Thread: Ultra Low Range Gearbox

I'm not keen to use the boat engines to move the trailer for the risk of breaking the front mounts on the trailer and also stirring up debris at the ramp which then goes into the intake. Thanks very much for the tip on the Rock Crawler from maxi drive. My idea boat retrieve is one where you just idle up the ramp. Currently I need to rev the engine to prevent a stall which means the tyres initially move quickly thus increasing the chance of slip. Having lower low range means I should be able to drop engine revs, preserve my clutch and reduce the speed of take off, hence decrease the chance of tyre slip. Thus I can see the rock crawlers decreasing trye slip as I don't intend to take off quickly. Thanks for the tip on not deflating tyres, the mechanic had suggested this !
I'll contact maxi drive and see what happens.
As for going for a F250. Not keen on driving one. Poorer build quality than Landrover, very long , and I don't need the highway speeds that often. Now if the new Toyota V8 diesel has a tow capacity of 4.5 ton ..........

Originally Posted by SnapHead101

I think I'm running a 380 gearbox, not the LT230 however I'll need to check my manual and find out !

R380 is the 5 speed manual and the LT230 is the transfer case. So you have both.

Originally Posted by SnapHead101

or possbily 15 inch tyres.

Changing your tyre diameter to a smaller one would make a Defender scream on the road I'd think. Just changing to a 15in rim would do nothing if the overall tyre diameter did not change.

Since it did it easy with a warmed up engine then it sounds like your cheapest option is just to ensure the engine is warmed up first. No engine likes to be worked that hard when it is cold.

Originally Posted by SnapHead101

As for going for a F250. Not keen on driving one. Poorer build quality than Landrover

I'll vouch for that.

Bloody expensive option just for pulling a boat out of the water. But then given the boat you have .......

i have the 49% lower gear set from Maxi-drive in my 110 def trayback.

i tow an 8x5 dual axle trailer full of tools, must weigh about 2t

for tight sites that are hilly etc it kicks ass. can reverse IDLE my trailer up a 200mm concrete kerb.

made from the best material for gears and staight cut for greater strenght. all Australian made

serg

sounds good, do you remember where you got it installed and how much it set you back. The website lists only 30 and 40% reduction, but I'll ask about the 49%.

I have the Maxidrive reduction gears. Noisy as but they are great!

For the same sort of money, you could convert it to a ZF auto (fit a big cooler) - will give you much smoother power delivery and no risk of stalling.
I had a ZF auto/LT230 in a Rangie fitted with 4.7 diffs - it pullled like a train.

The maxidrive conversion should set you back about $1600, $1700 or so.

I've now got the 49% version, well worth it.

I've never had trouble on a boat ramp. If wheel spin is an issue, do you engage CDL? I'd have thought that using low range & the CDL, & knocking the CDL out on the move once you're mobile will get anything up any ramp.

Regards
Max P