transmission guard for defender

[urumax82]

anyone have one of these on there car and what do you think ????

[n plus one]

Yes and it seems to do the job (at least so far).

Be aware that you need to drain the TC to fit.

[urumax82]

Yes and it seems to do the job (at least so far).

Be aware that you need to drain the TC to fit.
what do you mean by TC ?

[Dervish]

what do you mean by TC ?

Transfer case.

[urumax82]

why do you need to drain the TC before fitting the guard ?

[n plus one]

why do you need to drain the TC before fitting the guard ?

Because one of the mounting bolts goes into the inner case of the TC, when you remove it to fit the guard all the TC oil ends up on your driveway...

[simmo]

The TC & GB on a defender is tucked up pretty high between the chassis rails, I was looking at my TC recently, (pretending it's not leaking). Not a mark on either of them, plenty of marks on the chassis rails though. I think a transfer case and gearbox guard would be a long way down my accessory list. unless you have a special reason or local conditions to fit one.:)

[Scallops]

The TC & GB on a defender is tucked up pretty high between the chassis rails, I was looking at my TC recently, (pretending it's not leaking). Not a mark on either of them, plenty of marks on the chassis rails though. I think a transfer case and gearbox guard would be a long way down my accessory list. unless you have a special reason or local conditions to fit one.:)

On your Defender! The Puma hand brake drum sits just below chassis level - a good reason to fit one of these guards. I organised a group buy of these some years ago and everyone was very happy with the product.

[FeatherWeightDriver]

On your Defender! The Puma hand brake drum sits just below chassis level - a good reason to fit one of these guards. I organised a group buy of these some years ago and everyone was very happy with the product.

The handbrake drum always did look exposed to me...

Scallops would you mind posting a pic of your handbrake drum with the guard installed?

[Scallops]

The handbrake drum always did look exposed to me...

Scallops would you mind posting a pic of your handbrake drum with the guard installed?


https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/08/949.jpg (http://s1314.photobucket.com/user/dandienes1/media/imagejpg1_zps7c73e6bc.jpg.html)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/08/950.jpg (http://s1314.photobucket.com/user/dandienes1/media/imagejpg2_zpsb1dd457a.jpg.html)

[djam1]

One thing to consider is that the Puma transfer cases run very hot with many early failures.
The addition of the guard appears to inhibit the airflow hence cooling this is likely to help what is a known issue.

[Scallops]

Maybe not the best pic but I can assure anyone who might wish to fit one of these that airflow and/or convection cooling are not adversely affected by these guards. If anything, the connectivity to the actual case might dissipate heat better. With over 100,000km on the clock, I had MR Auto do their TC case mod (*) as preventative maintainance and they reported that all within is in excellent condition, with nothing (see below) needing replacement.

Conversely, if you do any serious off-roading, this guard will prevent damage that, if it were to occur, would ruin your TC.

* "The transfer case is machined to place a steel plug for the shaft & seal to rotate through. Minimal wear. They remove your T/case, check all your internals, inspect & replace bits where needed, replaces bearings, seals & shims, in a modified case."

[PAT303]

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/08/949.jpg (http://s1314.photobucket.com/user/dandienes1/media/imagejpg1_zps7c73e6bc.jpg.html)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/08/950.jpg (http://s1314.photobucket.com/user/dandienes1/media/imagejpg2_zpsb1dd457a.jpg.html)

The hand brake sits 20mm below the chassis so you fitted a guard that sits 40mm below the chassis?.The wieght of a defender on that guard might just cause more damage to the Transfer than having a bent hand brake drum and leave you stranded. Pat

[Scallops]

The hand brake sits 20mm below the chassis so you fitted a guard that sits 40mm below the chassis?.The wieght of a defender on that guard might just cause more damage to the Transfer than having a bent hand brake drum and leave you stranded. Pat

Yes I did. I guess I trust the extensive testing done by Devon 4X4 on this product - more so than the random opinions of internet strangers. Crazy hey? :p Devon replied, when I asked a similar line of question about the product, that they had setup a test bed to belly drag a Defender, with the guard fitted, so that the guard took much of the vehicle weight - test repeated on various vehicles, multiple times - and all without issue.

Defender 2007> transmission guard (http://www.devon4x4.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage_new.tpl&product_id=1225&category_id=1013390&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=14)

If any of the many who bought one of these in my group buy has had any dramas with these - or if anyone has an example of actual issues, I'm all ears.

In the meantime - second thinking my curiosity - I thought I'd venture back out into the bigger AULRO scene and help out in a post I have some knowledge of - only to remember why I stopped posting in these areas. Lesson learnt.

[PAT303]

Sorry for hurting your feelings,I just asked a question,maybe you should have posted a bit more info on tests done by Devon 4X4 instead of carrying on like a drama queen,better run home to mum. Pat

[Scallops]

Sorry for hurting your feelings,I just asked a question,maybe you should have posted a bit more info on tests done by Devon 4X4 instead of carrying on like a drama queen,better run home to mum. Pat

Thanks for the advice. BTW - I have one of these guards - I'm trying to help the OP with accurate info, rather than conjecture. My comment was relating to a general attitude - no matter, my "feelings" remain intact.

Maybe I should have posted a bit more about the Devon testing? Logic isn't your strong point, is it? Can I borrow your (or Summiitt's) crystal ball? I can then perhaps preempt your next random unsubstantiated criticism - precomment, and save you the bother.

[PAT303]

I'd like to know how many people have damaged their T/C enough to warrant a guard,like djam1 posted the T/C gets very hot and actually needs the bigger sump with cooling fins other than a guard that blocks the heat and turns it into a load bearing device. Pat

[pannawonica]

Rocky Mountain spares do a bolt on replacement T/C cover that increases oil capacity, however it has been said it does not fit the Puma due to exhaust clearance.They claim it reduces running temperature problem. :D

[n plus one]

I came very close to giving my brake/TC a severe bashing a while back - dropped the truck into its chassis rails on a rock ledge right near the drum.
Fitted a TC guard since and have given it a few knocks (based on the gouges anyway) - it's really only an issue when rock crawling (for want of a better term).

Re the heat issue - I've noticed no difference in TC operating temps - suspect they're more of a high speed than low speed issue and the clearance of the guard negates any temp increase when there's high levels of airflow?

Regardless, I'm pretty sure you'll do a lot more harm to your TC by sticking to the (ridiculously long) standard oil change interval than from fitting a guard. I drop my TC oil every 20k now - comes out beautiful and clear (with no bronze). When it was done at the standard interval (and pre guard fitment) it came out looking (and smelling) cooked.

Hope this helps the OP with their decision.