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110Matty



Member Since: 20 Apr 2023
Location: Somerset
Posts: 104

United Kingdom 
TD5 Transfer box swap 1.4 to 1.2
Hi there,

Loads of info already on here and i have decided to fit the 1.2 transfer box (recommended by the well regarded specialist near me). I was going to use Ashcroft for an exchange unit. However, their exchange unit policy is exactly like for like and they don't (for example in my case) take a 1.4 Defender TD5 unit and swap it for a Disco 2 1.2 type. Fair enough, they will have their reasoning for maintaining and balancing stocks I guess.

Leaves me with where to get a good recon unit and what to do with my standard one currently fitted. I'll ask Simmonites the same question and see where we get to?
Post #1030590 5th Apr 2024 9:37am
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MarkBrown



Member Since: 03 Oct 2022
Location: Mid Wales
Posts: 327

United Kingdom 1983 Defender 110 Other HT Auto Keswick Green
I’ve a 1.2 in my 110 and want a 1.4 as it’s too high ( for my use ) From my experience they are much the same, it’s just some of the fittings are different. Mine originated in a disco 2, but apart from the drive flange being larger and the high low fitting slightly different, my other 1.4 box looks the same. Although thinking about it the disco box has no speedo drive hole, I remember swapping the tail piece for one with the drive. Winchester gears will most probably do it for you.
Post #1030601 5th Apr 2024 10:18am
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ashtrans
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Member Since: 08 Nov 2008
Location: Harpenden
Posts: 255

United Kingdom 
Re: TD5 Transfer box swap 1.4 to 1.2
110Matty wrote:
Hi there,

Loads of info already on here and i have decided to fit the 1.2 transfer box (recommended by the well regarded specialist near me). I was going to use Ashcroft for an exchange unit. However, their exchange unit policy is exactly like for like and they don't (for example in my case) take a 1.4 Defender TD5 unit and swap it for a Disco 2 1.2 type. Fair enough, they will have their reasoning for maintaining and balancing stocks I guess.

Leaves me with where to get a good recon unit and what to do with my standard one currently fitted. I'll ask Simmonites the same question and see where we get to?


email sent, I think I misread the enquiry email,

Dave Dave
Post #1030616 5th Apr 2024 12:22pm
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110Matty



Member Since: 20 Apr 2023
Location: Somerset
Posts: 104

United Kingdom 
MarkBrown wrote:
I’ve a 1.2 in my 110 and want a 1.4 as it’s too high ( for my use ) From my experience they are much the same, it’s just some of the fittings are different. Mine originated in a disco 2, but apart from the drive flange being larger and the high low fitting slightly different, my other 1.4 box looks the same. Although thinking about it the disco box has no speedo drive hole, I remember swapping the tail piece for one with the drive. Winchester gears will most probably do it for you.


Cheers Mark, my use is mainly A and B roads, no significant towing and will be combined with a mild remap. From what i've heard and read, the 1.2 would be fine for me. Thanks for reply.
Post #1030630 5th Apr 2024 1:10pm
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110Matty



Member Since: 20 Apr 2023
Location: Somerset
Posts: 104

United Kingdom 
Re: TD5 Transfer box swap 1.4 to 1.2
ashtrans wrote:
110Matty wrote:
Hi there,

Loads of info already on here and i have decided to fit the 1.2 transfer box (recommended by the well regarded specialist near me). I was going to use Ashcroft for an exchange unit. However, their exchange unit policy is exactly like for like and they don't (for example in my case) take a 1.4 Defender TD5 unit and swap it for a Disco 2 1.2 type. Fair enough, they will have their reasoning for maintaining and balancing stocks I guess.

Leaves me with where to get a good recon unit and what to do with my standard one currently fitted. I'll ask Simmonites the same question and see where we get to?


email sent, I think I misread the enquiry email,

Dave


Yeah, thanks Dave, probably my wording was confusing. I have since replied to your email so I'll wait to hear back from you Thumbs Up
Post #1030631 5th Apr 2024 1:11pm
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rustandoil



Member Since: 08 Sep 2012
Location: Cotswolds
Posts: 671

England 2005 Defender 110 Td5 XS DCPU Bonatti Grey
Did you go for the 1.2 transfer box?

How are you getting on with it?

I've been advised 1.3 is the sweet spot and I don't know what to do
Post #1032012 18th Apr 2024 2:51pm
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LJMARSDEN



Member Since: 08 Jun 2021
Location: Nottingham
Posts: 285

United Kingdom 2006 Defender 90 Td5 HT Java Black
1.2 is perfectly useable on a tuned TD5 Luke Marsden

06 V8 1UZFE Defender 90

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/defender__v8/
Post #1032016 18th Apr 2024 3:13pm
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110Matty



Member Since: 20 Apr 2023
Location: Somerset
Posts: 104

United Kingdom 
rustandoil wrote:
Did you go for the 1.2 transfer box?

How are you getting on with it?

I've been advised 1.3 is the sweet spot and I don't know what to do


I think if i was towing a 1.3 would have interested me also, but for my use (cruising mainly / longer trips) the 1.2 with mild tune / remap was recommended.

My Ashcroft unit has arrived and will be fitted next week. I'll be sure to report back as soon as it's fitted.

So, yes, I have gone for it, but yet to be able to confirm. I've also gone for a rev counter, so I will try to record some speeds / revs, before and after, as well as report on driveability, hills, pulling away etc.
Post #1032027 18th Apr 2024 4:32pm
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Chicken Drumstick



Member Since: 17 Aug 2020
Location: Near MK
Posts: 548

United Kingdom 
rustandoil wrote:
Did you go for the 1.2 transfer box?

