LT77 and R380

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dr pepper

dr pepper

New Member
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lancashire
Ok so I know that the two boxes will fit series, 200 or 300 tdi, what I was wondering is are both boxes the same length.
Thought I read somewhere that the '77 is similar to the series in dimension.
 
The R380 has a longer bellhousing but there is some rare short bellhousing ones that can replace short lt77's.
the lt77 is about 4" or so longer than series due to fifth gear.
 
So they are both 100mm longer or so.
Just been looking at a series with a lt77 and front disco axle.
The engine is in the same place so I suspect that the rear prop shaft is gonna be way too short, and if thats the case then the front axle fitment is also gonna be suspect, I recall there are issues with the track rods clouting the leafs.
 
i'm running a lt77 in my 88 i can't remember the measurement of the rear prop but its not to short, you could have a prop made up with wide angle uj's i should have some pics somewhere i'll put them up if i find them (recently had trouble with computer) as for the front axle i think the track rod is in line with the leaf springs with a disco axle un less you turn the axle(lifting the pinion up) then weld the spring saddles but i havn't done this axle mod i'v kept the series axle
 
Ok then I can see larger angle uj's solving the prop shaft issue, land rover shifted the engine up on the deffys to accomodate the 'box, maybe they didnt want to have the expense of special prop shafts, are wide angle prop shafts really expensive?
I remember another member I think it was teflon saying that a front disco axle tilt could be done, then to keep castor you'd have to drill new holes for the swivels, you'd probably need wide angle uj's on the front prop as well then to accomodate the diffo diff nose angle, which would be made worse as I believe disco diffs have a longer nose so the shaft would be shorter.
 
I have moved the engine forward but only by an inch or two and theres enough room to remove the handbrake drum for maintainace and i'm using standard uj's, a mate of mine done the same conversion but with a v8 so the gearbox had to go back (about 3") to make it fit he fitted wide uj's cos of the angles.

heres a pic of my rear prop

[URL=http://s650.photobucket.com/albums/uu228/sixhillpaul/?action=view&current=series2a010.jpg][/URL]

[URL=http://s650.photobucket.com/albums/uu228/sixhillpaul/?action=view&current=series2a012.jpg][/URL]

heres my front prop looking to the rear with a notch cut out of centre crossmember to clear it

[URL=http://s650.photobucket.com/albums/uu228/sixhillpaul/?action=view&current=series2a007.jpg][/URL]

heres a pic of the engine bay
[URL=http://s650.photobucket.com/albums/uu228/sixhillpaul/?action=view&current=series2a004.jpg][/URL]
 
Thanks for the photos, very usefull.
Looking at that I dont think I have a big issue as mine is a 109", so the props gonna be quite a bit longer.
The front prop is gonna have the same issues with the crossmember though innit, I didnt know the lt230 front prop was in a diffo position.
So all in all, the lt77 and transfer isnt such a hard mod for mi 109, disco axles is feasable too.
 
The diffrence is the 230 t/box hasn't got the long selecter housing on the front like the series t/box plus the 230 hangs down (or taller) than the series putting the prop inline with the top of the crossmember, i used a 110 rear prop and had it shortened for the front. i'm sorry i can't remember the measurements as i just made/build stuff without writing anything down,
I plan to do same again with a 109 that sitting in the yard but put a v8 in it, luckily it's early one with rover back axle so i can just put a r/rover diff in
 
Now mines nearing completion I keep thinking about the 'box, and everyones been saying dont forget the 'box, what about the poor 'box, it wasnt right when I started the conversion, it jumped out of high ratio, a replacement might be better.
Also my rear axle is a salisbury, but its nearly rotted through right up against the diff housing, might fail the test.
And on top af that I'd like the taller ratio diff's, not practical with a salisbury as disco/deffy's dont fit.
Then theres the issue of perma 4wd with the series front axle and lt77/230.
So after reading these posts and a few other bits of research I've done I'm now considering a gearbox and both axles swap.
Probably get the old girl on the road first though, its taken me 12 months to get this far, I'm getting old and knacked, like my 109.
 
Last edited:
There is a slight issue with perm 4wd and series axle like when you pull away from a junction on full lock i get a bit of a pulse effect but i just back off the throttle or change up a gear other no big deal really just be careful with the power.

I'v done about 5000 miles so far and the only thing i'd change is the springs for a better ride!!

Good luck with your 109
 
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