Recently purchased Freelander TD4

[ghostpsalm]

Hi, I have recently bought a 2001 Freelander TD4. I do a lot of urban and some off road driving with work and am looking to make a few modifications, plus I plan on taking advantage of these on the weekends...

I would appreciate any advice on the following, in the end I will probably end up doing some of the below myself, but if there are good kits, etc it may save a lot of work!

1. A dual battery setup. There seems to be enough room in the engine bay next to the current battery, has anyone ever added a second battery to a FL1?
2. A long-range fuel tank (perhaps installed where current (large) muffler is at the rear, if I replace the first muffler in the middle of the car (I read this earlier---the muffler at the rear does hang pretty low compared to the rest of the car!).
3. The speedometer is out by 7km/h so I was going to see if 215/80/R15 (currently 215/75R15) would help a little, but I wonder if the higher sidewall will affect stability, etc? Any thoughts on BFGoodrich A/Ts compared to Bridgestone D694s; the former are nearly $50 more expensive?
4. Maybe a winch? I don't think I want to look into having one installed, from what I can tell from the chassis myself (not an expert) it would look like quite a task. Is there winch's that can be attached to the car/mounts and stored elsewhere when not in use?

I was also planning, in the longer term, to have a look into the 2" spacer lift, a stronger bash plate, and maybe some rock-slides. Any recommendations about these?

I have also seen beforethevision's VC slide, but I haven't had a look whether the TD4 has it in the same location, or indeed whether I will be in a situation where I might need it?


Thanks, I have enjoyed this website for the last couple of weeks, looking forward to it a lot more as I am now a bonified LR owner (though evidently some would disagree whether a FL1 is indeed worthy of such a title)!

[camel_landy]

OK, a lot of what you are asking has already been covered with the Camel Freelanders. Here are some pointers:

Batteries: I don't think there is quite enough space for a dual setup. However, if you move the air filter box to the top of the engine, you can get a much larger battery fitted instead. The Camels have a custom battery tray and a bracket for the top of the engine to hold the air filter.

Winch: Don't fit one. The Camels use a Warn M5000DSP (Now updated to a M6000DSP). The unit is mounted on a bracket in the boot and then attached to the car using the 3.5t tow jaws front & rear. There are power pickup points next to the jaws to power the winch and a battery cut-out switch on the scuttle. IMO - You might as well just carry a Turfor.

Bash plates: There are plates on the front, rear diff area and a cage around the rear silencer.

Speedo: I just live with it.

HTH

M

[ghostpsalm]

Thanks camel_landy, that's quite helpful information. I'll have a look into the space, etc for the second battery, moving the air filter sounds like a good option. I have seen some pictures of the Camel Freelander's sloughing through water, how do they do this without a snorkel?

Also, do the Camel's have any lift on the suspension? I have really mixed feelings about whether this is worth it or not. The extra clearance would be most helpful, but the effect on the drive train and stability are such an unknown.

[camel_landy]

How did those Camels get through the water without damaging something?? Errr.... Luck mainly! :eek:

The Camels didn't have a suspension lift but they did run heavier duty springs.

As for lifting suspension on yours, personally I'd just stick with it. No matter where you go, you're always going to find somewhere where you want more clearance. Just learn to read the track and adjust your driving to suit. ;)

M

[ghostpsalm]

I have just read in an older thread that,


A spring lift will give you about 35mm lift and no issues.

Can someone explain this a little for me? How do I make a decision about springs? Do I simply look for springs that are 35mm longer than the installed, as below? Does increasing/decreasing the wire diameter and coils affect the stiffness only? Springs don't seem that expensive, and if there is no other issues it may be a good way to get extra clearance.


FRONT
Coils: 6 (Total) / 5 (Active)
Wire Diameter: 14.87 mm
Free Length: 367 mm
REAR
Coils: 6.42 (Total) / 4.7 (Active)
Wire Diameter: 13.825 mm
Free Length: 349.86 mm


Also, anyone know why lifting by spacers and springs is not recommended?