Hi - Lo selector
- Thread starter Raps
- Start date
This site contains affiliate links for which LandyZone may be compensated if you make a purchase.
discomania
Well-Known Member
- Posts
- 6,947
There should be a little lever attached to the piece of threaded shaft you can see sticking out of that round plate with 3 bolts holding it on.
However, there is a chance you do not have diff lock because there were periods and models of Discovery that didn't have diff lock.
I think the way it went was the first TD5 Disco's had no diff lock linkage but had the CDL parts physically in the box as they were using the gearboxes as fitted to the 300tdi so the parts were there they just didn't fit the linkage (preferring to let traction control do the work) then they started to fit boxes without the CDL in them to save money, then around about the face-lift period they were reintroduced but only as an optional extra.
It is a bit like LR wiring, I think they just did what they could be bothered doing with no reason or planning.
The only way to know is to get the code off the box and check it.
So either you simply need a little lever bolted onto that shaft and connected to that linkage there or you need to get another transfer box or get the diff parts and fit them which will set you back about £250 - so you are probably cheaper getting a good second hand box with it already fitted.
Last edited:
Thanks, so something should be connected between the threaded rod and the selector cable connector?, how does that threaded rod operate?, does it move up/down or backwards/ forwards. I’m not too worried about diff lock, just need to be able to select high or low range.
discomania
Well-Known Member
- Posts
- 6,947
Ah right, so you don't even have the high/low selector working - sorry, all the images sort of show clearly the diff not connected but the hi-lo is obscured.
So basically from the short gearstick on top of the main gearbox remote there should be two linkages, one pivots on the side of the main gearbox this is the diff and it just moves from side to side, pivoting on a fulcrum which in turns drags and pushes a lever on the diff shaft.
For hi-lo you simply have a lever with a hole in it, there should be a solid linkage which takes back and forward motion from the short gearstick via a ridgid connection and simply pulls or pushes it.
So if you have none then what you need is the solid linkage that goes from the gear-stick to the lever.
See attached images.
Thanks again, it seems clear from your pictures that I have a different setup, I guess this is what happens when you buy a three quarter finished project and you’ve got no idea what the previous owner intended.
Are there I.d. numbers on the gear/transfer boxes that might identify what I’ve got?, then I might be able to get the correct parts to get it operational.
Are there I.d. numbers on the gear/transfer boxes that might identify what I’ve got?, then I might be able to get the correct parts to get it operational.
discomania
Well-Known Member
- Posts
- 6,947
Yes, I tried to find the codes for you and in doing so I found this on Ashcrofts site for you:
If you have the diff lock stud on your unit you will only require the linkage parts, to determine this you will need to find the transfer case serial number and check it starts with either 41D, 42D or 68D. If it starts 61D, 62D, 69D or 70D then you will need the diff lock parts to go in the transfer case which are an additional £ 225.
Retroanaconda
Well-Known Member
- Posts
- 677
- Location
- SW Scotland
Looks like a Disco box to me, judging by the fact that someone’s cut a hole in the seatbox for the levers.
I would agree with that someone has fitted a disco box and left the disco selector in place hacking the seatbox apart to make it fit. My understanding the gearbox unit is the same but the top housing and selector is different for discovery and defender. If you can find and buy a defender top then the gear-stick will move to the correct position for a defender and the hi/low mounting is included in this top piece. I will try and find some pictures to illustrate what I am referring to.
Please note none of the pics below are not mine they are sourced from google.
I think the above is the piece that you need. It mount to the top of the box where you current gear stick is using the holes on the right had side, the four in the middle are where the hi/lo leaver attaches and the four on the left are where the defender gearstick mounts.
once fitted it should look like this:
and then sit in vehicle like this:
I ope the above picture illustrate the differences and are easy enough to follow. Do you know what gearbox you have fitted lt77 (reverse next to 1st) or r380 (reverse below 5th)?
Here are two gearbox tops for sale I believe to fit either the lt77 (link) or the R380 (link) both of which also include the missing hi/low linkage. I do not know enough to know if/what the difference between the box tops are. I would wait for some one more knowledgeable on such things to confirm if they would be suitable and fit your box and solve the problem.
Maybe @jamesmartin could help, what he doesn't know about gearboxes isn't worth knowing!
I think the above is the piece that you need. It mount to the top of the box where you current gear stick is using the holes on the right had side, the four in the middle are where the hi/lo leaver attaches and the four on the left are where the defender gearstick mounts.
once fitted it should look like this:
and then sit in vehicle like this:
I ope the above picture illustrate the differences and are easy enough to follow. Do you know what gearbox you have fitted lt77 (reverse next to 1st) or r380 (reverse below 5th)?
Here are two gearbox tops for sale I believe to fit either the lt77 (link) or the R380 (link) both of which also include the missing hi/low linkage. I do not know enough to know if/what the difference between the box tops are. I would wait for some one more knowledgeable on such things to confirm if they would be suitable and fit your box and solve the problem.
Maybe @jamesmartin could help, what he doesn't know about gearboxes isn't worth knowing!
Thanks lads!, it’s an R380 box and I think your both spot on with your opinions. Those pictures nail it, but as the seat box is already modified and there is a modified disco centre console fitted!?, I think I’m going to look for disco 1 or disco 2 top plate off of a manual box complete with levers and fittings and try that, does that sound feasible?.
Your photos in post 9 looks like there is no tunnel fitted as it has been cut down on the left hand side, what is fitted over here? Is that where the the centre console you mentioned goes?
I am afraid I cannot hlep you with the disco set up as I have never owned or worked on one so do not know the leaver arrangement and if that would be feasible or not. If it was mine I would be looking to convert it back to defender standard, with the correct gear selectors, tunnel and repair the seatbox using repair panels from YRM. This would make working on it in future easier as all the parts would be standard defender and it would be a nice tidy solution as that is what the factory did. However this would also not be a cheap option to take, and if you can get everything to work using discovery parts then the choice is yours. I like things original (ish) rather than modified but that is personal preference.
As a side note, with the gear leaver where it is how is changing gear, just thinking it would feel weird being that far back, almost level with you rather than forward, and you would knock your elbow on the bulkhead for 2/4/R. But having never driven one like that it might just be something you get used to.
Yes, loads of room and feels natural, the tunnel has been cut to allow the disco console to sit in which, in turn has been reduced in height. The console the previous owner used is out of an auto, I think I need to have a look at one with a manual gearbox and it might come together easier.
