Thread: R380 101

First thing - make sure the transfer case is in gear and not in neutral.

Second - if it is an older 380 the splines on the gearbox output shaft and the corresponding cog that is the input to the tfr case also wear due to poor design - lack of lubrication. The solution is to replace both with new stuff - in particular a cross drilled "cog" (not sure of the correct term) that allows oil to lubricate the splines.

If it is not this then major internal work might be needed - others can advise on this.

Garry

Best bet is still another R380, ex 300Tdi Disco. Hope it is something easy to address. Defender R380 isn't suitable, nor is early Disco LT77 etc.

JC

Originally Posted by garrycol

Second - if it is an older 380 the splines on the gearbox output shaft and the corresponding cog that is the input to the tfr case also wear due to poor design - lack of lubrication. The solution is to replace both with new stuff - in particular a cross drilled "cog" (not sure of the correct term) that allows oil to lubricate the splines.
Garry

Yeah, that's pretty much what I've read. The box was 'supposedly' new, not reco, in the last four years. Don't know if that means anything, really. I'm sure the person ( the remarkable Fred Smith ) was being truthfull. I'm just not sure that improvements were made to the gearbox over the journey.

Originally Posted by johntins

Yeah, that's pretty much what I've read. The box was 'supposedly' new, not reco, in the last four years. Don't know if that means anything, really. I'm sure the person ( the remarkable Fred Smith ) was being truthfull. I'm just not sure that improvements were made to the gearbox over the journey.

That may be so, but you said you have noticed the oil cooler line leaking, and the trans may well have run out of oil therefore there is little hope it is serviceable if this is actually the case unfortunately.

JC

Originally Posted by justinc

Best bet is still another R380, ex 300Tdi Disco. Hope it is something easy to address. Defender R380 isn't suitable, nor is early Disco LT77 etc.

JC

This is why I asked. I don't know the various interchange issues, like diesel or V8, 200/300TDi or TD5, Defer or Disco.

The gearboxes are thin on the ground, and most sellers either don't know what they're selling, or they DO know, and want a fortune.

I know that people have a right to a living, but where's the sense in pricing something to a point where it will NEVER sell? Thing sits on a shelf for years because it's worth so much. I could have bought whole cars for less than the price people ask for a one hundredth part of it. I think I will.

Sorry, that was a rant, not directed at you, Justin.

Originally Posted by justinc

That may be so, but you said you have noticed the oil cooler line leaking, and the trans may well have run out of oil therefore there is little hope it is serviceable if this is actually the case unfortunately.

JC

Yep. All true. When I first saw the car with this issue, the cooler line was loose, and there was oil all over. I am unfamiliar with this gearbox, but I have recovered cars ( nothing sophisticated- I certainly wouldn't expect one of my old FIATs to survive; they get stroppy if you forget to kiss them in the morning ) from worse. Is the R380 particularly weak? I'm mindful off the "poor design" aspect, but were they improved later? I am aware that this one, although 'new', could well have been an early one.

I guess the answer is to pull it down. I was hoping...

Originally Posted by johntins

This is why I asked. I don't know the various interchange issues, like diesel or V8, 200/300TDi or TD5, Defer or Disco.

The gearboxes are thin on the ground, and most sellers either don't know what they're selling, or they DO know, and want a fortune.

I know that people have a right to a living, but where's the sense in pricing something to a point where it will NEVER sell? Thing sits on a shelf for years because it's worth so much. I could have bought whole cars for less than the price people ask for a one hundredth part of it. I think I will.

Sorry, that was a rant, not directed at you, Justin.

I'm hearing you

I sold a V8 R380 a while back had 122,000km and was in mint condition. $900. I don't have room for stockpiling stuff, and TBH I would rather just get the vehicle in, strip out useful parts, and toss out what I don't / won't sell, if anyone I know doesn't want it. I hate those hoarders like the ones you speak of

Sorry I don't have any diesel boxes at present, either

JC

Loss of oil may have cooked something... but being short on cash
I would pull of the tcase PTO cover and check the input splines.
If that is the drama, a new cross drilled input gear will engage on some (1/3 of gear) of the unused mainshaft splines and may get you mobile.
My 95 fender has been running on a new cross dilled gear for about 30k now and although the original wasnt stripped it was terrible! No discernible wear and ALL load is on that 1/3 of new gear?

Steve