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rustandoil



Member Since: 08 Sep 2012
Location: Cotswolds
Posts: 735

England 2005 Defender 110 Td5 XS DCPU Bonatti Grey
110Matty wrote:

I think if i was towing a 1.3 would have interested me also, but for my use (cruising mainly / longer trips) the 1.2 with mild tune / remap was recommended.

My Ashcroft unit has arrived and will be fitted next week. I'll be sure to report back as soon as it's fitted.

So, yes, I have gone for it, but yet to be able to confirm. I've also gone for a rev counter, so I will try to record some speeds / revs, before and after, as well as report on driveability, hills, pulling away etc.



This is something I want to get right....I will await 110Mattys report Thumbs Up


Last edited by rustandoil on 22nd Apr 2024 11:29am. Edited 1 time in total
Post #1032217 20th Apr 2024 9:49am
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sako243



Member Since: 08 Jul 2014
Location: Wales
Posts: 1216

Wales 1994 Defender 110 300 Tdi CSW Alpine White
I've run a 1.2 box behind my 300Tdi for over 10 years, now also on 33" tyres. 1st is quite tall but a 130 HD clutch after 150k of abuse hardly had any wear on it.

Every 3rd or 4th journey is towing. I've actually found the 1.2 ratios suit towing far better than a 1.4 because you can sit in the power band for various speed limits, when I had the 1.4 box it was back and forth between the gears. For example 50 through to 70mph is perfectly bearable in fourth. If I have to do a hill start with a few tonnes behind it then there's always low range and it's not particularly difficult to shift ranges on the go. It's no 4.4TDV8 but still tows a lot nicer than a lot of competitor products. Ed
82 Hotspur Sandringham 6x6
95 Defender 110 300Tdi
Post #1032221 20th Apr 2024 11:25am
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110Matty



Member Since: 20 Apr 2023
Location: Somerset
Posts: 129

United Kingdom 
Before and after - current
rustandoil wrote:
110Matty wrote:

I think if i was towing a 1.3 would have interested me also, but for my use (cruising mainly / longer trips) the 1.2 with mild tune / remap was recommended.

My Ashcroft unit has arrived and will be fitted next week. I'll be sure to report back as soon as it's fitted.

So, yes, I have gone for it, but yet to be able to confirm. I've also gone for a rev counter, so I will try to record some speeds / revs, before and after, as well as report on driveability, hills, pulling away etc.



This is something I want to get right....I will await 110Mattys report Thumbs Up


So, now I have the rev counter fitted, so the info might prove interesting to some or maybe it will pose further questions or discussion.

Two things to note - firstly I don’t want to question or slag off the original gearing. After all it’s more utility than comfortable cruiser from the factory. Secondly, my 90 is fitted with 17 inch alloys and chunky Cooper Discoverer STT Pro tyres, so current road speeds will be slightly screwed.

I find that 1st quickly becomes 2nd and 3rd also soon after. I can happily be in 3rd at 15 to 20 mph, 4th at 25-30 and 5th as low as 35 mph. That’s my personal reason for trying a 1.2 transfer box (with mid remap). I recorded speedo and tacho as follows (all 5th gear, steady A road):
40 mph - 1900 rpm
45 mph - 2100 rpm
50 - 55 mph - c. 2500 rpm (didn’t note it down)
65 mph - 3000 rpm
67 mph - 3100 rpm and getting pretty loud.

Speedo checked against wife’s car in front on cruise control and her 70 showed mine at 65 ish, maybe 67 tops. This didn’t shock me.


This may or may not be interesting. I should be able to report the ‘after’ in the next couple of days.
Post #1032841 25th Apr 2024 7:30pm
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BaronDefenders



Member Since: 28 Jun 2019
Location: London/Cotswolds
Posts: 895

United Kingdom 2004 Defender 90 Td5 CSW Santorini Black
rustandoil wrote:
Did you go for the 1.2 transfer box?

How are you getting on with it?

I've been advised 1.3 is the sweet spot and I don't know what to do



I’ve now had experience with 1.4, 1.2, and 1.3 in my 90. 1.4 on 267/75R16 BFGs was too low geared, and motorways were tedious. I went up to 1.2, which was OK on 265/75R16. However, I moved to 285/75R16 and the 1.2 was just too high, even with a remap. Motorway driving was great, but setting off in 1st always felt a little laboured. I’ve settled on 1.3 with a V8 ratio 5th gear. Gears 1-4 are perfect. 5th gear is lovely at 65-70mph, although I wouldn’t mind slightly lower RPM. Unfortunately, the 1.2 would sap too much power for my liking with the current set-up. For context, I’m running a VNT and all the associated toys on a Td5. 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
Post #1032887 26th Apr 2024 6:30am
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rustandoil



