Thread: GKN DEFENDER OVERDRIVE

I haven't heard of one of those units in australia, only read about them and seen the adverts for them in LROI.

What did they have to say about it??

Is an overdrive really neccessary in a defender?

here's the answers you want in the order you want them.

<$4,000 fitted 8O
28% overdrive [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img]
15% fuel saving [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img]
computer controlled [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ohmy.gif[/img] has a toggle switch on the gear knob, cuts out when revs and stress don't match. 8O
"electro hydraulic" :wink: gear splitter between 3-4, 4-5, 5+
stronger transfer case [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ohmy.gif[/img]
quieter cabin [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ohmy.gif[/img]
agents
:roll: Davis Performance Landys (Syd)
:roll: Ritters (Melb)
:roll: MR Automotive (Bris)

suit all defenders (would that suit classic RR :?: :?: :?: )

Rocky Mountain, in Canada, (of Series LR parabolic spring fame) also do an LT230 overdrive which is totally mechanical in operation. Similar price (O/S) to the GKN, as I recall. No great drama in importing 'private' items like this in my experience but then, I've not yet imported anything this expensive...

The Rocky Mountain unit looks pretty sturdy, but they don't vouch for its use behind a V8. I suppose a 3.5 V8 equates to a TD5, I don't have any figures in front of me, I'm just guessing.

But a purely mechanical unit with a competent driver would be preferable to a having computer co-pilot as far as smoothness, appropriateness of engagement and reliability go. The roughest, worst and most dangerous transmission I've driven is the 6 speed semi-automatic (clutchless manual)gearbox in the Mercedes Sprinter (Ambulance). The computer makes inappropriate gear decisions, or freezes up and requires a reset, just what you need in an ambulance :roll:

Yeah, stick the automatics, especially the blockhead (Tutonic) ones IMHO. Then, when there's a huge stuff-up in gear selection and/or clutch operation, I know exactly who to blame - me!

Originally posted by Michael2
But a purely mechanical unit with a competent driver would be preferable to a having computer co-pilot

Yeah but the elec-trick one would be a lot easier to live with day to day.
And with all those other electronic bits a TD5 has I'm sure a bit more matters "not a whit" [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]


Also $4,000 is a hell of a lot of money to pay for what amounts to a bit less noise at highway speeds. There's no need for a gear between 3 and 4, or 4 and 5 the box is geared so low (and close together) anyway.

5th has plenty of legs - just turn the stereo up.