QuTie the Roverlander
Hippos are large semi-aquatic mammals, with a large barrel-shaped body, short legs, a short tail and an enormous head!
Did you know they are considered the second largest land animal on Earth, after the Elephant?
βProduced between 1997 and 2006, the Land Rover Freelander 1 remains one of the brandβs best-selling models and is now officially a Land Rover Heritage vehicle.β
βRapidly became Europe's best-selling 4WD vehicle for five consecutive years after launch.β
The Hippo
This rig is a late 2000 Land Rover Freelander TD4, affectionately nicknamed the "hippo" due to its distinctive appearance. Land Rover equipped it with a robust BMW engine, that made this compact SUV to offer remarkable off-road capabilities with both power and efficiency, making it a reliable choice for adventurous drivers. This first generation Freelander was marketed as a premium compact 4x4, and used in the 1998 Camel Trophy and participated in Land Rover's G4 Challenge. The vehicle represented a compromise because it did not have a low-range gear selection, nor a locking differential, as found on larger Land Rover models. The 2.0L engine is economical on fuel consumption, without compromising its exceptional 4x4 capabilities. The Freelander can tackle rough terrains with ease. Despite its small size, has an impressive interior space and that versatility is what makes it a practical choice for both urban commutes and outdoor escapades. The british brand proved that size doesn't always dictate capability and the Freelander earned its place as a beloved member of the Land Rover family.
The Roverlander
This hippo in particular, named QuTie, is pretty much stock mechanically. The most noteworthy mods are a short lift of 3cm on front and 4cm at the rear, bigger 29β AT tires and a bit of a boost made on the ECU, allowing it to make around 120 plus horsepower. For its size and weight itβs very capable, but still very fuel efficient at around 39 mpg consumption, depending of the weight it carries and driving style. A steel skid plate replaced the original plastic one, for extra protection in the hard trails. Steel rims from a junkyard also added more ruffness to the rig. The favourite mod by far, was the change of the muffler for a smaller one, giving the car a bigger departure angle. That old big diaper scratched every rock it met.
The camper mods are all DIY projects made with recycled materials that were already scattered around the house. Like the backdoor table made from scraps of wood and the βkitchen drawersβ from a repurposed office cabinet. Following the motto βbuilt not boughtβ, ensures a more sustainable way to approach overlanding and also to stay on a low budget.
