Rover Noobie Reporting for duty - Cars, Bikes and Adventures

[LR2]

Hello all,

New member here but I've had my Rover for few years now; I've been lurking on ExPo and Various LR websites to read up on maintenance posts, tire size recommendations, Adventure ideas and such. I figured its good time as any to post up some pictures of my rover.

Additionally, it's so hard to find pictures of the freelanders with a rack, cargo boxes or cargo baskets, bike racks.
Hopefully my posts will aid some others as other members here have helped me with their generous posts.

Currently..

Coming from:
Mazda RX-7
Subaru WRX

Needed more storage space and height for snow storms in Maine despite Subaru All-Wheel Drive.
Let her go and got the rover few years ago. I was torn between the new Outback vs the Freelander. Both had the quirky personality I was looking for but the interior and LR heritage won me over obviously.

Good thing bc it brought me towards more adventures.

Exploring Acadia National Park

My trusty guide & wingman

 

[LR2]

Adventures

What a great climb

Mt Katahdin, Baxster State Park, ME

Moose!

Marathons, Ultras, Tris, Duathlons

Post race lobster shack

My dog helping me with foglight install, late summer nights.

 

[LR2]

More fun w the Rover

Riding the Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina

Well packed with gear, beer, snacks, Gu-gels and coffee.


Roadbiking Trip to Charleston, SC

Camping by Brevard and Asheville, NC
Nothing like campfire bacon in the rain.

102mi bike ride day in Charleston, NC

Our trip coming to an abrupt halt due to ninja stars.

No worries. Taking a break from the roads.

My rover as first aid vehicle part of a local 10k Race

Triathlon

Me running the Boston marathon and a wicked blister at the finish.
What a great day and crowd!

 

[LR2]

Following the temps...

Beach day.

Got rid of the silly LEDs soon thereafter.

Summer Rides

Now to the Other extreme...

Climbing Mount Washington, NH on a clear sunny day in early February

With powder... One must...

 

[amg463]

Love the descriptions, but not a single one of your pics shows up for me.

 

[zelatore]

Pics all came through OK for me ?

Great use of the Freelander. It certainly doesn't get a lot of love compared to it's big brothers, but you're showing exactly what LR had in mind when they built it. An all-around useful 'active lifestyle' vehicle.

 

[LR2]

Thanks.
I know most on this forum are pretty hardcore offroaders and the LR2 will get dismissed rather easily but since we all share the love for the outdoors, I figured I'd share some photos. I am hoping to camp by the sand dunes in northern Michigan in few weeks so Ill put the babylander to the test.

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Moving across the country with the landy

The bourbon trail was a MUST...

mmm fresh barrels

Experimenting with 110octane...

Neighbor's gorgeous D90

Winter setup 235/65/17 Blizzak WS-70

I am hearing that 245/70/17 should fit the LR2. Anyone know if that is true?
Looking into General Grabbers or Cooper Discoverer ATPs

Lastly, I would truly appreciate if someone would recommend me a cargo basket.
I was looking into the Rola vs. Kuat Vagabond.. anyone experiment w these two?

 

[spikemd]

The LR2 is a great platform and very reliable. It is my father's first rover and she hasn't had a single issue in the first 25k miles. He added a thule rack like yours for carting his kayak around. Gas mileage is MUCH better than my LR3.

There is a guy in the NCLR (NorCal Land Rover club) Sam Odie who had an LR2 and took it offroad a bit. It is limited by its non-adjustable suspension and lack of locking center diff but impresses many with its capabilities. You just need some good tires and the traction control system is amazing for 90% of the overlanding many do. Here is a link to his site (http://sam.odio.com/2011/10/23/planned-land-rover-lr2-road-modifications/). He has since upgraded to a D90 but loved his LR2.

Looks like you are using her well!

 

[LR2]

The LR2 is a great platform and very reliable. It is my father's first rover and she hasn't had a single issue in the first 25k miles. He added a thule rack like yours for carting his kayak around. Gas mileage is MUCH better than my LR3.

There is a guy in the NCLR (NorCal Land Rover club) Sam Odie who had an LR2 and took it offroad a bit. It is limited by its non-adjustable suspension and lack of locking center diff but impresses many with its capabilities. You just need some good tires and the traction control system is amazing for 90% of the overlanding many do. Here is a link to his site (http://sam.odio.com/2011/10/23/planned-land-rover-lr2-road-modifications/). He has since upgraded to a D90 but loved his LR2.

Looks like you are using her well!

Yea I have over 100,000mi on my LR2 with numerous camping trips driven all over the country. Only issue I've had so far with the car is my drivers seat forward and back adjusting mechanism (which doesnt concern me bc I never really fickle with it) and my key fob battery that died on me (although thats not LR's fault, and easily replaced)

Thanks for the Sam Odio's site link.. impressive stuff.

 

[totalsource]

We'll as far as hard core goes. Fending off ninja stars is pretty hard core dude.

 

[unseenone]

Welcome, thanks for the write ups.

 

[Eniam17]

Great write up and pictures. That is what the spirit of land rover is all about in my opinion. It's not always about how hard the trail is; it's about getting out and exploring.

 

[rokrawlr]

Pretty cool pics! Glad to see somebody actually using a Freelander/LR2!