Series 3 Over drive, out with the Fairies or going roaming?

Folks,
Is it worth it?
Fitting an overdrive... and if so is going for a super winch fairey or a roamer drive better?
There is a chap on the Swiss forum who has said he has a brand new never used Fairey that he will let me have for 1500.- (£1200) is this a good deal? .. bearing in mind it would be without and kind of guarantee.

Would i be better of buying a Roamer ( with guarantee)...
Does even doing this make any sense or indeed benefit the driving.

Simon

It's only worth it if you plan to do a lot of miles on fast roads. When I was looking for a series 3, I was torn between getting one with an overdrive or a pto winch. In the end I got one with a fairy winch, it looks good in my opinion. An overdrive doesn't make it go any faster but it does save a bit of fuel when going over about 45. Also, they can be very noisy. £1200 does sound a lot. I've seen unused ones for about £800.

Col

Sorry just re-read your post, is £1200 for a fairey winch, if yes, that's a good price

Col

I have the Fairey OD and its in constant use. I fitted it and it has transformed driving, but its important to understand how I use it. My LWB is a camper and so we drive 1-200 miles to somewhere and OD is in most of the way. Also its a 4203 Perkins which is very economical and torquey but has a limited rev range so the OD is a 5th gear which it badly needs. With RR diffs I also split 3/4th with the OD to use it like a 6 speed box. As an S2A with syncho on 3/4 only means having synchro on the OD gives me 3- 3OD- 4- 4OD as all synchro changes with 2nd if I'm feeling lucky. I would prefer the Roamer (much stronger - epicyclic) but I got the Fairy for a couple of £100 then rebuilt it as budget was limited. I would not have a winch for looks at its a lot of weight ahead of the front axle that does nothing except add to fuel costs and corrode wire rope. IF I wanted someting "sexy" on the front bumper I would fit a capstan, much more exclusive, lighter and equally useless but it doesn't corrode rope and it looks really cool. And you don't get them on Land Cruisers, Defenders or Jeeps. So my advice - for driving - Roamer OD, for posing - capstan. Fairy winch - money for nothing useful (better not say that too loud, I'm about to put my hydraulic PTO and control valve on e-bay..)

By the time you have paid out for the Fairey you might as well buy the better, stronger Roamerdrive. Fairey can only be used in 3rd and 4th. Roamer can be used in all gears. You can stick it in overdrive and forget about it on long trips. It is quiet and parts are available whereas parts are patchy for the Fairey.
I have a Roverdrive on mine and wouldn't be without it because I also have a 200 Di engine which makes the Land Rover very under-geared, it's screaming by 50 mph without the overdrive. Also useful as a splitter gear and makes people stare when I change gear in reverse! Overdrive 3rd gear is perfect for 30 mph zones.

Very much agree about 30 mph zones, I can do 25 or 35 without the OD but with it 30 is comfortable. If (when?) the Fairey OD gives up I'll probably replace it with a Roamerdrive, the lube and gear design is better and there's no stripping it off to grease the splines with £5 a drop grease.

rob1miles said:

Very much agree about 30 mph zones, I can do 25 or 35 without the OD but with it 30 is comfortable. If (when?) the Fairey OD gives up I'll probably replace it with a Roamerdrive, the lube and gear design is better and there's no stripping it off to grease the splines with £5 a drop grease.

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I’d been told never engage the overdrive at low speeds as it puts to much strain on it?

Just fitted a Fairey overdrive (bought off eBay) to my series 3 lightweight. Stripped it & checked it all out before fitting. Invested in the correct socket & a new main shaft nut. Works treat and in my opinion well worth it. Makes it much more comfortable to drive at 50-60 mph. Think £1200 a bit steep though. You could it a knackered one & rebuild it for less

I have a fairey I just leave it in od all the time, never had any problems

Fitted a Roamerdrive almost a couple of years ago now. Whilst I don't drive lots of miles per year it has still totally transformed the experience. Once warmed up I tend to leave the overdrive constantly engaged on many journeys as you can use the Roamerdrive in 1st and 2nd too. It makes urban driving easier - taller 1st and 2nd akin to a regular car ratio so pulling out of roundabouts gives you more time before reaching for 2nd.
It's damned expensive and tricky to justify financially unless you do a lot of miles. However, with my 2.25d I can batter keep up with traffic on A roads now, resulting in a much more relaxing drive.

Regarding the strenght of the Fairey OD, I'm sure its less than the Roamerdrive and I'm careful to use a light foot when accelerating, bareing in mind I have the 3.3l diesel, but quite a few times I've forgotten to disengage it and pulled away in 1st. I'm sure it didn't do it any good, but it survived. Better start saving for that Roamerdrive if I keep forgetting, my memory is only going one way! The hardest load on the OD is motorway driving as its full engine torque and revs for long periods and I think they get pretty hot. I check the oill regualry (OK not weekly as it say you should) and it uses very little but my fear is it holds so little that if it got hot and leaked all the oil would be gone in no time.
I should add that no matter how much people complain about the noise the OD makes, its always lot quieter with it engaged than not because it drops the engine revs 25%

What engine have you...
When I fitted my 200di it had plenty of power to let me fit 3.5 diffs...gives same ratio as o/d high for a fraction of the price...and no whining...some can be very bad...my old one was good...but bought it new in 75 and always looked after it...but the bugger always leaked oil.

Glad to see the back of it TBH but did make the diesel Landrover liveable with over all the years.

Another plus for Roamerdrive is the fact that, apart from the casing, most of the internals are sourced from other manufacturers and are readily available, the bearings are standard generic sizes which you can get from any bearing supplier.

Simon - might not be suitable for your needs (I'm not sure if you have an LT77 or a series box) but have you considered the Ashcroft high ratio transfer kit?

Thanks Folks for the advice.
I think it's the Roamer then... Swiss guy got a bit narked when i told him the price was a bit high.
He tried to tell me i couldnt get a unit for under 2500.- ... i pointed out paddocks and then got the standard accusation of foreighners wreckng the swiss market ..
anyhow ... roamer it is

My Roverdrive installation:

As a foot note, mine must have had an overdrive in the past as there is a hole where the lever was ...

Nick666 said:

Simon - might not be suitable for your needs (I'm not sure if you have an LT77 or a series box) but have you considered the Ashcroft high ratio transfer kit?

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I like the look of this... but i would need to find an old box to send to them ... do you know how conplicated this is to fit? compared with the overdrive?

I'm not at the stage of seriously planning this yet - hopefully this time next year! So I don't know beyond what's in the description. Sounds about as complex as a 'normal' transfer box rebuild, i.e. no having to shift things around. But Ashcroft have a good rep for customer service, they'd probably explain what's involved in more detail if you call!
Ebay's got a few series boxes if that's of any help... You could just sell yours afterwards.

High ratio transfer might be a big mistake in a mountainous country like Switzerland. It will be like being in overdrive all the time with no option to come out of it. Think also of the big gap between 3rd and 4th. An overdrive gives you so many options. Also, the HRTB will throw your speedo out, (I think, or is that different diffs?) and you will have to get it re-calibrated. Fitting an HRTB is not too bad but you have to send in your old transfer case for exchange to Ashcroft. Fitting an overdrive is easier.