| Author | Message | ||
     Abe Hernandez (Abe_hernandez) New Member Username: Abe_hernandez Post Number: 1 Registered: 03-2003 |
I've noticed that some Disco owners post on this Freelander bulletin board, I understand this is a Disco site. I attend all the Chicago Land Rover Club's events and I have to say that there hasn't been any obstacle that a Disco or lightly modified Disco's been that my Freelander hasn't been able to handle. At our last outing in Lake Geneva, WI in the snow the Freelander was able to go where many Disco's could not and I should add with the stock 17" rims and tires. If you think I'm exaggerating ask any Member of our club, they are a very supportive group. Although it's not a Disco, which we also have in our family, it is a very capable SUV. Even though it's my wife's day-to-day car, I'm proud to drive it. In case you've seen it, that's my Freelander recovering the Hummer that's in the president of LRNA's office. Go Freelanders. Go Traction control. | ||
| Tony DiFranco (Nhrover) Member Username: Nhrover Post Number: 45 Registered: 11-2002 |
We would love to see a post of that pic. Not that we doubt you but to see a freelander in action. -Tony | ||
| Alan Bates (Alanb) Member Username: Alanb Post Number: 133 Registered: 07-2002 |
I have seen a freelander in action and the traction control works great on them, but where you might get in trouble is in ground clearance. Yes you made it through some slick stuff that a Disco had trouble in, but you throw in some large rocks or boulders and you would be in trouble. I wouldn't want to take a freelander in some of the trails I wheel in that a stock Disco could tackle, but I think in general the freelander does amazingly well off-road, you just have to know its limits. | ||
| John Cinquegrana (Johnc) Senior Member Username: Johnc Post Number: 421 Registered: 07-2002 |
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| gp (Garrett) Senior Member Username: Garrett Post Number: 1934 Registered: 10-2001 |
pretty extreme john.  hey were you hanging out with that homeless NYC kid Jason there? haha. evan wanted to drive lyle's dads 101 into the city from Robesonia, PA. but then they came to their senses!! the 'save darby' thread is coming to mind right now. not to be an ass or anything, but i think the Freelanders (stock at least) should stay on the pavement most of the time. every time i have seen then off road they were either stuck or busted up bad on a flatbed. | ||
| gp (Garrett) Senior Member Username: Garrett Post Number: 1935 Registered: 10-2001 |
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| Abe Hernandez (Abe_hernandez) New Member Username: Abe_hernandez Post Number: 2 Registered: 03-2003 |
I'm working on this picture thing. Wrong size. My Freelander is stock and I agree that they need some little adjustments. Stan another Freelander owner in our Club warned me about the exhaust early on, that's probably my first improvement, second would be a set of the 16" Freedom wheels that the G4 has with the Goodyear MT's and finally some under body protection. I think that would be as far as I would need to go. Like I said my experience and I've pushed it to its limits, is that it will handle just about anything our Disco will. I'm not the sort to convert a daily driver into a non-practical mudder in which you would need a latter to get into. PS. I'll keep working on the pics. | ||
| John Cinquegrana (Johnc) Senior Member Username: Johnc Post Number: 423 Registered: 07-2002 |
Garrett, I had to decrease the pixels on my pic, that's why it looks soo bad....how do I post a pic in higher resolution??? | ||
| Jack Baruth (Jayb) New Member Username: Jayb Post Number: 1 Registered: 03-2003 |
I had a stick-shift Disco from 1997 to 2000. I now have a 2002 Freelander S. I miss my Discovery terribly but the fact is that for 90% of what I do, the Hippo is the better mousetrap. It's faster than a Discovery (with the possible exception of the new 4.6), it handles like a car, and it will get 21mpg at 90mph. The Hippo is not the equal of the Disco off-road, which is good, because if it was faster, more economical, had equal room inside, handled better, cost less, AND was better off-road, that would really screw the pooch for Disco sales, wouldn't it? But they can be used off-road... <img src="http://www.calamarco.com/hippo/waterhippo.jpeg"> (Um, I can't figure out this image attachment feature in this board. Yes, I am a Solaris admin. Shame and sorrow.) It saddens me to see disco owners give Hippos and Hippo owners a hard time. Ford makes more Explorers in three weeks than LR sells Rovers of all kinds all year in the US. We are a small group and don't need to squabble. At some point in the future, I'll pick up a used Disco for off-road work. It's better for that... but for the rest of the time I'll take the FL. | ||
| gp (Garrett) Senior Member Username: Garrett Post Number: 1941 Registered: 10-2001 |
