Thread: Gearbox oil advice (R380)

Originally Posted by INDIE2002UK

MTF 94 IS AVAILABLE THROUGH L/R PARTS

Land Rover must be bringing it in themselves.

Caltex's contract with Land Rover expired so they deleted it from their local line, according to the local Caltex fella's.

Digging up an old thread....

My '95 Tanami is relatively low Km and running ATF without any issues.
I should get round to changing the gearbox oil and wondered what the latest recommendation is.

Colin

If ATF is working for you then stick with it.

My preference is still Motul Gear 300 for a hard working R380. It won't be quite as slickin the shift as ATF when cold, but it totally eliminates bearing rattle in high ambients, the shifting is consistent and it doesn't shear like Syntrans 75W-85 after 20,000km

I'm using Penrite gear Pro, 70-75 full synthetic, available at Supercheap.

I tried 75-85, but couldn't get from 1st to 2nd until the oil warmed up. The 70-75 has been working well for me, the tranny is smooth shifting. Typical operating temperature is about 75 degees when cruising. I check the oil today as part of the annual service and it looked bright & clean, but is only been in there for less than 20,000 kms.

cheers simmo

I probably push my D2 harder than most up here in the Territory. I sit on the Territory speed limit of 130 or when Chaffy wants to sit up there so realistically 120-130 most of the time pending rises in the road for 3-3.5 hours twice a week driving to and from work. I am averaging 30000 a year at the moment and it is all high speed highway work. On the way down it is in the morning. On the way home it is late in the afternoon when the road and ambient temps are hottest.

Chaffy is is no light weight with steel bar work ARB front, solid sliders and steel rear bar with jerry can and spare wheel carrier, 155 llong range tank, 50mm Body and 50mm suspension lift, full length roof rack cage and running 265/75/R16’s.

With the the ambient heat especially during build up and wet season I see transmission temps regularly in the 90’s and the highest has been 107,but that was when I first had the box installed.

I have been running the same Penrite 70-75 in my Ashcroft rebuilt with HD options R380 since the replacement transmission was installed on advice from Leigh our resident Landy mechanic in Nightcliff in Darwin. At the same time I had the transfer case done with the Ashcroft ATB installed. Already had the extended sump installed. Rest of the drivetrain is full synthetic as well as supplied by Leigh at his workshop.

The box was initially a little bit notchy when first installed but is now quite smooth. I am sure I drove Leigh crazy about the checking the oil and any new perceived noise I could here or fluctuation on temps. It was a big investment and I want it to last. it was checked every 5000 intially for the first 20k.

I had the box drained after the first thousand and then checked regularly due to fear of oil breakdown because of the high operating temps. At 20000 the oil was good. Leigh decided to leave and check at next service as it was still good. At 30000km gearbox oil was done so I am going to stick with 20000 km from now on. I have done around 45000 on the new transmission now.

I did contact Rick as well about oils and he had suggested Motul 300 however it is just to hard to get up here in Darwin and the cost is massive.

time will tell but I hope I get a very long life out of my Ashcroft gearbox and transfer case package. It would be interesting to run the Motul 300 to see if there is any difference.

Cheers, Chris