Gearbox From Down Under

Does anyone have any experience or point me in the direction of any material that shows a gearbox being removed from underneath a Series?

I've found a few references to upgrading to a bolt in crossmember for future benefit, however I have not found any accounts of carrying out the act itself.

The closest I've come is an account of someone removing a gearbox from above because their military chassis had been galvanized with the bolt in crossmember in place and therefore stuck there pretty good! I've also read that its probably only a benefit if you have a lift and a transmission jack etc.

The reason I ask is I've finally got my Series III on the road. Its been off the road since 1993 and abused as a farm vehicle. I have done a lot of work on it to make it roadworthy but not touched the clutch or gearbox and I consider this to be the weak link when I start putting the miles on. It is indeed an ex-military vehicle with the all important bolt in gearbox crossmember.

P.S I managed to register my Series III as an historic vehicle, it was built in 1980 so it now qualifies. This is why I now say its "on the road" because I no longer have to tax or MOT it. If anyone would like information on how I did this (without visiting my post office) then I'm happy to start a new thread.

It's an awkward job either way, but just go for it. A decent trolley jack and a sheet of plywood would help.

But if the box is fine, change the oils and be gentle, it should last.

Good advice mate. It's certainly a job I'll leave until absolutely necessary. I'll make sure to document it when its done.

Wise, remember that the weight in the box is in odd places, so it doesn't balance.
I'd take the transfer box off first then the main box. Makes it manageable.

I’ve taken mine out from above by removing roof and using timbers across doors and ropes , I would think no need for seat box removal if taking it out below although might help getting some some ground clearance , front floor and tunnel,cover would need to come out , if it’s supported above with ropes and prop off then a clutch change not too big a problem , without proper lifts a two man job makes it easier. I did manage to carry the gearbox complete with overdrive a short distance probably as I didn’t know how heavy it was
It’s a good idea to work around all those little and big nuts and bolts freeing them up or cutting off in readinesss for the time you need to get in

An excellent video on converting a Series 3 chassis to bolt-on gearbox crossmember is here:



If you can weld it looks like a pretty simple job.

It was that video that promoted me to go looking for an account of a gearbox being removed from underneath. I guess I’ll just have to wait till the Aussie guy needs to do the job!