Lt77 Gearbox questions

I have a LT77 fitted to my V8 on carbs Hybrid, its got a slightly noisy first gear when cold and I think the primary shaft is noisy when the clutch is not engaged.
Last summer I changed the ATF oil, should I of changed it with a semi synthetic gear oil instead? If so what oil?
Speaking of the gearbox I might source a replacement box, would a Discovery LT77 be OK with regards to ratios or should I look for a LT85?

Your opinions and views on my box of cogs is appreciated.

a cog is a replaceable wooden tooth in a gear wheel ,atf is good if box is and if it isnt oil choice wont make long term benefits,lt85 isnt a great box ,in what landy a rrc ?

Its a RRC Chassis, gearbox was from a RRC according to history when it was built in 1997.

Think theres an LT85 on ebay atm

400 plus quid, I think I have just seen it, but what is the issues with the Lt85? Or should I just get another cheap and abundant LT77 from a disco?

personally id get disco r380 box as is direct replacement apart from difflock linkage and clutch pipe

I though I read somewhere that the R380 box requires me to move the gearbox mounts back a couple of inches, and I suppose I would need a new tunnel cover to fit the new position of the diff lock lever?

MrNasty said:

I though I read somewhere that the R380 box requires me to move the gearbox mounts back a couple of inches, and I suppose I would need a new tunnel cover to fit the new position of the diff lock lever?

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short box is 4 cylinder defender ,all v8 boxes are long whether lt85 or lt77 or r380 as std

Or do what I had, machine the input shaft on short R380, use HD 300tdi clutch and an adaptor plate

Ok, so the consensus seems to lean towards a R380 box, what other modifications are involved, tunnel cover change, what about the transfer box I have, its a 230 is that going to bolt on? and what about the diff lever linkage modification is that straightforward? As for the clutch hose, is that just a longer hose I need?

r380 is the same length as lt77 but because rear housing is longer to cater for rev gear diff lock linkage has a dog leg ,slaves on drivers side with an r380,

jamesmartin said:

r380 is the same length as lt77 but because rear housing is longer to cater for rev gear diff lock linkage has a dog leg ,slaves on drivers side with an r380,

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that seems a better option than the one doc proposed imho.

Short r380 would keep original prop length

Dr_evil said:

Short r380 would keep original prop length

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if it was built as a v8 using a v8 box it will be disco length box ,though he would want defender spec gear change v8 r380

It's all RRC running gear, so I have the long bellhousing already, so I am looking for a r380 from a v8 Discovery then? I would not need to adjust the prop lengths or anything major?