Freelander 1 TD4...a couple of questions...
Discussion
I've had a few Land Rovers in my time...an ex-RAF Series 3 LWB, long since sold, and a stalwart old Disco 1 300Tdi that I've had for years as a "tool car"...it soldiers on but does really need some welding here and there soon!
We needed a practical car for the missus so yesterday I picked up a 2004 Freelander TD4 HSE auto. I have to say I'm really impressed with it so far...OK it's not going to win any traffic light races and is a teeny weeny bit less involving than my Boxster to drive, but as long as you're not in a hurry it cruises along nicely, with a very compliant ride and comfy seats, my bum getting warmed by the nuclear seat heaters under the leather, my ears getting massaged by the Harman/Kardon speakers, and the shop window reflection looking like I'm driving something significantly more expensive than what it cost at well under £4k. Only gripes are the totally ridiculous satnav system that seems intent on taking the longest possible route anywhere, and the gearbox which sometimes seems a bit keen to hang onto the lower gears up hills where the torque of the engine would be perfectly adequate. But overall it's great, nice high driving position, loads of room, storage and cubby holes, and dead easy to just amble along not caring about speed humps and pot holes that would be leaving bits of Porsche in the road and denting expensive split-rims.
But I have a few questions...
-I want to fit a towbar. Will any eBay towbar for any Freelander 1 do the job or is there a difference on the facelift models? Do I need to get the drill out or are the holes already there?
-Towbar electrics. Is this a simple scotchlock to the tail lights job, or is it a canbus system? If so, I have an old canbus unit which I fitted to an Alfa 156, will this work?
-Parrot handsfree. I have a couple of old Parrot units...one is a CK3100, I can't remeber what the other one is, but are these an easy fit into the standard LR stereo? It came out of an E90 BMW 3 series which needed all kinds of adaptors.
Thanks in advance! Oh, and here's some pics. Not a bad looking little truck, even if it's not quite my idea of a proper Land Rover!
We needed a practical car for the missus so yesterday I picked up a 2004 Freelander TD4 HSE auto. I have to say I'm really impressed with it so far...OK it's not going to win any traffic light races and is a teeny weeny bit less involving than my Boxster to drive, but as long as you're not in a hurry it cruises along nicely, with a very compliant ride and comfy seats, my bum getting warmed by the nuclear seat heaters under the leather, my ears getting massaged by the Harman/Kardon speakers, and the shop window reflection looking like I'm driving something significantly more expensive than what it cost at well under £4k. Only gripes are the totally ridiculous satnav system that seems intent on taking the longest possible route anywhere, and the gearbox which sometimes seems a bit keen to hang onto the lower gears up hills where the torque of the engine would be perfectly adequate. But overall it's great, nice high driving position, loads of room, storage and cubby holes, and dead easy to just amble along not caring about speed humps and pot holes that would be leaving bits of Porsche in the road and denting expensive split-rims.
But I have a few questions...
-I want to fit a towbar. Will any eBay towbar for any Freelander 1 do the job or is there a difference on the facelift models? Do I need to get the drill out or are the holes already there?
-Towbar electrics. Is this a simple scotchlock to the tail lights job, or is it a canbus system? If so, I have an old canbus unit which I fitted to an Alfa 156, will this work?
-Parrot handsfree. I have a couple of old Parrot units...one is a CK3100, I can't remeber what the other one is, but are these an easy fit into the standard LR stereo? It came out of an E90 BMW 3 series which needed all kinds of adaptors.
Thanks in advance! Oh, and here's some pics. Not a bad looking little truck, even if it's not quite my idea of a proper Land Rover!
Edited by Hard-Drive on Wednesday 2nd December 22:07
Any Freelander tow bar can be fitted to them. The mounts are under it and all the same regardless of age.
Electrics have their own plug, behind the right side panel in the boot. Easy to remove and it's a plug and play system. Plenty online to choose from.
No idea on parrot system sorry.
As for the car, blank the EGR, change the hoses to silicone, the 90 deg elbow can fail as can the small 2 inch at the front, that rubs on the bolt under it and fails.
Make sure the turbo crankcase filter gets changed at every service. It's at the back under the air filter and is almost always missed.
Best tyres on the back and I would consider the vcu to be checked if the mileage is above 70k.
They can be remapped for good results, I had a twisted performance map on mine and it took 3 seconds off the 0-60 time and had far better mid gear shove.
Electrics have their own plug, behind the right side panel in the boot. Easy to remove and it's a plug and play system. Plenty online to choose from.
No idea on parrot system sorry.
As for the car, blank the EGR, change the hoses to silicone, the 90 deg elbow can fail as can the small 2 inch at the front, that rubs on the bolt under it and fails.
Make sure the turbo crankcase filter gets changed at every service. It's at the back under the air filter and is almost always missed.
Best tyres on the back and I would consider the vcu to be checked if the mileage is above 70k.
They can be remapped for good results, I had a twisted performance map on mine and it took 3 seconds off the 0-60 time and had far better mid gear shove.
Great, thanks for the useful insight.
I've managed to get a complete genuine Land Rover tow bar/ball/electrics from eBay for £30 that is very local to me, it will need a coat of paint but I can do that and fit it myself.
Interesting what people are saying about tuning the TD4 engine. TBH if it's the same 2.0L unit I've had in previous BMWs it's power output is very meagre in the LR state of tune. Has it been "de-tuned" to increase low down torque for off roading, to reduce stress on the driveline, or just to stop stupid people crashing their cars? I'd certainly be keen to give it a bit more power if possible, but not at the expense of damaging the transmission (auto) in any way.
The Synergy 2 seems to get a good review, and I like the fact it's switchable...any experiences?
I've managed to get a complete genuine Land Rover tow bar/ball/electrics from eBay for £30 that is very local to me, it will need a coat of paint but I can do that and fit it myself.
Interesting what people are saying about tuning the TD4 engine. TBH if it's the same 2.0L unit I've had in previous BMWs it's power output is very meagre in the LR state of tune. Has it been "de-tuned" to increase low down torque for off roading, to reduce stress on the driveline, or just to stop stupid people crashing their cars? I'd certainly be keen to give it a bit more power if possible, but not at the expense of damaging the transmission (auto) in any way.
The Synergy 2 seems to get a good review, and I like the fact it's switchable...any experiences?
What you have is a 4wd Rover 75 
Actually probably the best LR product to come out of the factory ever. Except for the VC seizing up & the few things mentioned not much goes wrong. The synergy box has always been well regarded in Rover 75 circles.
Would like to get my wife into of these, the boot height for the dog is much the same as most estates but she hates 4x4's & refuses to entertain the idea.
Actually probably the best LR product to come out of the factory ever. Except for the VC seizing up & the few things mentioned not much goes wrong. The synergy box has always been well regarded in Rover 75 circles.
Would like to get my wife into of these, the boot height for the dog is much the same as most estates but she hates 4x4's & refuses to entertain the idea.
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