john. you can keep the resolution the same, but if you are using Photo Shop or something similar do this: -go to IMAGE on your tool bar -then to IMAGE size -resize your image no larger than 320 X 240 i am not trying to bust anyones balls about owning a Freelander, but you just can't compare it to a Discovery on or off road. they were not meant to of course and there is none. if you are saying the Freelander will take you as far as a Discovery you apparently have not taken it very far. the Freelander was not meant for 'real' off roading any more than an Outback or Ford Escape was. they are great town vehicles no doubt. i had one for several days a few weeks back while in Key West. was a spirited little vehicle. i was not all the impressed with it, but i can certainly agree that was nice to have a vehicle that is easy to drive, park and mileage i can live with. to me there are just too many other good choices out there. but we all have our reasons.....just as the Discovery is not the best option for the next guy. so just because it is a Rover i am not going to cut it some slack. anyhow it is just my opinion and that ain't always much. just like lots of J**p guys they ain't too happy about the Liberty. | ||
| John Cinquegrana (Johnc) Senior Member Username: Johnc Post Number: 425 Registered: 07-2002 |
That's what I did using MS Photo Editor. I'll give it another shot. Thanks. John C. http://images.andale.com/f2/115/106/3653414/1049166836354_PIC00068.jpg http://images.andale.com/f2/115/106/3653414/1049166839957_PIC00054.jpg http://images.andale.com/f2/115/106/3653414/1049166830931_PIC00047.jpg http://images.andale.com/f2/115/106/3653414/1049166832758_PIC00038.jpg http://images.andale.com/f2/115/106/3653414/1049166834544_PIC00034.jpg http://images.andale.com/f2/115/106/3653414/1049166841775_PIC00020.jpg http://images.andale.com/f2/115/106/3653414/1049166843631_PIC00019.jpg http://images.andale.com/f2/115/106/3653414/1049166845525_PIC00016.jpg http://images.andale.com/f2/115/106/3653414/1049166847350_PIC00014.jpg http://images.andale.com/f2/115/106/3653414/1049166849231_PIC00002.jpg http://images.andale.com/f2/115/106/3653414/1049166851031_PIC00001.jpg | ||
| Don Collins (Donc) Member Username: Donc Post Number: 89 Registered: 04-2002 |
We ran the Freebies this weekend at the LR Fort Worth event with no problems. I am still waiting on some pics of the Freelanders in action with the Discos and 1 '03 RR. The Freelanders held their own on the courses but the pics when I get them will speak for themselves. I have wheeled my Freelander on all the same places I have taken my Disco here in TX. I have not had any problems but I do wish I had a bit more clearance. (That is why I replaced the rear muffler.) If you have not driven one try it at the next dealer off road event. You might be surprised. Dont get me wrong. I miss my Disco and I will get getting another one this year BUT I plan on having both in the garage.   | ||
| Abe Hernandez (Abe_hernandez) New Member Username: Abe_hernandez Post Number: 3 Registered: 03-2003 |
Ok. I concede. I guess we are at different ends and you are absolutely right. I just didn't want those who own Freelanders to under estimate or doubt what there trucks can do. There’s a running joke in our club for the Disco and D90 owners that can't make some of the obstacles, "The Freelander did it" or "The Freelander will show you how". I’ll continue to post pro-Freelander messages and even though we also have a Disco which travels with the Freelander to all the outings, I will only post on our Freelander. I’m a big fan of the under dog. The David and Goliath. The little train engine that could.  | ||
| Abe Hernandez (Abe_hernandez) New Member Username: Abe_hernandez Post Number: 4 Registered: 03-2003 |
Don and John great pictures. Don what did you replace the existing muffler with? I plan on doing the same. Does anyone have a list of the manufactures that make the stuff for the Camel and G4 Freelander? I know that Safety Devices makes the front guard and roof rack but any other leads would be great (underbody protection).  | ||
| Abe Hernandez (Abe_hernandez) New Member Username: Abe_hernandez Post Number: 5 Registered: 03-2003 |
A few more.  | ||
| Abe Hernandez (Abe_hernandez) New Member Username: Abe_hernandez Post Number: 6 Registered: 03-2003 |
Traction Control.  | ||
| Don Collins (Donc) Member Username: Donc Post Number: 90 Registered: 04-2002 |
Abe check out www.mylander.com for the muffler mod. It really does help. If you are looking for the stuff from the G4 lander contact Nathan at www.discountrovers.com and he can look for it for you. He sourced the light pod that goes on the roof for me. (Then he talked me out of it due to the wind noise) | ||
| Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) Senior Member Username: Leslie Post Number: 1978 Registered: 02-2002 |
Abe, Check out David's Freelander (and the stuff he sells for them) at his website: http://www.thatchedroofgarage.com/ -L | ||
| Jack Baruth (Jayb) New Member Username: Jayb Post Number: 2 Registered: 03-2003 |
To some degree, this anti-Hippo sentiment is deja vu all over again. I remember getting my Discovery six years ago and hearing some unkind comments from RR owners... "the budget model", "steel-sprung crap", "less than half a RR at half the price", "Honda interior", and my favorite from CAR magazine, "looks like a heavily glazed Transit". The first Discoveries were lambasted for the "bizarre" raised roof as well. Over time, the Discovery proved itself and joined the Series/Defender and RR as a legitimate member of the Rover "family". I can only hope the Hippo will eventually receive the same welcome. | ||
