Living in a Land Rover

Aaron_Shifflett

New member
Hello everyone, first post! I haven't found any introducion board thing, so I guess this will work. If i'm posting in the wrong board, feel free to remove it mods and let me know.

Ok, so I wanted some advice on what land rover to get for a campervan like build. Me and my best freind want to travel after we are done with school (I am a 12th year, she is an 11th year). As we are both in high school, we don't have a ton of money saved up for say a 110. I got into the idea of campervanning about a year ago. I wanted to rebuild a VW bus for weekend trips but after doing some research on apartment prices, decided that building a car to live out of sounded like a good idea. My friend would only be living in the car while we travel, I would be living in it full time.

I chose a land rover over a VW for three reasons: My family has owned at least one land rover sense right after I was born. They just feel like home to me (I know that's kinda sad I feel most at home in a car), and I often joke that I was raised in the passenger seat of my dad's disco I. Two, more off road capability. I am still amazed at what my dad's truck can do. It just feels right when its off road, and is way too much fun when it's still on pavement. Three, the fact that they are land rovers and I just love them. I know that's bad logic, but hey, If I was sane I wouldn't be this into british cars.

I am torn between a Disco and a Freelander. I know a diezel is out of the question, hell I am having a hard enough time trying to find a Five speed in America. In a perfect world, I would build a WVO powered car, but given I have 1400 to my name that is far out of the picture (one of the teachers that's into Range Rover classics suggested I try and import a diezel). I know 1400 won't get a fully functioning rover, there will be something I need to fix before it is road worthy. I look at it as a learning opportunity. I have a decent collection of tools, and the willingness to learn.

Ok, so for what I need as it pertains to the Disco VS Freelander. Under disco, it has the possibility of sleeping in the truck vs the freelander having to fabricate or buy a roof tent. And that's as far as I have gotten on that. Any freelander owners out there that are willing to give advice?
 

AdvRovr

Ambitious but Rubbish
I think most Freelanders don't go beyond the mean streets of the mall parking lot. For living in, I would certainly go with the Disco. MUCH more space inside. You can find D1s with various problems for dirt cheap on Craigslist all day long.
 

Ray_G

Explorer
I will be intrigued to hear if there are any freelander owners out there, not because I think it's a realistic option-just b/c they are rare birds in the US (owners, plenty of broken Freelanders abound).

So you don't need older folks telling you this is all madness, in fact I think you should try it-why not, its only life.

If I were you, of those two choices there really is only one: a D1. 5 speeds are out there (I waited for mine for a bit, but got it eventually). In fact there is a white 94 5 speed on the Land Rover Trading Wall on Facebook right now for $3500.

Given that you can take out the seats and build the truck to your specs while still being able to sleep inside, and haul two passengers when on the move, I think it would make for an interesting adventure.
 

1leglance

2007 Expedition Trophy Champion, Overland Certifie
I understand you have an emotional attachment to the Rovers, and that does mean alot.
However I will still offer some thoughts...

Look at a Ford or Chevy van, there are 4wd ones by Quigley, Pathfinder and others aval. A ton more space and easier to get in a low budget form.
If you are really talking about spending alot of time in a rig you want to be able to sit up and move around.

Look at an older Suburban. You mention living in the vehicle, and that means space even if not a van. Space for storage under a sleep platform, space for a fridge and solar on the roof.

Look into a 4Runner for something good on gas and still has room to sleep inside.

Look into a truck/camper setup, again space is a big deal.

But if you do stick with Rovers then Disco is the way to go.

No matter what keep us posted and let folks know where you are going so you can get help if needed. Look into couchsurfing.com and forums like Advrider.com (if you are into motos) have a tentspace thread where folks say you can stay with them and get help.

Good luck and have fun while you are young.
 

mowerman

Adventurer
I don't think a D1 is an option for sleeping in, I'm not tall and would really struggle to sleep in mine. A d2 with its 10" longer internal space would be far better
 

XJLI

Adventurer
If you plan on living in it, ESPECIALLY with another person, get a Suburban or a domestic van. My D1 is tight with just me and my dog on a weekend trip.
 

jmeb

Observer
Sounds like you are from the UK? I have no idea about there, but here finding service (if you need it) for a Rover in remoter parts of the western US could be difficult. Having you trip delayed because you're waiting on parts to ship to a small town out west could be a whole lot of not-fun.

A domestic van/SUV/truck or Toyota will be much easier to find service and parts for. Not to mention more living space and more reasonable purchase price. Suburban, truck with topper, Ford E-series van, Chevy Astro /GMC Safari with AWD. They won't have the off-road capability of a Rover, but will get you up most any forest road in the West.

As someone who spent a few years in the UK and now lives in the West -- unless you've spent much time out here it's hard to appreciate how big the Western US is. A reliable car with just a bit of off-road capability can get you to more places than you'll have time to get too.
 

Aaron_Shifflett

New member
Just curious, what leads you to I am from the UK? Also, what part of the west are you from. I lived in California as a child.

Also, thanks for the advice on freelanders everyone. After a good bit of looking on craigslist I noted a bunch of them cheep, all with major problems. Right now I'm thinking a D1 is best shot, plus I have some D1 spare parts and experience working on them already already.

That being said, I will also look into other cars that you guys recommended.
 

Rovertrader

Supporting Sponsor
For what it's worth, consider the pre '92 Suburbans with beam axles, or consider a retired ambulance in 4x4, or a Disco. The D-I is easier to work on, and more reliable. But, the extra 10" of interior length in a D-II is premium real estate for sleeping/living...
There is a consistent theme to this thread (see above post), which is in a Land Rover section- avoid the LR bug for now, get something American and simple, and enjoy the experience. Don't let the romance of a LR sway you into having a laborious trip. There is nothing more simple and reliable than a '87-'91 SBC Suburban- rock simple, hammer strong!!
 

yubert

Explorer
Have you considered an LR3. You can find some decent deals on them for roughly the same price as a good D2. The LR3 back seat folds flat where as the D1 and D2 do not. The Jaguar engine is also a lot more reliable than the old aluminum Buick V8 in the Discos.
 

DiscoDavis

Explorer
Prices are getting lower and lower now that some are ~10+ years old.

25026795251_32306a9cde_c.jpg


With both front seats set all the way back for normal driving I have about an inch of space at the head, and an inch of space at my feet. 5'11". All 7 seats are there, folded down.
 
Prices are getting lower and lower now that some are ~10+ years old.

25026795251_32306a9cde_c.jpg


With both front seats set all the way back for normal driving I have about an inch of space at the head, and an inch of space at my feet. 5'11". All 7 seats are there, folded down.

I have to get that back cover kit for my LR3. Do you have a link or best website to order?
 

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