Series Recon Gearbox - Avoid JKB 4x4 Gearboxes

Evening all,

I've been sitting on this for a little while now but though I'd share my experience with JKB gearboxes. Image below is of the eBay listing, selling reconditioned Series 1, 2 and 3 gearboxes.

For search engine results:
JKB gearboxes
Joeb Hygate-Beaumont
Lumb Lane,
Halifax.
HX2 7UJ
01422 245946
07940 298364

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Land-Rov...2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0



Nov 29th 2021, I order and pay for a S3 reconditioned gearbox and transfer box. Told it would be dispatched the next day and with me by the end of the week. No tracking number given despite asking.

3rd Dec 2021, text message to say it won't be with me by the end of the week but will be collected next Monday.

8th Dec 2021, given tracking number that throws up an error. Sellers tells me delivery is due next Monday.

16th Dec 2021, nothing delivered so far so I message the seller asking for an update. A foot injury meant didn't drop it off when he said (even after giving me a tracking number) but is definitely enroute this time.

17th Dec 2021, gearbox delivered.

4th Jan 2022, fitted gearbox but transfer box leaking badly. Very stiff to get into gear but put it down to bedding in new parts. Hole in transbox for 4wd rod full of crud. Seller told of faults. No reply.

20th Jan 2022, more use of the new gearbox showed more problems. Starts popping out of 1st, 2nd and 3rd on overrun. Had to fit Roamerdrive sump to stop t'box leak, steel sump badly distorted and full of instant gasket. Seller informed, no reply.

27th Jan 2022, message seller again to sort the issues and resonds he will make contact the next day. Agree to call in a few days as I was working away.

3rd Feb 2022, seller tells me his Granddad will call the next day.

4th Feb 2022, Sellers Granddad calls, we discuss the problem and he tells me a new box will be sent out that week.

27th Feb 2022, sent message to the seller saying he's taking the ****. I was out of the country so gave over two weeks notice to send a replacement box or a full refund by the time I return on the 14th March.

15th March 2022, no gearbox. Messaged seller asking for update.

16th March 2022, seller tells me a replacement will definitely be with me by the end of the week and will give me a tracking number the next day. (No tracking number ever given).

21st March 2022, the gaurd at my work address says they attempted delivery a few days prior but as I'd received no tracking or warning of the delivery it got rejected.

23rd March 2022, I call the seller. No answer again. Text message the seller later on says it will be delivered tomorrow...

24th March 2022, replacement gearbox delivered. Only to be followed by a text message from the seller saying I've received another customers gearbox (S2) and mine is at the other address. Assured me it will be rectified and he will arrange them to be swapped over.

I try to ask where the other customer is so I can personally swap the boxes over in my own time, no reply. Multiple phone calls and messages, still no contact.

28th March 2022, without any warning from the seller a FedEx driver arrives to collect the wrong gearbox. Fortunately I'm at work at the time and can facilitate the collection. Deliveries/collections cannot just arrive at my work address and gain entry.

Last message from the seller on 28th is my gearbox will arrive on the 29th.

29th March 2022, no gearbox.

So far 11 calls to the seller and only 1 answered.

Interestingly, a delivery label for the incorrect gearbox originated from;

David Beaumont Gearboxes
Square Mill
Wainstalls
Halifax
HX2 7UG

Which is apparently a different company, Beaumonts 4x4 gearbox specialists.
www.4x4gearboxes.co.uk

I made contact with these a month or so ago about the problem, but they insisted while there is a family connection, there is nothing to connect them business wise. That was before I saw this delivery label.

Feel free to share or point others in this direction if they're considering buying from either of those companies.

Yes I believe the Beaumont's have cornered the gearbox market in Halifax and there are a number of family members trading as seperate gearbox refurbishers. I had my D1 gear and transfer box refurbished by Izaac, at Beau Engineering, 8 months ago. He did an excellent job, no problems (touch wood) at all. Maybe you should contact David Beaumont and though may not be able to help you directly he might be able to have a word in the right direction?

Thanks for the reply, glad you had a better experience.

I have contacted David who has tried to distance Beaumont Gearboxes from JKB as much as possible.

Hope you get it sorted, for the future I can wholly recommend Winchester Gears in Rotherham, I am not sure if they do series, although they might if asked. Just got a stage 1 R380 and stage 2 LT230 from them, top guys, willing to spend some time and lend advice. Quality of the build is spot on.

31st March 2022, I was contacted by the other customer who receiver my gearbox and visa versa. He is in a very similar position, cannot make contact with the seller, has been waiting months for his to arrive, etc. The gearbox I'm expecting is still with him in Whitby, despite the seller telling me it would be delivered last week.

Bit late I know. but when spending a bit of cash always worth checking on companies house that they actually exist/how long trading/named persons etc.

Agreed, failure on my part there. Just hoping to avoid anyone else making the same mistake.

If an admin sees this can it be moved to the General Land Rover section, or somewhere more people might see it?

Sorry for asking but why didn't you use ashcroft transmissions?

chrisstdt said:

Sorry for asking but why didn't you use ashcroft transmissions?

Click to expand...

Think they stopped doing series boxes a few years back now.

Oh news to me ,I used them last year for an lt77 and were excellent

@WoodyO I'm in a very similar situation with this character. Invoice received, money paid, no delivery and virtually no contact and what contact there is, you can see right through for the bull**** that it is. I too spoke with Beaumont Gearboxes and got the impression that they were fielding a number of calls which were not of there making.
I am now pursuing this legally to get my money back, so if yourself or anyone else is in a similar situation and wants to join in, just let me know.

Bode, thanks for this input that's exactly why I created the thread... I wonder how many more are out there thinking they're the only one...

I'll drop you a PM.

As for an update to mine, managed to speak to him on the phone for the 1st time and tried blagging he's very busy and doesn't have phone signal.

5th April and still no box.

You're more than welcome. The sooner we can hold people to account that think they can hide behind the internet or a phone when they don't deliver the service they have been paid for, the better.

I would urge anyone else who has had similar issues to let us know.

chrisstdt said:

Oh news to me ,I used them last year for an lt77 and were excellent

Click to expand...

Only stopped doing series boxes, still do rest of the range.

11th April, he answered his phone at last and told me my gearbox has been collected from the wrong customers address and will be sent Tuesday to arrive Wednesday. All too familiar words... would apparently send me the tracking information later that day. No tracking into received.

12th April, multiple phone calls to both numbers and no answer all day.

13th April, finally get hold of him again and tells me the gearbox is at his workshop and will definitely be with me Thursday.

1 hour later... a gearbox turns up at my work address.

Gearbox all seems okay, clearly some new parts of the outside but can't tell anything internal.

Just finished fitting it and quick test drive seems like it's good. No leaks, smooth changes and doesn't pop out of any gears.

Unfortunately even though the gearbox seems okay, I've still been messed around far too much recommend anyone to this guy.

Will update in a few weeks after I've managed to do some proper milage.

Turns out it isn't as good as originally thought, smooth gear changes but still pops out of 3rd even gentle overrun.

That would be very irritating. It's difficult finding decent people to do work on these vehicles now.

Bad form that Woody.

Complete screw up from start to finish. I just hope you have the strength not to give up on it.
Have you been back in touch with them.