander, check and clean out the rear brake drums.

one of the problems with the freelander is that it does have more of a tendency to float, so be wary

Optimus Prime said:

one of the problems with the freelander is that it does have more of a tendency to float, so be wary

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Like this,
[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpUS2VuOKNE"]YouTube- Freelander V6 River crossing[/nomedia]

I took a better line,
[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QFa09ZLCG4"]YouTube- Freelander Crossing river[/nomedia]

You wont be happy till its well and truly broken.

Already done it.

Ah, the first of the chocolate troughs at Driffield, how many jet wash tokens did it take to unblock your radiators. I went round with a group of 6 Freelanders, 4 of the 6 had alternator problems on the way home.