County questions

[sideways]

Hey guys.

A friend of mine is selling his ZD30 powered GQ and upgrading to a County 110 with the 4BD1 motor. I'm asking a few questions on his behalf as he doesn't have internet at the moment.

I'm pretty sure the County in question is a 1986 model. It's a trayback. A family friend has owned it for years, I've driven it quite a bit and I'm very impressed with it. It has great approach and departure angles, a flat bottom, good low range gearing, that wonderfully flexible 4BD1 and a well balanced suspension setup. It's most of the things I love about my LJ80 in bigger vehicle. :)

Anyway. First off, it appears to have a salisbury rear diff and a Rover front. Is that correct? I read they have range rover diffs back and front? He will be fitting lockers, are there any axle upgrades he should do?

The seats need replacing, the covers and foam are worn. Are defender seats the same? Where is the cheapest place to get them? The front panels have some damage, where is the cheapest place to get these?

Something I have always wanted to ask. The knobs on the window winders are spring loaded. You can pull the knob inwards 10mm or so and they return when you let go. What is the reason for this? It seems like over complication for no real reason!

Here's a pic of said county. Sorry for the crap pic, this was when we picked up my LJ81 so yeah.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/1497.jpg

Sorry for the noobness. :)

Thanks

Hayden

[Bush65]

I see it has lift up door handles. AFAIK early 86 had these, later 86 was the change over to the inferior push button handles.

Definitely Salisbury rear and rover front. Only 90's had a rover rear diff.

You can replace the seats or buy the necessary pieces to refurbish what are there.

Although officially called 110, JRA stretched the chassis of the tray backs to make the wheel base 120 inches to better suit an 2.4m tray.

[Distortion]

salisbury rear diff is easy, I've just put a detroit in mine and you'd have no idea it was there 99% of the time

Rover front is more of a problem.
These have 10 Spline Centers(Bad) but aeu2522 CVs(good)
He'll need to get a a 24 spline center and then replace the axles with some 23 to 24 spline ones I believe

[isuzurover]

I see it has lift up door handles. AFAIK early 86 had these, later 86 was the change over to the inferior push button handles.
...

Not sure on that - mine is 12/86 and still has lift up handles...

[sideways]

Thanks guys.

I had wondered how they drive with an autolocker, I thought it might be a bit odd with the full time 4WD. The Detroit sounds like a good option. Is the Salisbury strong enough to cope with the locker, 33s and some decent technical wheeling?

Am I right in thinking the only way to upgrade to a 24 spline front end and retain the stronger CVs is to get aftermarket axles?

[Distortion]

Your welcome to come have a drive of mine if you'd like. Auto lockers are fine for the rear but not the front. You can get manual lockers easy enough but I got the detroit for a 1/3 the cost of a manual locker and it's all I need seems to go every where my manual locked disco did.

Regarding the front thats pretty much the conclusion I came to. My understanding is you can use the existing crown, pinion from the ten spline as these just bolt to the new 24spline center you can then get aftermarket axles to the 23 spline CV.

If you found a disc to disc complete defender front axle that would also bolt in but standard axles are considered pretty weak and should be replaced regardless. The main advantage of this option is you are using standard spec just up rated over a rarer aftermarket mod

[Blknight.aus]

Not sure on that - mine is 12/86 and still has lift up handles...

change over was designed in EOFY 86 part were available till the production bins empties...

given the rate of sale of the shed class Im surprised you cant still get new ones with the lifty handles.

[Distortion]

change over was designed in EOFY 86 part were available till the production bins empties...

given the rate of sale of the shed class Im surprised you cant still get new ones with the lifty handles.


Probably rusted away in the warehouse

[sideways]

Your welcome to come have a drive of mine if you'd like. Auto lockers are fine for the rear but not the front. You can get manual lockers easy enough but I got the detroit for a 1/3 the cost of a manual locker and it's all I need seems to go every where my manual locked disco did.

Regarding the front thats pretty much the conclusion I came to. My understanding is you can use the existing crown, pinion from the ten spline as these just bolt to the new 24spline center you can then get aftermarket axles to the 23 spline CV.

If you found a disc to disc complete defender front axle that would also bolt in but standard axles are considered pretty weak and should be replaced regardless. The main advantage of this option is you are using standard spec just up rated over a rarer aftermarket mod

Thanks for the offer, I'm not the guy with the County so there's very little point though. :) I drive a Suzuki LJ80v with a lockrite in the back so I'm well versed on how auto lockers drive, I just thought the fulltime 4WD might show some odd characteristics. And I agree, an autolocker doesn't belong in the front, especially on a full time 4WD vehicle.

I cannot believe how expensive aftermarket axles are for landies!

According to this the oem 24 spline fronts are no stronger anyway. I've read some stuff saying the 24 splines are made from weaker steel.

http://www.ashcroft-transmissions.co.uk/images/uploads/front%20halfshaft.JPG

[Distortion]

they are considered stronger in general but who knows.

I'm not sure how many 10 spline options you'd even be able to get these days

[303gunner]

I cannot believe how expensive aftermarket axles are for landies!

According to this the oem 24 spline fronts are no stronger anyway. I've read some stuff saying the 24 splines are made from weaker steel.

http://www.ashcroft-transmissions.co.uk/images/uploads/front%20halfshaft.JPG
In OEM, the factory 24 spline CVs are weaker than the earlier AEU2522 CVs, but the combination of the bigger CVs with aftermarket 24 spl inner axles makes for the best combination of components.

Ashcroft are good, but Aussie company Hi-Tough Engineering (http://www.lrautomotive.com.au/contents/en-us/d689.html) on the Gold Coast are arguably better. And yes, more pricey than Suzuki. :confused:

[sideways]

they are considered stronger in general but who knows.

I'm not sure how many 10 spline options you'd even be able to get these days

Yeah, the idea would be to put a 24 spline locker in and upgrade the axles at the same time. I doubt he'l need stronger ones without a locker anyway. :)

[sideways]

In OEM, the factory 24 spline CVs are weaker than the earlier AEU2522 CVs, but the combination of the bigger CVs with aftermarket 24 spl inner axles makes for the best combination of components.

Ashcroft are good, but Aussie company Hi-Tough Engineering (http://www.lrautomotive.com.au/contents/en-us/d689.html) on the Gold Coast are arguably better. And yes, more pricey than Suzuki. :confused:

Yeah, that's the impression I got. :)

Even those 300m, made to order axles the guys are using in Vit floaters are cheaper than the majority of landy axles!