Freelander

I just wounder if it is worth it. I mean I was going to buy a used Toyota Land Cruiser FJ80 with front and rear lockers and just throw on an Old Man Emu suspension. One of my buddies had that on his 93 FJ80 and the darn thing would crawl over anything he aimed it at. Wish I could afford a D110 here in the States but until I finish with my college and get that dergree out of the way there isnt much chance I can afford that much as they still catch a good price on the market (average 45K /-5K). Anyway I can afford this rig but I do not know anything about it. How reliable it is or how it would fare in an accedent or roll over, etc. No crash test data I can find and the dealer did not have this information so even though it looks like a nice healthy rig I am not 100% sold. There was a time we almost purchased the Nissan Xtarra and I gave it the same drill. Asking tons of questions. Then a fellow fowarded a url that contained vehicles that had been in accedents. I could enter a year, make, model and come back with photo's. Those SUV's did not do very well in a roll over and I am pretty positive the folks inside the truck did not do to well either. I would not be shock to learn a few had died in the wreck. Also I did not notice a lo or high range transfercase so that is a bit of a negative. Not that I could not live with out a high/low tcase but it would be nice for offroad. We do not have an idea of what the resale is going to be on this truck. So many variables.
Anyway I am very interested but need something more when it comes to information and feedback from actual owners. Would also be very nice if these owners had experience with other makes and models of 4x4's.

Thanks guys (and gals) look foward to hearing more about this vehicle.

Dave

I've heard the LR salesman talking about how many thousands of lb'ft of torque it takes to twist the body 1 degree (so you can still open the doors when cross-axled) and he has pics of one at a display mounted to a dolly by the lugs tilted 90 degrees on its side so you can see the undercarriage and the stainless exhaust which is rated to support the weight of the vehicle, so it would seem pretty sturdy. Have you checked Consumer Reports for the crash test results?

I know it has no t-case to speak of; just a transaxle with a rear output to the rear axle, so it's "single-speed" (no Low range). But the torque converter and the 4WABS Traction Control & Hill Descent Control systems will do just about the same as Low range would.

If you're looking for a full box frame, 2 solid axles with 4-link suspensions, a V-8 EFI, room for 7 adults and some luggage, Class III hitch receiver, plenty of cupholders, and a factory warranty, check out the Discovery II./wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif


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Well we looked into the Discovery. My wife's best friend talked her out of one due to electtrical problems which is also listed in Consumer Reports as well as other issues.
I was thinking of going that route and use ARB air lockers front and rear.

I also looked at the Jeep Liberty but guess what.... Jeep will void your warranty if you wheel it offroad. So if they deem it has been abused then the warranty is void. And that has already happened to one guy and all he did was go on a muddy trail and get mudd all over the motor. Took it in to be serviced and the dealership voided his warranty. I asked Jeep about this and they confirmed it by saying if we think the vehicle was abused then the warranty is void. The dealersip I spoke with states that if the jeep is in mud that gets into the engine compartment then they will void the warranty. So I asked them if I am going down a trail and it has mud and water and that happened to get up on the motor would it void it and they said yes. So no way on any Jeep period. So if your just driving around offroad and you are not in any way, shape, or form abusing the Jeep but the dealership says otherwise then you are hosed. Forget That! Not to mention I didnt get anywhere with rollover problems the Liberty might have of how the roof would do in a rollover.

http://www.4x4play.com/special/jeep_warranty.htm

I then gave the local Land Rover dealership a call and presented the same set of questions. His reply was that is what this vehicle is made to do. So if I go through so much mud the motor and wiring is covered it wont be voided...he said that is what this vehicle is made for. So far the Freelander is at the top of the list for a new wagon. But I would still buy an FJ80 if I ended up buying a used 4x4 wagon.