Thread: S3 Gearbox

The major advantage of the S3 box is synchromesh on all forward gears compared to only 3 & 4 for the S1,2,2a box. But the later S2a boxes are considered to be both stronger and more durable.

Late S2a and S3 boxes have almost identical gearing and late 2a and S3 transfer cases are essentially identical. During early S2a production ratios were changed slightly in both transfer low range and the indirect gears in the main gearbox (keeping overall gearing in 4H and 1L the same, but all others a bit different), but otherwise ratios remained almost the same for all Series Landrovers.

John

From all accounts - looks like I have the S3 box...Stuck with it..

Does anyone know of any failed components - on field of the S3 box?

yep the sacraficial bush between the input and output shafts.

the syncros on 3/4 wear a little quicker than Id like as well.

if you want it I have a spare box hanging around your welcom to...

(Im giving it away and no-one seems to want it, It will be ebayed shortly.)

No thanks - looks like I have been lumbered with them all - I now have three(3) in my garage - thinking they were all S2a - SUCKER Me!!

Can I replace this sacrifical bush between input/ouput shaft for a stronger one?

Can I replace the 3/4 syncros for stronger ones too?

What else fails that I can upgrade to stronger bits..?

The bush isnt really that bad, Ive heard of a couple of mods to help its oiling from cross drilling, to grooving, to cuting it in half but so long as you dont run the gearbox low on oil (a little overfull is apparently benificial) it wont be a problem and the weakness of the syncros is strictly comparative, If youre used to driving a dog box Id almost bet I could pull em out and you wouldnt notice. but someone who just climbed out of a hairdressers car would bitch about it all day long.

you can interchange some parts providing you fit sleves to the bearings, IE 2a parts into 3 boxes and vice versa.

The main reason I realy like the 2a box is it stops people from wanting to borrow my wheels. you probabley know the conversation. "Dave theres something wrong with your gearbox, I cant get first or second....."

See my reply in your other thread.

The bush in question is a bronze bush between 2nd and 3rd gears. There is even an aftermarket variant that comes in 2 pieces!!!

Btw Dave - a well-known LR garage in Brisbane - lets call them wackobritish - told my mate that "the synchros on 1st and 2nd are pretty bad", after he got them to service his IIA... last time he went there...

picis of this sacrificail bush?

Can I replace the 3/4 syncros for stronger ones too?

No probs about dogboxes - I drive a 1995 S1 DISCO around too!

Can I fit the S3 box to a S1 engine?