ashcroft transmissions kits

Hi
Has anyone got any experiences with these High Ratio Kits
http://www.ashcroft-transmissions.co.uk/part_35.html

Thinking about getting one instead of a normal over drive.

they look good to me and their price seems alright compared to an OD off ebay that you do not know the history of. The only down side i see is if you want to do a lot of towing on the road, would it be too highly geared? Would a diesel cope either?

but no, i've no experiance of them

oh, and if your transfer box already has headache in it you could soon spend £100 in parts alone let alone time doing it or paying someone else so getting that kit would save you paying and repairing the box back to its original specs. If you get what I'm on about?

I don't have any experience of using either an overdrive or a modified transfer box, but I am sure the modified transfer box would be more efficient than an overdrive, as an overdrive will introduce additional friction to the transmission. I think that one of the reasons that (proper) 4x4s are so bad on fuel is that they have, in effect, 2 inline gearboxes and so the mechanical friction is twice as much as a normal gearbox. Putting an overdrive on, is adding a third gearbox - which will make things 3 times worse.

If you only use the Land Rover on the road, and both axles are Rover type, then Range Rover diffs might be worth considering. I think you could find them very cheaply. The down side is that low ratio gearing will be raised.

I think the most cost effective option is to not modify the transfer box or put an overdrive on - I just stick to a max. speed of 50 to 55 mph, except for overtaking. I am a believer in electric cooling fans though - as well as saving fuel, I've found they make the interior heater work better. I reckon that taking off the rear mud flaps (if fitted) might make a bit off difference to fuel consumption as they must make the air resistance worse.
I think there is a good argument for not making a series Land Rover faster: The 50's technology suspension, steering and brakes are not really up to it.

fenby1976 said:

I reckon that taking off the rear mud flaps (if fitted) might make a bit off difference to fuel consumption as they must make the air resistance worse.

Click to expand...

you might be right there but a series with or with out mud flaps is probably still as aerodynamic as a garden shed!

i was looking at those kits too but i'm a few weeks work off being in any place to have use for one!

clivees said:

Hi
Has anyone got any experiences with these High Ratio Kits
http://www.ashcroft-transmissions.co.uk/part_35.html

Thinking about getting one instead of a normal over drive.

Click to expand...

I have one and I love it. First is now a usable gear, and it is no longer a struggle to do 55 mph. It installs really easy, and appears to be of really good quality. The biggest "problem" is removing the numerous studs from the old case and re-installing them in the new case.

Looks the best bet to me. Overdrive is easy to fit and does work but its hassle having another lever to pull when you're driving normally and the lever doesn't fit in the cab too well either (Though it does look rather impressive to the casual observer having all them stix )
Ideally you would stick an overdrive in and have it permanently engaged, but they're not designed to work like that so not reccommended.

Looking like i'll be getting a Ashcroft for me birthday then

Probably not even any more xpensive then OD looking at some of the prices on fleabay

Yeah: Heidi's got one in. Brilliant! Alongside the 200TDi she'll now do 80mph along the autoroutes, no probs. Not bad for a Series 3 Gazole, eh? No longer do we have a long queue of milkfloats behind us.
Low ratio is the same as before, but high is quite a bit higher: first to second happens at about 10mph; you get to about 25 / 30mph before you need to put it into third. The look on some people's faces as you nip by them is well worth the money ;¬)

you cant go wrong with ashcroft stuff....