Geminidawn Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 There is a chance I will get a 1.8 Petrol '98 commercial Freelander for next to nothing as to whether if I am going to keep it depends if I can reduce the every day running costs. As it is always in 4 wheel drive the petrol consumption is quiet high by comparison to the 1.4 Diesel 2 wheel drive van I have as my everyday transport at the moment. The van I can run up and down to work 50 miles a day, 5 days a week for about €40 However it comes at a price. The roads here are a disaster and I fork out a small fortune in tracking, tyres, CV boots, joints and cracked sumps due to the daily punishment and the low van clearance. This I am sure the Freelander can handle with little ill effect but with a huge chunk taken out of my wage for fuel. Could I run it cheaper by converting it to gas? If so where can I get a kit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sputnik 1 Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 Hi a few posts down from your insertion theres an article about 2 wd FLs. It might be worth taking out the prop shaft and seeing if mpg becomes more economical - furthermore if some kind soul points you in the direction of a good gas kit pls pass on info as I would also be very interested. regards Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 Not sure about gas kits, but to give you an idea my 1.8 does ~27mpg, haven't noticed a massive difference with the rear prop removed although it does drive nicer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt S Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 As it is always in 4 wheel drive the petrol consumption is quiet high I thought the Freelander ran in 2 wheel drive most of the time until the front wheels lost traction when the viscous coupling did some witchcraft and made it 4 wheel drive?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geminidawn Posted October 22, 2008 Author Share Posted October 22, 2008 I thought the Freelander ran in 2 wheel drive most of the time until the front wheels lost traction when the viscous coupling did some witchcraft and made it 4 wheel drive?? You may be right can anyone confirm this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 The freelander runs in 4WD with a viscous coupling in the rear prop. The "clever bit" is that the front wheels turn slightly faster than the back due to the diff ratios, so most of the time the front pulls the back along and the VC takes up the difference. This makes it feel more like a FWD car until the front wheels slip, at which point the rear wheels start to push. So, driving with the rear prop & VC connected you are losing some power, and you will also notice the tyres scrubbing during tight turns / parking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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