| Carter Simcoe (Carter) Senior Member Username: Carter Post Number: 2145 Registered: 04-2002 |
Well if it wants to stand a chance of being welcomed I think its going to need a better nickname than 'hippo'.... | ||
| June H. Han (Junehhan) New Member Username: Junehhan Post Number: 1 Registered: 04-2003 |
Well, our Freelander group just got done with a 2 day offroad trip over at Paragon on March 28-29. The bottom line seems to be that the Freelander can go most of the places that the other Rovers can as long as it excludes rocks and other things that require lots of ground clearance. Nearly all of the stock Freelanders suffered from a few bumps and scrapes, and a few rocker panel and muffler dings while navigating the trails since there are big rocks on just about every trail. However, they were able to conquer every challenge set foward. Heck, one of the guys even played around in the Rock Swamp, and would have made it if his traction control hadn't failed earlier that day. The Freelander just like every other Land Rover can and is designed to be driven offroad, but not to the degree of it's other brothers. I get annoyed when you guys make comments that the Freelander is not designed to be driven offroad at all, because if that was the case, Land Rover would not have paid special attention to many of the features that make the Freelander as capable as it is offroad. If Land Rover intended on the Freelander to be just another Rav4, or CRV, they wouldn't have taken special care to put the steering column and component, and arms up and out of the way. Nor would they have bothered bracing the unibody chassis with 3 seperate ladder type frame rails in the centre, front, and rear to provide a chassis that is torsionally more rigid than even the Jeep Liberty. Nor would they have bothered to add a very well working traction control system, nor would they have designed a suspension system with class leading articulation, or how about having a very good approach and departure angle, or an ABS system that works superbly offroad, and so on. It's a Land Rover and can be used offroad just like any Land Rover should be able to. No it's not going to crawl the biggest rocks, nor will it offer any help in severe recovery work, but it's everything a Land Rover should be. The only thing that the little Rover doesn't have that I wish it did, is a dedicated low range transfer case. It does have an incredibly short 1st gear coupled with an IRD unit that helps to reduce gearing even more in first, but as we found at Paragon, it simply cannot be replaced by the HDC which is useless when you are descending a steep hill that is layered with small and medium size rocks that you can't run over at the HDC's programmed 5mph. That means especially coming down Turtle Trail, we had to ride our brakes the entire way down, but they worked really well combined with the well setup ABS system. Ironic thing, is that in the 2 days of trail riding, the only vehicle to suffer damage that had it sidelined for the rest of the trail ride was a Disco due to a control arm that got bent sometime during the first half of the first day of trail riding. They did perform a quick trail repair job so that it was able to drive off the trail to the parking area, and ultimately to be driven home the following day. The Disco performed well, and all of the big rocks that we had to drive over with the upmost care, it was able to just romp right over them due to the extra ground clearance and superior articulation. | ||
| Abe Hernandez (Abe_hernandez) New Member Username: Abe_hernandez Post Number: 7 Registered: 03-2003 |
Awesome post June. I'm sure you've figured it out yourself but I learned early on to rely on the traction control (hold the gas and let it do it's work). At our last outing in heavy snow, climbing hills that many Disco's and D90 had to walk away from, I became a fan of the traction control. It's something else to watch it switch power from wheel to wheel. I've done (up hill) what our Club nicknamed the Rubicon (a small hill in Nicollet National Forest, WI covered with boulders) and I have to say that with some underbody protection, a smaller muffler and an inch or two it would go from do-able to fun. Great post again. | ||
| gp (Garrett) Senior Member Username: Garrett Post Number: 1953 Registered: 10-2001 |
