Land Rover Monthly

FAMILY FAVOURITE

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"GAVIN TRANSFORME­D HIS TRUCK INTO A BRILLIANT OFF-ROAD AND CAMPING COMBO"

MUSCLE: 2002 Discovery 2 POWER: 2.5-litre Td5 (300 bhp) OWNER: Gavin Hardacer

ALL the heavy metal on display today looks very tasty – not least the 2002 Discovery 2, driven here by Gavin Hardacer. Yet he bought it for just £75 from its previous owner, who was glad to get rid of it because of 'an engine problem', which the talented mechanic cured by rebuilding the Td5 lump. The chassis was in better-than-average condition and required just a little welding before Gavin went on to transform his truck into a brilliant off-road and camping combo. It’s also a versatile family vehicle, so it’s no surprise that he drove down from Whitworth, Lancashire, with his wife Emma and their children Mason, Bridie and Lois.

To improve off-road performanc­e, Gavin has fifitted a Discovery 1 transfer box with diff lock. He also gave it a two-inch lift with adjustable shock turrets and fifitted heavy-duty bumpers and winch, from Terrafifir­ma. There’s also an ARB roof tent, which sleeps three, leaving room in the back for a double bed. A foldaway table is fifitted to the rear door and an awning completes the camping rig.

To improve performanc­e, the Td5 engine has been remapped to produce 300 bhp. Gavin made his own anti-roll bar links to stiffen the suspension and improve on-road handling. “It’s capable off-road, but you can still drive it on the motorway like a normal car,” he says.

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