Thread: Td5 defender r380 gearbox failure. Help.

Originally Posted by Franksd

1 week into our trip around oz my 130 td5 snapped the gearbox mainshaft in rural SA. I got the ute towed to Port Lincoln where Peter Owen has diagnosed the issue. The box was reckoned recently but is 4 months out of warranty so is not covered. The workshop who did the recon is in Sydney and does not have another r380 so would I would need to freight mine too and from him which is 4 to 5 days each way plus rebuild and fitting time. I am traveling with my wife, 6 month old and 2 year old so we don’t want to be stuck here too long. I am having trouble sourcing another defender r380. Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks.

It will be quicker to buy one with HD 5th gear upgrade from Ashcrofts in UK , Airfreight is less than the 20% VAT you save. Better gearbox for less money than you pay locally. Is what I did when we blew our R380 on a round Aust trip.

Ashcroft Transmissions

Originally Posted by goingbush

It will be quicker to buy one with HD 5th gear upgrade from Ashcrofts in UK , Airfreight is less than the 20% VAT you save. Better gearbox for less money than you pay locally. Is what I did when we blew our R380 on a round Aust trip.

Ashcroft Transmissions

That would be my first choice as well, but realistically it would take a couple of weeks for them to arrive & clear customs.

TRS?
I think that's who did the reco on my step dad's R380 for Suttons in Alice Springs a few years back.

I'll ask, or Big Jon may be at the to confirm?

Just heard back from Ashcrofts. $2400 aud shipped. Sounds good but they will take 1 week before they have one ready to send. How efficient are Australian customs?

TRS have quoted $1800 to recon my box if the rest of the box is ok with a 4 day build time. Freight around $250. Seems these late model r380’s are a bit hard to find.

If you are desperate I have one near Melrose in a container that could be shipped to Peter if needed.
The box is one I bought it had done 90000 km with failed 5th gear bearings.
I replaced the 5th gear bearings and oil pump and assume its ok but have never driven it.

Peter is going to crack it open today so see if what the damage is. He said he may be able to do a basic rebuild himself but hasn’t done one in a while. Did I see you at the toy museum a few days ago?

Give rovercraft a ring they might have one in stock. Perth sydney or melb