Just for info - R380 gearbox issue solved with ATF

I noticed loads of threads on R380 gearbox oil.

I have a replacement gearbox from ashcroft, fitted a couple of years back, and done less than 1000 miles on it.

Was poor when changing down to 3rd gear at low revs, I.e. coming up to a junction, just would not go in, but didn't crunch gears. With engine off it through gears fine.

Emailed ashcroft for there thoughts. Got a reply back from dave ashcroft suggesting I try triple qx ATF. Since changing to ATF problem has gone away and gear changes up and down are much smother.

Bizarre why some R380 seem to favour ATF, it surely can only be manufacturing tolerances and surface finish and/or build tolerances.

Anyway just thought I would share this. Also top support from ashcrofts.

All R380's use ATF ? at least thats what i've always used ....

Not sure then, thought LR advise MTF94... ATF is usually for auto boxes as its more of a hydraulic fluid.

The good news is my gearbox seems to prefer the ATF.. so happy days

R380 is just a modernised version of the LT77. The LT77 used to run on ATF so its to be expected that the R380 will run better on the same stuff. I had similar issues with my R380 whilst running MTF94, yet when I switched to ATF the box ran far better.

Theyve always used ATF. Never heard of anyone using anything other than that

the_wolf said:

Theyve always used ATF. Never heard of anyone using anything other than that

Click to expand...

Not quite true, the R380 in my TVR 4.0 ltr converted MGB Sebring runs Castrol Syntax with a smidgen of Redline Lightweight Shockproof and it has the smoothest of gear changes known to man. In Subaru circles Redline with Motul 300 is known as Smurf's Blood

I think some people say to use the MTF, I have always run 77 and 380 on ATF.

v8250 said:

Not quite true, the R380 in my TVR 4.0 ltr converted MGB Sebring runs Castrol Syntax with a smidgen of Redline Lightweight Shockproof and it has the smoothest of gear changes known to man. In Subaru circles Redline with Motul 300 is known as Smurf's Blood

Click to expand...

I meant in land rovers. Can't speak for any other vehicle

I ran dexron 2 in both my r380s, did 250k miles between the two of them and neither ever gave problems.
Just changed every other year and made sure the breather wasn't clogged.

lynall said:

I think some people say to use the MTF, I have always run 77 and 380 on ATF.

Click to expand...

Me too. It works, and is cheap-ish.