Thread: Advice - Transfer Case

Hi Tom,

I've posted those goodies for you by the way.....

As for the other question, if it was such an easy fix, would the seller not have been better off doing this before selling? Would have got a better price for the vehicle.

Sounds fishy to me but I'm as yet unenlightened in the many intricacies of series gearboxes so maybe it is true. Used ones seem to be around and fairly cheap too (sold one myself on ebay a few weeks back which was missing the output gear where an overdrive was once fitted, it went for $78, another one I'm selling for $150)

I guess if you hope for the best but plan for the worst you can't go too far wrong.

Could be a late 2a with the lights in the wings.
If it is a good car it may still be worth it and then replace/repair the transfer case.

S3 syncro gearboxes are not the most reliable, but a late 2A gearbox is good.
If the Land Rover that you are looking at has the transferbox now working freely, it may have been only wound up after using it in 4wd on the road and by releasing the load on it, the four wheel drive coupling was then able to come out of mesh.
.

Originally Posted by grey_ghost

I have been offered for sale what I think is a S3. They say it's a 69 - from looking at the photo's it looks to be in very good nick. It's a SWB.
the seller has said:

"It's a great car, but the last time that I used it the transfer case bound-up. I've been told that to fix it all you need to do is undo the rear prop-shaft, pop it in and out of gear, and the transfer case will free-up no problem"

Does this sound legitimate OR does it sounds like an excuse to dump a car with a dead gearbox?

Hello from Brisbane.

Re the first query, it is unlikely to be a Series 3 if it was built in 1969. The Series 3 only commenced production in the UK in 1971 and for Australia they only came on stream ex-Sydney about the middle of 1973 - we had a 1972 Series 2A for years.

On the second query about the wound up transfer case, I can't offer sage advice on potential damage that might or might not be in there. However, as others have already said the transmission 'wind up' typically occurs when the vehicles are driven in 4WD on a hard surface and it does not take much to do it - feels like the transfers levers have been welded stuck. That is why the owner is suggesting undoing the propellor shaft and pulling it into and out of gear.

Oddly enough you can usually 'undo' it by simply pulling onto the verge or onto some loose ground and either reversing or running forward a little. This takes the pressure off the drive enough to let you disengage 4WD. To still be stuck suggests that it was well and truly wound up and might have suffered damage as a result. That or the owner is a bit of a goose............

Cheers,

Originally Posted by grey_ghost

Hi All,

Some urgent advice please - I have been offered for sale what I think is a S3. They say it's a 69 - from looking at the photo's it looks to be in very good nick. It's a SWB.

I am going to inspect it this weekend.

It has "one problem" - the seller has said:

"It's a great car, but the last time that I used it the transfer case bound-up. I've been told that to fix it all you need to do is undo the rear prop-shaft, pop it in and out of gear, and the transfer case will free-up no problem"

Does this sound legitimate OR does it sounds like an excuse to dump a car with a dead gearbox?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated - if anybody has had advice or had this situation, I would really appreciate it.

OR - how expensive would it to be to replace the transfer case/gear box on a SWB S3?

Thanks,
The Grey Ghost!

Amongst the photos you have, is there one of the interior?

If so, have a look at the instrument cluster. Is it mounted in front of the steering wheel or in the middle of the dash like your other one?

If it is in the middle and is a '69 then it is a 2a. If it is above the steering wheel then it is a Series 3 dash and more likely to be '79 than '69.

Agree with the others re the gearbox.

As the others have said. Damage to the transfer case (or anything else) due to windup is unlikely. The transfer gears may be stuck due to rust on the selector shafts, and while there are possibilities of catastrophic failures of the transfer case that might give similar symptoms, these are both quite unlikely and reasonably cheap to fix. (And to unwind windup, you don't need to disconnect the prop shaft - just jack up one wheel)

If it is a 2a, which it has to be if it is a 1969, the gearbox is probably the best of any Series. Distinguishing features of 2a versus 3:-

Instrument cluster - 2a in centre, 3 in front of driver
Dashboard - 2a metal, 3 plastic
Windscreen hinges - 2a part of windscreen and bulkhead, 3 separate parts
Door hinges - 2a door part sits on top of lower part and stick out, 3 almost flush. (but hinges are interchangeable)

There are other differences, but these should cover it. Of course, the key thing is the chassis number, as most assembles can be swapped between 2a/3!

John

Hi Everybody,

Thanks very much for the info/advice.

I am going to inspect the car on Saturday morning and depending on rust, will probably purchase regardless of "sick" transfer case. Reading the posts it may not even be a real problem... But as suggested I should plan for the worst.

I too thought "if it was that easy to fix then the seller is mad not to have tried it himself"

I have had a closer look at the photo's and although they are not the best, it's amazing what details you notice...

I am starting to think that it is a 2a (not a 3). My reasons being:

* The hinges are like those of my Series 2 (1961) - not flat like a S3.
* Instruments are in the center (like my 61) - not in front of the driver like a S3.

Other interesting features that I can see (the photos are a little rough):
* The hand brake looks vertical (my 61 has a curved -45o angle). Again 2a/3.
* There appears to be a aerial on the front passenger wing (or what's left of one)
* It appears to have a safari style roof
* It has sun-rasia style rims
* It has side steps
* It has door locks
* It has very non standard seats - buckets from the looks of them
* It has plenty of spider webs!
* Number plate/light mounted on the left - on my 61 it's mounted on the right
* Tow bar + mud flaps.
* It's missing the rear door spare wheel carrier - although there are holes there that suggest it originally had one.
* Exhaust exists rear right (my 61 mid-way down passenger side)

Fingers crossed that it's in good nick and I'm not wasting my time!

Thanks again everybody for the advice!

I shall post some pictures if I proceed with the purchase!

Regards,
The Grey Ghost

my money says a combination of burring on the front drive engagement unit and rust on the selectors.

bout 5 hours to do in situe on the car if you have the bits, tools and patients.