4BD1 into Defender

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Originally Posted by Dervish

So this means that the hard-to-find LT85 bell housing is no longer required.

If you are satisfied that the r380 is strong enough, this will be very interesting news as it could make for a cheap and easy 5 speed conversion; and the r380 has a much nicer spread of ratios than the Isuzu boxes to boot.

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Hey Dervish, I have a few LT85 bellhousings if anyone is after one. Give me a PM - might be able to help you out.

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Originally Posted by workingonit

Really?...OK, I'm lazy :)

I was thinking of conversations that have walked up to me in "New Posts" since joining the forum, like discussions on purchase of the military vehicles - no one "in the know" seems to make any point about how confident people should be in having a military Rover box behind the 4bd1 because the mil spec boxes are a different beast - if in fact they really are - and to what extent they are substantially different. My "inside source" said the contractors charge to Defence for the refurb boxes was in the order of tens of thousands per unit, which to me doesn't make (economic) sense, but for which cost you would expect them to be "eye wateringly" different to a civilian effort at an upgrade (ie an eye to economy).

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As Dave said above the only differences between a civvy and mil LT95 box is the upgraded tapered roller intermediate shaft and the pto gear on the rear of the mainshaft. Otherwise they are the same. Refurbed boxes sometimes cost a lot to reco as everything was replaced. The ADF was a bit paranoid about recos and would not want a box back with any noises at all so most internals would be replaced. You only have to add up a few new items like mainshaft, layshaft, all gears and centre diff etc and you are looking at thousands and that's apart from the bearings, synchros, seals and gaskets etc that go into a basic rebuild.

I guess it begs the question, why didn't the army and LRover use the Isuzu box straight up - cheaper - and dare I suggest more reliable? Surely not down to the better spread of gear ratios in the LRover box? I'm putting the 4bd1t/msa combo into a RRC so I'm yet to experience the ratio issue and to tackle solutions.

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Originally Posted by workingonit

Hellon, saw "Darwin Harbour" - I think the penny has just dropped - are you the guy that let me have a look at the Isuzu mounts, and I helped you with the roll bar? Believe it or not I only recently built the mounts.

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Yeah that would've me! Good to hear you've built the mounts.

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Originally Posted by Bearman

Hey Dervish, I have a few LT85 bellhousings if anyone is after one. Give me a PM - might be able to help you out.

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Thanks for the offer mate, I'll let you know down the line.

My plan is to just throw the body onto the Perentie chassis. Only after putting some miles down and seeing exactly what does and doesn't work will I be considering any changes. There's nothing actually wrong with the LT95A, as you well know.

Hellonwheels, in case you're interested some of us are trying to get a day trip organised one of the coming weekends before the wet starts - ignore the original date.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/upcoming-e...pt-2014-a.html

I really should read more carefully before making a reply:(

Sorry


Tony

Job done:

http://i940.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps2fa3dc0f.jpg

Still N/A, but should be +T soon.

Hello , me again,

Since it seams that the adaptation of the 6x6 with a 5 speed gear box is a bit hard I might consider bringing my Defender 130 to life.
It's got a cracked head (just like me said the leader of the opposition !!!!)

Anyway What are the chances to fit a 4 BD1 or 4BE1 or a 4JJ1 in it with a MXA-6R gear box (I just like the ratios) I am not after pulling the statue of liberty nor climbing the everest with it just fuel economy and ease on the engine and since I am in the North the roads are very flat here and I do intend to do long hauls in the future.( Gold prospecting will be my retirement activity)

Any hints appreciated.

Might put the 6x6 for sale....

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Originally Posted by workingonit

I guess it begs the question, why didn't the army and LRover use the Isuzu box straight up - cheaper - and dare I suggest more reliable? Surely not down to the better spread of gear ratios in the LRover box? I'm putting the 4bd1t/msa combo into a RRC so I'm yet to experience the ratio issue and to tackle solutions.

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The main reason is probably because the vehicle was built by LR not by ISUZU. They wanted the easiest way to have a big diesel to compete with the 4L nissota diesels of the time.

The solution they came up with (way back when the S3 stage 1 was brought out) was to get CKD Stage 1 v8s shipped to Australia with everything but the engine. I am pretty sure the competition at the time was 4-speed as well???

When the military contracts came around they probably just kept using what they had and new worked. I am sure LR boxes were cheaper than isuzu boxes for LRA.

The swap to the LT85 in the 110s and 120s was purely because the gearbox that came with the CKD kits changed.

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Originally Posted by Rand Lover

Hello , me again,

Since it seams that the adaptation of the 6x6 with a 5 speed gear box is a bit hard I might consider bringing my Defender 130 to life.
It's got a cracked head (just like me said the leader of the opposition !!!!)

Anyway What are the chances to fit a 4 BD1 or 4BE1 or a 4JJ1 in it with a MXA-6R gear box (I just like the ratios) I am not after pulling the statue of liberty nor climbing the everest with it just fuel economy and ease on the engine and since I am in the North the roads are very flat here and I do intend to do long hauls in the future.( Gold prospecting will be my retirement activity)

Any hints appreciated.

Might put the 6x6 for sale....

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Fitting any of those engines is relatively easy. The difficulty will be getting approval. Depending on the year of your 130 some options may be ruled out. However the higher GVM of the 130 may mean the rules are different than for 110s. You need to speak to the modification approvals people in NT to see what they will allow in terms of year model of the engine and/or emissions spec (which ADRs it needs to comply with).

EDIT - I see you put down a 6-speed box. Bush65 is the only person I am aware of running a 6-speed. Apparently the extension housing means you cannot bolt an LT230 straight to the back. John decided to fit an atlas t-case, however a divorce-mounted LT230 would also be an option and others have gone down this path with other conversions.