What would be your choice?

[Chucaro]

Ok, forget the County, its require heaps of work so two different options for which I will need the input of the Rangie experts
Please explain to me which is better transmission system regarding transfer case or lower range :the 88 or the 89 ?
If both are in similar condition what would be your pick ?

1988 RANGE ROVER HI-LINE 4X4 WAGON , 3.5litre V8 Efi Automatic 4 Speed , Air-Conitioned, Power Steer, Power Windows, Central Locking, Velour Trim, Factory Alloy Wheels, Tow Bar, Bull Bar. Motor - Transmission - All Running Gear Is Good, Runs and Drives Very Well , WHOLESALE AS TRADED...$1750...

1989 RANGE ROVER VOGUE 4X4 WAGON , 3.5litre V8 Efi ,Manual, 5 Speed , Sunroof, Air-Conitioned, Power Steer, Power Windows (tinted), Central Locking, Cruise Control, Velour Trim, Factory Alloy Wheels, Tow Bar, Bull Bar, Runs and Drives Very Well, Good Condition Through-Out. WHOLESALE AS TRADED ...$2250...

[timaus13]

I may be biased. but after hearing what Justin C has said about the 5 speed versus the four speed I personally would go with the 4 speed model. Carlos has decided to also go with a 4 speed replacement in his RRover as opposed to re building or replacing his 5 speed.
Justin C explained to us how much stronger the 4 speed is over the 4 speed, however he did mention that for long distance driving the 5 peed would be a greater advantage.
cheers.

[Chucaro]

I may be biased. but after hearing what Justin C has said about the 5 speed versus the four speed I personally would go with the 4 speed model. Carlos has decided to also go with a 4 speed replacement in his RRover as opposed to re building or replacing his 5 speed.
Justin C explained to us how much stronger the 4 speed is over the 4 speed, however he did mention that for long distance driving the 5 peed would be a greater advantage.
cheers.

Yes I agree with you, but remember that the 88 is 4 speed automatic, not manual
So it is the 89 5 speed manual or the 88 4 speed auto ?
Cheers

[Blknight.aus]

for me thats a simple choice, take the manual.....

in reality both of those boxes are up to the task if in good nick...

the auto takes more to rebuild but doesnt have the "eats its own bearings" problem that occasionally shows up on the lt85 or the "eats its overdrive" problem of the LT77.

I wouldnt want much more than a stock EFI 3.9 in front of either.

[Chucaro]

for me thats a simple choice, take the manual.....

in reality both of those boxes are up to the task if in good nick...

the auto takes more to rebuild but doesnt have the "eats its own bearings" problem that occasionally shows up on the lt85 or the "eats its overdrive" problem of the LT77.

I wouldnt want much more than a stock EFI 3.9 in front of either.

It is not the case that the 89 models do not have transfer case ?
If it is so, you still prefer the manual against the automatic with transfer case ?
I am learning here My only experience with Landys is my old 109 1978 V8 and my current disco 1998 manual Tdi300

[PLR]

G`Day

The 89 has a different transfer case , it is the one with the viscous drive . ( this goes for manual and/or auto from this model )

This means you don`t lock the centre diff manually .

The 88 is the last model to have manual engage for the centre diff .

Other than interior ( door trims etc ) and the tranfer case types the 88 and 89 are similar .

The next model got 3.9 ltr

Cheers

[Blknight.aus]

All landrovers (not including freelanders) have a transfer case. Most have a varient of the lt230 Or the chain drive unit with the planetry gearshift for effectin a range change.

My reasons for always taking a manual over an auto are all my own and have been done to death.

to boil down the way Id weight it in your situation

a manual is generally cheaper to rebuild than an auto and will keep working in most circumstances enough to get you home. although you might need to do some nastyness to it and will be killing it in making it keep goin.

an auto is smoother and easier to drive, if looked after can outlast a manual but costs a bucket to repair and in most cases will stop completely when it goes wrong.

as mentioned the 89 has the viscous coupling which does the job of the CDL till it stops working then you just drop the tcase and put a standard 230 or similar on...

[Bradtot]

89 have the viscous transfer case, borg warner chain driven, very quiet
88 will have the lt 230 manual locking centre diff normal type.
I have the 89 4 speed auto with borg warner.
Previously I had a 82 4 speed manual with intregrated transfer.
What do I prefer...easy the auto, smooth plenty of torque easy to drive less clunks quiet operation and strong enough.
The manuals are ok but the auto is just that much better.
Also U need to consider the trim inside as the 89 was updated in jan of 89 and also the motor about mid 89 with the 3.9 motor and hotwire injection, with this came hidden door hinges as well.
I loved my 82 ,but I adore the 89
Brad

[Chucaro]

I am confused
The dealer said in the add that the 1989 range Rover have a 3.5 V8 engine.
Is it not the case that in 1989 the Range Rover come with the 3.9 engine?
Could it be possible that the dealer is referring to the date of first registration and not to the date of manufacturing?
Ok, let us assume that it is a 1989 with 3.5 engine. In which date of manufacturing the Range Rover comes with the Borg-Warner 13-61-004 2 speed transfer case with viscous coupling unit (VCU)?
The viscous coupling is my worry and for this reason I was considering the automatic Rangie in the add (grey paint). I prefer the manual if it doesn’t have VCU

[Chucaro]

ops, sorry, I posted my previous reply when the others come in
The (VCU) is whit the automatic only ?