Which gearbox, & how to fix?

**mike_ie** · 26th January 2013, 04:25 PM

At the moment, I have the choice of two gearboxes and two transfer cases that I can potentially put into my Isuzu Defender - R380 and LT85 gearboxes, and a 1.211 disco TC and a 1.222 RRC TC. Running the numbers, it seems like the best combination is the R380 with the RRC TC in terms of numbers, but the LT85 that I have is the heavy duty version, which from what I gather is stronger than the R380.

Problem is, the LT85 that I pulled out of the Range Rover has a few issues, namely the front bearing needs to be swopped out, and by the looks of things, there's been a bodged repair to the 5th gear selector fork, and one of the slipper pads for the 5th gear synchro has been broken up and spat out....

[edit]nylon collar for the gear lever is in a hundred different pieces....[/edit]

Using the R380 would, I assume, require some welding up of holes and redrilling, something I'm reluctant to do on an alloy bellhousing. The LT85 would obviously be easier to bolt straight up, but requires a few replacement parts, and where to obtain them at relatively short notice, I'm not sure.

Any thoughts or suggestions??? Or anyone got the guts of an LT85 knocking round their shed somewhere that's already been cannibalised??

**isuzutoo-eh** · 26th January 2013, 05:27 PM

Doesn't the R380 bolt up to the LT85 bellhousing? I was under the impression it does, but of course have never tried it...

**Bearman** · 26th January 2013, 06:09 PM

Mike I wouldn't say any LT85 is heavy duty behind a turbo Isuzu but if that's all you have got I guess you have to run with it. An LT95 with TRB is ideally what you need if you had a choice of Rover boxes. The transfer ratio you need in the LT230 will be influenced by what size tyres you are running. If you can't find the bits you need for the LT85 down your way, send me a PM with the bits you need as I have some spare used parts here and may have what you need.

**djam1** · 26th January 2013, 06:15 PM

I didnt think a tired Suffix G R380 would be a good idea behind a turbo 4BD1

**slug_burner** · 26th January 2013, 08:37 PM

You would get the LT85 parts from Ashcroft pretty quick.

**mike_ie** · 26th January 2013, 10:30 PM

Originally Posted by djam1

I didnt think a tired Suffix G R380 would be a good idea behind a turbo 4BD1

Yep - I agree. The numbers sound good, but the reliability leaves a lot to be desired. Got a call from JC earlier, who's been good enough to forage through his spare parts bin and pull out a busted LT85 that I can cannibalise for the necessary parts, so yet again, thank you.

Bearman - I'll not be running anything bigger than 265/75/R16's, and after plugging that into the gear ratio calculator, the Rangie TC looks pretty good in the numbers. Any recommendations on your end???

**slug_burner** · 27th January 2013, 03:18 AM

What about one of the grubs Isuzu MSA boxes?

**rick130** · 27th January 2013, 05:23 AM

The LT85 would be the easiest way to go, although Dave Ashcroft rates a 'K' and 'L' R380 as at least as strong, and there seem to be a number surviving behind 4BD1's.

AFAIK, the LT85 bell housing bolts need welding up and the holes re-drilled for the R380, so someone with either a jig (KLR at $$$ ?) or a good machine shop would have to do the work.

I wouldn't even consider a 'J' 'box, I doubt if one would survive ?

**rovercare** · 27th January 2013, 05:38 AM

There is a 1:1 t case here you can have, it's lt230r not t though and no idea on condition, it was in the back of a wreck

**rovercare** · 27th January 2013, 05:39 AM

Come to think of it, I might have a known good 1:1 somewhere, I'll let you know

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