Sahara Expedition 2024

We are aiming for Driven to Extremes SAHARA to become a ‘one-make’ expedition as it is much easier for the Max Adventure team to provide support by carrying specialist tools, a comprehensive range of spares and having the right mechanical knowledge for that particular model of vehicle.

The expedition is open to anyone who already owns a 4x4 vehicle, but for those of you that need to buy one in order to join the team, we are asking that you source and prepare a Land Rover Freelander Mk1 model.

The Freelander 1 (model L314) was manufactured between 1997 and 2006 as Land Rover’s entry vehicle into the booming SUV market. Unlike all previous Land Rovers before it, it came with a car-like monocoque body as opposed to having a traditional chassis in which a body is bolted.

During its 9 year production run over 540,000 were built and it became the biggest selling 4-wheel drive vehicle in Europe, so there are plenty of examples to choose from. Land Rover went on to use them on a series of adventurous expeditions, the Camel Trophy in 1998 and G4 Challenge in 2003 to demonstrate that they were still up to the same job as their bigger brothers - albeit attempting less severe terrain due to their lower ground clearance and lack of low-range gearbox.

There were 4 different engines fitted to the Freelander 1…

Petrol

Diesel

Which Engine?
As for petrol or diesel, it doesn’t really matter, but diesel is always preferred on serious expedition vehicles due to the following reasons…

Fuel range tends to be better with a diesel engine

Low down torque helps you negotiate slow-speed sections without the need for slipping the clutch

Diesel fuel is safer to carry in Jerry cans

The preferred engine is the BMW Td4 diesel engine, followed by the L series Rover version. Of the petrol models, the favoured would be the KV6 due to it being more reliable than the K series 1.8, which has unfortunately developed a reputation for unreliability due to head gasket failure.

Manual or automatic doesn’t really matter.

With no low range gearbox available on the Freelander 1 when negotiating challenging sections of terrain, autos give you more control in slow speed sections as there isn’t a clutch to burn out. Manuals however give you greater fuel range, can allow the vehicle to be bump started if your battery dies and are simpler in their design, which means they have a better chance of being fixed by a local Moroccan mechanic with limited tools.

As for petrol or diesel, it doesn’t really matter, but diesel is always preferred on serious expedition vehicles due to the following reasons…

Fuel range tends to be better with a diesel engine

Low down torque helps you negotiate slow-speed sections without the need for slipping the clutch if a manual gearbox is fitted.

Diesel fuel is safer to carry in Jerry cans

With the right support around you, any 4x4 will be capable of undertaking the expedition, although some models might need more help than others! Toyota Land Cruisers, Nissan Patrols, Mitsubishi Shoguns and Land Rover Defenders (old shape), in that order ,are the best models to consider in terms of their reliability and capability.

Depending on the vehicle you choose, the following modifications may need to be done…

Please contact us for further information with regards to purchasing a land Rover Freelander 1, or to discuss the suitability of the 4x4 you already own.