TD5 - R380 complete replacement & ratios

Hi, Have recently acquired a 2005 TD5 110 Crew-cab and already it needs a replacement gearbox (yes, buyer beware and all that).
So the vehicle has massive (37") tyres and whilst the gearbox was always very notchy, it has now become almost impossible to select gears when warm. After some reading it appears that the gear-ratios required for these tyres should be considered when specifying a reconditioned gearbox.
I've read the Ashcroft advice sheet but to be honest, I'm none the wiser.

A mobile mechanic-friend took one look and said "yup, it needs a replacement gearbox". I trust his opinion.

I am now looking for a local specialist around the Herts area who could undertake the replacement of gearbox & clutch who would also have the knowledge to install the correct variant for my setup?

Any help gratefully received.
Tim

Ask Dave Ashcroft himself - he will speak to you IIRC, they do fitting too ....

But, IMHO, I'd be changing the wheels and tyres combo - if it won't go with more or less standard tyres, then you need a different vehicle.

Timster said:

Hi, Have recently acquired a 2005 TD5 110 Crew-cab and already it needs a replacement gearbox (yes, buyer beware and all that).
So the vehicle has massive (37") tyres and whilst the gearbox was always very notchy, it has now become almost impossible to select gears when warm. After some reading it appears that the gear-ratios required for these tyres should be considered when specifying a reconditioned gearbox.
I've read the Ashcroft advice sheet but to be honest, I'm none the wiser.

A mobile mechanic-friend took one look and said "yup, it needs a replacement gearbox". I trust his opinion.

I am now looking for a local specialist around the Herts area who could undertake the replacement of gearbox & clutch who would also have the knowledge to install the correct variant for my setup?

Any help gratefully received.
Tim

Click to expand...

Ashcroft is pretty local to you, they have local agents that will do the work. Give them a call.

As for ratios, it's not the gearbox so much. Although they can offer longer 5th gears for normal Defenders and road use, to reduce cruising rpm. What you need to be looking at is diff ratios and maybe the transfer box.

No idea what you are using the vehicle for, but 37's will break Rover axles, even upgraded ones. I'd also suggest you'd want to be running a minimum of 4.10:1 diff gears (stock is 3.54:1) but maybe something even a little taller. And either a 1.4:1 stock transfer box or the 1.6:1 version, depending on what diff gears you are running.

If you are off roading, you will need to consider low range crawl speeds as well as high range road speeds. All of the transfer boxes use the same low range, so you will need taller diff gears to regain your crawl speed.

Thanks guys. Extremely helpful.
Are Ashcroft still the "preferred" supplier of recon gearboxes (I thought I'd read some negative comments somewhere)?

Much appreciated.
Tim

Timster said:

Thanks guys. Extremely helpful.
Are Ashcroft still the "preferred" supplier of recon gearboxes (I thought I'd read some negative comments somewhere)?

Much appreciated.
Tim

Click to expand...

I suspect you'll always get negative comments, no matter who or what. Sometimes things go wrong. And rebuilding engines/gearboxes, etc isn't an exact science, so things can and do still fail. That said, I would personally still use them. My Uncle used to know Iain Ashcroft rather well and I know quite a lot of people who have used them locally and by and large without complaint.

Thanks again guys. I'm having the vehicle picked-up and transmission fully inspected. Unfortunately Ashcroft don't have a fitting facility themselves but I'm using a knowledgeable garage.