Auto or 5spd Manual?

[Newy]

Hi Guys,
I have just bought myself a Red 186 powered SIII 88 Soft Top. The Body motor are good, needs new front brake lines, But....... the clutch and gearbox aren't that great. It's going to be just a fun Toy for me, something to spend my pocket money on lol
I was trying to decide between either a 5spd Man or auto upgrade. I'm lucky enough to have a mate who can get me Disco transmissions pretty cheap, man or auto how would either of them go? How easy is it to swap?

I'm also thinking about power steering, any ideas?

[Newy]

I'm thinking about going Auto, whats a good easy auto to fit behind the 186?

[30t of coolness]

Forget the Disco's auto too long & electronically controled shift. For the maual also too long in standard config for an 88 with a holden engine. You may be able to get a 4cylinder petrol bell housing & input shaft from England that is shorter than either the V8 or Tdi bell housings but I'm still not sure if would fit. If you wanted an auto there used to be a conversion from Marks adaptors for a 302 (Windsor) & C4 to landrover series transfer box. But can your mate get Disco diffs it may be easier to replace the standard series 4spd & fit Disco diffs & housings. Wider track & disc brakes & more highway friendly gear ratios.

[Newy]

thanks 30t coolness
He works at a wrecking yard
yes the diffs would be no problem
He can also get range rover parts easily too.

[Series3 GT]

Hi Newy, for auto choices probably avoid the early Range Rover Torqueflite autos cause they are for big American V8's and sap lots of power from little motors. Your Holden options are the trimatic and the Turbo 400 I think. The Trimatic isn't a very good choice in any situation, it's gappy as and makes the little 6cyl rev its nuts off and when it goes up a gear it makes it labor hard. Not really sure on all the Holden stuff but I hope it was some help.

[Newy]

Thanks there series3 GT, at present I'm looking into swapping the 186 for possibly a 250 crossflow and c4 auto which I can get very cheap Just seeing how easy it would be atm

[Series3 GT]

Lucky bugger, I can't get a 250 crossflow for under $500 and that's an ex taxi motor and its about $900 for a good motor. The C4 is quite a common swap in series landys shouldn't be too difficult.

[Newy]

I've come across something interesting...... early Suzuki Vitaras automatics use a TH180 transmission aka trimatic. In the US they use these as a base for many rock crawlers.

My question is this, how strong are their transfers?
I can get a trimatic for free and wonder if one would be up the job behind my 186?
My SWB isn't going to see any real 4WDing..... im going to get a LWB for that later.

[Wolfman_TWP]

I have this motor I want to sell (PM Me). Ford 4.1 engine (EFI), C2 auto box, LR transfer. All connected ready to go?! (Comes with everything, radiator, Air filter etc)... Will go into Markets Section again soon..

See in this thread.. (Post #7)

Cheers,
Wolf

[Homestar]

I've come across something interesting...... early Suzuki Vitaras automatics use a TH180 transmission aka trimatic. In the US they use these as a base for many rock crawlers.

My question is this, how strong are their transfers?
I can get a trimatic for free and wonder if one would be up the job behind my 186?
My SWB isn't going to see any real 4WDing..... im going to get a LWB for that later.

The trimatic, although potentially fragile will cope with a 186 no dramas. Had one behind the 202 in the old mans Kingswood and it outlived 2 engines. It was scrapped due to rust with 450,000km on it and it was still on the original trannie. It was serviced 3 times but did have some work done to it - I was too young to remember what exactly but they will survive long term with some TLC.