Thread: Sump Guard Protection plus more for FL1

Awesome pics, Garry, I have learnt a lot (being a FL1 Newbie) from reading your posts.!!!

I'll 2nd you there 'Ausfree' - thanks Garry, your posts make life a lot easier for us newbies!

Yeah i try to avoid driving in the deeper tracks left by the bigger 4x4s. If i think i will end up making contact then i take things really slowly, while maintaining constant revs, so as to maintain traction. I'n very excited about the traction increase i'll get after fitting the BFGs!

I have the same feelings about the lift kit. I dont want to bend or cut materials on my car, as i dont want to decrease it's value by doing so. I plan to keep it for a long time, however, i'm very apprehensive of cutting bits off. I may get a spring lift, but then there's the issue of how it affects wheels sitting on the ground in different situations, which then affects traction. I'm hoping the slight BFG tyre lift and good underbody protection will be enough for my Freelander to keep up with the bigger cars, albeit taking slighty different tracks.

Just about the front recovery point: is the loop at the front on the left-hand-side not rated high enough? I don't have a tow bar, but may look at getting one if it's a better recovery option.

Originally Posted by Dart

Just about the front recovery point: is the loop at the front on the left-hand-side not rated high enough? I don't have a tow bar, but may look at getting one if it's a better recovery option.

The hook at the front is a tow point - not a snatch recovery point. Something could probably be rigged up but it would be time consuming, and require some engineering expertise.

yeah just got a quote from John at Allin Towbars Pty Ltd here in Adelaide, who quoted me $700 for a fully fitted towbar assembly. He said that people have taken the tongue out of the tow bar and connected the snatch strap via the pin and has heard that it's safe and works well.

Originally Posted by Dart

yeah just got a quote from John at Allin Towbars Pty Ltd here in Adelaide, who quoted me $700 for a fully fitted towbar assembly. He said that people have taken the tongue out of the tow bar and connected the snatch strap via the pin and has heard that it's safe and works well.

I got mine off ebay for about $150 but then fitted myself (was a trailblazer or trailboss something like that) - make sure the one you get is rated to 2 tonne.

yeah I'll keep my eye out for tow bars on ebay and will be making sure it's rated at 2 tonne!

My Dad had a 6mm aluminium sump guard for his FL1 TD4 built by a local 4x4 guru here in NZ by the name of Brian Howat.
We also fitted a set of Cobra 1" lift springs all round, I gather these are a copy of Dobbinson springs.
So far so good.

Adrian

Hey Adrian - i think i would nearly give an arm & a leg to live in NZ! It's kinda my long term goal! Adelaide is a great city but it's go nothing on NZ! South Island with it's cooler climate and amazing adventure potential sounds very good to me!

I'm saving money for a Mantec sump guard, which I'll order direct from them, however if i see something cheaper on ebay or a local after-market dealer then i'll probably go for that. I'm also saving money for a 1 to 2" strut lift, and yep I've heard that Dobbinson springs are gd, so if Cobra are comparable it's good to hear they're treating your dad's Freebie well!