Stage One with R380 - any experience?

[andy LR]

Hello there, I'm tired of the LT95 and its shortcomings and I'm planning to buy a R380 and a LT230 boxes.
I assume that the latest Defender ratios should be ok.
The only real worry I have is the bell housing lenght.
Do anybody here have done this conversion before? Any advice?
thanks
andy

[Alicerover]

I am doing this conversion myself, although I am using a LT77 gearbox that will be mated to a chain drive transfer box (rangerover with the viscous diff)
You will need to source a gearbox from a V8 discovery or rangerover as the V8 bellhousing is different to the Diesel version. From my rough measurements, all should just 'drop' into place and line up. (Famous last words!!)
It is possible to convert a rear shifting gearbox (Disco/RR) to a front shifting (Defender) arrangement and the transmition tunnel will require a little reworking to fit the rubber gearstick gater.
Then look forward to quieter running and an improved mpg

[andy LR]

All done, it was much easier than we thought ... once you have all the right components. We did found out that the bellhousing from a v8 disco, LT 77, do not fit with the R380. Unfortunately it is not so clear stated in any spare catalogues.
Anyway thanks of Ashcroft Transmissions we got a new one in record time and we could finish the job. By the way I got the gearbox and the transfer box from Ashcroft. Very good service and quality. Only thing is why the rear switch and the speedo flange are not in the box ...
The car feels now as new. Finally no gearbox noise, no huge play, great smooth ride. The drive feels incredibly sorted. The gear rates are much better than on the LT95, better spaced. The first is shorter, which gives a better use of the torque.
What a great car she is now.

All Stage Ones deserve to be fitted with a R380!

[firemanshort]

Andy - you said that the V8 disco LT 77 bell housing did not fit but you did not say what DID fit. I would love to see a complete parts list for this.

... and you were able to do this with no bulkhead / transmission tunnel modifications?

[Alicerover]

I haven't been able to do much more work on Alice due to being very busy at work.
How ever, I'm just about to send my gearbox off to Ashcrofts for a rebuild. Glad to hear that everything has gone in ok. I thought that that would be the case. What did you do with the trans tunnel? Can you put up some pics of what you did. I have got a Defender tunnel ready to remove the gearlever rubber gator flange.
Have you noticed an improuvement in mpg? or are you still enjoying the new lease of life?
Now getting very jealous, I feel some long nights coming on to progress things

[noexitroad]

just wondering about the driveshafts, were the originals ok or did you replace them as well??

[disco2hse]

What about the cardan on the front?

[Highlanderv8]

Hey,

I am also interested in how many modifications are needed to fit the r380.

Can any one give more details of this job?

Cheers

Phil

[disco2hse]

Seems the best thing is to send an email to Ashcrofts and ask them, at this stage.

You could do a search on www.aulro.com.

Some discussion here but about 101 forward controls, similar problems though:
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/101-forward-c ... -r380.html

More than what you probably wanted to know about R380 boxes here:
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/isuzu-landy-e ... ost1630283

More specific discussion here:
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/isuzu-landy-e ... post954355

And whatever else you find.

[Highlanderv8]

Thanks for the info.

I better get reading!