Gear box whine

Tbaumer

Technical Excellence Contributor
Today I heard a noticeably different whine on the highway. It was much louder in 5th gear & 3rd gear, slightly less so in 1st & 2nd, not there at all in 4th. I don't know if it is a sudden failure or all my sound proofing hiding it until now. I drove it home to investigate (probably not the smartest thing to do), pulled my transfer box drain plug & extension case filter & found this -

IMG_3869.JPG IMG_3872 2.JPG

I know they don't share same lubricants & obviously my gear box is jacked, but I drained the transfer case & removed the cover to inspect & all appears to be well there.
I have two used gear/transfer box set ups, one from the original 2.5 NA that I removed & one (unknown condition) set that I purchased with a 200tdi engine that I didn't trust enough to use. Here are pics of the unknown gear/transfer box set I'm considering installing while I educate myself on the R380 upgrade. New territory for me. Would anyone recommend rebuilding an LT77?

IMG_3875.JPG IMG_3876.JPG IMG_3877.JPG

This Land Rover is the most mechanical work I have ever done - More than all my previous vehicles combined!
 

Robert

Well-known member
I dont know lt77s, but that kind of whine on a r380 means the end is near. Its 1500ish to have a suffix K with bearing upgrades shipped from ashcroft. Maybe a little more for you since you’d probably need the short input shaft configuration.

I drove like an old lady while waiting on the ~month delivery time, using 4th as much as possible

I wouldnt worry about the lt230. Just keep it full of oil
 

MountainD

Technical Excellence Contributor
Whines are tricky to deduce as the sound travels— could be transmission and with the different gears changing it it leads one to believe it’s from there but could also be diffs so good to check them if it has been a while.
as for the R380, if you want a drop in scenario, then you need the Ashcroft R380 stumpy with bellhousing, new clutch and throw out bearing. This will allow you to reuse your tunnel cover. If you do the non-stumpy tdi R380, then you need new tunnel cover, bulkhead adapter, new floorboards and convert seat box (all to clear the R380, kit at Rovers North ) as well as R380 trans to frame support Brackets—Nothing hard, just more $$/work. Stumpy definitely the way to go if currently running LT77– it is drop in.
 

erover82

Well-known member
If you do the non-stumpy tdi R380, then you need new tunnel cover, bulkhead adapter, new floorboards and convert seat box (all to clear the R380, kit at Rovers North ) as well as R380 trans to frame support Brackets—Nothing hard, just more $$/work. Stumpy definitely the way to go if currently running LT77– it is drop in.

Engine would have to move forward too. A whole can of worms. Stick with LT77 or stumpy.
 

erover82

Well-known member
Would anyone recommend rebuilding an LT77?

Probably only makes sense if you're doing it for the experience. Last time I watched Mike @ Britrest rebuild one it involved a few special tools that aren't necessary on R380 rebuilds. That said, I've got a busted LT77 sitting in the shop that you're welcome to scavenge parts from.
 

Tbaumer

Technical Excellence Contributor
I appreciate the offer erover82, but I'm just going to switch it out with the other that I have. I don't know if I'm prepared for internal gears. Which means that I will have a busted LT77 sitting around waiting for rebuild or scavenge by others as well. I'll start another thread on the gear box switch.
 

lcdck

Well-known member
I think you are aware of this but I wasn't until recently. The later 200tdi LT77s will have .77 ratio in 5th vs .83 (maybe .84) that the earlier N/A one has. It would get you a few more MPH on the top end. An R380 stumpy could be ordered with .77 or .73 (IIRC) giving you a little bit more still on the top speed.
 

Tbaumer

Technical Excellence Contributor
Good to know. I did not know that. There is so much I don't know about these trucks, but every repair makes me smarter!
 
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