To overdrive or not?

[LouNat58]

Hi All,
Newby question here. I picked up my 2002 TD5 Fender about 6 weeks ago.
I am enjoying driving to and from work daily. Looking forward to taking out off road soon too.
I am happy with it's performance without having to mod the ecu, however I am not too impressed with the engine seemingly red lining at 100 kms/hr!

So I have been googling the possibility of either adding a overdrive or a D2 TC.
Does anyone know what overdrives are available for TD5 fender? or is the D@ TC the go? What would the costs be?

Ta
Louis
Melbourne

[XSiV]

Try putting it in 5th gear. [emoji6]

[LR V8]

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

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

Cheers,

Pete

[harro]

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:angel:) 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:angel:
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.

[67hardtop]

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

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[LouNat58]

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

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

Cheers,

Pete

Definitely 5th, stock gearing and high range.

[LouNat58]

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

[harro]

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.

[Michael2]

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!

[LouNat58]

Tons of great info there guys, thanks a lot. October looks like being when I will splurge on Roamerdrive, can't wait.

[spudfan]

Installation instructions
Global Roamer Corporation (http://roamerdrive.com/ds_install.html)

[Michael2]

Tons of great info there guys, thanks a lot. October looks like being when I will splurge on Roamerdrive, can't wait.

You'll enjoy it. Just a little note, which I don't think will be an issue for a TD5. On the Tdi torque comes in at about 1900rpm, so a slightly extended climb on the freeway at O/D 5th would see the revs drop to the point where a downshift was necessitated. But it's easy as you can leave the OD on and just downshift the gearbox, which is actually better for the gearbox, as 4th is a 1:1 output and the OD transfers power through a planetary gear arrangement, so doesn't experience the stress that the 5th gear componentry would.

If you want to hold OD 5th longer, then I'd recommend a VNT Turbo :) which would of course need a bigger intercooler.

.....oh it never stops!

[LouNat58]

VNT turbo hey? Seems I have more research to do :-)

[LouNat58]

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

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Hi Rod,
Is your statement in relation to using the Roverdrive or the D2 t/c?
I am still researching, but just about to jump.

Regards
Lou

[isuzurover]

You tow anything other than a small empty trailer in 5th gear and you will kill ur g/box. ...Its the same with all g/boxes, manual or auto....

Sorry but this is a load of the proverbial.
If the gearbox is strong enough and properly lubricated you can tow all day in 5th or 6th. Landrover boxes included.

I have been towing a 5.5m boat and twin axle box trailer for years behind my LT85 in 5th with no sign of deterioration. Synthetic gear oil and regular changes back to 4th to re-oil 5th as advised by Mal Story (Maxi-Drive).

There are isuzu truck gearboxes where 5th and 6th are both overdrive gears. Do you think everyone drives them around in 4th at 80 km/h when they have a load on?!?!?! :D :D :D

This comment has come up on here before and been well refuted many times, yet it keeps appearing.

The bottom line is, if you run good quality synthetic oil and change down to 4th when the revs drop, then your box will last just as long as an aftermarket overdrive.

[67hardtop]

If you speak to any REPUTABLE gearbox repairer they will tell you exactly what ive said in my previous post. Smart ppl can tow in overdrive as long as they dont overload their drive train and change down gears to stop unneccesary loading of the drive train, but the average joe blow isnt smart enough and just sticks it in 5th or 6th and goes for it and destroys the box. 4th gear is the strongest gear in a manual box as its 1 to 1 gearing (99.9% of gear boxes anyway) not counting trucks etc. If you have an overdrive fitted as an accessory gearbox then the strain is still taken in it when towing and unless the manufacturer of the o/drive says its ok then i wouldnt do it in case it damages it. But this is only my experience and advice, you can take it in any way you feel fit to or even completely ignore it. Its up to you to research it more and ask the ppl who know gearboxes and recondition them daily. Call 360 gearboxes. They know what they're talking about.

Cheers Rod

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[isuzurover]

If you speak to any REPUTABLE gearbox repairer they will tell you exactly what ive said in my previous post. ...


What a load of twaddle.

I have spoken to reputable gearbox repairers. I also know people who design gearboxes for a living.

Some trucks run in overdrive gears most of the time. Here is a big discussion on the relative merits of overdrive vs direct drive from Eaton.
Direct Drive or Overdrive? (http://www.eaton.com/Eaton/ProductsServices/Vehicle/Expertise/expert-articles/direct-drive-overdrive/index.htm)

[B.S.F.]

On my O/D the power is transmitted through the O/D even when the O/D is not engaged. Are truck O/Ds constructed the same way, or are they by passed when disengaged ?
.W.

[DiscoMick]

Another answer is to get a Puma Defender with 6 gears and then 100 kmh is 2000 revs in sixth. Mind you, don't drop below 90kmh in 6th - better to change down. This means in 80 kmh zones I am in 5th.

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