Thread: Swapping Gearbox from Discovery to Defender R380

Originally Posted by Rexy

Taking a gearbox out of a discovery and putting it into a defender that I have removed the gearbox from. I own both boxes and its only just occurred its not a direct swap due to gearbox remote housing. I assume I can just unbolt the remote housing off the defender box and bolt it straight to the box out of the discovery and put in back in?

Both boxes from tdi300 R380.

Not what you want to hear
Pretty sure it is not so easy and requires some internals swapping around
Maybe not for the faint hearted DIY
R380 Discovery to Defender Conversion Selector Kit | Online Gearbox Parts Shop

R380 Disco to Defender Adapter Kit | Online Gearbox Parts Shop

Glad I asked.

Defender gearbox is still in good condition, transfer is cactus. I originally was only going to pull the transfer but thought I may as well do clutch while its off so pulled the lot. Ill get internals checked an might be better off putting defender box back in.

If you get the adapter from Ashcroft you won't have to partly disassemble the box , just change the quadrant and yolk
But if you want to partly strip the box to change disco to defender selector shaft you might as well put new bearings and Synchro's in depending on your skill level.
They are a straightforward box to build but you will struggle to get the oil seal collar of without a hydraulic puller

Cheers Discorevy.

Im sure Id be up to the task of the box but not sure I would do it as its my first and I'll probably end up selling the car.

The car came to me with a dry transfer case and cactus high. Low still worked and gear changes seemed fined, reason I was going to swap is I suspect the output shaft will be cactus from lack of oil in transfer. Before knowing it was from lack of oil I was going to swap transfer and get defender box rebuilt with ashcroft kit. Having to buy a new output shaft starts adding up so the discovery box that has been rebuilt less than 60k ago seemed like a better idea.

When I have more time I will check the output shaft and make my mind up.