Defender TD5_Gear Shift 1st-2d

I've got this model. I had the original factory R380 and then a few years ago it got very noisy so I fitted a reconditioned box, so I've had both. It's perfectly happy pulling away in second unless you're going up a steep slope. I just use first as a crawler gear for very low speed precision manoeuvring such as getting into a tight parking space or for setting off on steep hills.

Brown said:

I've got this model. I had the original factory R380 and then a few years ago it got very noisy so I fitted a reconditioned box, so I've had both. It's perfectly happy pulling away in second unless you're going up a steep slope. I just use first as a crawler gear for very low speed precision manoeuvring such as getting into a tight parking space or for setting off on steep hills.

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Hello Brown,
Thank you very much for your quick reply. The reason for you pulling away in 2d is because of the difficult (not smooth) 1st to 2d up-shift on the R380 if you rev it high while changing or shift after 15 km/h. Right ?

Chalky. said:

If you do the gear change nice and slow it allows the synchros, which may be slightly worn, to disengage and engage.

You cannot do quick snatch gear changes on any older landrover gearbox.

And change from first to second almost as soon as the wheels are rolling. You can also double de-clutch to engage easier.

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+1 ^

Cars I drove when I first started driving never had synchro on 1st.
And were often worn in 2nd.
I was taught to take it from first then pause in neutral then put it in 2nd.
In fact you should do that in all gear changes to allow the synchromesh to synch the two gears.
Double declutching does the same but better, and to me is more fun, but again that takes longer in a 4x4.
I was taught to change from 1st to 2nd within 3 car lengths. That still works today.