Freelander 1 New commercial van project

MacGyver said:

Another one gone today also. Scrapped said beyond worthwhile saving but it gave many parts to my van and the car was originally free so can't complain.

Clutch, slave, shock x 2, 4 tyres and more would have been needed for it.

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Nice work, I think the vans are great.

pardec said:

got heated leather

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Might be a stupid question, but the leather seats wouldn't be an issue in a commercial FL would they ? As the full bulkhead is there, no need to be able to tilt forward, don't even think I have ever looked to see if they do.

If this is the case I would be interested in your seats, I am working in Manchester at the moment, so could pop over to have a look

You're welcome to come and have a look, send me a pm and we'll sort something out

pardec said:

You're welcome to come and have a look, send me a pm and we'll sort something out

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I have done.Thanks Pardec
Any issue with parts from a 5 door to a 3 door ? ( open Question ) I know the back passenger doors or rear passenger glass etc will not fit Thanks for your thoughts in advance though.

Think my VCU is on the way out, sorry still not done the OWUT, however in traffic jams I have to play the clutch, else it judders 0-10 mph, judder, dump clutch, release all is well, new clutch, and 2nd hand gearbox ( scrappy )fitted, wheels all good mine is stiffer than my Mrs FL1 in reverse, along with I have heard the rear wheels spin on gravel in my Mrs, never in mine.

Mine: 55 plate, TD4 Commercial ( with LSV plate ) getting to 140K which is lifetime of VCU no.2 anyway, and also if it is stiffening will put more pressure on VCU bearings, which in my world would equate to the juddering nearly always at motorway speeds then into a traffic jam, so VCU overheating ?
My Mrs 54 plate, Auto Sport 3 dr 127K, transmission service upon getting it home.

Kind off thinking an Auto SE Commercial.

Edit, I am in a position to take mine off the road for a while.

And had poly bushes fitted !?

front doors are longer on a 3 door

Pompey said:

I have done.Thanks Pardec
Any issue with parts from a 5 door to a 3 door ? ( open Question ) I know the back passenger doors or rear passenger glass etc will not fit Thanks for your thoughts in advance though.

Think my VCU is on the way out, sorry still not done the OWUT, however in traffic jams I have to play the clutch, else it judders 0-10 mph, judder, dump clutch, release all is well, new clutch, and 2nd hand gearbox ( scrappy )fitted, wheels all good mine is stiffer than my Mrs FL1 in reverse, along with I have heard the rear wheels spin on gravel in my Mrs, never in mine.

Mine: 55 plate, TD4 Commercial ( with LSV plate ) getting to 140K which is lifetime of VCU no.2 anyway, and also if it is stiffening will put more pressure on VCU bearings, which in my world would equate to the juddering nearly always at motorway speeds then into a traffic jam, so VCU overheating ?
My Mrs 54 plate, Auto Sport 3 dr 127K, transmission service upon getting it home.

Kind off thinking an Auto SE Commercial.

Edit, I am in a position to take mine off the road for a while.

And had poly bushes fitted !?

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A dodgy VCU wouldn't cause a judder. Sounds more like the DMF is gone or the new clutch was a cheapo one.

Alibro said:

A dodgy VCU wouldn't cause a judder. Sounds more like the DMF is gone or the new clutch was a cheapo one.

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what he said

OK thanks for that, clutch wasn't cheap, I will go see mechanic that did the job. And more since.

Edit: to both vehicles.

Mrs thinks it was a year ago we had that work done, so we should be OK under warranty, a good time to do this conversion then. We will have receipts if it comes to it.

I think I have it now that the doors do not fit

Following on, small but essential mod bought and fitted.



Full leather steering wheel, with controls. Sadly don't work with my budget radio but nice to have for the future.

Then it was brake pad time and I had a clean nightmare.



One of the carrier to caliper bolts snapped in half, 2 hours of swearing, heat and vice grips and she came out.



I don't even think my first born child will be greated with such enthusiasm.

Next up in the month, my old towbar setup from my old Freelander.

Nice wheel. Would it be rude to ask how much and where from?

Not long fitted a leather steering wheel and ball/pin to mine.

Swapped for a bunch of rover 75 parts so not so bad.

Have a zt hand brake grip and gear knob that I want to try and get to work on the freelander next.

Leather steering wheel looks great.

I see I'm not the only one that has a 'PINGI' bag behind the cupholders to help keep the mist away!

Well I've been working away on her since mot failure. I found a lot that the mot man missed so I've pulled her off road and rebuilding her how I want it.



First up the rear end. Have to strip out the rear anyways on the commercial to get access sadly, but I've been using it as an excuse.


So I'm going to sound deaden the whole rear end when I've it all stripped also. Being cheap and using thermal insulation from B and Q. Shall show you more when it's done as I've a reversing camera to fit also.



As we all know, you can't beat working on a land rover without a garage in a rain and snow and cold back garden. Installing the lift kit here, 40mm in the rear. Those rear break pipes through the strut are a bloody stupid design!



That's the rear end fitted anyways, good lift on her with only 40mm, guess being commercial it's lighter than a car with seats etc in her.



Then fitted a new wiper arm, motor and refurbished rear brake light and wheel mount. Really helps.

Pulled old swan neck tow bar off also, have my old one from first Freelander to fit, with genuine land rover logo tow socket and cover. Sold old one within 30 mins on Facebook and guy collected it from my door!



Front end is going to be easier I hope. I'm replacing everything, bushes complete, arms, steering rods, drop links etc so hopefully I will be sorted for a good few years along with front 40mm lift.

Proper towball and towbar fitted. My god the Swan neck went on and off no problem previously but this towbar was a proper land rover jobbie (bar the ball hitch is aftermarket) and proved a ball ache mounting the bracket in place.

Job done and a bit off hammerite over her also will add to the overall look.

Started stripping front end today. Lot to do there. Loads of odd size bolts breaking my heart.

How's the front end coming along Colin?

Well that's the front done and drive shafts sorted.

Looking good mate. With those big knobbly's you will probably have more ground clearance than I had in Bertie with a 50mm kit. Unfortunately due to stupidity on my behalf it has been sold so we'll never know.