got a 1984 110 CSW with lt77 5 speed gearbox and a transfer box that, so I am told, has an ashcrofts kit that makes high range slightly higher than standard. The vehicle has been stationary for 6 years and when I tried to drain all the oils they were dry as a bone. So everything got new oil.

Started the engine which started instantly after 6 years. And I'm met with an odd whining noise when stationary and in neutral. Revving the engine gives a louder faster whine which sounds like it's coming from the geabox area.

So I tied to move the thing under its own steam to find that neither propshaft turns regardless of gear. The transfer box lever won't budge but is in high range. With the engine switch off and using some leverage I rotated the rear propshaft with the gearbox in neutral and the vehicle moves back and forward a little bit.

The clutch wasn't working when I got it and both master and slave cylinders have been replaced with quality parts not britpart and properly bled.

Anyone got any ideas? I know the early lt77's can fail from spline wear but surely the vehicle wouldn't move back and forward when I had leverage to rotate the prop?

I did have a pretty good Christmas tree on the transfer box drain plug.
I'm currently trying to unseize the high and low range selector in case it's stuck between high and neutral.

Sorry about the title only realised after creating the thread. iPhones having a field day with auto correct

It's the splines that link the gear box to the transfer box that give up the result is just like being in transfer neutral.Check by removing the round plate on back of transfer box and see if shaft is turning transfer gear. Take care doing this, best to jack front and rear axle up.

and are you actually in high try low

I can't go into any of the transfer gears as the lever is stuck solid. I've checked the splines with the cover on the back and that's functioning as it should.

109inches said:

I can't go into any of the transfer gears as the lever is stuck solid. I've checked the splines with the cover on the back and that's functioning as it should.

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id start with unseizing it

It seems like it is stuck in neutral then,is diff lock working, at least is the light coming on or is that stuck as well?

Difflock all works just transfer gears. 6 years of standing with no oil and no movement has taken its toll.
Does anyone know what could be causing the whining? Could it just be a dry bearing or something more sinister? It's a part the spins as it gets faster and louder with engine rpm? Could it be that the transfer box is locked between high and neutral and is causing the whining?

109inches said:

Difflock all works just transfer gears. 6 years of standing with no oil and no movement has taken its toll.
Does anyone know what could be causing the whining? Could it just be a dry bearing or something more sinister? It's a part the spins as it gets faster and louder with engine rpm? Could it be that the transfer box is locked between high and neutral and is causing the whining?

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locked between the 2 is neutral ,you will get some noise if t/box is in neutral and you rev it as all gears are spinning ,but its also possible you have rust on gears and bearings ,unseize the lever and see how it is

I'd start with the transfer lever too. I've been told that you can operate directly on the transfer box going through the access panel under the middle front seat.
Try getting it in any gear and see what happens.
Do you know why it was parked up? Could it have been clutch failure? Doesn't a failed clutch release bearing whine?

IT was owned by a bus company as a recovery vehicle for buses but the rear crossmember was too far gone and they had upgraded to a td5. The owner is a keen Land Rover enthusiast and planned to get it back on the road but never got round to it as its only a small local bus company who is struggling against bigger companies like stagecoach. So not enough money to re vamp it as the buses weigh about 7 tonnes. Getting the vehicle to good condition would cost more than the td5 defender cost.