Got my new Ashcroft LT77 fitted on Thursday, turned up an hour early as I didn't think the old mainshaft would make it there but it did! Once the fitting garage (Dale's) had opened up I went in for a chat, very nice bloke. Said I'd bought a new gaiter with me and I already had the new input gear in the footwell, I did take along a new rear crank seal as I'd been seeing some oil build-up on bellhousing and asked if they could take a look at it, he agreed if it was dry it was best to leave it but if leaking they would fit the new seal.

Left them the keys and got given the courtesy car with 5PM as a return time - any problems or if finished quicker they'd give me a ring. Returned at around 4:30 that afternoon to see it sitting outside.

Went in and spoke to Dale again who marvelled at how it got there with a 'razors edge' left on the shaft, said it was all done with no problems, new main box, input gear and clutch kit + fork fitted, new gaiter was on with the old one in the packet on the seat. Asked about the crank seal and they took the flywheel off and it was bone dry, said there was a slight leak to rear of sump and possibly from rear of rocker cover which were running down and collecting on the bellhousing - more leak chasing to be done!

The box - very very stiff at first but was told is normal and will loosen up nicely after 250-300 miles. Has loosened up well already but was a real struggle to get it into 1st and 2nd at first, but it's now lovely to drive - no more hideous clunks and bangs or painstakingly slow gear changes.

My old box was a G suffix and this one is a H, no complaints there though, I was told beforehand that I would receive either a G or a H box in return depending on availability.

All in all very happy with the box and the service, after a bit of a struggle at first it's feeling better every time I drive it. A bit of time will tell just how it'll be.

If you don't mind me asking, what was the total price for the box and fitting etc. I need to do mine some time soon and a visit to one of Ashcrofts fitting stations looks like being the best option.
A PM would be fine if you don't want the cost in the public forum.

Their fitting service for the box, clutch kit + fork, input gear and oil, inc VAT is £1034, however mine was a bit less then that because they subtracted the price for the input gear since I bought one previously and took it along with me.

Thanks for the price info, I think when I do go for it Ill go the whole hog and have the transfer box done as well, breath in and pay up.

It is a lot of money but I don't feel it's that bad at all for what you get. I certainly couldn't find anywhere else that would rebuild my own box with a new clutch for less.

I was quoted £590 for box and similar for transfer. Bout £1500 all in.

Next job on my list.

Was thinking about fitting a used g/box and t/box, but paranoid about getting a dodgy one.................

Dale is THEE man for working on landrover transmissions. I live near by and he fitted a new clutch to my 300tdi disco a few years ago, was about £300 cheaper than anyone else and did it in an afternoon! Been back there since and so have a few mates, never had any problems and he's cheap and honest about his work.

P.s it might be cheaper is you buy the box from ashcroft and take it to him yourself and wave some pound notes under his nose!!

Ashcroft stuff is good - I upgraded my LT77 to a short shaft R380 a couple of years ago and it was probably some of the best money ever spent on my 90.

I've had one of their diff's too - again spot on - don't think much of the black paint they use though, the diff and gearbox are both rusty surface metal already. Oh well - I'll maybe get the hammerite out.

Dave is also always very helpful.

you can save yourself 500-600 quid in labour by doing the gearbox change your self, just remove floorpans and gearbox tunnel and access is easy, gearbox is easy to lift in and out, tranny can be a pig due to its weight but doable, did mine myself outside my house in a day

wangie46 said:

you can save yourself 500-600 quid in labour by doing the gearbox change your self, just remove floorpans and gearbox tunnel and access is easy, gearbox is easy to lift in and out, tranny can be a pig due to its weight but doable, did mine myself outside my house in a day

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£300 labour. Yes I did look into all the options including self-fitting, but I needed to get it done it was the easiest option for me at the moment. Would like to be able to do it fairly easily one day though.

£300 labour is about right, its a 6 hour job if you believe LR.