Thread: LT85 opinions(pics)

You have a strong gearbox there. Been a while since I've played with those, but from memory it was known as the 'Santana' gearbox. There was an early one piece box (thing you have from the pics) and a later 2 piece box. We had one in what was a V8 110, but then had a Nissan 3.5td against it. It took a hammering but we were putting a new 1st motion shaft bearing in it every year as we think the diesel conversion was slightly out of line.. Worth rebuilding for what you want to do.

Yes, that's right sitec, Santana box or Spanish box as it's sometimes known. Did you run a Nissan FD35T in front of your one? I wonder if the LT85 has a bit of a bad name for no good reason sometimes, my old 110 had a 6.2 GM diesel with solid case LT85, and before I knew of the perils of loading 5th gear up, used to lug up my driveway to show people how flexable the 6.2 was, in 5th, with the 6.2 bouncing off the torque impulses from each cylinder! AND I never broke it!

Yes, it was a FD35t. Pulled so well!! I can't remember tho if it was a Phillips or Milner conversion ring.... Either way, it'd start growling after about 8 months... We did drag a suspended tow trailed spec lift, and about a tonne of gear in the back when out on rally recovery.. Add to that a smashed rally car and it'd still go like a cut snake!! The bearings are still available. The other weakness was the transfer case center diff.... tho I think that was partly due to it not being locked the moment we left the black top!

Hi if your LT85 is a solid case it is an original Leyland Transmission, the later split case versions with no front oil pump, relying on splash lube, was made by Santana. In my opinion you have the better box but gear shift is slow as it is a 3rail shift. Good luck with the project. Ian Ashcroft

Thanks for chiming in Ian, Good bit of information, Didn't realise LR actually made the 85 in house. A question I have is, if I replace the input shaft(really needs it IMO, due to big input bearing showing signs of fretting) will this make the box whine due to a new gear mating to an old one? Perhaps I could get it built up back to OE size if a new one is out of the question?

Transfer box I plan to use is a 26D 1.003 I pulled off a TF727, to my amazement the input gear spline is perfect, it was also oily, but no crossdrilling and no slinger. Haven't looked into in but perhaps the 727 was weeping ATF and keeping it lubed

I see Lucky 8 have Ashcroft LT85 boxes for $1181- & from Ashcroft 550 GBP it is - in my opinion- a better option than rebuilding...
All you need do is see who can be cheaper including freight. From memory I spent around $1500 refurbing an LT85 2 years ago.

Edit, I see both have a 225 GBP fee for no casing exchange.

Hi there should be no noise issue just changing the input gear and bearing. Good to find an 26D with a good input gear, wonder if someone previously fitted an oil feed plate to the back bearing support plate, quite a common addition before the cross drilled gear. Regards Ian Ashcroft

Originally Posted by DeeJay

I see Lucky 8 have Ashcroft LT85 boxes for $1181- & from Ashcroft 550 GBP it is - in my opinion- a better option than rebuilding...
All you need do is see who can be cheaper including freight. From memory I spent around $1500 refurbing an LT85 2 years ago.

Edit, I see both have a 225 GBP fee for no casing exchange.

I have emailed Dave Ashcroft about the possibility of sending over a complete LT85, Haven't heard just yet, but a previous email to him confirmed they stock most of the parts I need. Pulled 5th ear extension housing off to discover that the teeth on 5th gear are decently worn! Also I can see how these have 5th gear failures, with a ****y circlip retaining everything on the shaft. I will post some more pics