A long way to go

[larryowner]

Just started on a 88'' trialer useing a Disco 300TDi chassis ,engine, etc and a Defender R380 gearbox, with Lightweight body parts. I can see that i'm going to need to move the engine back just 100mm or so, but i want to keep the gearbox in the same place. As all the R380 boxes have a long bell housing i was hoping to adapt one from an LT77 to fit between the 300 engine and the R380 as a way of moving the engine back. But after many hours of checking part numbers and reading threads, i can't find a definitve answer as to whether there is an off the shelf primery shaft that will fit in the R380 box and be the correct length for the LT77 bell housing. I know that Ashcroft do a stumpy bell housing, but this would bring the engine further back than necessary.Do you know if this can be done,thanks for any help.

[muddy]

I would think having the engine as fat back as possible is no bad thing. Why not just use a stubby LT77?

Will.

[Daan]

if you go for a defender lt77S (latest version), the strength is pretty much the same as a 380, with the length you need. It fits if you use a 200tdi or 2.5d back plate. I find for offroad use, having reverse next to 1st and 2nd gear a big plus.

Daan

[bill van snorkle]

You can have the primary shaft cut , shortened and welded to the required length. If the 2 halves are spiggoted together the result can be straightened after welding, and because the shaft only receives engine torque the welded joint is more than strong enough.

[larryowner]

Thanks for your idea's, if i went with the Defender LT77s box how would i ID one, would it have 'S' as a suffix to gearbox number ? Or can anyone suggest what prefix and suffix this 'S' box should have. thanks.