MG-Rover.org Forums banner
Cancel

My New Landy :)

5219 Views 9 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  Pete27011, 
H
3
Hi All,
Well i've been struggling to tow cars back and forth using my dads Focus 1.8 TDCI and so decided instead of shelling out £1k+ on a new dualmass flywheel, clutch etc for the focus id shell it out on something else...

Something Better for towing...
I'm by no means a "4x4" lover but the overall "Look" of this one was just right, the guy took it in P/X and i asked if he had a "BIN" Price and was told £1,100, I thought id take a punt and said £900, Today, Now... To my supprise he accepted, so off i went to the bank at 4:45 yesterday to get the cash out, Shot upto the guy in Leicster (sp?) and there it was.

It's a Freelander 1.8 XEI-S
- Tinted Windows all Round
- 17" Freelander 2 Alloys with Brand new Tyres
- Propshaft Removed, FWD Only.
- Side Steps, Roof Bars, Front "Ram" Bars, Headlight Protectors etc etc.
- New IRD (4WD Transfer Box)

So it's a fully "loaded" edition for zt money :) so i was extatic, i knew there would be niggles and there is, i.e. the propshaft needs replacing, and theres a few cracked trims inside.

Not a bad motor considering the milage and MOT etc, Especially not for £900.
- 102,000 Miles
- MOT & Tax Until Feb 2012

So anyway, On the way back it started to lose power... yeh yeh i know... HGF!!! But it doesnt quite seem like it, It seemed more like fuel starvation, But it hasnt done it again since so meh... its fine for now.

Pics:




There has been abit of discussion with the wife since bringing it back, (she didnt know i had it till this morning :().

I've decided im going to convert it to be a diesel, But bearing in mind i already have a mint (engined) Rover 420 SDI Sitting outside with a fairly tired & run down body.

So the idea is, To convert this to the L-Series Diesel, Theres a few bits ill have to buy from the diesel version, but it shouldnt cost me any more than £200 + my 420 Bits.

So I'm thinking £1,200 for a Freelander XEI-DT is peanuts, I could quite literally get £3,000 selling it on once the conversion is done (if done properly).

So although it has problems, it wont cost me much to make it a good old reliable truck for towing etc :)

Oh and ill also be converting the bumpers & lights to this:
See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
1 - 10 of 10 Posts
M
Hope it turns out to be a good one :)

I got a tidy 1.8 3 door last winter and so far (fingers crossed) its been good, its going back on the road in November.
Reply
Save
Like
H
Been driving it 4 days now, Seems perfect but still gonna drop the Derv in there to give me better economy and more towing power :) thats what i wanted it for afterall.
Reply
Save
Like
E
If you're doing heavy towing should you not consider putting the propshaft back on?

I've towed a lot with estate cars and have memories of my front tires smoking while the car + trailer descends slowly backwards down the hill! Rear wheel drive tends not to do that.
Reply
Save
Like
B
endoftheworld said:
If you're doing heavy towing should you not consider putting the propshaft back on?

I've towed a lot with estate cars and have memories of my front tires smoking while the car + trailer descends slowly backwards down the hill! Rear wheel drive tends not to do that.
Click to expand...
I guess thers a very good reason why there is no rear prop shaft though.
Reply
Save
Like
P
I think most people remove the rear prop for better mpg or if the vcu is knackered,
Reply
Save
Like
E
pault39 said:
I think most people remove the rear prop for better mpg or if the vcu is knackered,
Click to expand...
Yeah, mostly for better mpg. A lot of people just use the Freelanders for shopping and commuting and have no desire for 4wd. Seems a waste of a fairly capable lightweight 4x4. Need a proper Defender for the rough stuff though.

I'd put the prop back on. Without it, it's just an overweight estate car!
Reply
Save
Like
M
barkingdog said:
I guess thers a very good reason why there is no rear prop shaft though.
Click to expand...
You're not wrong. its not improved mpg that makes people take it off its a screwed 4 wheel drive system, remember people that in 2WD mode the freelander is unlike most other 4x4's in that it is a FWD vehicle, the prop shaft coupling to engage the REAR wheel for 4WD operation is a major fail point on these which is why it will have been removed, damned expensive to replace and IIRC there aren't any new ones left anyway, VCU reconditioning isn't mega expensive but if you don't need 4WD then its £300-500 you don't need to be spending
Reply
Save
Like
E
Yep, definitely better off with a defender!
Reply
Save
Like
P
£900 for that Freelander is a bargain! An awful lot of car for not much money,get the little niggles done and that will last you a god few years.
Reply
Save
Like
1 - 10 of 10 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
MG-Rover.org Forums
A forum community dedicated to MG & Rover owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, troubleshooting, upgrades, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
MGF and MGTF MG ZR / Rover 25, 200 & Streetwise MG ZT / Rover 75 MG / Rover Related Chat - up to 2005 MG ZS (2001-2005) / Rover 45 & 400
Top