Chalky. · Apr 7, 2024

110Matty said:
I actually preferred the overdrive route in my mind( best of all worlds) but our local chap recommended the 1.2 for my use and for reliability. (With remap).

I think the transfer box change is more reliable, as its fit and forget. The overdrive will require initial fettling on setup and has the potential to be 'another' piece of kit that could go wrong, although I think these modern ones are pretty bullet proof, @Brown has fitted one to his Landy.

The overdrive is massively more expensive than a recon transfer box.

For ages I toyed with the idea of both/either, but really enjoy the almost 'sporty' feel of my mildly tuned (remap, full size intercooler) 90, even with a trailer, and I do tow up to capacity fairly often, I loose the sporty feel but pulling up hills and starting off is perfect (I guess why they designed it as such) with the 1.4 ratio. I now don't even think about it and wouldn't change it for anything, I also like that I have all original genuine numbers matching.

I would suggest having a drive in one that has been converted already before taking the plunge, you might be surprised how much omph it takes off the Landy! Best wished with it whatever you choose to do, moding Landies to our personal preferences is what it's all about!

Anaconda · Apr 7, 2024

I have an overdrive in my TD5, it is excellent on the motorway, dual carriage way, fast A-roads. Or you can leave it engaged all the time if you like, or a half gear if you want. I just use it as an extra gear, 6th gear if you like.
Son has 1.2 transfer box in his 200tdi Ninety, can slow you down on some steep hills.
Pricey though and will never make the money back on fuel costs.

110Matty · Apr 7, 2024

It’s a shame there isn’t an affordable and thoroughly reliable overdrive. I almost bought a 90 that had a GKN overdrive (the one that’s switched on the gear knob). If it was more reliable with speed sensor spares available, that would be my favourite. Then the Fairey ones from Series seemed well regarded as there wasn’t a lot to go wrong mainly. Shame they can’t be adapted. I think someone clever could make a nice side hustle coming up with something - I think there’s a gap in the market, without spending £2k plus. I personally do think overdrive gives the best all round flexibility / usability, but I do hear the voices that subscribe to different channels.

110Matty · Apr 7, 2024

Chalky. said:
I think the transfer box change is more reliable, as its fit and forget. The overdrive will require initial fettling on setup and has the potential to be 'another' piece of kit that could go wrong, although I think these modern ones are pretty bullet proof, @Brown has fitted one to his Landy.

The overdrive is massively more expensive than a recon transfer box.

For ages I toyed with the idea of both/either, but really enjoy the almost 'sporty' feel of my mildly tuned (remap, full size intercooler) 90, even with a trailer, and I do tow up to capacity fairly often, I loose the sporty feel but pulling up hills and starting off is perfect (I guess why they designed it as such) with the 1.4 ratio. I now don't even think about it and wouldn't change it for anything, I also like that I have all original genuine numbers matching.

I would suggest having a drive in one that has been converted already before taking the plunge, you might be surprised how much omph it takes off the Landy! Best wished with it whatever you choose to do, moding Landies to our personal preferences is what it's all about!

Thanks Chalky. Already taken the plunge and will report back

lightning · Apr 7, 2024

"It’s a shame there isn’t an affordable and thoroughly reliable overdrive"

ls the Roamerdrive overdrive not reliable? l thought they were okay.
There's no electrical parts, it's fully mechanical with a lever that fitted next to the existing transfer box one.

Brown · Apr 8, 2024

I've not got my Roamerdrive fitted at the moment. It's in the shed awaiting a moment when I can dismantle it and see what's wrong. Throughout the time I was using it, it tended to get the transfer box very hot - so much so that I made an oil cooler device for it that switched on thermostatically. This worked very well for a few years, but then one day it seriously overheated - so much so that it melted the handbrake cable. I think it may have spun a bearing. In the meantime I've swapped to a reconditioned R380 gearbox because the old one was getting very noisy. What I've got now is a higher ratio 5th, which you can opt for with Ashcrofts. I like this better than the overdrive. It's not quite so high geared so you get more flexibility. This is handy for changing lanes on motorways where you need to match your speed to other traffic. With the overdrive, acceleration was a little too 'flat' to do this comfortably.

Chalky.

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Anaconda

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110Matty

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110Matty

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lightning

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Brown

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