9: Transfer Of Power

...Continued from previous page

As this is a classic restoration I wanted to retain the Series-style (and indeed Volvo-style) 2WD/4WD transfer case rather than the full-time 4WD that the LT230 offers.

Let's rewind a bit and point out that I'm using an LT230 for many good reasons;

• It will mate to my R380 which mates to my V8, a Series box would require an adapter
• It's very strong, we ran one in Mouse a year or two later with near 500HP and zero problems
• It's very popular, the LT230 was fitted to millions of Land Rovers
• It's available in a variety of ratios from 1.6:1 to 1.003:1, which is helpful when your axles are 6:1 ratio instead of the usual 3.54:1

As it happens the very first Defenders (technically just called “110” back then) had 2WD LT230's so the parts exist (and are available from Ashcroft Transmissions) to make the LT230 a RWD/4WD selectable case.

This is the piece - it locks the centre diff spider to the rear output shaft. There's a sleeved bearing which supports the front shaft and stops it rattling about in the case. I dare say if you were feeling bold you could weld the spider/rear section solid and turn up a phosphor-bronze bushing for the front shaft and call it done… but the kit was ~£150 and we know it works.

This is the bearing - why it's not just a bush I'm not sure.

Centre diff going back together - the LT230 is a simple and robust old hector, I'd never open a box of cogs normally but this was very DIYable.

I won't cover a full stripdown & putting back togethering for an LT230 - I wrote it up on LR4x4 here many moons ago.

One final touch was to fit the X-Eng disc handbrake:

Onward to Are We Nearly There Yet?