I took the Freelander off road yesterday on an organised event with Bofa4x4.com round Cannock. A good day was had by myself and the family and the car got up, down and over most things, even with road tyres. Anybody interested in a event report with pictures including the two times I had to be recovered? The Freelander just didnt have ground clearanceit needed and some of the grinding noises that came from under the car were frightening.

Had a few probems though. Hit a stump and punctured the plastic front skid plate (oops), but my biggest problem is the sills. They got a real battering. Both sills are really badly dented. where the sillls used to be convex, now they are concave.

Anyway, I tried searching without much luck, does anybody make nice shiny sill protectors/ sill guards or what ever else you want to call them. Im assuming that since the sills are not actually holed, then its not going to be an mot issue and all the doors still open (although there does seem to be less of a gap between the bottom of the door and the top pf the sill) or is the only solution having the sills cut out and new sills fitted.

Hope you guys can come up with a cheap solution to my modified Freelander.

we like pictures, there is no criteria for failing sills that are damaged within the MOT, if you had fitted side running boards to the sills the damage would have been worse, check out mantec's products as they seem to do quite a bit of protection for the freelander.

Ok, just a few pictures of yesterdays outing.

Firstly the get together. I guess me being the only Freelander driver tells you something.



Considering there has been little rain here in the midlands for some time, there was still quite a lot of mud and slippy grass. I had to be recovered the first time.



No action shots because obviously Im driving the car but here is what happens when you go a different route because the normal way is just too steep.



It was when I got home I realised I had a problem

i would leave it as it is if the door open the only thing i would sujest is getting an alloy sump guard

Sill protectors are really only for light damage, more stone chips than anything else. £130 inc delivery from Mantec Services.

About time the Freelander aftermarket goodies showed up

The 3dr sills have slightly different profile than the 5dr models. I believe the 3dr sills are slightly stronger.

A good set of sliders would also help

Sill protectors

Are they home made Northern Irelander?

And yes, sump guard needed if it goes in the mud again. I spent all day washing the car and I found that the plastic sump guard has also taking quite a few hits. Holed in three places, one of the rear attachment points has been ripped out and boy was it FULL of mud. Front skid plate badly deformed. Plastic pre-heater trim panel ripped off. One of the end peices at the front of the rear wheel trim is missing. Tracking now out of alignment and muddy foot prints in the carpet.

Anyway, its looking a little better now its washed and I guess I will have to live with the modified sills for the time being.

Not sure if I will take it off road again. I know the car took most of what was thrown at it but I just keep thinking how long before something serious happens.

But at least I can say I have done it.

Oh, by the way, are the sills galvanised? Some of the paint has chipped off one of the sills and I need to know If I need to get paint on it quickly.

rainady said:

Are they home made Northern Irelander?


Oh, by the way, are the sills galvanised? .

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No ordered from Mantec services, they took forever to dull down, dont want too much bling on a Land Rover

Dont think the sills are galvanised, different paint finish on the 3dr (anti stone chip)

Just throw a load of wax over the bare metal until you want to get em sprayed. Wouldnt worry about the sills out of shape, they add character. I cant stand seeing door dings though.

Looks like you had a fun day messing about in the mud, it was your tyresthat let you down. Stick a set of knobblies on the hippo and you wont be disappointed

For modified sump guards:
http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f9/engine-sump-guard-38885.html