Thread: Santana gearbox (LT85) question...

If it is a 5th gearproblem with the LT85, it'll be very likely an expensive one. The gear can damage the mainshaft etc if it has failed in a catastrophic manner. Obviously a stripdown will confirm the issue. Has the shifter housing been removed and checked for obstructions/ broken bits?

JC

The Santana box is a strong box, I rebuilt mine using parts from the UK, get a County manual and all the info for the Santana is there. It could be something simple, as previously stated, take the top off the box and there may be something obvious.
Regards
Maggsie

Originally Posted by maggsie

The Santana box is a strong box, I rebuilt mine using parts from the UK, get a County manual and all the info for the Santana is there. It could be something simple, as previously stated, take the top off the box and there may be something obvious.
Regards
Maggsie

They are weak as in 5th I'm afraid The R380 is more durable in this part.
My 120" came with 6k worth of receipts and only has 230k on the clock for this reason. My box has had multi race bearings and X drilled gear fitted etc but there is no way of making 5th gear strong enough So have to be very careful. I have to change down before long before the gear fails on hills and have to tow in 4th even though it will pull 5th easily They are next weakest to a LT77 in my opinion

For the price it is going for wouldn't you just put in a secondhand r380?

Guess it depends on what year the V8 came from.

Thank you gentlemen - this was just a general question. I haven't been near the vehicle in question yet. (SA)

Originally Posted by maggsie

The Santana box is a strong box, I rebuilt mine using parts from the UK, get a County manual and all the info for the Santana is there. It could be something simple, as previously stated, take the top off the box and there may be something obvious.
Regards
Maggsie

What Tony said is true Maggsie, Turbo Izuzus will strip/ break 5th gear and damage the mainshaft in the process, and the Late Suffix K or L R380 is stronger in 5th gear (More bearing/ shaft support)than these I hate to admit
LT95 is still the winner with high torque numbers IMHO.

JC

Originally Posted by justinc

What Tony said is true Maggsie, Turbo Izuzus will strip/ break 5th gear and damage the mainshaft in the process, and the Late Suffix K or L R380 is stronger in 5th gear (More bearing/ shaft support)than these I hate to admit
LT95 is still the winner with high torque numbers IMHO.

JC

I'm not sure what I'm going to do when this Santana box I have here lies down. It seems to limits a great vehicle as has torque to burn but I cant use it well I lose speed on hills as have to change down to early for the torque curve in 4th.
Had a late Patrol try to round me up last week and I lost him in the hills He had it all over me on the down hill as I was on the governor in 5th but once up hill I had him. I'm now running 35's so 4th has more legs and It can hold the gear When I puled up at the local he drove past and had a real hard look at the old landie with a tool box,air compressor and a 44 gallon drum on the tray. The look on his face was worth a million words.

I now know its limitations so have to back off to make it last. It's so nice to drive otherwise

Tony

I'm in the process of swapping out a lt85 for a lt95 in an isuzu. I'll be posting it up under projects & tutorials in the next few weeks.
But whoever buys it is going to miss having the 5th gear.....