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diesel_jim

Member Since: 13 Oct 2008
Location: hiding
Posts: 6092

Recon gearbox

I'm soon to order a replacement gearbox for the 110, 5th is getting quite noisy.

I'm torn between Winchester and Ashcrofts; with the HD 5th gear bearings there's only about £85 difference between them both.

I've used Ashcrofts quite a lot in the past for ARB lockers and bits, never had any issues, read plenty of horror stories but I guess any gearbox reconditioner can have issues.

What do the audience here think?

Also, both do the "V8" lower ratio 5th gear. My 110 has a 235's, 1.2:1 transfer box, IRB 190bhp tune and VGT turbo so does pull very well. Will the 5th gear make it over geared does anyone think? (eventually it's going back to a 1.4:1 and 255's)

Cheers

16th Dec 2022 6:46am

andy2111

Member Since: 17 Oct 2021
Location: Kent
Posts: 365

I bought a recon R380 from Ashcroft and had it fitted last week. I also had the HD bearing fitted.

Hardly done any miles in it yet, but all good so far.

I already have a Disco transfer box and asked Dave at Ashcroft's if I could/should also add the taller 5th gear and he advised against it. I also have a stage 2 tune, HD clutch etc so plenty of power, but he said it still could mean shifting back between 4th and 5th unnecessarily TD5 hardtop to Puma inspired Poptop - my build thread

2002 110 TD5 Hardtop ¦ Full Puma interior ¦ Carpathian grey / Santorini black ¦ X-Vision-X poptop

Last edited by andy2111 on 16th Dec 2022 10:30am. Edited 1 time in total

16th Dec 2022 8:36am

ibexman

Member Since: 13 Dec 2008
Location: Essex
Posts: 2945

PM incoming

16th Dec 2022 9:20am

landy andy

Member Since: 15 Feb 2009
Location: Ware, Herts
Posts: 5699

2006 Defender 110 Td5 USW Zermatt Silver

Winchester. Had issues with Ashcrofts boxes many times before.

16th Dec 2022 9:36am

BuckBlu110

Member Since: 19 Apr 2014
Location: in the pub
Posts: 712

1994 Defender 110 BMW M57 3.0 Diesel CSW Buckingham Blue

This is interesting as I’m looking to replace my r380 after xmas.
Not heard of Winchester gears before and their prices are very competitive.
I was going with Ashcroft but would also like to hear more feedback from those that have dealt with Winchester boxes.

16th Dec 2022 4:08pm

diesel_jim

Member Since: 13 Oct 2008
Location: hiding
Posts: 6092

andy2111 wrote:
I bought a recon R380 from Ashcroft and had it fitted last week. I also had the HD bearing fitted.

Hardly done any miles in it yet, but all good so far.

I already have a Disco transfer box and asked Dave at Ashcroft's if I could/should also add the taller 5th gear and he advised against it. I also have a stage 2 tune, HD clutch etc so plenty of power, but he said it still could mean shifting back between 4th and 5th unnecessarily

This answers my question perfectly with regards to the 5th gear. Will keep it standard then

Cheers

16th Dec 2022 4:46pm

Penfold_6290

Member Since: 22 Sep 2021
Location: Dorset
Posts: 317

I fitted an R380 from Ashcroft last year with the V8 fifth gear ratio and at the same time fitted a LT230 with Ashcroft's 1.3 ratio. Very pleased with both boxes and the service from Ashcroft. It has transformed my 110 (standard tune) on the odd occasion we find a road where 70mph is permitted.

16th Dec 2022 5:43pm

barbel jim

Member Since: 12 Dec 2012
Location: Northants
Posts: 1423

In the past 18 months I’ve had 2 recon boxes from Ashcroft. (2 different td5) both have been trouble free, tight when first fitted but loosen up after a couple of thousand miles. I opted for the hd bearing on the second box, as I regular tow , mind the original box did 200k

I toyed with the idea of the v8 fifth gear, but decided against. The only real advantage would be motorway work. Currently run 1.2 transfer box ratio and the alive gtb450 vnt. It’s a dream for my needs and usage. With the vnt I have max torque at 2050rpm.It would easily cope towing 3.5 ton and the higher ratio ….. But sitting on the power at 55mph is plenty fast enough thanks
rolllaugh:

16th Dec 2022 7:13pm

andy2111

Member Since: 17 Oct 2021
Location: Kent
Posts: 365

The GTB450 is on my shopping list for next year. Alive did my stage 2 tune so I'm going back for more. I'm looking for more torque at lower revs and I've read lots of good reviews on the 450.