How are you getting on with it?

I've been advised 1.3 is the sweet spot and I don't know what to do

Sweet spot very much depends on setup, use and personal preference.

Worth spending some time with the Ashcroft gearing calculator.

I think where this gets confusing is the gearbox ratios have also changed over the years. LT-77 from a Ninety has shorter ratios than a Discovery LT-77 or an R380.

Add a 1.2 to the earlier box and you actually end up pretty close to the latter gearbox and a 1.4 transfer box.

I have a modified 200Tdi (runs very very well) with a Discovery LT-77 (tall gearing) and a 1.2 transfer box from a Discovery. For normal use I run 33.10.15R15 tyres, so slightly taller than stock Defender tyres.

It runs well overall, but IMO is over geared. You spend quite a bit of time off boost. The Tdi makes good low end power and off boost power, so actual performance is good, but I feel it'd drive a lot better with shorter overall gearing.

Pulling away from 1st is a little too tall too, perfectly doable, even when towing, but you will have to slip the clutch a little if there is a lot of wait on an incline.

Road speeds, the gearing doesn't match legal speeds all that well. 30mph is right at the bottom of 4th gear, something like 1200rpm. Which means it'll just about pull it on the level or if you go a few mph over. But in reality you need to use 3rd gear a lot in 30 limits.

High speed, the taller gearing allows higher cruising speeds. But you have to ask a) how much you go on such roads and b) do you really want to do high speeds in such a vehicle? Also if you do want to run at 75-80mph some long drags 5th gear can be too tall and you'll need to drop a cog. Likewise when towing, you'll find yourself in 4th gear a lot more often than is ideal.

Running different sized tyres could make a difference.

And if you have a Td5 that is remapped you have more power for high speed use, but the Td5 is a bit more peaky in its power delivery and in many ways not as grunty low down as a Tdi. Which would make some of these points worse IMO.

If you are just after lower rpm for cruising and currently have a diesel, there is a slightly taller 5th gear you can run, which might be another option. Or look at overdrive unit like a Roamerdrive.
Post #1032029 18th Apr 2024 4:41pm
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MadTom



Member Since: 10 Sep 2013
Location: Olomouc
Posts: 579

Czech Republic 1999 Defender 130 Td5 HCPU Baltic Blue
Our Discovery 2, quite heavy, manual gearbox, with 235/85R16 tyres and stock 1.2 transfer box was hard on clutch on first high when moving car from stationary. All other was ok. With auto gearbox no problem. I have changed gears in diffs from standard 3,54 to 3,8 and it is much nicer. Aschroft calculator was perfect to choose the best solution. "Drobek" = The Small One - Discovery 2, "Blufínek" = The Blue Thing - Defender 130, and for me at least Ford Mondeo Smile
Post #1032059 18th Apr 2024 7:31pm
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rustandoil



Member Since: 08 Sep 2012
Location: Cotswolds
Posts: 671

England 2005 Defender 110 Td5 XS DCPU Bonatti Grey
This is all good info Thumbs Up

Mines a TD5 110 with a VNT turbo, so a bit more power...

I've driven 150k miles with the STD1.4 Transfer box and probably around half of those miles with a GKN overdrive, the overdrive has now been removed, and I need a new transfer box....I'm trying to find the "next best" thing to what I had.... I'm getting drawn toward the 1.3 if I'm honest Confused
Post #1032109 19th Apr 2024 8:50am
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MadTom



Member Since: 10 Sep 2013
Location: Olomouc
Posts: 579

Czech Republic 1999 Defender 130 Td5 HCPU Baltic Blue
For our 130 TD5 I have also prepaired GKN overdrive, and for this, the Ashcroft calculator is perfect. I had just make some notes of current speed and RPM in standard situacions to compare and to fully understand of calculator results. "Drobek" = The Small One - Discovery 2, "Blufínek" = The Blue Thing - Defender 130, and for me at least Ford Mondeo Smile
Post #1032119 19th Apr 2024 10:00am
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geobloke



Member Since: 06 Nov 2012
Location: Nottinghamshire
Posts: 4410

United Kingdom 
rustandoil wrote:
This is all good info Thumbs Up

Mines a TD5 110 with a VNT turbo, so a bit more power...

I've driven 150k miles with the STD1.4 Transfer box and probably around half of those miles with a GKN overdrive, the overdrive has now been removed, and I need a new transfer box....I'm trying to find the "next best" thing to what I had.... I'm getting drawn toward the 1.3 if I'm honest Confused


Sitting here with Miffy sat outside, she is a heavy weight with her roll cage, but she does not hang around. The 1.2 was too tall for day to day driving so went back the the 1.4 which is perfect absolutely perfect for 90% of what I drive. The remaining 10% is covered by the Roamerdrive. Lovely bit of mechanical kit. Not cheap but a lovely bit of kit. And who doesn't love three levers to play with Thumbs Up

Would love to try a VNT TD5 though... Rolling Eyes
Post #1032121 19th Apr 2024 10:16am
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rustandoil



Member Since: 08 Sep 2012
Location: Cotswolds
Posts: 671

England 2005 Defender 110 Td5 XS DCPU Bonatti Grey
I have spent quite a bit of time on the Ashcroft ratio calculator, certainly is a useful tool.

The Romadrive would be fantastic, sadly out of my budget Big Cry
Post #1032125 19th Apr 2024 11:00am
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geobloke



Member Since: 06 Nov 2012
Location: Nottinghamshire
Posts: 4410

United Kingdom 
Swap a VNT for an Overdrive Rolling with laughter Rolling with laughter
Post #1032127 19th Apr 2024 11:19am
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