LT230 upgrade for R2.8 swap

Francois1

Well-known member
So it seems that 1.2 ratio is the way to go for most R2.8 SWAPs.
I recently saw that Ashcroft offers a gear swap kit to change the XFER case ratio, rather than replacing the entire LT230 case. Does anyone have any experience with these kits?

 

MountainD

Technical Excellence Contributor
It depends on where you live. In lower, flat areas where you may do a lot of highway miles, the 1.1 or maybe 1.0 has some popularity. It loves a low rev count for efficiency. However, some areas you may want the added power and just have higher highway revs. I am in that catagory. I already have an LS D90 and I don't need to go that fast. Plus I live in CO with tons of high elevation hills so I went with the 1.2. But if I lived lower/flatter, I most likely would have done 1.1. I spent a lot of time with those friggin gear calculators...
 

Francois1

Well-known member
Thanks, I have the 1.4 like most people, and it is in good shape. The 1.2 seems like the way to go for the R2.8, and the Ashcroft gear ratio change "kit" seems like a much cheaper option than buying and shipping a whole rebuilt LT230 from England.
 

MountainD

Technical Excellence Contributor
You are correct, the 1.4 is definitely too high. Some will say the 1.2 is too high. I have 33.1" BFG MT's. 3.54 gears (stock), LT230, R380 44A suffix. Here is my RPM table.

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It's going to boil down at what you want and how you drive. It makes top torque at 1800rpm. Top HP at 3600rpm. Depends on where you want to live RPM wise.
 

Baldewin

Well-known member
Thanks, I have the 1.4 like most people, and it is in good shape. The 1.2 seems like the way to go for the R2.8, and the Ashcroft gear ratio change "kit" seems like a much cheaper option than buying and shipping a whole rebuilt LT230 from England.
Keep in mind what you are seeing is just the gears, if you did this it would be best to rebuild the box thus requiring a rebuild kit as well and the cost of the rebuild if you are not capable of doing it.
 

Napalm00

Technical Excellence Contributor
I wouldn't spend the money on a 1.2 changeover kit. If you have a junkyard with an 100 mi of your house there's probably a disco there . Most of them came with 1.2 and diff lock

Do the seals and gaskets and you could be out the door for under a hundred if there is a sale. Pick and pull in the bay area does sales 2-3 times a year that. Brings them down to about $60 out the door
 

donb

Well-known member
I wouldn't spend the money on a 1.2 changeover kit. If you have a junkyard with an 100 mi of your house there's probably a disco there . Most of them came with 1.2 and diff lock

Do the seals and gaskets and you could be out the door for under a hundred if there is a sale. Pick and pull in the bay area does sales 2-3 times a year that. Brings them down to about $60 out the door

I don't know what years off the top of my head but there are Q (quiet) versions of the 1.2 LT230 in some Discos. Might be the Disco 2 tho so you will have to swap some things around.
 

dkemm

Well-known member
I have the 1.2 LT230… but unlike MountainD, I have 31.6” tires (currently)
I would like my highway rpm’s to be a bit lower.. 75mph runs at about 2700rpm. I considered the 1.1 but have plans of 33” (maybe 35”) soon. So, think about your final overall gearing
 

Francois1

Well-known member
My tire diameter is about 31.5 inches. I think the ratio calculator shows around 2450 rpm for my set up at 70mph. Im not sure if I want to take that tin can down the road much faster than 65 to be honest...
Ive been looking at 1.2 disco Xfer case and there are some interesting differences, particularly with the diff locks. Seems like most of the newer ones don't have the mechanical lever on the front of the case.
 

MountainD

Technical Excellence Contributor
The Disco 2 boxes used a remote diff lock lever, 1.2 gears and NO gear provision for the speedometer, fyi. Great boxes though and easy enough to mod right, just make sure it has a diff lock provision as there was a couple models that blanked that off too. So plan to use a gps speedometer in those cases, I guess.
 

dkemm

Well-known member
@Francois1 - If I recall....your calculation is pretty close - I think I was around 2550 @ 70mph. I spent the time waiting on my R2.8 to get my steering - tie rods, bushes, swivel balls, bearings all replaced / adjusted. 75 mph in my Ninety feels comfortable...not sketchy at all - been to 82 (not realizing it) and felt stable...of course mentally I didnt like that speed in a short wheelbase. 65-70mph all day long - its great to keep up with traffic or get up to speed on the freeway. Far cry from the 72mph top speed on a downhill previously
 

Napalm00

Technical Excellence Contributor
the disco 2 box is the same as a disco 1 box with a few extra holes in it for sensors. you can use the standard lt230 shifter with it. the KEY is getting a box that has the difflock, some years had it some didnt:

99-01 has the difflock in the lt230 but the D2 had no lever for it. difflock is still there internally and will work with the standard defender stuff
02-03 has no difflock and shouldn't be used
04 has the lock AND the lever in the d2 so it can be used and can be used the the defender stuff too

Serial numbers of the difflock capable lt230 from a disco 2 should start with "41D" or "42D" but there are outliers because it s land rover shit and never makes 100% sense


all of these will need the shift solenoid removed and blanked off. most will have temp sensors and traction sensors that wont be used on a defender and can just be left unconnected.

if you have a disco 2 and want to use your difflock buy part number DA1178. that is the remote lever actuator kit that came on 04 models.
 

Francois1

Well-known member
99-01 has the difflock in the lt230 but the D2 had no lever for it. difflock is still there internally and will work with the standard defender stuff
Thanks, that's great info and great news, my local yard say they have a 2000 model out of a D2.. We'll find out soon.
 

MountainD

Technical Excellence Contributor
I have, one just not local, if you need. But freight may suck. Not sure as last engine/trans I shipped they just sent a truck.
 

TheOneTen

Member
Callsign: K1WRX
I did the 1.1 swap on my 110 and it's awesome. The 5th gear (which was already the taller Disco gear) in my R380 basically acts like an overdrive gear now which allows me to have real control of the engine.

A+++ would recommend.... if you have patience in the order an delivery process. Pandemic issues most certainly apply.
 
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