Thread: Differences SWB vs LWB

Originally Posted by geodon

Apart from the obvious propshafts, brakes, exhaust etc are most of the mechanicals interchangeable?

The engine is obviously the same but gear box & diff ratios??

Are the brakes different between SWB and LWB? I thought they only changed for the 6cyl LWB by going wider in the drum and adding a booster.
I'm sure the gearboxs and diffs are the same ratios between the SWB and LWB, but these changed with vintage (check for sII box and suffix).
They are all 4.7 diffs.


For comparing SWB 4cyl to LWB 4cyl, differences that I know of:
Rear propshaft
Exhaust
Spring rates
Rear spring location. Under the chassis for SWB, outboard for LWB - this affects the axle spring perch widths too, so the axles dont interchange without fabrication.
Late LWB ran a Salisbury rear axle, others ran the Rover axle.

brakes

swb 3/4" master cyl
lwb 1" master cyl

swb front brakes have a 10" drum brake assembly 2.5" (?) shoe and drum width
lwb have 11" drum brake assembly with a 3"(?) shoe and drum width on the 6cyl and 2.5"(?) on the 4 cyl

As indicated above 10" to 11" brakes and 3/4" to 1" M/C, with wider front brakes on the 6cylinder. Also, swb has one leading/one trailing shoe front and rear, lwb has two leading shoe on the front.

Gearbox and diff ratios are all the same, and the only difference in gearboxes is the bell housing is different on the six. Front axles are the same, as is all steering gear. Rear axles are different - the 88 has the springs under the chassis and the 109 has them outside the chassis, so the spring pads are different. (very late S2a had a salisbury rear axle which has too long a nose to fit on an 88, even with the spring mounts shifted) Springs and shock absorbers are different. The bulkhead behind the seats is further back on the 109, which makes for a number of other differences in body fittings.

Then there are a number of bits that are standard on one wheelbase and optional on the other. For example, 5" wheels on the 88, 5.5" on the 109, deluxe bonnet on the 109, adjustable drivers seat standard on 109 part of the time, that sort of thing.

John

THNX TO ALL!

As my 186 Holden powered 2A tray rapidly nears completion, I'm contemplating purchasing a pretty much un-restorable/parts vehicle to source bits to LEISURELY revert it back to a 2.25. Obviously a LWB will be preferable.

I'm in no rush. It may not happen. The Holden seeeeems to be working great ATM. It's the 1st time I've been up close & personal with one & whilst the engineering does not stir my soul, I've been impressed with the no nonsense, efficient mass production design of the bugger!

Nothing exemplifies this more than each side of the adaptor.

Holden engine attaches via 4 bolts.
LR GB attaches via 12 bolts.