Freelander as an overland vehicle?

[bloodycape]

I read some of the thread and some of the work the people did on their Freelander actually had my interest piqued a bit, despite the the engine and transmission being the weak link. I really would like to go Land Rover for off-roading, but I found the Discovery and Ranger Rover to be a bit large for my taste, but the Freelander was closer to what I am looking for. I thought maybe since I have seen a few Freelanders going for around $4000 in perfect shape without a motor, it would be an interesting starting point. Then from there tmaybe swap in a VW TDI motor, or a motor/transmission combo with a lower gear(than stock), while making equal tq, and getting better mileage it would be an interesting start. I guess, not? Thanks

 

[I Leak Oil]

This is like putting a vortec V8 in a Yugo. It's different but other than that what's the point? It's still a turd with a motor.

 

[The Rover Shop]

A guy here in Florida puts the freelander body on a disco1 frame and engine assy...looked REALLY freaking cool..and hearing a free flowing exhaust with just a freelander coming towards me was pretty eye opening..I had a couple of these pizzas around because of bad engines and really thought about doing this but I heard it was a pain..probably gets easier every one after that...

 

[bloodycape]

Do you have like a pic of that ride by any chance? Also, I would have thought the Disco 1 frame would be a bit large for the body, unless they adjusted the frame size to fit.

 

[Green96D1]

A guy here in Florida puts the freelander body on a disco1 frame and engine assy...looked REALLY freaking cool..and hearing a free flowing exhaust with just a freelander coming towards me was pretty eye opening..I had a couple of these pizzas around because of bad engines and really thought about doing this but I heard it was a pain..probably gets easier every one after that...

i've seen that online too it did look pretty cool!

 

[bloodycape]

Do you remember where you saw it?

 

[Daryl]

I have seen a few Freelanders going for around $4000 in perfect shape without a motor

And for that same money you can have a totally capable and prepped D1. But what about the fuel efficiency you say? Spend what you saved on the motor, trans and fab work and spend it on fuel.

Seriously, if the Disco is too big and too thirsty for you, I'm really not sure what you are trying to do. Maybe what you want a day tripper. And the smart money on that is spent on something like a CJ-7. But that all depends on terrain and intended purpose.

You aren't giving us much to go on as far as intended purpose (terrain, duration, etc). That makes it difficult to give you good advice without making a lot of assumptions.

 

[bloodycape]

Well I am an auto enthusiast, but new to 4x4s. I just want a simple 4x4 rig, that will handle what trails the western US offers, while getting acceptable mpg. I guess I was wrong on the price but it seems like $4k gets me a Freelander in fully working(including trans and engine), while around $2700 gets me one with out an engine, but everything else is in working shape. The CJ are nice, but I prefer more of traditional suv, but if I went open top 4x4 route, it either be a Defender 90(if I ever could afford one), or the newer Wrangler Unlimited with the new Penstar motor.

 

[REDROVER]

A REAL Rover is a Defender or Series, not an effete Disco. Geeeeeeezzzzeee

A Rangie or Disco gets to be 15 or 16 years of age and people can't tow them off to wrecking yards fast enough. Real Rovers just get better with age.



Ah my first morning cuppa tea is ready. :coffeedrink:

I say the real rover is the one that has only rover body. Everything else is non rover. Haha

ERIC

 

[bloodycape]

It's builds like these that make me want to look at the Freelander as a base. :/ Found these via Google.

 

[Green96D1]

Do you remember where you saw it?

i believe it was on the florida land rover club website

www.floridalandroverclub.com/

 

[Green96D1]

here you go

it actually looks pretty cool tho its looks more like a "crawler" than overland.

 

[bloodycape]

Looks pretty dang sweet. I thought the Discovery was on a larger chassis than the Freelander? So I am wondering how the Freelander body was fit on there, unless they shortened, or maybe even narrowed the chassis a bit? This build really sounds interesting and different. I am sure they went with the Disco engine, no? I wonder if they could put something a bit more range and power in there? Maybe one of the Ford Ecoboost motors like the 2.0 or 3.7?