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Iano



Member Since: 03 Jul 2007
Location: Cork
Posts: 3

Ireland 2005 Defender 130 Td5 HCPU Alpine White
Upgrades to the engine and gearbox.
My defender is standard having no upgrades. Did anybody fit a G.K.N overdrive and was it worth it? I do around 600km per week on a mixture of good and second class roads, and want a better crusing speed with less engine noise. Any information on making things better is welcome.
Post #183 3rd Jul 2007 9:54pm
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TJ101



Member Since: 30 May 2007
Location: Taunton Somerset
Posts: 3750

Isle Of Man 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Montalcino Red
Hi,, in short, yep, well worth it,
Your cruising speed will be the same, but with a lot less noise & revs, It will take a fair few miles for it to pay for itself, out of memory around the 50k mark, but the more relax drive make it worth it, California F1, 75th 110 "Kermit", 50th Ann V8, 90 V8 Hybrid, 55 Series 1

Main Brian James Trailer Dealer for South West UK
Post #184 3rd Jul 2007 10:09pm
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JSG



Member Since: 12 Jul 2007
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 2412

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey
Yes, I had one on the old TD5 and it made motorways much more pleasant. Fuel economy seemed slightly better - but not enough to pay for it.
Post #255 12th Jul 2007 12:53pm
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Le Rodent Noir



Member Since: 16 Aug 2007
Location: Essex Marshes
Posts: 23

England 2001 Defender 110 Td5 XS DCPU Epsom Green
GKN overdrive or Q gears..??

Don't know which would be better - I know which would be cheaper. I am tempted to go for the Ashcroft's conversion, don't know anyone who has had it done.

Cheers, Le Rodent Noir.
Post #397 17th Aug 2007 7:05pm
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Laurie



Member Since: 22 Feb 2008
Location: Sussex, England
Posts: 2897

England 2005 Defender 90 Td5 XS CSW Bonatti Grey
Hi - I'm new on here. I purchased a TD5 Ninety XS nearly a year ago.
Was going to buy a new standard Defender until 'Band G' reared it's ugly head, so decided to go for a good second hand one to avoid escalating road tax bills.
Eventually bought one from Guy Salmon at Gatwick, two years old but only 6,600 miles on the clock.
It seems terribly under geared - 5th gear is about where I would expect 4th gear to be.
Am considering an Ashcroft conversion. Has anyone gone this way? What's the best ratio?
Gumtree Enterprises have quoted about £7/800 for the job Which is a lot cheaper than an overdrive.
Post #1492 27th Feb 2008 5:19pm
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mrwoo



Member Since: 03 Jan 2008
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 286

United Kingdom 2004 Defender 90 Td5 CSW Epsom Green
I put 1.222 gear ratios into my old 300 instead of going down the GKN route, I didnt regret it for one second as I liked the idea that I was keeping everything land rover and was not going to have to worry about where to get GKN parts and of course the seperate oil change that it requires.

I had my whole transfer box replaced with a completely reconditioned discovery one for around £450, I had the job done at www.legs.co.uk Land Rover engine & gearbox specialists in Oswestry. The good thing about this was although there was nothing wrong with the original box I got a reconditioned one with all new bearings in with the deal of upgrading the ratios.

Richard (of course 6th in a Puma is much better)


Last edited by mrwoo on 28th Feb 2008 4:13pm. Edited 1 time in total
Post #1505 28th Feb 2008 9:30am
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JSG



Member Since: 12 Jul 2007
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 2412

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey
I had a GKN overdrive on my old TD5 110 and it gave the best of both worlds - high ratios for motorways and standard low ratios for off road. I had no problems with my overdrive but have heard tales of woe from others.

With the current question over parts availability I guess I'd go for the Disco gears.
Post #1510 28th Feb 2008 3:23pm
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jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 8059

 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
with the Q gears (ie disco 2 ones) it doenst change low range so off roading is the same.

I went through the option when i had my td new in '99 and went for th GKN option, i worked out it would take 66k miles at 10% saving on economy to get the money back and its done over 80k since being fitted plus fuel has gone up so i reckon its paid for itself.

brilliant on the main roads use it as you would 6th in the 07 or use it as a splitter box when towing ie 3rd to 3rd + odrive gives a quick under power change when accelerating away with a heavy trailer etc.

i didnt go for the disco gears as i live in a hilly area and tow alot and it prob would of meant less use of third and 4th.

cheapest way must be to get a 2nd hand T box from a D2 - most t boxes seem to go around the 150- 250 mark, and then fit yourself.

i don't think you can get a GKN odrive anymore anyway from what i have heard. Cheers

James
110 2012 XS Utility
130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper
90 2010 Hardtop
90 M57 1988 Hardtop
Post #1521 28th Feb 2008 7:19pm
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B19DEF



Member Since: 05 Apr 2008
Location: Oop North
Posts: 5

Got a Td5 disco transfer box in my 300tdi, but thinking of a GKN overdrive as well, the transfer box with the Q gears is a little quieter, but not that noticeable, the higher ratio gears are a lot better though, cruise at around 70 without too much noise. The GKN overdrive would quieten it down even more ....
Post #1879 13th Apr 2008 10:16pm
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