Series Transmission Top Speed

SCOTIA911 · Oct 13, 2008

Hello there all, I am new to this forum and to series Land Rovers despite having owned several Defenders. Can anyone advise me what is the maximum safe speed you can do with the 4 wheel drive engaged in high range with my 1984 series 3. The reason I am asking is with Winter coming up I will want to go out and play in the snow but dont want to knacker my transmission if for example driving to work on a 60 limit road with 4wd engaged. Any help would be appreciated.

Spyderman · Oct 13, 2008

If you need 4WD, you shouldn't be doing 60mph.
The Wheels must have a degree of slippage to engage 4WD in a Series, or you'll get transmission wind-up.

clivees · Oct 13, 2008

Or put it in "Defender lingo" engaging 4x4 in a series is the same as engaging diff lock on a Defender.
Very bad idea on tarmac.

SCOTIA911 · Oct 13, 2008

Thanks very much for the advice, and for putting it into 'Defender Lingo', much appreciated.

rustyrhinos · Oct 13, 2008

If you need 4WD, you shouldn't be doing 60mph.

Interesting. What is the fastest you should go in 4WD then...assuming that you do actually need 4WD?

clivees · Oct 15, 2008

1st and 2nd gears
Cant think of a situation that would require 4x4 in 3rd and 4th

The Mad Hat Man · Oct 15, 2008

morning Clivees. yu bin a bit quiet lately.

rustyrhinos · Oct 15, 2008

Well I was thinking back to when I had the sj. Went through a few deserts and other mainly very sandy open spaces and tracks. In 2wd it was fine and sand drifting skills got pretty good! However, it did get a bit hairy at about 50mph, partic in deep sand. Put in 4wd and it became a lot more controlled and didn't feel like you were driving on the edge all the time.

Or would you say that sort of driving wouldn't warrant 4wd in a landie?

jai_landrover · Oct 15, 2008

clivees said:
1st and 2nd gears
Cant think of a situation that would require 4x4 in 3rd and 4th

Hill climb with a V8! use 3rd!!

Smilemon · Oct 16, 2008

clivees said:
1st and 2nd gears
Cant think of a situation that would require 4x4 in 3rd and 4th

I hit 55 mph all the time in 4wd. Alaskan roads offer lots of slippage to loosen up the running gear. If I had the car in 2wd I wouldn't make it into town and back.

Davec · Oct 16, 2008

If you need 4wd to move, how much control do you have when you hit the brakes at 55 mph?

Bromsgrove Defender · Oct 16, 2008

Davec said:
If you need 4wd to move, how much control do you have when you hit the brakes at 55 mph?

Probably not much, but seen as Rusty was on about Deserts and Smilemon lives in Alaska theres not alot they gonna hit if they do lose control

Cept maybe wanderin Camel or Moose respectivly

rustyrhinos · Oct 16, 2008

It's not a case of needing 4WD to move, it just makes it a lot more controllable.

Ugavine · Oct 16, 2008

Well the manual says no more than 30mph in 4x4 if I recall.

If you do make any sharp corners on tarmac in 4x4 at 30 I hope you have a roll cage!

rustyrhinos · Oct 16, 2008

I have no intention of doing a sharp corner at 30MPH on tarmac in a Land Rover, I am not that bonkers!

chromiumuk · Oct 16, 2008

Get yerselves a Freelander quick, it'll do well above 60 no problem.

tacr2man · Oct 17, 2008

I cant see any mechanical design limit on being in 4wd on a slippy surface. It is purely one of safe speed for conditions . I have travelled at more than 5o mph with a series on bar grips with studs on packed snow roads in high 4wd without any probs , am still here

rustyrhinos · Oct 17, 2008

Ah good, 1 person hasn't died, should be fine then

Freelander? No chance LOL!

tacr2man · Oct 17, 2008

I made the comment re being here as a little jest.

I do not see why a series vehicle in 4 wd should be treated any differently to a defender when transmission wind up is unlikely to be a factor i.e. on a slippery surface. I select difflock in permanent 4wd vehicles when driving in snow in low friction situations , this helps to counteract a wheel being stalled on one corner at the front when traversing snow ridges ( you get a similar reaction as aquaplaning ) leading to a spin . JMHO

rustyrhinos · Oct 17, 2008

Indeed, I did get your jest, was having a bit of jest back

And I am inclined to agree with your way of thinking r.e slippery surfaces.

Series Transmission Top Speed

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