Hi

Just spoke to my brother, and he has just bought a Freelander 1 . We are now planning on going offroading together , can't wait after we went out in mine last week, and really enjoyed it (that reminds me, need to post offroad pics)

I have read in quite a few places that the 2 most important bits of kit to have (after things like first aid kits/maps/food/water etc.) is a high lift jack, and tow ropes/strops. I have a few questions about this, when using Freelanders.

1. Is there any safe/non-damaging way to jack a FL1 or FL2 with a high lift jack?
2. The FL2 manual says that the towing eyes are unsuitable for off road recovery, how am I supposed to recover my FL2 if it gets stuck in mud etc?
3. How come the FL1 towing eyes don't say to not use them offroad
4. How do you attach the ropes/strops to the recovery points?

I know, too many questions.

Thanks in advance

Rich

I offroaded a Freelander 1 quite a lot and that was led me to buy an old Defender. If you brother has a manual gearbox version then I would not recommend taking it anywhere where you will need to slip the clutch a lot, they cook them too easily. The 2.5V6 and TD4 Automatics are much better in this respect (mine was a TD4 Auto).

Recovery - you are right, in the Freelander Club we could never get a definative answer from Land Rover about the strength of the front eye - their advise was that it should be treated as a lashing eye. Mantec make proper sumpguards for F1 that incorporates a recovery point but it is expensive. They also make a rear receiver that can take a tow hitch or a recovery "peg" with a large shackle (it can also be used to mount a Warn portable electric winch on it, either front or rear!)

If you have a tow bar at the back then, provided it has been professionally and securely instaled, you can always use that as a recovery point.

I had 2 magic years offroading my Freelander in Scotland, and if you are prepared to accpet that it will get it's bottom bumped very easily, you will be amazed just how far offroad they will go.

I suggest that you get in contact with the guys at MAD Freelanders for some more help at www.mad-freelanders.org.uk How can carbon have a footprint, it has no feet?
Now driving - RRE Coupe Dynamic Lux Auto with Plus pack, Fuji White, Ebony, SD4 with tow pack
Gone - 2010MY FFRR TDv8 Stornoway and Ivory, Privacy - the pace of a TDv8 RRS, the incomparable grace of a Range Rover
Gone but will be missed- RRS Tdv8 HSE Stornoway Grey with Ebony Leather
Gone (only a little missed) RRS Tdv6 2.7SE Giverny Green/Aspen
Defender 90 County HT in Epsom Green