A 1972 headache...

WashMyMongoose · Sep 22, 2021

I bought a “1972” series 3 that’s had just about everything done on it. When sold to me it was in somewhat of a running order, but after bad advice and worse knowledge, she’s currently off the road.

needed a carb overhaul, so fitted the Holley 4 barrel - run perfectly

Lost the key, fitted knew ignition barrel - run perfectly

now this is where it gets interesting. Noise started coming from the gearbox after engaging the clutch and putting it in gear after it had been sat for a while. My old man said it’s the thrust bearing. So, removed the engine to have a look, clutch and bearing spanking brand new. Put everything back together, nice and easy, everything back as it should be.

She’s now no longer engaging any gears with the engine. Thinking either the gearbox is shot, or something else I can’t put my finger on. So, found some LT77s on eBay, about to hit the “BUY” button but realised it didn’t have the “high low range” stick on the remote gear selector. Is that an easy change? Can I purchase a gear box, a gear selector, and just hand it to a garage and they solve the puzzle from there?

can anyone save me?!?

my apologies for the long post, just thought I’d get everything out on the table!
Looking forward to hearing from you all!

Palagius · Sep 22, 2021

hi,
welcome to the forum ,sounds like you have some serious problems,is the red lever in the right position and where did you buy it how much did you pay?,
any pics?,
Ryn

Galladog · Sep 22, 2021

Seems like it's had some kind of conversion, LT 77 's not a S 3 gearbox.
more info would be helpful.

lynall · Sep 22, 2021

What engine?
How many gears has the gearbox got apart from reverse?

WashMyMongoose · Sep 22, 2021

Galladog said:
Seems like it's had some kind of conversion, LT 77 's not a S 3 gearbox.
more info would be helpful.

Yea, its had loads done. As stated pretty much nothings stock

WashMyMongoose · Sep 22, 2021

lynall said:
What engine?
How many gears has the gearbox got apart from reverse?

3.5 v8, it's got 5 gears, reverse is far left and up.

Galladog · Sep 22, 2021

WashMyMongoose said:
Yea, its had loads done. As stated pretty much nothings stock

To get help you will need to tell us what engine and gearbox are fitted.

Edit, you told us while I was typing.

WashMyMongoose · Sep 22, 2021

Galladog said:
To get help you will need to tell us what engine and gearbox are fitted.

Edit, you told us while I was typing.

Yea 3.5v8 with the lt77 bud.

I've seen several lt77 online for sale, all refurbed but only have the standard remote selector. Would a standard mechanic be able to swap the standard selector for the high/low range gear selector?

Does anyone know anyone in the south east they can recommend?

JimS · Sep 22, 2021

WashMyMongoose said:
Yea 3.5v8 with the lt77 bud.

I've seen several lt77 online for sale, all refurbed but only have the standard remote selector. Would a standard mechanic be able to swap the standard selector for the high/low range gear selector?

Does anyone know anyone in the south east they can recommend?

Safari Engineering in Eversley (Surrey/ Hants border) I've used a few times and have had good service. Don't know if that's the right side of London for you

WashMyMongoose · Sep 22, 2021

JimS said:
Safari Engineering in Eversley (Surrey/ Hants border) I've used a few times and have had good service. Don't know if that's the right side of London for you

Unfortunately the other side for me but if nothing else comes up I'll get in contact and send the truck on a flat bed

Galladog · Sep 22, 2021

Not sure what you mean about " swapping the standard selector for the high/low selector ".
But if your capable of removing the engine you will be able to swap parts from one gear box to another.
If you gear box was working before and nothing has gone bang, are you sure that it is in high/low and the transfer box is not in neutral ?

lynall · Sep 22, 2021

T

WashMyMongoose said:
Yea 3.5v8 with the lt77 bud.

I've seen several lt77 online for sale, all refurbed but only have the standard remote selector. Would a standard mechanic be able to swap the standard selector for the high/low range gear selector?

Does anyone know anyone in the south east they can recommend?

There are two basic types of lt77 the disco one, and the shorter one with the remote change which I think is what you are talking about, this is the 10/110/defender one, and of course attracts a premium 2nd hand.

If you look at the ashcrofts tranmission website they have a lot more info, as there are many variants of the two I mentioned above and lots has changed on the 77 over the many years.

Hicap phill · Sep 22, 2021

Check the size of the bell housing.
There are 2 lengths

WashMyMongoose · Sep 22, 2021

Galladog said:
Not sure what you mean about " swapping the standard selector for the high/low selector ".
But if your capable of removing the engine you will be able to swap parts from one gear box to another.

If you gear box was working before and nothing has gone bang, are you sure that it is in high/low and the transfer box is not in neutral ?

That's an interesting point about the neutral transfer box. Shall have a look as I've glossed over that looking too deep at things. Will be home in a few hours.

Wildefalcon · Sep 22, 2021

The defender transfer box can be made to operate as a series, but is normally permanent 4x4.

When you put the clutch back together, Is it possible that you put the clutch plate back the wrong way around? It's an easy mistake to make, but would explain the inability to select gears.

Wildefalcon · Sep 22, 2021

Photos of the gear levers might help.

WashMyMongoose · Sep 22, 2021

lynall said:
T

There are two basic types of lt77 the disco one, and the shorter one with the remote change which I think is what you are talking about, this is the 10/110/defender one, and of course attracts a premium 2nd hand.

If you look at the ashcrofts tranmission website they have a lot more info, as there are many variants of the two I mentioned above and lots has changed on the 77 over the many years.

Had a look on the Ashcroft website, seen the video on locating the serial number, looks like that's a place to start for me!

WashMyMongoose · Sep 22, 2021

Wildefalcon said:
Photos of the gear levers might help.

Shall be home in a few hours bud, will get as many photos as needed.

WashMyMongoose · Sep 22, 2021

Loving this everyone! Thanks to everyone for taking the time already and to those who have more to put in!

marjon · Sep 22, 2021

WashMyMongoose said:
That's an interesting point about the neutral transfer box. Shall have a look as I've glossed over that looking too deep at things. Will be home in a few hours.

I would say there's a bit more trouble shooting to do (looking at it with mug of tea in hand

) before you condemn the gearbox.

Have you done the work? or do you send to a garage?

How many levers do you have? (edit just seen that was just asked)

The way I see it you should have 2 and not the normal 3 that a series will have as the LT77 take the LT230 transfer box. Unless they spent more money when doing the conversion which I think unlikely.

Put the transfer box in gear you will be fine

J

A 1972 headache...

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