Hi,

I love my landrovers, have owned several defenders (mostly TD5's but also a 200tdi), all were modified and used heavily offroad as well as on. Now im down to a competition special D-Lander designed by North Offroad and built and engineered by my own hand.

Currently apart from the D-Lander for offroad, i use an audi A3 for road stuff, usually 20-30K a year but also want to go greenlaning and the occasional gentle playday.

So will i be dissapointed with the FL2, is it going to compare to the Audi on road, and live up to the Defender off-road???

Are there accessiories available such as under-belly protection, winch mounts for the front etc???

So will i be dissapointed with the FL2, is it going to compare to the Audi on road, and live up to the Defender off-road???
You will be disapointed on both counts. Defender is the 2nd best thing I have driven off road after Disco 3 but I must prefer the Defender, think cost of body damage which is also a issue with F/L2 especially when greenlaning. Branches, especially dead ones really do make a mess of the paint work. though it goes everywhere I have pointed her freeda is a tad short of ground clearance. Given body on frt s/frame not chassis expect to be the one being winched out not doing the recovery.
On road though a big step forward from F/L1 think Grand Tourer Land Rover rather than sports saloon. It can be chucked about a bit, the seats/driving position are great and Freeda can really pick up her skirts when required. If necessary Terrain Response can be used on road to improve acceleration etc.
DEPENDS ON EXPECTATION Defy anybody to be disapointed with F/L2 as a car. still pining for my 3dr, no removeable hardtop, no drop glass tailgate, no roof rack, no pockets everywhere to stow all that man kit

Maybe you should try one at Solihull or Eastnor LRE?

Mantec do a belly plate and a tank plate. Fl2 is really pretty good off road until you run out of clearance, but there is normally a way to drive the track avoiding the peaks. My prefered driving style in such areas is speed and more speed, Ok you may ground out occasionally but thats better than going slowly and letting the wheels dig a hole for you. My side tubes have the dints to show this  At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

Hmm, im not overly convinced by the LRE centres from past experiences.

I guess i will go and test one on road when i get some free time, but i cant see the dealer letting me hitch my car trailer up to test the towing or let me take it offroad (or even on a wet field) to see how good it is off road. I appear to be addicted to Landrovers...

TD5 D-Lander hopefully finished soon!
FL2....this year with any luck!

CG - i never have side steps on my vehicles, defenders have rock sliders but others go without! Good news on the belly plates from mantec as they make good stuff if you can stomach the cost!

What is the clearance on the FL2, is there any common suspension mod to improve this?? I appear to be addicted to Landrovers...

TD5 D-Lander hopefully finished soon!
FL2....this year with any luck!

A certain site sponsor has a demo available for use and abuse just tell them CG sent you

http://www.freel2.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=44731#44731

The side tubes do limit clearance , but they do also protect the plastic lower door panels and give you a fair warning when clearence is getting limited
Duckworths do a lift kit I believe. My fl2 stays mainly in shopping centers etc with Mrs G driving it but iIhave challenged it a few times notably in Keilder forest and it impressed.. I grew up driving landies then defenders on the farm so I have some idea about whats good/bad..... which doesnt explain why the farm truck is now a ford Ranger

http://www.freel2.com/forum/topic2788-180.html At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

Hi Smo,

With off road experience in both I can definitely say you wont be disappointed - we were amazed at the capabilities of the FL2. Although its a whole different 'style' of driving.

Our friend runs an Offroad company which you may have heard of already - although he doesnt keep FL2 stuff in as standard he's worth a chat with;

http://www.lrsoffroad.co.uk/

Good luck and let us know your progress

K 'Freddie' FL2 2007 GS, Sumatra Black, Manual
Stable Mate - Alan - 1963 Series 2 SWB V8.

RIP Hugh our 90 - much loved and missed.

The FL is really very very good on road and pretty decent off it. It won't come close to your Defender off road so wouldn't even try, but it does okay on occasional off road excursions, mine gets around my brother in laws farm easily enough when I'm in the mood to have a play.

It will be every bit as good if not better than the A3 on road I have no doubt. Mine is more comfortable, quieter, better equipped and probably just as quick in terms of journey time - not hooning - as my wife's Audi TT. She uses mine now more than her own..!

Think of it as a quiet, comfortable, well equipped Grand Tourer Landie which can also get you across a field or two, you'll not go to far wrong.

I would say though from the sounds of wanting to fit lift kits etc you have more than occasional green laning in mind? I that case I'd also have a look at the D3. 58 HSE, auto, lago grey, tints. Mine and my dogs Storm and Sky
TT Quattro, black. Ers.
AC Cobra rep in build. Ars.

Thanks for the replies.

As far as off road, it really is only a bit of green laning, i have the D-Lander for anything serious but would like to get the other half and little-un out to play too and introduce them into the world of mud!!!! I appear to be addicted to Landrovers...

TD5 D-Lander hopefully finished soon!
FL2....this year with any luck!

the fl2 is great at off roading in my opinion, it might not go to the extremes as a fully prep'ed defender but personally i think it can hold its own  Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

I agree with npinks, certainly went round Kielder Forest ok and we encounted some deep ruts at one point and even though mine grounded a bit I was amazed at how well it coped.

We like the car so much we now have two of them  ______________________
2011 Full Fat RR 4.4 TDV8
2012 FL2 SD4 Auto HSE
2013 Kawasaki Versys 650

I look forward to trying one properly now, the more i see them every day the more i want!!

It does of course have to be a good family car too, spacious, comfortable, economical etc and also be a good tow car too! I appear to be addicted to Landrovers...

TD5 D-Lander hopefully finished soon!
FL2....this year with any luck!