Back Road Nomad

While I’ve been back in a Rover for a while now, something didn’t seem right compared to my last one.

Shade. It needed shade!

And a bonus, aside from the increased area over my old rectangular awning, this 180 is much easier to deploy and stow.

As “they” say, Rovers really are an addiction. For my first couple years of doing photography at SCARR - South Central Area Rover Rally, I didn’t have a Rover. One year I drove my Xterra out there, and the next, my old K5 Blazer. Right at a month before my third SCARR, I drank the kool-aid and bought an LR4. It served me well for 4 years. I absolutely loved it.

Last spring, I sold the LR4 and bought a 4x4 pickup. It was nice and all, I loved the Ecodiesel, but I really missed the capability, luxury, and turning radius of the Rover.

Taking photos at SCARR again this year was a bit bittersweet without the D4, but I left there knowing the truck wouldn’t be around much longer.

Sooo…say hello to my ”new” 2018 Discovery TD6 HSE Lux! The drive back from OKC was heavenly, and I can’t wait to get it offroad as well as do a couple more mods to it.

SCARR 2023 Photos! For the entire collection of photos, go to the link below (5x more photos).

Updated link!
https://www.landrethphotography.com/Cars/Drives-and-Rallies/SCARR/SCARR-2023

Not really but thought this was pretty funny. Even with the high diesel prices, my new to me Ecodiesel is cheaper to drive than Amy’s Explorer.

Ironically, a 2010 LR4 with LED taillights won’t recognize a connected trailer if it has LED lights. Annoying that it takes this to get that little trailer light to flash, but it works properly now!

And yes, I need to screw down the other ends of the resistors still. They are 50w 10 ohm resistors. I wanted the highest wattage capacity with the highest ohms I could get away with, to reduce heat.

Apparently my LR4 came home from the shop with not just a new thermostat, but a supercharger.

Many of you have heard me say the motor needs replaced. Here’s your proof. All that reddish stuff caked on inside that water pump inlet, after scraping some off, I picked it up with a magnet. 😬

No motor rebuild or swap just yet, but a new water pump is a must for the new radiator.

Slow progress is still progress.

The slow, evaporative leak on the old boy finally became more than he could bear.

A beautiful evening yesterday. A little rain overnight and today, but overall wonderful to get outside, away from the city for the Texas Overland Spring Roundup.

Looking forward to some BBQ too!

Teaser.

(Taking what looked like the original, less traveled path around a curve instead of the easy diversion.)