Hi All - quick one. I have a series 3 which in time I want to rebuild eventually. I don't have time or space now to do the whole thing but am itching to better my skills and get stuck into something. The gearbox is certainly something I will need to do as part of that (3rd gear pops out and 1st is stiff) but it's fine for the foreseeable. So.... to keep me occupied, I was therefore wondering whether I should buy a second hand gearbox from eBay to rebuild as a practice - if I am successful, I have a new box to sub in to my S3 eventually and lots of new skills/confidence. If I fail, I have some skills and a bucket of spares. Question is - does this sound stupid, what should I pay for a second hand box and what should you look out for when buying an old used one (unrestored they can look pretty tatty and rusty)? I have no experience but am a good learner and pretty handy with a toolbox. There are a few on eBay at the moment. Looking forward to the opinions on this. Tom
Series 3 Gearbox Practice - Is this a good idea?
- Thread starter thspeller
- Start date
This site contains affiliate links for which LandyZone may be compensated if you make a purchase.
jamesmartin
Well-Known Member
- Posts
- 91,879
- Location
- louth lincs
its a good idea and even better if you get the same suffix
steve2286w
Well-Known Member
- Posts
- 4,050
- Location
- monkeyangerland
Agree great idea I did just that and rebuilt a suffix B box thinking I would put it in , but seeing how easy it was rebuilt the suffix D box in my 84 series , sold the spare and got me money back
Henry_b
Think outside, no box required.
- Posts
- 15,353
- Location
- somewhere else
Where they are on the vehicle kind of necessitaes their condition externally
You rebuild the inside and repaint the outside
steve2286w
Well-Known Member
- Posts
- 4,050
- Location
- monkeyangerland
To find the same you nee to know the suffix code stamped on transfer box
https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/series-gearbox-codes.29144/
Got my spare off ebay
If all you need to do is strip down and put back together you can get one in any condition
I wouldn’t worry about crap on outside mine was well covered
Nic if it looks like is hasn’t been taken apart and all nuts and bolts there no rust is a bonus but inside may be better
https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/series-gearbox-codes.29144/
Got my spare off ebay
If all you need to do is strip down and put back together you can get one in any condition
I wouldn’t worry about crap on outside mine was well covered
Nic if it looks like is hasn’t been taken apart and all nuts and bolts there no rust is a bonus but inside may be better
rob1miles
Well-Known Member
- Posts
- 3,565
- Location
- Slough and Bath
The key is that have been stored with oil in and been moved every now and then. If the gears have sat in water then they are useless.
Wildefalcon
Well-Known Member
- Posts
- 1,449
Get a D suffix, I think the spares situation is better. Make sure you get the selector shafts, they are getting hard to find.
I rebuilt mine. Did a load of research on google forums etc... got the best parts I could see.. new old stock etc.., and made sure the suffix were all correct .. it’s not as bad as they make out . However mine not been used yet, so it may still blow up
Extreedoc
Well-Known Member
- Posts
- 505
- Location
- Leicestershire
Yours is a good idea, I did the same when I had a noise issue in my gearbox. I rebuilt a suffix D box and swapped it into my Land Rover, the existing box was a suffix A. I then stripped the A box, determined the fault and fixed it, (A loose set-bolt in the end of the layshaft). The rest of the box was in excellent condition so I put it back together all except new seals and put it into storage, I will put new seals in it if I ever need to fit the gearbox. It's comforting, knowing you've got a good spare gearbox. LR Direct are good for parts but get bearings from a local bearing supplier to avoid cheap Chinese ones.
Riggwelter
Active Member
- Posts
- 186
- Location
- Sweden
Steamwally has done a youtube series on how to rebuild a gearbox on a series (3). The first part is here.
nickjaxe
Well-Known Member
- Posts
- 821
- Location
- North Cheshire/Merseyside
I picked up a spare S3 box years ago for free....its been a massive source of spare parts for me...yes get one.
Nick.
Nick.