Member Since: 08 Sep 2012
Location: Cotswolds
Posts: 735

England 2005 Defender 110 Td5 XS DCPU Bonatti Grey
Well, I've gone for a Ashcroft 1.3 transfer box.... I needed to make a decision and get the car back on the road.
Post #1032893 26th Apr 2024 7:35am
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110Matty



Member Since: 20 Apr 2023
Location: Somerset
Posts: 129

United Kingdom 
I will admit that I have slight trepidation over this, but I'm going with the advice from our well regarded local specialist. He's fitted 1.2's to most of his own trucks, currently he has 4 or 5 I think he said! When I met him and talked it through, he told me that he'd taken off pretty much as many overdrives as he'd fitted (of different types / makes) - my preferred route was overdrive initially - and they are much more expensive. He also said that even towing it's fine in his opinion. His only comment was that he finds reversing heavy loads, up a slope, as the time when he potentially feels over geared. Like others have stated, that's where the low ratio box comes in. I personally don't expect to tow much at all.

My worse case scenario is change the 1.2 (and sell or exchange again) for say a 1.3 or different set-up as others have done and I'd still be way under the cost of the overdrive. Everyone has their own experience which is good to hear, but I'll only really know after living with it for a few weeks. As said before, my intended use is A and B roads with some longer trips thrown in (Motorway). I'm aware there is a compromise to be had, so I'm leaning towards and hoping the 1.2 is right for me, especially with the remap. I'll be sure to report back with my first impressions. Cheers.
Post #1032894 26th Apr 2024 7:35am
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geobloke



Member Since: 06 Nov 2012
Location: Nottinghamshire
Posts: 4410

United Kingdom 
rustandoil wrote:
Well, I've gone for a Ashcroft 1.3 transfer box.... I needed to make a decision and get the car back on the road.


Looking forward to hearing of your experience with the 1.3 Thumbs Up
Post #1032897 26th Apr 2024 7:48am
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110Matty



Member Since: 20 Apr 2023
Location: Somerset
Posts: 129

United Kingdom 
me too Thumbs Up
Post #1032902 26th Apr 2024 8:05am
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Linds Hanson



Member Since: 16 Jan 2021
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 484

United Kingdom 
A tuned 90 TD5 will happily run a V8 5th gear and 1.2 transfer gearing as we have proved many times but 110's are much happier with a 1.3 we just exchanged a 1.2 for 1.3 in a hardtop 110 last week. The owner complained of too much gear changing on rural roads in Cornwall. Now V8's of the Rover variety we find work much better with a 1.4 ratio even on smaller tyres and any capacity up to 5.2 supercharged. Tdi's pull the higher gearing better than either TD5 or V8 at low engine speeds particularly with a VNT turbo but the 1.3 is still a better all rounder on a 110 particularly combined with a overdrive.
Post #1032920 26th Apr 2024 9:28am
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rustandoil



Member Since: 08 Sep 2012
Location: Cotswolds
Posts: 735

England 2005 Defender 110 Td5 XS DCPU Bonatti Grey
I certainly will report back.... Looking forward to driving the thing again Thumbs Up

My reasoning was that while I could probably live with the 1.4 without the overdrive, the fact that I need a new transfer case was seen as an opportunity for upgrade, I still want my Defender to be able to perform all "Defender duties" without too much compromise.... Even though I rarely tow.....the chance that the 1.2 would be a compromise was too great a risk for me, the transfer box has bust my Defender budget and I can't afford to the job again.
That said in the unlikely events that funds recover I will consider a Romadrive......

Anyway, the choice has been made, and hopefully things will turn out OK. Question
Post #1032934 26th Apr 2024 11:49am
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110Matty



Member Since: 20 Apr 2023
Location: Somerset
Posts: 129

United Kingdom 
Linds Hanson wrote:
A tuned 90 TD5 will happily run a V8 5th gear and 1.2 transfer gearing as we have proved many times but 110's are much happier with a 1.3 we just exchanged a 1.2 for 1.3 in a hardtop 110 last week. The owner complained of too much gear changing on rural roads in Cornwall. Now V8's of the Rover variety we find work much better with a 1.4 ratio even on smaller tyres and any capacity up to 5.2 supercharged. Tdi's pull the higher gearing better than either TD5 or V8 at low engine speeds particularly with a VNT turbo but the 1.3 is still a better all rounder on a 110 particularly combined with a overdrive.


