Thread: Quandary

Originally Posted by Alpal

I'm trying to solve a mystry.
My 2a parts vehicle was origonally a six cylinder, now fitted with a 202 holden motor coupled to a Suffix F (1979 range rover) gearbox. What's with that?

Someone chucked it together with what they had lying around?

Chucked together is being too kind, you should see the motor mounts! I was hoping a better gear ratio might have something to do with it.

Originally Posted by Alpal

Chucked together is being too kind, you should see the motor mounts! I was hoping a better gear ratio might have something to do with it.

Yeah, well the Series gearing doesn't really suit the Holden conversions. But 1:1 is 1:1. Is it also a RRC transfer case?

Originally Posted by Tins

Yeah, well the Series gearing doesn't really suit the Holden conversions. But 1:1 is 1:1. Is it also a RRC transfer case?

Suffix F gearbox from 1979 Range Rover is not series gearing is it? I have no idea about transfer case but it has no overdrive if that's what your thinking.
Unrelated. bulletproof cars prelong the plight aparently . Morituri Nolumus Mori.

Will be an LT95 4 speed gearbox if out of a 70's Rangie. Not sure on the TC ratios though but they are a strong box - will stand up to the Holden engine basically forever whereas the Series boxes not necessarily.

Originally Posted by Homestar

Will be an LT95 4 speed gearbox if out of a 70's Rangie. Not sure on the TC rations though but they are a strong box - will stand up to the Holden engine basically forever whereas the Series boxes not necessarily.

That made me rush out and check things and you are correct, four speed pluss reverse. A pleasant surprise indeed. Could make it worth keeping. Is that a common conversion and if so what else to look for? My project has 186 with a Suffix B gearbox, salsbury diff and God only knows what else. Stainless fuel tanks. Living the dream.lol

Defiantly worth keeping even if it needs work but if it hasn't been abused or done 400,000KM it will probably be fine. Much stronger box and overdrives are available if needed but a little rare but can be got if you keep your eyes peeled. If it's already been grafted to a 202 you have everything needed to bolt the 186 up to anyway so I'd be using this any day of the week over a series box. Check it hasn't got gear oil in it - they run engine oil. If it has gear oil in it then it's likely to have sheared the oil pump drive at some stage - which isn't a killer as the box will still work but if it's anything like mine it will just be a bit hard to get between gears when cold.

Parts are still available for them as the Perentie boxes are a more recent derivative of the early LT95's

The major issue with using the LT95 in a Series Landrover (other than a Series 3 Stage 1, which had it from new), is that it is designed for full time four wheel drive, with a centre differential between the front and rear outputs, with a vacuum operated lock diff lock.

The problem with this for Series Landrovers is that with exceptions* the "steering" universals in the front axle of Series Landrovers are simple cross and bearing universals, which give kickback through the steering when on corners on hard surfaces.

*Early 80" Series 1 were full time four wheel drive, and had Tracta CV universals in the front axle. Series 3 Stage 1 V8 (and Isuzu in Australia) were full time four wheel drive and used the LT95, and had similar CV joints to those used in coil spring Landrovers.


Because of this issue, it is very rare to see the LT95 in Series Landrovers except for Series 3 Stage 1. The special parts used in the swivels of either the early 80" or in the Stage 1 axle are difficult to find. Some have converted the LT95 to selectable four wheel drive and removed the centre diff, and I believe there have been kits made to do this, but I have never seen one. It is, of course, possible that your 2a was in fact originally a Series 3 Stage 1, or it may have been fitted with a Stage 1 front axle, or, indeed, it may have Rangerover or Disco 1 axles, although the wider track would give this away.

It does seem likely that you have a bit of a "bitza".