80" Diff ratio change

[Charlie's brother]

Hello People

I have an 1953 80" (Tuppence) with long nose diffs. I have stripped it down and have got about half way through a full restoration, I am at the stage where I have done lots of work but there is nothing to show for it except if you unpack all of the boxes and shelves full of new parts and reconditioned items.
Anyway I have stripped the front axle and upon inspection the crown wheel and the pinion are both shot with huge craters on both sides of the teeth. It seems that they have been driven through salt water and sand without any oil to protect them. The pinion bearing had collapsed as well allowing the ingress of the aforementioned minerals resulting in the internals being in need of replacement.
I have thought about making the ratio 4.1:1. I see lots of product out there but will any of it fit into a series 1 and more particularly an 80"? Has anyone done it and was it worth it?

Cheers Nick

[wrinklearthur]

If you put that ratio diff in a 80" with the original motor, You will need sunglasses to protect your eyes from the glare of the push bike tail lights as they flash by you. :p

[Lotz-A-Landies]

A 1953 shouldn't have long nose diffs, it should have the standard pinion 4.7:1 ratio common to Land Rovers from mid 1950 to 1980. The long nose diff ended mid way through 1950.

If you want to have increased road speed then fit 7.00 16 tyres, or change the rims to 5.5" wide and fit 7.50 16 tyres, that's about as far as you can go on the 2 litre engine

[russellrovers]

Hello People

I have an 1953 80" (Tuppence) with long nose diffs. I have stripped it down and have got about half way through a full restoration, I am at the stage where I have done lots of work but there is nothing to show for it except if you unpack all of the boxes and shelves full of new parts and reconditioned items.
Anyway I have stripped the front axle and upon inspection the crown wheel and the pinion are both shot with huge craters on both sides of the teeth. It seems that they have been driven through salt water and sand without any oil to protect them. The pinion bearing had collapsed as well allowing the ingress of the aforementioned minerals resulting in the internals being in need of replacement.
I have thought about making the ratio 4.1:1. I see lots of product out there but will any of it fit into a series 1 and more particularly an 80"? Has anyone done it and was it worth it?

Cheers Nick53 diffs here put straihght in

[Charlie's brother]

Thankyou people,

It looks like the general consensus form 3 members is "Don't do it"!

Advice taken.

Cheers Nick

[Lotz-A-Landies]

If you can find any, when Holden engines were fitted some people used to fit 4.3:1 diffs from Rover P3 (Rover 90), this worked a bit like an overdrive but you effectively lost 1st gear as 1st became a bit like second.

The other option is to fit an overdrive, Fairey/Toro/Roamerdrive, this fts in the PTO hole and gives you overdrive plus leaves the standard ratios intact.

Some people suggest on a Series 1 engine the overdrive is only useful with a tail wind or down hill.

[Charlie's brother]

Thanks Diana, much appreciated

Nick