That's a very valid point and i hadn't considered the 110 v 90 weight consideration. Thanks for the comments, makes me feel happier. Cheers
Post #1032935 26th Apr 2024 11:59am
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110Matty



Member Since: 20 Apr 2023
Location: Somerset
Posts: 129

United Kingdom 
Re: Before and after - the result
110Matty wrote:
rustandoil wrote:
110Matty wrote:

I think if i was towing a 1.3 would have interested me also, but for my use (cruising mainly / longer trips) the 1.2 with mild tune / remap was recommended.

My Ashcroft unit has arrived and will be fitted next week. I'll be sure to report back as soon as it's fitted.

So, yes, I have gone for it, but yet to be able to confirm. I've also gone for a rev counter, so I will try to record some speeds / revs, before and after, as well as report on driveability, hills, pulling away etc.



This is something I want to get right....I will await 110Mattys report Thumbs Up


So, now I have the rev counter fitted, so the info might prove interesting to some or maybe it will pose further questions or discussion.

Two things to note - firstly I don’t want to question or slag off the original gearing. After all it’s more utility than comfortable cruiser from the factory. Secondly, my 90 is fitted with 17 inch alloys and chunky Cooper Discoverer STT Pro tyres, so current road speeds will be slightly screwed.

I find that 1st quickly becomes 2nd and 3rd also soon after. I can happily be in 3rd at 15 to 20 mph, 4th at 25-30 and 5th as low as 35 mph. That’s my personal reason for trying a 1.2 transfer box (with mid remap). I recorded speedo and tacho as follows (all 5th gear, steady A road):
40 mph - 1900 rpm
45 mph - 2100 rpm
50 - 55 mph - c. 2500 rpm (didn’t note it down)
65 mph - 3000 rpm
67 mph - 3100 rpm and getting pretty loud.

Speedo checked against wife’s car in front on cruise control and her 70 showed mine at 65 ish, maybe 67 tops. This didn’t shock me.


This may or may not be interesting. I should be able to report the ‘after’ in the next couple of days.


So, first impressions - it's excellent. Just drove it for 30-40 mins, mixture of town, country lanes and A303. No negatives to report. Could tell the difference immediately in terms of lower revs and less urgency to change up so quickly. Plenty of power compensating for the higher gear ratio. It's as the guy who recommended it said, the remap and 1.2 initially feels pretty well spot on for me. Much quieter at speed, no need to change gear all the time at lower speeds (either up or down), drives nicely, feels well balanced to be honest. No weight on board except me and the old 1.4 box, so still plenty to assess in the coming days, weeks and months, under different conditions / circumstances.

For comparison, here are the road speeds / revs (again 5th, steady speed, flatish road):

47 - 1850
56 - 2200
62 - 2400
65 - 2500
68 - 2600
72 - 2750
75 - 2900
79 - 3000

Bearing in mind the larger wheels and tyre sizes and the speedo therefore under reading by a few MPH, it's basically added about 15% to 20% higher MPH for the same revs as before, which seems to make sense.

It could easily gone further still, but I don't intend to do those speeds again for safety reasons as much as anything else (aerodynamics, brakes, suspension, etc etc - we all know speed isn't everything and is obviously not the main reasoning for Defender ownership). The difference between 60 before and 60 now is significant and is what I was hoping for / expecting, without any known drawbacks.

Big thumbs up from me Thumbs Up
Post #1033514 1st May 2024 2:23pm
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rustandoil



Member Since: 08 Sep 2012
Location: Cotswolds
Posts: 735

England 2005 Defender 110 Td5 XS DCPU Bonatti Grey
Thats great news....and a very detailed analysis Thumbs Up

Hopefully my 1.3 will arrive soon and I can arrange to get it fitted, I'm going to get the local Defender friendly garage to do that it, my days of enjoying grovelling on the floor have passed.

How many boxes did you tick on the option list for your transfer box?
Post #1033517 1st May 2024 3:04pm
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110Matty



Member Since: 20 Apr 2023
Location: Somerset
Posts: 129

United Kingdom 
not many, mostly recon parts i think ! Wink

Look forward to your 1.3 report - i don't think you will be disappointed, but maybe on the longer runs you might want yours a bit higher and if towing you might feel better? The 1.3 does sound like a good all round compromise, but I'm very happy with the 1.2 so far. Personal choice and I hope you will be happy.
Post #1033520 1st May 2024 3:46pm
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rustandoil



Member Since: 08 Sep 2012
Location: Cotswolds
Posts: 735

England 2005 Defender 110 Td5 XS DCPU Bonatti Grey
How do your road speeds and RPM match up with the Ashcroft Ratio calculator?

I hope to make some similar road speed RPM notes.

I had a "twitchy" finger when it came to the options list Whistle
Post #1033581 2nd May 2024 8:22am
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