What gearbox for a Rangie?

De-Ranged · Post by **De-Ranged** » Tue Apr 27, 2004 10:56 pm

I'm after some sugestions on a possable new gearbox (The old one needs rebuilding after running it home with a blown and crunching rear diff)

I was looking at putting a LT230 transfer box in as this gives me the option of pto or a hydrolic winch
Possably matting it up to a 5 speed Range Rover (pre 89).... but I've heard they arn't very strong??

The Rover is a dayly driver (when its going) and it will clock alot of miles but it also see's alot of offroad and when its finished she'll be doing club runs so I need a stong box!

Any ideas??

Cheers Reece

lilpigzuk · Post by **lilpigzuk** » Wed Apr 28, 2004 9:39 am

The ole 4 spd was the strongest box ever made by Land Rover. The LT77 used in early Discos is not as strong, but then I havent heard of many "breaking" The R380 used in the later Series One Disco's and Series II is stronger but Need to mod bellhousing to fit I believe.
One of the guys at Forward Specs did the 5 speed conversion (I think with an LT77) to his Rangie you could possibly talk to them??.....

cheers
Rex

De-Ranged · Post by **De-Ranged** » Wed Apr 28, 2004 10:26 pm

Thanks for that the R380 sounds like it could be the one since I'm doing the bell housing when I drop the lexus in
Time to do some more research

know of a cheap box and trans

Cheers Reece

lowbox · Post by **lowbox** » Thu Apr 29, 2004 6:25 am

ZF Auto and LT230 combo. Strong, and the winch challenge boys are going auto these days - good smooth power delivery on climbs, and you can learn to drive them downhill.

The 5 speed LT77 is good but suffers from premature mainshaft wear due to a design fault not oiling the splines. If you get one with 60+ k's on it you may need a new mainshaft $$$$.

There is a much rarer stronger 5 speed box the LT85 "Santana" box but I doubt you'll find one - and I'm not selling mine ;-)

De-Ranged · Post by **De-Ranged** » Sat May 01, 2004 11:57 pm

Thanks for the tip Lowbox

don't know about the auto, yea I know the theory, they are better for generating torgue at the wheels but...... :roll:

I guess I just don't like them :lol:

Hmmm the LT85 sounds like the one, either that or the R380
Now all I need to do is find one that I can aford

Thanks for the info

Cheers Reece

Bodge · Post by **Bodge** » Tue May 04, 2004 12:38 pm

Get the ZF - you won't regret it...

Designed for more torque than your Rover can produce.

Manual is the old school choice for off-roading but Auto is soooo much better. I have driven both hard and I have a manual. Want the Auto Want the auto....

Beg borrow try one off-road - you will love it...

De-Ranged · Post by **De-Ranged** » Tue May 04, 2004 10:20 pm

I wish you hadn't said that, I was working on the idea that i could turn a predudished, blind eye to the ZF.... Its bit hard to ignore the amount of Rover tuff trucks that are running them..

Thanks for that bodge, I'll add it to the list of possables

Cheers Reece

Rangerat · Post by **Rangerat** » Wed May 05, 2004 10:32 am

Crysler 727 torqueflight? as fitted to the early Rangie auto's.
Totaly bullet proof as they were made to go behind yank big block V8's
Also they should be fairly easy to find.
This is whats in the beast and I for one would not go near a manual off road. (it's just so easy)

Rat

Bodge · Post by **Bodge** » Thu May 06, 2004 11:56 am

The only criticism of the Crysler slush box that I have heard is its ability to sap even more power from our anemic V8's.... If you went that way there are plenty of spares but you might want to consider more engine capacity.

Rangerat · Post by **Rangerat** » Thu May 06, 2004 2:58 pm

Very true Bodge they do suck the life out of the standard 3.5. But I'm working on that little problem :twisted:

Rat

De-Ranged · Post by **De-Ranged** » Fri May 07, 2004 9:56 am

Hey Ranger.. just a couple of Q's Crysler box any taller than the ZF, its just that this wagon is a daily driver that will be clocking alot of road K's

As for the power up :wink:

I think the 4L lexus should push it along well enough....

Cheers Reece

Bodge · Post by **Bodge** » Fri May 07, 2004 10:19 am

Good on ya Rat - i knew i could count on you...

I am thinking something around 5 litres should do the trick anything more than that is cream

Rangerat · Post by **Rangerat** » Fri May 07, 2004 10:44 am

De-ranged

I'll check out the final ratio's for you and drop a line or two.

Rat

Rangerat · Post by **Rangerat** » Sun May 09, 2004 8:21 am

The final ratio is the same for the 5 speed, ZF and 727 the 4 speed (strangely) is different and has a final drive 1.12 to 1 all the rest are 1 to 1 except 5th in the 5 speed of course.

Rat

Rangerat · Post by **Rangerat** » Sun May 09, 2004 8:37 am

Right, just reread that and what a stuff up (brain fade) 8O

The 4 speed, 5 speed (4th), 727 and ZF (3rd) are all 1 to 1.
5th (5 speed) and 4th (ZF) are overdrives.
Final drives thru the trans box are all very close.

I'm going out to the shed now to fiddle before I confuse myself more.

Rat

De-Ranged · Post by **De-Ranged** » Sun May 09, 2004 9:41 am

Thanks for that Rat....

I think I've got it

both the 727 and the ZF are a 3 speed auto box with a overdrive (4th gear) that has similar ratio to the 5th gear in the manual box ??

Yes

Cheers Reece

Rangerat · Post by **Rangerat** » Sun May 09, 2004 1:32 pm

Close

The 727 is 3 speed only.

Rat