Drongo Posted January 6, 2013 Report Share Posted January 6, 2013 After getting rid of my 90 a few years back I went soft and got a freelander, manly for the comfort and MPG factor. As long as you remember it's not a off-roader and treat it as a 4x4 car it's surprising capable and never once got me stuck in wet fields. I have however pulled the exhaust of the mounts a few times, but it's a simple job to push it back on again. I also ride it on Grabber AT2 which also help. Anyways, the point of my post, I do a fair amount of bunny bashing, and due to back problems that sometimes affect my walking, I'm doing more and more of if from my Freebie. Problem is, the passenger window is a bit too far from the drivers seat for a stable shot and the driver window is a bit too close to safety drive, pick up rifle get it in place over the wing mirror, make sure I've parked with the correct field of view, then take a shot with out a good amount of quality faffing taking place before. My platform of choice is either roll down back window, fold down seats and shoot out the back, or park up and lean on the bonnet... Problem with both of these options is I'm not really mobile, more using the truck as a large heavy shoot bench with an engine.. So, what do other Freebie owners do...? Don't be shy, I know there are some on here and it's not really that embarrassing to admit you drive one, is it...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karpman Posted January 6, 2013 Report Share Posted January 6, 2013 Get on fine with mine pal, only had it stuck when its my fault. The back comes off mine being a commercial, handy that. Karpman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vampire Posted January 6, 2013 Report Share Posted January 6, 2013 Could only find a 5 door in the spec we wanted,so during proper lamping sessions over harvest it will be over to my mates 3 door with the roof off,he has also had a 2" lift kit put on which helps save the exhaust. In answer to your question,we take turns shooting out the passengers window or jump out whilst using rifles and as above with shotguns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V8 90 Posted January 6, 2013 Report Share Posted January 6, 2013 I used to shoot off the drivers wing mirror no prob when I had mine (3 Door) - I have a spare passenger side sunroof with a 50mm hole in it for a roof light you can have for free if you're in the North Lincs area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackw04_123 Posted January 6, 2013 Report Share Posted January 6, 2013 I have recently sold ma pajero tht was nothing more than a workhorse I'm now looking for something that the misses can drive to and from work that would be ok for a spot of lamping also, was thing along the lines of a freelander but the fact that not many people use them worried me. Have you guys got the td4?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V8 90 Posted January 6, 2013 Report Share Posted January 6, 2013 I had a 1.8 petrol until the head gasket went. My wife had a TD4 Freelander for a couple of years it was a good car. I never used it for shooting. Mine served me well for 3 1/2 years !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimboblincs2 Posted January 6, 2013 Report Share Posted January 6, 2013 I drive a 96 Disco, and have a piece of tube tiewrapped from the passenger seat headrest to the dash grab rail thing. This is only good for daytime shooting, too much light in the car with a gun mounted lamp. Crows will sit in range as long as I don't put the gun out the window, so it works for me. Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckytrigger Posted January 6, 2013 Report Share Posted January 6, 2013 Dont be ashamed! I have a 5 door td4 freelander and love it and thats after previously owning a td5 disco, fourtrack and Vitara. Ive got a set of Insa dakar tires on mine and have had no problems on my permissions. As for your exhaust there is a protection guard for the silencer available for about £120. I just shoot off my wing mirror with my rimmies or airrifles using the ns200 nitesite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drongo Posted January 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2013 I have recently sold ma pajero tht was nothing more than a workhorse I'm now looking for something that the misses can drive to and from work that would be ok for a spot of lamping also, was thing along the lines of a freelander but the fact that not many people use them worried me. Have you guys got the td4?? Td4 or nothing else in the freelander 1 category... Mines '03 plate, and apart from the previous owner not replacing the crank case breather and pressure build up blowing the turbo, there hasn't been anything majorly mechanical go wrong with it... Only other niggly thing was it loosing power at 3k revs, 70mph... Turned out to be a hole melted in a vacuum pipe attached to the variable vane turbo solenoid... This meant the turbo was on maximum boost, all of the time, and when at 70mph and looking a bit more power on inclines, the ECU kicked in and cut the fuel to prevent the turbo over boosting... Took ages to figure that one out... £10 for a new pipe and dislocate all my arm joints to fit it ad it's back running perfect and returning roughly 38-40mpg... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stubby Posted January 6, 2013 Report Share Posted January 6, 2013 ok, so I drive a vitara not a freelander, but have similar back probs to you, I have a piece of foam, folded in half and held like that with elastic, this simply pushes over the drivers door wing mirror, and rifle with lamp rested on this, I then have a disabled drivers knob (don't laugh) so I can drive one handed, whilst holding the rifle, all shots are then done forward of the car, and can position the car for shots very easily Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pboro shot Posted January 6, 2013 Report Share Posted January 6, 2013 nothing wrong with freelanders there just built from junk,,,,,,,,but ive got one as a shooting bus and most of the time is ok other then the choclate engine the 4x4 system is junk apart from that love it as for shooting from it ive set up a set of adjustabe shooting stick over the passanger seat works ok or out of the drivers side put some foam or similar on wing mirror not ideal but i try not to go out on my own if i can help it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drongo Posted January 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2013 Does anyone have any photos of their freelander/rifle setup they wouldn't mind sharing...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRAD1927 Posted January 7, 2013 Report Share Posted January 7, 2013 I used a plank of wood wedged under the head rest and velcro to the dashboard on the passenger side enabling me to drive and quickly set up a shot when needed. Easily set up and easily removed made the perfect rest for my .17HMR and .22 HW100. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gixer1 Posted January 7, 2013 Report Share Posted January 7, 2013 had both the 1.8 freelander 1 and now have a freelander 2 in TD4 - both have been excellent - they are very capable offroad if driven correctly with the only downside being ground clearence and a lack of low range - although in all my time with discovery's and range rovers I have only ever used low range when pulling someone out who's stuck...never used it for any offroading. they are good on the road too, I bought a little vitara especially for lamping but only because I don't want to cut a hole in the roof of the freelander and cover it in cack all the time. Regards, Gixer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vampire Posted January 7, 2013 Report Share Posted January 7, 2013 I have recently sold ma pajero tht was nothing more than a workhorse I'm now looking for something that the misses can drive to and from work that would be ok for a spot of lamping also, was thing along the lines of a freelander but the fact that not many people use them worried me. Have you guys got the td4?? If you are thinking of getting a freelander then it has to be a td4(the most reliable landrover),if its got 16" wheels then just fit bigger tyres for more clearance,if its 15" wheels swap em for 16" or get a lift kit. For off road shooting bus you will have no probs with the right tyres and i havent missed low range gear,3 door is better as whole back roof comes off and if you have the optional roof bars you won't fall out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackw04_123 Posted January 7, 2013 Report Share Posted January 7, 2013 If you are thinking of getting a freelander then it has to be a td4(the most reliable landrover),if its got 16" wheels then just fit bigger tyres for more clearance,if its 15" wheels swap em for 16" or get a lift kit. For off road shooting bus you will have no probs with the right tyres and i havent missed low range gear,3 door is better as whole back roof comes off and if you have the optional roof bars you won't fall out I think I'm gonna give it a try, just gonna look out for the right deal now. Pajero was good just abit to heavy drank abit to much gas and cost over £3,000 a year to insure due to me only being 22. That's also with 5 years no claims. Ouchh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommo Posted January 11, 2013 Report Share Posted January 11, 2013 I drive a freelander TD4 52plate, apart from the usual bits and bobs its been fine. Two sets of tyres are kept for summer and winter use (Sychrones and Falken AT's Cracking car and its carted me to Scotland stalking and coming back loaded so many times now I've lost count. Although recently I've been looking at a Prado! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted January 12, 2013 Report Share Posted January 12, 2013 Td4 or nothing else in the freelander 1 category... Mines '03 plate, and apart from the previous owner not replacing the crank case breather and pressure build up blowing the turbo, there hasn't been anything majorly mechanical go wrong with it... Only other niggly thing was it loosing power at 3k revs, 70mph... Turned out to be a hole melted in a vacuum pipe attached to the variable vane turbo solenoid... This meant the turbo was on maximum boost, all of the time, and when at 70mph and looking a bit more power on inclines, the ECU kicked in and cut the fuel to prevent the turbo over boosting... Took ages to figure that one out... £10 for a new pipe and dislocate all my arm joints to fit it ad it's back running perfect and returning roughly 38-40mpg... I am thinking of getting freelander TD4. If I do will you be my personal mechanic? That sort of knowledge is very good stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drongo Posted January 12, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2013 Haha... No problem, although I do have a £25,000 call out fee plus a few pints and a nice meal.... ;o) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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