Random question for those who have fitted a recon gearbox.. Was it louder or quieter than the old box? TD5 hardtop to Puma inspired Poptop - my build thread

2002 110 TD5 Hardtop ¦ Full Puma interior ¦ Carpathian grey / Santorini black ¦ X-Vision-X poptop

16th Dec 2022 7:27pm

BaronDefenders

Member Since: 28 Jun 2019
Location: London/Cotswolds
Posts: 896

2004 Defender 90 Td5 CSW Santorini Black

I’ve just fitted a Winchester Gears Stage 1 R380 to my 90. It’s decked out with HD bearings and the V8 fifth gear. So far, no complaints. Charlie

1949 Series 1 80 (SOLD)
2002 Td5 90 (SOLD)
2008 Freelander 2 (SOLD)

1958 Series 2 88 Pastel Green (2019 LR Legends Best Restored)
1983 V8 110 Limestone (Previously owned by Tom Sheppard MBE)
2004 Td5 90 Santorini Black (Td5INSIDE Powered & Rebuilt by CSK)
2012 Puma 110 Zermatt Silver (Overlanding Build)

Instagram: @BaronDefenders

16th Dec 2022 7:52pm

MarkBrown

Member Since: 03 Oct 2022
Location: Mid Wales
Posts: 462

1983 Defender 110 Other HT Auto Keswick Green

Many years ago I fitted a 3.5 efi V8 engine in a 110. It had the standard 235 85 16 tyres along with a viscous transfer box out of a Range Rover, which was presumably 1.2 ratio. The chap who built the gearbox ( lt77 ) put in a high 5th gear, but on ordinary roads it was too tall and forth had to be used, unless flat or downhill. It was good on a motorway though. I think that the engine ( 165 bhp ) didn't really make enough power to pull the higher gear. Choose carefully!

17th Dec 2022 6:29am

ibexman

Member Since: 13 Dec 2008
Location: Essex
Posts: 2945

My td5 with Porny tune V8 5th 1.2 Winchester boxes pull wonderful

17th Dec 2022 8:31am

rallysteve

Member Since: 10 Feb 2014
Location: Cumbria
Posts: 2227

2002 Defender 110 Td5 DCPU Keswick Green

MarkBrown wrote:
Many years ago I fitted a 3.5 efi V8 engine in a 110. It had the standard 235 85 16 tyres along with a viscous transfer box out of a Range Rover, which was presumably 1.2 ratio. The chap who built the gearbox ( lt77 ) put in a high 5th gear, but on ordinary roads it was too tall and forth had to be used, unless flat or downhill. It was good on a motorway though. I think that the engine ( 165 bhp ) didn't really make enough power to pull the higher gear. Choose carefully!

Likewise, my 90 has a 3.9efi and had an R380 with the V8 5th and 1.2 ratio transfer box and 255/85 tyres and it was very sluggish and 5th was mostly unused except on the motorway. Swapped back to a 1.4 ratio box and it it much better.

Steve 02' 110 TD5 Double Cab Rebuild Thread

17th Dec 2022 9:06am

diesel_jim

Member Since: 13 Oct 2008
Location: hiding
Posts: 6092

Just to close this off..... I ordered an Ashcroft with HD 5th gear bearings.

They're growing it now.... should be 2.5 weeks until delivery.

15th Jan 2023 7:11pm

andy2111

Member Since: 17 Oct 2021
Location: Kent
Posts: 365

Identical spec to mine... Had it fitted just before Xmas and no problems at all TD5 hardtop to Puma inspired Poptop - my build thread

2002 110 TD5 Hardtop ¦ Full Puma interior ¦ Carpathian grey / Santorini black ¦ X-Vision-X poptop

15th Jan 2023 7:14pm

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