Thread: The R380 in Aus

We have an 06 Defender and have had a 99 Defender with R380's in the past. Both these have had oil cooler lines to the front of the engine block and loop back, or the lines are actually the cooler.

We also have a TD5 Disco with an R380 and this does have an oil cooler.

Erich

Steve

In the Euro Zone, R380 don't have any external cooling and (at least in the UK) have a reputation for cooking the gearset, particularly when used with heavy loads over distance UK style. (I don't know what that means, but I suspect that "long distance" in England would be the equivalent of Sydney to Penrith in less than 2 days. )

When you compare a R380 (or even LT77) externally with one of the US light truck boxes such as the New Process or New Venture boxes there is a world of difference in size and therefore oil capacity.

IMHO, if you plan long distance trips (Aust. Standards) or towing heavy loads, then I would be supplementing the external cooler pipes with an actual cooler element, such as one used for an auto-trans. No one in Australia ever complains that their transmission fluid was too cool after a long drive.

Diana

Mine doesn't have a cooler and has been all over Oz and I've never put a spanner on it.If people put as much time into correct maintenance practises as they did in believing old wives tales there vehicles would be better for it. Pat

Originally Posted by PAT303

Mine doesn't have a cooler and has been all over Oz and I've never put a spanner on it.If people put as much time into correct maintenance practises as they did in believing old wives tales there vehicles would be better for it. Pat

pat could i set about my gearbox do ya reckon its got the 2-3 selection thing going on and some backlash .....what are your thoughts?
Or would i be better buying a new one.
Dont worry about the p.m. i sent ya i sussed it out by myself and after a little dance around the drive i cracked on with some other jobs lol

Euro spec has a bypass pipe on the side of the gearbox.
The ROW spec has a thermostatically controlled takeoff instead of the pipe.

It is an easy job to fit the thermostat then 2 hoses to a Mocal or the Land Rover oil cooler. both parts are available or use the Mocal matrix cooler.

They are mounted in front of all the Rads secured between the V bars behind the grill.

The British Army Wolfs have them as standard. We fitted one before we traveled and personally are happy with a bit of preventative maintenance. Its up to you.

Heres the link

Transmission & drivetrain

Just out of interest we approached Ashcroft's 3 years asking for a kit they didn't sell one so helped us out by supplying the takeoff thermostat good to see them selling the kit.

Originally Posted by lardy

pat could i set about my gearbox do ya reckon its got the 2-3 selection thing going on and some backlash .....what are your thoughts?
Or would i be better buying a new one.
Dont worry about the p.m. i sent ya i sussed it out by myself and after a little dance around the drive i cracked on with some other jobs lol

Mine got a bit cranky at 400,000K's but Redline MTL fixed it right up.Try it and see. Pat

Originally Posted by PAT303

Mine got a bit cranky at 400,000K's but Redline MTL fixed it right up.Try it and see. Pat

Sorry to be dumb Pat but I am just like it lol Is that a product like morleys oil additive ?? cheers mate

Mine doesn't have a cooler and it too has been all over Oz...

The R380s run fine without the cooler (even under extended heavy loads) as long as you use the correct oil.

M