R380 into an 88" with 3.9 Serp V8

I've seen many threads discussing the idea of doing this, but none of how good the end result is. I've managed to get hold of a low mileage reconditioned 300tdi Defender R380 gearbox. It's showing no signs of wear on the output shaft what so ever.

As it stands is has the Defender long bell housing and no transfer box. I'd like to mate this to the 3.9 V8 and Series transfer box, I can see however that this is an expensive job. As well as the Ashcroft R380 to Series transfer adaptor I would need:

Part Number Description
FTC4018 Bell housing 111mm
FTC4238 Cover assembly Front
FTC5062 Pinion Shaft 170mm, 22mm spigot
STC1628 Pinion Shaft bearing
UKC1060L Pinion Shaft Oil seal
UKC8L Pinion Shaft Bearing
FTC2737 Pinion Shaft Spacer
UTJ100210 Clutch bearing
FTC4173 Lever Clutch Release pivot ball
FRC5255 Slipper pad clutch x 2
FTC4174 Pivot Plate
FS108301L Bolt x2
FRC3416 Staple
FRC8531 Slave Cylinder Clutch
FS108251 Flange Screw x2 (M8x25)
FTC4229 Push Rod Slave Cylinder
FRC3327 Clip - Clutch push rod
NRC7441 Bracket Jump Hose

Add to the above a clutch and pressure plate and we're getting on for £1000 plus the original cost of the R380 gearbox.

I already have the adaptor for the V8 to the series etc.

Is the result worth the cost, have I missed anything?

With the above set-up the gearbox comes in at 500mm (front of bell housing to mounting face of transfer box) plus the Ashcroft adaptor plate for the transfer box and we can call that 510mm.

The original Series gearbox measures 425mm for the same set-up, so we have an extra 85mm to loose somewhere. The V8 adaptor plate does not count here as I'm already using that so consider it part of the engine. I am also assuming that the standard Series V8 adaptor kit (Phillips Milner) is going to work for me with this set-up. Also what clutch / pressure plate?

Input pinions come in 21 teeth (FTC5056) and 22 teeth (FTC5062) how will I know which I need or do I have to open the box?

I did think about using the short LT77 bell housing as you can pick that up for around £100 less than the special R380 one, but as it turns out is 140mm not the 111mm of the special (FTC4018). Is there any way to lower the conversion cost, or is this about the going rate?

Cheers,
Nath

std defender r380 has 22 tooth input you can tell by prefix ie 56a,you can just fit v8 shaft and bell housing, i built such a vehicle , the back end was a bit light for the power

Hi James, thanks for this, It's a 56A suffix J box. So from what you have said it's a 22 tooth FTC5062 pinion shaft I need to get.

Do you remember what clutch you used? I'm guessing one of the Diesel ones, possibly 2.5NA?

3.9 clutch as it was then a v8 with v8 box

ftc5044 is input id use with the ve bell housing , ive probably got both

I hear what your saying there, use standard V8 parts. I'll need to get my tape measure out again. Stubby bell housing is 111mm + 60mm for adaptor, is the V8 R380 bell housing longer than 171mm?