Forgot to add this to my previous posts.

If you have a post MY2013 model , when choosing a relay, I recommend one with a protection diode (Flywheel diode) to prevent any damage to the electronic components upstream of the relay . This link explains far better than I can and is well worth a look: http://www.12voltplanet.co.uk/relay-guide.html. Please be aware that not all relays available from motor stores and accessory shops have a diode fitted.

A few years ago I won an auction on Ebay for a set of pod fog lights for a facelift Freelander 1 (2003 - on) which I subsequently fitted to my pre facelift (2002) Freelander 1 (I’ll post a picture on my gallery). These came with a fitting and wiring kit which included a couple of relays which I noticed had diodes fitted across the solenoid winding. I understand most OEM relays have this diode fitted for the reasons explained in the link.

All the best,

Chris Gone:
2002 FL1 TD4 GS Zambezi Silver
2007 FL2 TD4 GS Izmir Blue

Well I've decided I like this, just looking for the lights to fit to it
................

Rally Stage

Ned some high quality Hella units

Eerrrrmmm . . . . well . . . . yes I can see how that would certainly provide enough light . . . But I'll have to get back to you though, I'm just nipping down to the local Territorial Army Depot, I think I remember seeing some old WW 2 searchlights somewhere in the back of one of their sheds. They would do nicely !

Rimini HSE wrote:

Rally Stage

Ned some high quality Hella units

They are actually a spare set for my F1 racer.
Strange thing is they fit the F2 perfectly even though were originally designed to fit the early non facelift F1 - but need to be modified to fit the facelift as in my Silver Td4.



Next year I plan to build a racer using an F2 commercial as a base vehicle- so I may actually look at using the pod.

Chris, I have just looked at your gallery details showing how you fitted your additional lights. Thanks for the diagram which I have printed out for info. However, I'm hoping to get away without removing all the front bodywork. If you look at the top photo on this link it will give an idea of how I'm hoping to fit mine. I'm thinking of putting a 5mm thick x 50mm wide metal strip along the front, under the white bumper section, to add strength and rigidity, then drilling through both the "bumper" and strip and fixing the light fixing bolt through both - I hope that makes sense! The end effect and siting of the lights would look like that photo - in theory!. Do you think this would work?
Any comments or suggestions welcomed.

Realbeale - Hey they look the part fitted and sprayed in the lighter silver.

Keep in mind that the design I came up with for the brackets was based on the pre-facelift (MY2007 in my case). A little tweaking to the dimensions may be required for later models. They seemed to be very ridged, no vibration from the lights when in motion. Always a possibility of some vibration if you mount them on the bumper even with a reinforcing strip but may be worth a try. Can you still get access to secure the bolts without removing the bumper?

My old MY2007 is owned by someone local and still has the lights fitted so at least they haven’t dropped off! I pass it on the road every now and then.

Unfortunately I haven’t got the time at present to have a go at modifying mine. May be later this month (still need to clarify if OK with the insurance company). Gone:
2002 FL1 TD4 GS Zambezi Silver
2007 FL2 TD4 GS Izmir Blue

A few years ago my brother in law, a farmer bought an ex army landrover Defender cheap at an auction. He drove it home in daylight OK but that night couldn't get the headlights to come on, he just saw a dull red glow when switched on. It turned out that it had Infra-Red headlights and that you needed the night vision headset to be able to see where you were going. 3 x FL1 2 manual + 1 auto
5 x FL2 4 manual + 1 auto
Now Discovery Sport P250 MHEV SE

Chris,
Thanks for the update. This looks like being more expensive than I at first envisaged. I have spoken with someone regarding doing this work. My idea of fixing the lights on the front bumper with a metal reinforcing strip he feels would not be advisable as (A) there would be a strong likelihood of the bumper splitting at some point in the future, and (B) the lights would probably vibrate too much. It therefore necessitates fixing in some manner similar to that which you adopted - with proper brackets. Now, as I'm not competent to take this on, the cost of the lights; removing the front bodywork in order to fix the brackets & lights and replacing, then getting someone to do the wiring, is really putting the whole issue out of reach - certainly for the moment! So for the time being it's a matter of "back to the drawing board" to rethink the whole matter over.

I really appreciate and am very grateful to you for all your help and advice, but for the time being I shall need put this on the shelf - for future reference.
Regards, Peter

Dorsetfreelander - I'll bet it wasn't just his headlights that were red ! ! !

I know a lot of people have been critical of the performance of the various halogen headlights fitted to various model years, but to be honest I’ve driven to work down the local country lanes the last few days (less traffic) and the main beam from my standard lights isn’t that bad really, I can live with it for now as fitting aux lighting is slipping down my priority list.

If i'm still saying that by the end of the winter.....we will see.

All the best,

Chris Gone:
2002 FL1 TD4 GS Zambezi Silver
2007 FL2 TD4 GS Izmir Blue

Yep - Needs must, and all that !!

There is brand new UK spec xenons currently on ebay for approx £500 a pair. You cannot put a price on safety.  MY14 Kahn Converted Dynamic - Fuji White Ebony/Pimento Interior
MY15 Xenon Headlight Conversion

MY17 RRS SVR - Estoril Blue Cirrus/Ebony 🪣💺’s

Something I haven't seen mentioned on this thread is LED. Although not too cheap, something like these would do the trick; http://www.lazerlamps.com/home/triple-r/triple-r-750

Whilst I haven't used those particular lamps, I do have twin 20W (each) LED floods on my motorcycle and can honestly say that they turn night into day. MY13 Santorini Black SD4 HSE

LR NUT - Thanks but a little out of my price range

Blacktiger - Thanks - I know nothing about LEDS, I'll take a look.

Main problem to me is still the mounting issue. The best solution I've seen is the front off and fabricated brackets attached to the metal, as opposed to the bumper with a brace. Essentially per the diagrams linked earlier.

All the solutions which involve attaching to roof bars, a typical off road solution, imo don't work for me because of reflections as soon as you get rain or the very slightest degree of mist.

The standard setup, with decent bulbs, is OKish, but get out into the forest on a dark wet night and on the long straights you really need some extra lighting with both more throw and enough spread to pick up the verges way ahead to alert for wildlife hovering at the roadside. The only thing that does that imo, is a decent set of auxiliaries mounted rigidly at about same height as the headlights, whether HID, LED or an old fashioned pair of Super Oscars.

As you say the ancillary cost of getting all the front end off is a big disincentive. Guess if had to put up with those awful incandescent projector lights then it might be the push to get it sorted.