Thread: To overdrive or not?

Try putting it in 5th gear.

Gosh, hate to state what may seam silly, but is it:

a) in 5th ?
in low range ?
c) had reduction gears fitted (check with previous owner ?)

Cheers,

Pete

5th gear Defender td5 close enough to 2,500 rpm at 100 km/h with standard tyres and gearing.
Overdrive 5th gear (or overdrive, overdrive) approx 2,000 rpm and with disco t/c about the middle of the two.

Roamerdrive overdrive around $2,500 and a well made unit, I have had mine in for about 40k klm's and love it.
Towing in 4th overdrive brings me back to 2,500 rpm so near enough to the same as straight 5th.

Apart from the ratio difference between an add on overdrive and disco t/c with
the Roamerdrive disengaged you still retain original defender high range gearing which is pretty important if you tow as the taller disco gearing is not that great for taking off in first gear.
Having said that I have forgotten to take it out of overdrive on numerous occasions and still got going again ok just a bit more clutch
Mind you I have a remap and vnt etc. so that does make a difference.

Both option have their pros and cons but I chose the Roamerdrive for the taller gearing and easy to fit myself.

Cheers,
Paul.

You tow anything other than a small empty trailer in 5th gear and you will kill ur g/box. 5th gear is meant as an overdrive so to speak as its not 1 to 1 gearing like 4th is. The strain on the 5th gear componentry will kill it eventually. Its the same with all g/boxes, manual or auto. Lock up clutches in autos can slip too if u tow in overdrive/5th.
Anyway just my 2 cents worth.

Cheers Rod

Sent from my GT-I9507 using AULRO mobile app

Originally Posted by LR V8

Gosh, hate to state what may seam silly, but is it:

a) in 5th ?
in low range ?
c) had reduction gears fitted (check with previous owner ?)

Cheers,

Pete

Definitely 5th, stock gearing and high range.

Thanks Harro,
Does the unit generate any additional wining/noise?

Originally Posted by LouNat58

Thanks Harro,
Does the unit generate any additional wining/noise?

Yes but it quietens down over time.
There is some bedding in of the gears which takes a few thousands klm's to settle down.
I can't hear it at all now

Have a look at the Roamerdrive website, there is quite a bit of info there.

Cheers,
Paul.

I've got the Roamerdrive O/D in a 300Tdi 110SW. The reduction from about 2,400rpm to 2,000rpm makes the car so much quieter. Once the engine warms and loses it's diesel harshness, the loudest noise at 100kph is the air hitting the snorkel (I do have floor & seatbox insulation too).

Imagine the engine speed and noise when you're doing 80kph in 5th, and that's the noise level at 100kph in O/D (plus a bit for the extra 20kph of wind noise).

Consider the extended finned TC sump if fitting the O/D. Not only does it increase oil capacity and cooling, but provides a flat surface against which to place a block of wood when jacking up the TC. Making it easier to balance on a trolley jack.

Since you have the TD5 with the oil cooler pipes, think about adding an oil cooler to the gearbox. A reduction in gearbox temps will reduce underseat temps and make the AC work better. The gearbox will also act as a heatsink for the TC, further reducing TC Temps.

Another good thing about having the O/D is you get 3 gear levers in the transmission tunnel, the way Land Rovers were supposed to be!