Converting from FWD back to 4WD

[JasonLo920]

Hi everyone, I recently bought a 1999 Diesel Freelander 1.
The former owner had converted it from 4WD to FWD. But he didn't keep the parts that has been removed. I would love to make it back to 4WD.

I found out under the bonnet that the "Front propeller shaft", "Rear Propeller Shaft" and "Viscous coupling Unit" were removed.

My question is, are these parts exactly the same in petrol and diesel engines? As I cannot afford the brand new parts at the moment and I couldn't find anyone wrecking a diesel Freelander in North east Tasmania.

Any advice will be highly appreciated, or something else I have to pay attention before I take this action. Thank you very much.

[woko]

Parts are the same from petrol and diesel.
Do you know why the prop shafts were removed?
The main reason the propshafts are removed is because the bearing on the crown wheel in the IRD has failed. this is usually due to the viscous coupling seizing.
Viscous couplings do wear out but this is accelerated on early Freelander due to the ratio difference being to great between the front and rear wheels. The ratio was changed in 2001, and the older IRD was discontinued. this is a quote from another forum about the difference on a L series diesel.

"100kph was about 3200 rpm with the old IRD. With my new IRD 100kph is about 2700 rpm"

If you have the older IRD I would leave the propshaft out as these are known to cause the viscous coupling seize and cause driveline issues.

[JasonLo920]

Thank you very much WOKO.

According to the former owner, he said it just for better fuel economy and less worn out the rear tires.

I do always travel about 100 kph and sure it was below 3000 rpm. I hope this mean that my freelander have the new IRD.

Well, I think I can start looking for the parts I need and hope to bring it back back to 4WD. Cheers!