Thread: LT95 crunch time

What do you consider exxy? A LT95 rebuild I was quoted around $2500 if I removed the gearbox myself which isn't too bad but at least the gearbox will last forever (my LT95 is solid but I'll be having it looked at whilst the Rangie is in a million bits ). IMO penny pinching isn't always the best option and having done so in the past I've always regretted it.

The R380 is a great unit to drive but I prefer the ruggedness of the LT95. It may be noisy and clunky but you can't kill them and they have great low gearing off-road

Trav

What about buying another second hand box? Good ones are out there, and they aren't expensive. Even if it gets you the bits you need to rebuild one.

If you have the dollars for an R380 then you will have a nicer box, but not as strong. But, when you price up a good R380 and all the bits needed to convert it, will you be any better off than having a good LT95 built?

Bearman, where for art thou?...

Seems the box isn't main issue, it's center diff. And I know that historically, if they weren't locked up when they should have been, they wore. So my bet is that any second hand box will probably have similar issue with center diff. Re dollars, am pricing bits ex UK. They are way cheaper, if freight isn't a killer, will most likely go rebuild kit and re built center diff. As you say with R380 there are other points. Would also have to change my driveshafts etc so that all adds up. Trick with LT95 used to be that if you even thought you might need center locked, you locked it well in advance. If there was any significant slip, they wore.

That's a new one on me. If you free wheel an LT230 it will do the same thing, but I've never heard of them wearing out due to this - I could be wrong, we need our resident LT95 expert to chime in I think.

I know the centre diff can have issues under certain circumstances, but not by not engaging them - lack of oil due to feed back past a sleeve is a known issue as is running the wrong oil in them.

They are by far the strongest box by a mile that LR ever used. A good rebuild on one will last another 30 years.

I'm not saying putting an R380 in is a bad idea, just that the LT95 isn't the POS you make it out to be.

Originally Posted by Meccles

Seems the box isn't main issue, it's center diff. And I know that historically, if they weren't locked up when they should have been, they wore. So my bet is that any second hand box will probably have similar issue with center diff. Re dollars, am pricing bits ex UK. They are way cheaper, if freight isn't a killer, will most likely go rebuild kit and re built center diff. As you say with R380 there are other points. Would also have to change my driveshafts etc so that all adds up. Trick with LT95 used to be that if you even thought you might need center locked, you locked it well in advance. If there was any significant slip, they wore.

Hi Meccles, What have they quoted you to reco the centre diff. If they are not badly worn under the thrust washers they are recoverable plus the cross shafts are usually worn. There is a mob in Melbourne that can reco them if not excessively worn. I do have a few centre diffs here that are in good condition and might be able to help you out cheaper that your quote if you want to PM me. Make sure they use quality bearings with the box rebuild, preferably RHP on the mainshaft and Timken on everything else, and use genuine synchros and gaskets. Cheers...Brian

Brian thanks for feedback will pm you separately. Re the LT95's I like them... a lot! For all reasons everyone listed. And, was always told (mind this was in 80's /early 90's) that as long as you looked after the center diff, major problems were rare. The thought of R380 I attribute to that draining of blood to brain when first quote to repair comes in!

Well Bearman has been great! I should have asked on forum first for LT95 expert, silly me! Appreciate his assistance, we are working on making this reasonable and will be rebuilding the 95

Thanks to Bearman, parts including center diff all in transit to shop. And way more reasonable than original quotes.