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Thread: Which overdrive?

  1. #1
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    Which overdrive?

    I've decided to fit an overdrive to a Series 3 petrol engine/gearbox (actually in a Series II), but I'd appreciate any advice on which unit to choose.

    Currently I have, installed in non-running vehicles and in unknown condition, both a Fairey and a Toro overdrive. The Toro was supposedly rebuilt by the previous owner when he used it as his daily driver (with a Holden motor), but the vehicle was then retired to farm usage and finally "parked up" before I acquired it. I have no information about the condition of the Fairey.

    I have no idea about the cost or availability of parts for the Toro or the Fairey, but have read about them being noisy even when in top condition.

    Lastly, as far as I know, there is the Roamerdrive (previously Roverdrive). Most sources suggest this is a quieter and overall "better" unit, but currently it's just over $2K - though rebuilt Fairey's on eBay are up around the $1K so perhaps $2K isn't that bad?

    So I'm interested to hear from anyone who has used any or all of these overdrives, and opinions on which would be the best option.

  2. #2
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    I run a Toro in my SWB 2A and found it a good unit. They have thicker drive-splines than the Fairey and apparently a larger sump. Mine also has an extension housing on the top for the breather. The only vice I've found with it is that the worn splines tend to pump oil out of the transfer case and overfill the overdrive, but I've modified my way around this.

    Most Faireys I've seen have stripped the splines out of the mainshaft or almost, and many have corrugated the layshaft (similar to how the transfer case intermediate shaft can go). I believe this has to do with low oil or overheating due to the small oil capacity.

    I haven't even seen a Roamerdrive as yet.

    Dan.

  3. #3
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    G'day,

    I did some fairly extensive modifications on my Fairey overdrive as part of a rebuild on my IIA, including a substantially extended sump (four or five times the original oil capacity). I didn't find parts hard to get (shopped around, sourced a lot of standard bearings from Brisbane at not-too-bad prices, and got the rest from the UK - all much cheaper than Rovers Down South was offering online).

    I have only done a few miles with the rebuilt overdrive since getting the vehicle back on the road, and will post a thread on how the Fairey goes once I have covered a bit of distance with it.

    Cheers,

    John

    P.S. I will attach a photo or three: The housing as it was originally, and then with the extended sump.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  4. #4
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    I have a roverdrive in my s3 88.It's easy to use and very quite.I like the oil it uses coming from the trans box mainly knowing the greater capacity.
    I have have a fairy in my s3 109 it's noisy and I worry about the reliability of it.I will buy another roverdrive one day.
    Cheers

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by will d8r View Post
    I have a roverdrive in my s3 88.It's easy to use and very quite.I like the oil it uses coming from the trans box mainly knowing the greater capacity.
    I have have a fairy in my s3 109 it's noisy and I worry about the reliability of it.I will buy another roverdrive one day.
    Cheers
    By all accounts, the Roverdrives are the duck's nuts. I would love one, but it only cost me a few hundred dollars to refurbish the Fairey. They're definitely noisier and have inherent problems with wear - but not unusable. I'm going to be interested to see how the mods on mine go; whether they have much effect on the longevity of the splines etc etc etc...

  6. #6
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    someone here complained about toasting one due to excessive heat if my memory serves me rightly...

    your best buying the allow transfer case cover as well to help dissipate the heat.

    i have the cover and will be fitting it to help preserve my toro...
    1998 Discovery 300TDi Manual SE7
    1996 Discovery 300TDi Auto
    2012 SZ Territory TX 2.7TDCi

    "Make the lie big, make it simple, keep saying it, and eventually they will believe it." -- a warning from Adolf Hitler
    "If you don't have a sense of humour, you probably don't have any sense at all!" -- a wise observation by someone else
    'If everyone colludes in believing that war is the norm, nobody will recognize the imperative of peace." -- Anne Deveson
    “What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.” - Pericles
    "The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts." Marcus Aurelius

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by incisor View Post
    someone here complained about toasting one due to excessive heat if my memory serves me rightly...

    your best buying the allow transfer case cover as well to help dissipate the heat.

    i have the cover and will be fitting it to help preserve my toro...
    I'm going to be getting one of those alloy transfer bottom plates for my Series IIA. Where'd you get yours?

  8. #8
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    There seems to be a perception that Toro parts are almost impossible to get, though I haven't tried very hard, and I'll be interested to see how the "big sump" Fairey goes.

    After much thought about the technical aspects, another thing occurred to me. The Australian dollar at present is getting weaker against the US dollar, and the Roamerdrive is basically priced in US$ (even though it is a Canadian product). This means that in all likelihood it will increase in price over here. At US$1520 (excluding freight), at time of writing it would cost AU$1752 + 10% GST + (if declared as a car part) 5% import duty + freight. Armed with that knowledge I called Alan Hutton (Hutton Winches, listed as the NSW contact for Roamerdrive), and was delighted to be quoted $2035 including GST and delivery. Even better, by pure coincidence Alan is coming to my little Central West NSW town this weekend, and can hand deliver the unit!

    At this point I am very happy. I am used to having to import things myself, when Australian dealers want (literally) twice what it costs me including postage to get things from the US or UK. In this particular case, I think I would struggle to personal import at the same price. However Alan's current stock was presumably brought in when the Australian dollar was at or above parity, and now it seems to have dropped to US87c and still be dropping, so perhaps the price will increase when his current stock is gone? So the decision was made and a Roamerdrive purchased. The SII will get the Roamerdrive (and sump), and the Toro and Fairey will be left for future projects.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Johnno1969 View Post
    I'm going to be getting one of those alloy transfer bottom plates for my Series IIA. Where'd you get yours?
    The bloke selling the Roamerdrives at the Sydney Expo had them on sale there.

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by Johnno1969 View Post
    I'm going to be getting one of those alloy transfer bottom plates for my Series IIA. Where'd you get yours?
    i got mine from england...
    1998 Discovery 300TDi Manual SE7
    1996 Discovery 300TDi Auto
    2012 SZ Territory TX 2.7TDCi

    "Make the lie big, make it simple, keep saying it, and eventually they will believe it." -- a warning from Adolf Hitler
    "If you don't have a sense of humour, you probably don't have any sense at all!" -- a wise observation by someone else
    'If everyone colludes in believing that war is the norm, nobody will recognize the imperative of peace." -- Anne Deveson
    “What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.” - Pericles
    "The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts." Marcus Aurelius

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