I've got a series 2a Land Rover SWB diesel with a Mayflower PTO winch. I love the Landy but find it pretty slow on dual carriageways. I don't want to over rev the engine so max speed is about 50mph. I have an overdrive to fit but would lose the winch if I fit it. What are people's opinions overdrive or winch. If I go overdrive then I'm thinking about replacing the PTO winch with either a capstan winch or an electric Ramsey RE8000. I like the old look of the Ramsey but not sure whether it will fit on the front of a series or if it's way too big any thoughts?
Overdrive vs winch
- Thread starter andd1ee
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You don't say, other than top speed, what you mostly use it for, so I'd ask, do you need to use a winch regularly?
If you do need to use a winch then don't fit overdrive, or fit the overdrive and swap the winch to electric.
If you don't use the winch, maybe add the overdrive and remove the driveshafts etc for the winch so you keep it's look.
Another option might be to raise the diff gearing at both ends to raise the overall gearing, which might be easier and cheaper than an Overdrive and/or different winch!.
If you do need to use a winch then don't fit overdrive, or fit the overdrive and swap the winch to electric.
If you don't use the winch, maybe add the overdrive and remove the driveshafts etc for the winch so you keep it's look.
Another option might be to raise the diff gearing at both ends to raise the overall gearing, which might be easier and cheaper than an Overdrive and/or different winch!.
Bobsticle
De Villes Advocaat
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'50'
I should be so lucky.
I should be so lucky.
zeaphod
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If you haven't done anything to increase power, the overdrive won't mean you can cruise at 60. It will reduce engine noise at 50 though - although you will have to listen to the overdrive, which can be noisy buggers.
X1 on the overdrive. It won't allow you to get 60 mph. A series will do over 50 but it's not really happy doing that. The brakes and steering aren't up to it especially on busy roads. Not sure why you can't have both. The overdrive fits onto the back of the main gearbox and has nothing to do with the pto for a winch unless your winch is rear mounted?
winchman
Active Member
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In my experience many people who fit winches hardly use them so its up to you to decide.
I can't see the over drive helping a vast amount its never going to be a fast vehicle, as some one already mentioned the brakes etc aren't up to much.
I can't see the over drive helping a vast amount its never going to be a fast vehicle, as some one already mentioned the brakes etc aren't up to much.
An alternative might be to get the gearing change job done that ashcrofts do. They modify the transfer box so you have a taller normal range but leaves the low range (and I assume any connection you might have for a gearbox driven winch) intact...
Turboman
Mab An Gov
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High range transfer box is very good. But like the other gearing solutions, a standard series engine may not be able to pull the higher ratios.
Not absolutely sure, but I dont think it is possible to have PTO with High Range Trans box. Someone else may know different.
I don't know either but I was assuming (possibly incorrectly) that the gearbox driven winch ran from the same position that the overdrive gets fitted - hence the choice "overdrive or winch" - so I put two and two together and thought about Ashcroft's alternative solution an overdrive...
Turboman
Mab An Gov
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Neither off us are quite sure if you can use PTO attachment with an Ashcroft high range transfer box. Been many years since I have had one!
Ashcroft HRT
You can use your winch but it looks like ashcroft have stopped modifying he transfer case for people. What engine do you have 2.25 will not manage ashcroft ratios unless in excellent condition with turner head [My opinion have 200DI with ashcroft HRT fitted with 7.50's on I have to drop a gear on long hills]
from there website http://ashcroft-transmissions.co.uk/the-series-vehicle/high-ratio-gear-set.html
" For the Ser IIA & III we can offer a high ratio transfer case gear set. This gear set was developed as a stronger alternative to the Series "overdrive." By using the High Ratio conversion the High range is raised by 31.8% (overdrive is 27.5%) whilst leaving Low range unchanged. This suits most users who like a higher gear for on road economy, retaining the stock low range for off road use. Other advantages of this conversion, compared with fitting 3.54 diffs, are:- the speedo. drive will not need re-calibrating, there is no loss of handbrake efficiency and most importantly there is no loss of strength. . Please note this kit cannot be used as well as an Overdrive but you can still use the rear PTO.
In order to fit this kit you will need to modify your existing transfer box casing in order to accept these gears. Full instructions on how to make this modification are available in the technical section.
Please note that we cannot be responsible for any noise issues that may arise caused by the incorrect machining of your casing.
Sorry but we are not able to offer a fitting service on this kit"
You can use your winch but it looks like ashcroft have stopped modifying he transfer case for people. What engine do you have 2.25 will not manage ashcroft ratios unless in excellent condition with turner head [My opinion have 200DI with ashcroft HRT fitted with 7.50's on I have to drop a gear on long hills]
from there website http://ashcroft-transmissions.co.uk/the-series-vehicle/high-ratio-gear-set.html
" For the Ser IIA & III we can offer a high ratio transfer case gear set. This gear set was developed as a stronger alternative to the Series "overdrive." By using the High Ratio conversion the High range is raised by 31.8% (overdrive is 27.5%) whilst leaving Low range unchanged. This suits most users who like a higher gear for on road economy, retaining the stock low range for off road use. Other advantages of this conversion, compared with fitting 3.54 diffs, are:- the speedo. drive will not need re-calibrating, there is no loss of handbrake efficiency and most importantly there is no loss of strength. . Please note this kit cannot be used as well as an Overdrive but you can still use the rear PTO.
In order to fit this kit you will need to modify your existing transfer box casing in order to accept these gears. Full instructions on how to make this modification are available in the technical section.
Please note that we cannot be responsible for any noise issues that may arise caused by the incorrect machining of your casing.
Sorry but we are not able to offer a fitting service on this kit"
dominicbeesley
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As a cheaper alternative you could go for rangerover diffs. As others have said though a 2.25 diesel will likely struggle with those. A petrol in good order should be up to the job though.
Colthebrummie
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I have the same predicament to the OP, I have a Fairey drum winch fitted to the PTO where the overdrive needs to go. I don't use the winch much but I love the look of it, very manly! My thinking is that if its fitted it should be operational. The other consideration is the cost of a decent overdrive. I would have to drive a hell of a long way to recoup the cost I saved in petrol.
sgt wilson
Member
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Fitted an overdrive to my 2.25 petrol 2a 88 . Does not make a great deal of difference to top speed but it makes dual carriageway and even motorway driving a lot better experience.Also improves fuel economy especially if you do a lot of this kind of driving.
X1 on overdrive. I don't venture onto the motorway with the landy it's simply too slow.
