Using disco 300tdi axels on defender 300tdi

Need some advise here:
I managed to get a rear 300tdi disco axel from a friend and thinking of installing it on my defender 300tdi 110. Is there any advantages to do this?

If, i'm not wrong the ratios are the same, the disco axel assembly is lighter and will give me more power... not sure of this tho..

I'm preping my defender for a long drive from Malaysia - Northern Thai - Laos and back in December 2011, it's mainly mostly sealed road driving so i've taken off all my off-road bulk and getting it more street friendly. I'm thinking of getting some disco alloy rims with 245 tires too.

All Range Rover classic. Discovery, 90/110 and Defender use the same axle ratio. 3.54:1
i dont think the discovery axle is as strong as a 110 axle
you would need a longer prop shaft as the diff nose is shorter on the LR axle

300tdistu said:

All Range Rover classic. Discovery, 90/110 and Defender use the same axle ratio. 3.54:1
i dont think the discovery axle is as strong as a 110 axle
you would need a longer prop shaft as the diff nose is shorter on the LR axle

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Nope 110 has a salisbury axle for starters a std rover axle isn't suitable fitment to a 110 due to the increased payload a 110 has. Also (IIRC) military 110 axles have a different ratio. (I think) or is it the transfer box that's different.

front axles are the same apart from brake callipers ,rear obviously is different and would fit and work okay you would need spring plates of old axle as 110 springs are wider than 90s and discos ,some h/d armoured military lrs use 4.7 diffs most 3.54

jamesmartin said:

front axles are the same apart from brake callipers ,rear obviously is different and would fit and work okay you would need spring plates of old axle as 110 springs are wider than 90s and discos ,some h/d armoured military lrs use 4.7 diffs most 3.54

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yep but OP is on about rear axles and a std disco/RRC int suitable for a 110.

why not ,i wouldnt swap myself

Thanks guys for you input. Yes, the 110 diff will be stronger. One last question, would it make any difference to performance?

only the extra weight and greater preload on larger salis diff

Thanks James and the rest. I'm gonna try it out. I know i'll have to extend the prop shaft by about an inch and the spring plate. I'll post up once i've tested it. hehe..

mudtrek said:

Thanks James and the rest. I'm gonna try it out. I know i'll have to extend the prop shaft by about an inch and the spring plate. I'll post up once i've tested it. hehe..

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Sounds like a lot of work for what I reckon will be next to nothing gain. In fact I'm willing to wager it'll be almost impossible to measure.

Anyone know where i can download a parts catalog for a defender 300tdi 1995 onwards.

I thought it was the 200tdi that come with the saulisbury axel not the 300tdi???

both do

jamesmartin said:

only the extra weight and greater preload on larger salis diff

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And the loss of 200KG loadweight as a discovery is rated 1650Kg and a defender is rated at 1850Kg

redhand said:

And the loss of 200KG loadweight as a discovery is rated 1650Kg and a defender is rated at 1850Kg

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that depends on whether hes going to carry that weight or not,i shouldnt think most do

After thinking about it, i think you're right. It will be alot of work. Instead I'm looking at changing the transfer box to a disco box but i'm not sure which one will be a good match. I went to the yard and noticed that there are many different disco transfer boxes, like 28D, 36 0r 38D and so on.

Anyone had any experience with this? I'm looking for less engine stress at 110-120kmh but yet not loosing my pick up from stand still.

any off a 300 tdi disco would be best although 200 tdi disco will fit perfect as well swap hand brake assembly as cables are different ,28d

Thanks James. I just search the net and found the ratios; the 300tdi 110 22d box is 1.410, the one you mentioned 28d is 1.222 which is the closest ratio. I wonder whether the 28d will give me a slow draggy feeling when i pull out of the traffic lights.

mudtrek said:

After thinking about it, i think you're right. It will be alot of work. Instead I'm looking at changing the transfer box to a disco box but i'm not sure which one will be a good match. I went to the yard and noticed that there are many different disco transfer boxes, like 28D, 36 0r 38D and so on.

Anyone had any experience with this? I'm looking for less engine stress at 110-120kmh but yet not loosing my pick up from stand still.

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You can't have best of both. There will be some compromise, but I think the lower gears are close to defender and the 4-5 are taller meaning a high speed at lower rpm's.

The low range in tbox is the same if i remember from what James has said

low ratio are all the same 28d is 1.222 which is next one up ,discos still pull,you have choice of 1.667 ,1.410 ,1.222 1.003,unless heavy towing ,1.2 should feel better with std size wheels/tyres later td5 boxes arent any good will fit but no diff lock or speedo 300 1.2 28d on a E suffix is about as strong as transferboxes get ,before fitting prise out speedo and swap with yours as speedos are wheel size dependant not transfer box