well, I guess I am back

I've been looking for a 4x4 truck to replace the RRC, my head wants an EV but I don't think we are there yet for Backcountry exploration and general 4x4 with an EV just yet, but getting closer, I just want a smaller non luxury 4x4 with decent range once they exist, I'll jump into it...

But for now, I bumped into a very well maintained 98 Discovery, like the one we had about 15 years ago, and I decided to start a new project, this one will be kept mostly stock (for now anyway)

More to come soon but here is a preview 

Cheers

Nathan did it

 I am very happy to report that the RRC is back, great job fixing this

Looking good, I hope this makes someone very happy as it did us.

2025 EVLR?

 It looks like Jaguar Land Rover will go fully electric by 2025, so there is hope, I will get back to a land rover then.

In the mean time, I am thinking about modifying a series II or III as EV, if you know of a cheap project without engine, send me a message.

I guess, I am still an addict

Cheers.

Farewell

Dear land Rover,
It's been 25 wonderful years of owning 6 great vehicles from the 90s or earlier over 3 continents.
But I am done for now.
My last hope was the new Defender, but after seeing it in person, it's not for me.
No matter how many land Rover owners lounges you have, I don't care about luxury items or spoiled life. I just love nature and like to go to those few places with something interesting to see or do left.

I know there is a lot of money to be made in luxo-cars, but not for me.
I just want a simple functional 4x4 like my series 3, but modern.
No plans for electric?
The only way I would consider a new D90 would be a simple, utilitarian electric vehicle with decent range, based on what I heard on the LA auto show, there is no plans for that.
So that's it for me.
After the Range Rover incident, I wanted an electric 4x4 since we got the Bolt and the Leaf there is no turning back.
It looks like my only option going forward will be the Bollinger or something similar, in the near future.

So farewell Land Rover, we had a good run

The end?

So some drunk driver decided it was a great idea to wreck 2 of my cars last night.
No one was hurt, and cars can be replaced, but I fear this is the end of this RRC.
Some pics

A Condor watch trip

What better way to test the RRC than a little trip to watch condors.

It was a very nice sunny day and although we only got a partial look at the father and not the chick, the trip was worth it.

The truck worked great no issues to report, quieter and nicer that it's ever been.

A couple of pics

Transfer and exhaust and gaskets and ..... whatever, done for now!

It's been a few weeks, but it looks like all is back in order, test drive later today.

DONE (for now)

bring back the 4x4 diff lock light!

One of the many advantages of the soft dash RRC, is the similarity with the Disco, in this case, when doing the LT swap, you can use the light in the instrument binnacle to make it look stock.

I have gather some of the relevant circuits from RAVE and here are some pics of the process.

You would need to make a metallic clip of sorts to attach the cable on pin #6 since it is empty (way to go LR saving all of 0.1 dollars on that)

As we can see, from the +V goes to key switch, then fuse, then instruments all the way down to ground.

The connector on the Disco has the pin 6 enabled, the RRC has it empty

Here it is:

It connects into this PCB style connector:

It even has the bulb (black one between the blue and black):

So I made some sort of clip from a connector I had around and attached a cable to it (labeled for later identification, since I will forget what the hell this is :) :

And before calling it done, I did a quick test, ran the cable to ground point (ZF box), battery connected back, key ignition and "voila!"

Transfer removal done...

Well, it's been war, some casualties, but I finally got the BW out.
Ready to start putting it back together.

It's a boy!

Never hit am extension wrench with your head... Never!!

Well, hello gorgeous!

It feels so empty...

Transfer swap, chapter 2,

So, I have decided to check the exhaust as well and of course, it has big holes on the last part, I got that out of the way and removed driveshafts. Cables and links mostly out.
Next chapter, BW removal and some pictures for now:

Transfer swap, chapter I, top access

The VC I replaced a couple of years ago, it's bad, and I am done with the Borg Warner transfer, so I have decided to start the swap.
I don't have much time these days, so this will take me some time, for now, I was able to provide access to the top of the transmission/transfer.
More soon.

Land Rover art

My daughter Ali is getting quite good at drawing and I thought I would share this one she did of our dear LR back in Spain:

Baja Mexico 2017

So, we did it again, we went down to Bahia de Los Angeles this time. great trip, I'll describe with pictures, most of them mine a few "borrowed" from Jared (RedRover).

The trip begins with a clean car. and all load secured.... wouldn't last long.

We reached San Ysidro, got some pesos....

And we are in Tijuana

Road trip, up and down La Rumorosa:

We start offroad, this is Laguna Salada:

Camping time

We saw this little guy

The first break-down, Disco I refused to start, they headed back with the other 2 cars from Baja Land that were going to stay only for the weekend.

We continued on just 4 trucks,

We decided to call it a night, we even found a cheap hotel, with good food around the corner in a tiny village. Ivan's truck was giving all sorts of problems, so we decided to check with a local mechanic to try to figure it out.... there is always time for a few songs.

We were ready to go through Mike's Sky Ranch and beyond. Turns out the center diff wasn't engaging on Ivan's truck either, which made the going up complicated slopes extra fun (i.e. winching and pulling)

We tried to engage it manually but the truck being a million degrees didn't help.

It was pretty all around.

 Getting into Mike's Ranch

 We made it! now time to find a ranch or place to stay.

This was my rear view for most of the hard spots, me pulling Ivan's truck :)

Nice spot

We made it to the ranch, with showers and all, plenty of animals around... and a very annoying cat.

It's so green after the rain.

 La Lobera surprised us for many reasons, specially to know, that the avalon factory closed because the water temperature raised some 20-30 degrees and the avalon died or was dropped into deep cooler sea.... global warming for you.

This time we tried the lobster specialty.

We had a chance to camp at the beginning of the Mission of Santa Maria trail, which brought great memories from last year.

After a few kilometers and a lot of potholes, we made it to Bahia de Los Angeles:

Room with a view for sure:

Nice spot.... not many people around, just my kind of beach.

Such great colors at sunset.

Luismi, joined us, they were traveling from Honduras and made just in time for some tapas and cigars.

We had a great time on the beach.

Our local hero, Don Chilo, and his dog Pit

Of course, Ivan truck thought is was a great moment to destroy a tire before leaving :)

Half way up, Cataviña, time for a delicious Coco.

Dinner (or whatever, not sure about the time, food).

Lots of kilometers, but very amazing views all over.

Ensenada, too windy for camping, so we decided on a cheap hotel.

Must stop for tacos.

We made it to Tijuana

And after almost 5 hours at the border, we made it to the US, trip home wasn't bad, despite a 20 minute delay between San Diego and L.A.

The RRC made it home, without problems, and could keep 70+MPH when needed.

The whole trip: