Freelander 1 TD4 (completed) & V6 (completed) Rebuild Projects

So how many of the 3004 of you who have viewed this thread have wondered "if that is what the car looks like, what does the fuel tank support frame look like!?"

Wait no longer, it's the first one I've seen where the support tube has rotted through, usually it is the plates only. Big picture justified for this I think !

And close ups of the tube where it just couldn't take any more !

I put two small blocks of wood and two bottle jacks (haven't used those in a while) under the centre of the front and rear of the tank to support it, bolts released fine and tank maneuvered out from between the jacks and new one fitted up.

Not so easy to photograph on the car, but the refurbished assembly is shown in a post above before fitting.

Will hang up the overalls now for a few days and so I wish everyone on Landyzone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and thank everyone (well mostly everyone!) for all their input and encouragement / technical support.

See you all again in 2019 !!
Incidentally, I found myself giving a wave to another Freelander owner today (dunno why - I just did) and thought, that's a nice thing to do - so if another owner acknowledges you it'll probably be me. Perhaps we could have a 'secret Landyzone' code like the Freemasons do ?? Ideas??

I remember the days when there was much less traffic on the roads and you would always flash your lights and wave to those in the same type of vehicle as yours. It was always wide smiles and waving. Showing my age now.

My old man used to salute the AA patrol vehicles - that is until they didn't turn up the one time he needed them in 50 years of driving, then it became a different sort of salute !

Used to do that all the time in my defender. Most seem to wave at eachother!

Merry Christmas Andy and to everyone , I am looking forward to see the next step in your rebuild best of luck mate

After the break, I have now got the rear suspension bits back from blasting and, for some, powder coating ! I also seemed to have started a new bathroom, kitchen and dairy conversion and we seem to have acquired 4 rescue pygmy goats, but that is another story for another forum(s) !!

See photos - now to reassemble it all with new nuts and bolts - mildly excited - must get out more.
Still have the underside to finish wire brushing and painting before it all goes back on though.

Very pleased with results which is a primed epoxy resin powder in gloss black.


The bits that won't stand the heat of powder coating have now had 2 coats of black Hammerite.
This car will be better underneath than on top !
Thinking of a Tangiers orange respray when it is finished??

So - some progress made, back to the wire brush.

The shock spindle and seal were masked, that is just dust post blasting that is on the chrome. The wire on the suspension arms is so that they go back on th same side, not sure it matters though. Have bought new adjustable arms as the old ones were 'unadjustable' shall we say !

Looking good Andy. Do you fancy doing my TD4?

andyfreelandy said:

After the break, I have now got the rear suspension bits back from blasting and, for some, powder coating ! I also seemed to have started a new bathroom, kitchen and dairy conversion and we seem to have acquired 4 rescue pygmy goats, but that is another story for another forum(s) !!

See photos - now to reassemble it all with new nuts and bolts - mildly excited - must get out more.
Still have the underside to finish wire brushing and painting before it all goes back on though.

Very pleased with results which is a primed epoxy resin powder in gloss black.

View attachment 169406 View attachment 169407 View attachment 169409View attachment 169408View attachment 169410
View attachment 169411 View attachment 169412 The bits that won't stand the heat of powder coating have now had 2 coats of black Hammerite.
This car will be better underneath than on top !
Thinking of a Tangiers orange respray when it is finished??

So - some progress made, back to the wire brush.

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Not sure I want to know what you get up to on other forums.

Is there perhaps a market for refurbished underside components for owners to fit? As the vehicles get older these bits could be the nail in the coffin. If I'd been paying labour charges on the V6 I'd be broke by now but the parts......what do L Zoners think?

andyfreelandy said:

Is there perhaps a market for refurbished underside components for owners to fit?

Click to expand...

Maybe some components. There is actually a very good spares network for suspension components at the moment. For example, new rear trailing arms are available for under £40, which includes the bush already fitted.

But definitely some components could be sold on after refurbishing.

I've thought about doing a similar thing myself, but sadly don't have the spare time to put anything together.

I think it is a good idea mate and after nodge can I bring mine down

Thanks. TLO...I mean you do the work I make and flog the shiny bits !!!!

andyfreelandy said:

Thanks. TLO...I mean you do the work I make and flog the shiny bits !!!!

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still think my idea was best

Nice job Andy! Will be looking as good as (or better than?) new when that lot is fitted up!

Quick update. Been wire brushing, rust killing and stone chip spraying underside. It is a bit of a balls ache so have done bits when I feel like it. In between fitting new bathroom and kitchen!! It is a welcome break from that. Today all underside is complete and ready for new brake pipes then all the new bits go back on. Photos soon. Going to do pipes before fitting subframe as there is more room. Subframe now has diff fitted but will fit it without the suspension as it is lighter and easier to man handle. Then exhaust and prop go back on. Then build up suspension and brakes!! End is in sight. Only engine problem seems to be a weep of oil from the oil cooler. The oil cooler looks new so hoping it is just a union leak.

Reassembly begins. New brake pipes while the underside is stripped then exhaust, then subframe (fitted with diff), then tie rods and hubs / struts. All seems to be going well. It's a delight working with new nuts and bolts, I am applying copper slip to the section of the bolt in contact with metal sleeves so that, with a bit of luck, they come out next time!

Some photos - just brakes to build up and bleed / test now.

I love seeing shiny new bits on a car

Finished all brakes and suspension this morning. Drove for test. All good. 5 Mph ABS light goes out. Will post last few photos as brakes went in. Short test drive and smell of sweet oil!! Steering rack pipe / union has rusted through and deposited steering fluid all over the engine bay. Oh joy. This car has a scrapyard wish but it is not going there. Have a spare rack and pipes. Has anyone done this on a V6? I've done a TD4 rack. Not much room. Less on this one. Knuckles get ready for a pasting. Sad but better to go now. No other pipes left to go I hope.

andyfreelandy said:

Has anyone done this on a V6? I've done a TD4 rack. Not much room.

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Yes. Me. It's possible. Actually it's no more difficult to so the V6 rack over the TD4. Removed the inlet plenum, and you'll have as much room as the TD4, with its air box in place.