again i am not here to bust on people for buying them, but only to state the obvious. like the more experienced drivers will tell you the traction control has its limits. i have seen it work well for the driver and against them at the same time. i have seen open diff trucks climb stuff where traction controlled vehicles could not climb. in their cases they had lost momentum due to the fact that the one wheel stopped spinning and switched to the other side......therefor slowing progress. i think (as kyle as stated many times) traction control can help a novice driver better. quote: "The bottom line seems to be that the Freelander can go most of the places that the other Rovers can as long as it excludes rocks and other things that require lots of ground clearance." does not seem to make sense. it can go most places, but there is a big BUUUUUUT. rocks and etc? well that leaves out many trails i hit. and articulation? check out johns pic posted above. i don't see much of it there. my mothers Volvo drops more than that. no really. the older RR's (late 80's) and the D1's are essentially the same vehicle in many regards. not much difference in them and they are both close to on par off road abilities. if it was really meant for off road use there would be a low range in the thing at least. least in my opionion. like i have said it is a nice little car for the wife and kids. and maybe with some serious $$$ put into them they could take you further on the trail, but in stock mode they are best left to splashing mud. i was just less than impressed with it when i had it for several days. up around 80-85 mph the engine sounded like a whinning 4 cyl. ready to blow. drove nice and was well insulated from the air, but for the $$ i see more refined vehicles out there. just my observations. hell even the guys at LR Fort Lauderdale were busting on them. i just think they are another step in the wrong direction for Rover. | ||
| Abe Hernandez (Abe_hernandez) New Member Username: Abe_hernandez Post Number: 8 Registered: 03-2003 |
We all know the Disco is superior off road or better said over boulders, it’s just that for those of us who travel with other disco owners off road truth be told there hasn’t been to many situations (boulders) where the disco been that the Freelander not been able to follow or lead the way. Well gp your position is clear. Do you have anything in the way of advice for a Freelander owner other than trading it in for a Disco? Your point is made and well taken. It would be distasteful and ungentlemanly like for you to continue posting your disapproving opinions for the Freelander on a Freelander forum. There is a Disco forum on this site. I'm not a newbie, been off-roading for a long time oddly enough in your neck of the swamps, Naples, FL. When I started it was me and my Toyota FJ60 verses the 6' tall Chevy w/350. Never did I think that I would be hearing this stuff from the crowd that would typically own a LR but I guess thats the value of opinions (everyone has one). I started this string and it seems to have backfired. This will be my last post on this subject. If anyone can spin this around go for it. Freelander’s Can | ||
| gp (Garrett) Senior Member Username: Garrett Post Number: 1962 Registered: 10-2001 |
yes freelanders can. like i said i think it is a good car that can and am sure will do many things well. like i said my statements are not to be taken personally as they are only my opinions and don't apply to everyone who has one. for my lifestyle they do not work, but for you they may and that is great. if i was married with a few kids and so on it might be an option, but for now it won't be. but if i did have one i think at least i would buy an older '94 or '95 D1 and have it as my play truck on the weekends at the least. i actually live in PA and was only in the Keys and Pompano Beach on vacation. my girlfriends father has bought 5 rovers from Fort Lauderdale LR and is big chums with those guys, so that is why i was spending so much time there. that and they have some nice personal rigs. my only intention was to give my personal view of the vehicle and simmer a few claims a few were making about the 'little engine that could.' just have fun with it. "Run what ya brung!" | ||
| June H. Han (Junehhan) New Member Username: Junehhan Post Number: 2 Registered: 04-2003 |
A good point on traction control. The biggest problem I find with it, is that it causes you to lose momentum in situations where momentum is more critical than lack of traction. On the Freelander, traction control can be overridden by going full throttle and backing off after traction control has been temporarily bypassed. I find myself doing this a lot on my first trip to Paragon in January in which there was over a foot of snow on the ground. I found that with so much snow, I kept getting stuck when relying on traction control, but once I realized traction control could by bypassed, I didn't get stuck. When I get to a point in my life in which a Discovery becomes more practical, that will definately be my choice, but for now, the Freelander does everything I want it to do, and fits my bill. | ||
| Andy Nichols (Lrcb40) New Member Username: Lrcb40 Post Number: 18 Registered: 09-2002 |
The local LR dealer here in MI, Land Rover Farmington Hills has trails that run through the Otsego Club, (in Gaylord, MI). They designed a reasonably challenging set of obstacles and one area which is an axle twister for Disco's etc. We had a Freebie with only two wheels on the ground and were rocking it onto the third wheel! It still drove in and out of that section of trail with no problems. I agree that ground clearance is a limitiation, but I'm looking forward to trying mine out (2002 SE) at the next event. Trouble is, I like using my RRC too and it'll have more goodies on it during the summer! Decisions, decisions.... Andy Nichols |
