Transfer box advice, 1.2 or 1.4??

I have noticed a nice leak on my transfer box so at some point I'm going to have to take it out and either strip and rebuild it or replace with my disco box, I'm not to sure what to do though really, do I keep with my standard 1.4 or go to the 1.2? At the moment I'm sitting comfortably at 60-65 with my current set up, will I notice a bottom end reduction in torque and power by fitting the 1.2? Is it worth it for the extra 5 mph?

Any advice and experiences appreciated

Ive got a 1.2 on my 200tdi 110. Its not about the extra 5mph. Its about the reduced noise, better fuel and better mway cruising. My 110 sits nicely at 70mph and still returns almost 32mpg of mixed driving. I went from a 1.6 to 1.2 and although it did make a difference to acceleration im used to it now. Would I do it again??...... probably.

lucifus said:

Ive got a 1.2 on my 200tdi 110. Its not about the extra 5mph. Its about the reduced noise, better fuel and better mway cruising. My 110 sits nicely at 70mph and still returns almost 32mpg of mixed driving. I went from a 1.6 to 1.2 and although it did make a difference to acceleration im used to it now. Would I do it again??...... probably.

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See going from a 1.6 I would totally agree but I'm wondering if the 1.4 I have currently got fitted is best of both worlds or if the low end acceleration really isn't missed compared to the top end cruising...

Jon everyone i have spoken to has said its one of the better mods to do, speak to Graham and Ian pretty sure they both have the disco t/box.

i have fitted a 1.4 in my DISCO after my 1.2 failed and had a mpi 1.4 transfer box spare,its better like you say , if ya running bigger tyres.. the only thing is it revs higher at 60 /70 mph. think the best option is to change diff ratios .. but that aint cheap if ya visit ashcroft site , around 190 quid per diff Sorry thought you were putting it in a disco

defo go with the disco box much better and quieter drive, you wont hardly notice any loss in the low end accelaration and will sit better and rev lower on mways, mine pulls nice even on hills in 5th gear, and if you do need some omph for like towing then you can always drop into low as there is no differnece between the different boxes defo go for it mate,when i come over this week you can have a drive of mine and see what ya think

After a week the loss of acceleration wont be an issue but you will notice thetop end speed, quieter drive, plus bit better mpg.

Just to add I plan to go up to 33's soon...

Stick to the 1.4 then.

lucifus said:

Stick to the 1.4 then.

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I agree, a friend of my dad's has 32" tyres on a 300tdi Defender with 1.2 and it just doesn't pull as well as it should IMO

I've got 32 (roughly) on mine and the 1.2 is fine. There must be plenty of people running bigger tyres on discos with no problem. 33s may be pushing it too far though. Maybe the best thing would be for you to find someone local with a 1.2 and get them to take you out in it.

I am thinking about changing the transfer box ratio from 1.4 to 1.2.
I have currently 33.2 tires, and the car is accelerating very very slow.
Also, I have a fuel consumption too high.

Will I reduce fuel consumption with 1.4 comparing to 1.2? If I understand correct, the acceleration issue will be solved with this modification?

P.S. the revs at 100km/h aren’t a problem for me if it will be up to 2500rpm

if its struggling to accelerate fitting a 1.2 instead of the 1.4 is going to make that worse

sandu said:

I am thinking about changing the transfer box ratio from 1.4 to 1.2.
I have currently 33.2 tires, and the car is accelerating very very slow.
Also, I have a fuel consumption too high.

Will I reduce fuel consumption with 1.4 comparing to 1.2? If I understand correct, the acceleration issue will be solved with this modification?

P.S. the revs at 100km/h aren’t a problem for me if it will be up to 2500rpm

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Ashcroft transmissions do a real good calculator for using a different t box, it is worth a look.

Cheers

jamesmartin said:

if its struggling to accelerate fitting a 1.2 instead of the 1.4 is going to make that worse

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Actually I want to go from 1.2 to 1.4

neilly said:

Ashcroft transmissions do a real good calculator for using a different t box, it is worth a look.

Cheers

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Yes, I used that calculator.
My conclusion is that if I change transfer ratio from 1.2 to 1.4, I get the same results as changing diff ratios from 3.54 to 4.11. The only difference is that I don’t touch low range.

sandu said:

Actually I want to go from 1.2 to 1.4



Yes, I used that calculator.
My conclusion is that if I change transfer ratio from 1.2 to 1.4, I get the same results as changing diff ratios from 3.54 to 4.11. The only difference is that I don’t touch low range.

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there is the diff option but id go 1,4

Ok, now, another question, what do people think about fitting a defender transferbox straight away? This way I will also get the CDL in place.

I have a 300tdi 110 with a 1.2 : 1 transfer box and 750 tyres. This is as tall as you want to go with this combination.
I'm assuming that you intend to get taller tyres than this on yours, if this is correct then stick with the 1.4 : 1 transfer box, or you will need low box for any hill starts.

I already wear 275/70-18, which is 33.2 inch tall.
My next tires will be also 33 inch, as I most probably will go for 255/85-16.

So, definitely I have to get back the lost acceleration

Depends on gearbox and use as well. I had a 1.6 which was way too low. I use a 1.2 now. I have a military LT77 which has lower 1st and 2nd gears. I set off in 2nd all the time as 1st is too low. I would only use 1st on a steep hill. At town speeds, I often find myself at speeds which feel slightly too high for 3rd but not high enough for 4th but you do get used to it. I think a 1.4 would work better for this type of driving. I've not had any issues towing, but I don't tow over about a ton. I don't do a lot of motorway driving - after all, it's basically a tractor!