4WD box options

topcatcustom · Post by **topcatcustom** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 9:06 am

Still trying to decide whether or not to start on a BBF engined Landy when I finish the Mazda, but I need to know what 4WD boxes will handle the power of a 460ci lump, think I would like an auto as bit better for offroading and leaves me with 2 hands for the steering wheel when struggling to keep it on its wheels!!!

All help and advice welcome as always!!! Is there any way of putting a transfer box on the back of a 2WD box if there are no real options?

TC

ChrisJC · Post by **ChrisJC** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 12:01 pm

I would get the 4WD transmission from whatever US vehicle the engine originally came in.

I can't imagine any 4WD system from Solihull would put up with that sort of abuse.

Chris.

topcatcustom · Post by **topcatcustom** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 1:37 pm

Think it has/had 2WD...

Can anyone advise on how a bbf 460ci might behave/perform in a space framed landy? I have no experience with V8's that are not Rover lumps- all I know is that they are a lot heavier and a lot more powerful!!! Just wondering it it may be too heavy and cumbersome -period!

harvey · Post by **harvey** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 2:14 pm

topcatproduction wrote:Is there any way of putting a transfer box on the back of a 2WD box if there are no real options?

You could use a "Divorced" transfer box, which is a stand alone unit that has one prop in from the transmission, and two out, one each to the front and rear.

They are on earlier 4WD yank trucks (Dodge "W" series springs to mind, up to about 1975) and have the 2H,4H,4L selector pattern, so not permanent 4WD

I think the one I'm thinking of is the New Process NP205. I've had several in Dodge trucks. They are also gear driven, not chain, so they're tough as old boots.

topcatcustom · Post by **topcatcustom** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 2:44 pm

I was thinking along those lines- down side is how long the transmission would be- leaving a very short prop on the back and severely limiting axle articulation

ChrisJC · Post by **ChrisJC** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 2:54 pm

I don't know much about the 460 Ford motors, but they seem to get mentioned on here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F150
and I'm sure most of those are 4WD?

Chris.

harvey · Post by **harvey** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 2:59 pm

I've used them in Dodges with a 130" wheelbase, and they were available in shortbed trucks which would have a wb. of about 112", so that's just a bit more than a 109, or 110 LR, but most people want the SWB for offroading so I see where you're coming from.

They were used behind the 440 BB engine though.....

topcatcustom · Post by **topcatcustom** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 4:41 pm

harvey wrote: They were used behind the 440 BB engine though.....

I think the chances of me finding a 4wd 'box like in the F100 pick ups is pretty rare over here

harvey · Post by **harvey** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 4:53 pm

topcatproduction wrote:
harvey wrote: They were used behind the 440 BB engine though.....

I think the chances of me finding a 4wd 'box like in the F100 pick ups is pretty rare over here

The fact that that particular transfer box can take the punishment meted out from a 440cu.in. big block makes it a good choice in my view.

I would think that you could get an F100 gearbox/transfer box in the UK without too much of a problem. Whether it would be within your budget I wouldn't know though.

topcatcustom · Post by **topcatcustom** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 4:58 pm

Lol sorry I see what you meant now, I guess I would be looking for about 3-400bhp (and I guess a huge torque figure

) so not a ridiculous amount- but then its the torque that breaks things! If I could find a fairly cheap box to suit it would be good- but would I be better off planning to use a 302 or 350 SBC instead? Dont know anything about these yank blocks!!!

harvey · Post by **harvey** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 5:06 pm

I really only have experience of SB Chrysler 318 & 360 engines, both of which have met my needs admirably, SBC wouldn't be so popular if it was no good, and as for the Fords, I have come across quite a few carburettor fires as that was a problem at one time, as well as some of them cracking blocks (390?), but they're all pretty good I would think, just bl**dy heavy compared to a Rover.

I'm sure there are people far better qualified than I am on here to give you advice on the subject.

Post by **katanaman** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 5:37 pm

harvey wrote:, but they're all pretty good I would think, just bl**dy heavy compared to a Rover.

.

Yep they weigh loads, probably about the same wight as a space frame chassis lol. I would think they would make something lightweight very nose heavy. They are huge as well!! Had a M8 try to fit one in a pop, he gave up in the end. Not because it couldnt be done just it wasnt practical in the end.

topcatcustom · Post by **topcatcustom** » Thu Apr 02, 2009 7:23 am

Does anyone know the approx weight of a built up bbf vs a chevy lump then? I thought they would both be damned heavy as cast iron instead of ally.
I'm guessing the good thing is that a 7.5l V8 will never be under any stress making it ultra reliable????? Or is that wishful thinking

Eliot · Post by **Eliot** » Thu Apr 02, 2009 12:09 pm

440 Mopar in a Range Rover (ok, a dakar, but same thing)
http://www.mez.co.uk/440.html
Its a big heavy engine. Uses the TF727 which bolts onto the LT230 transfer box

I'm also running a SBC with turbos through an LT230 without issues either
http://www.mez.co.uk/gearboxfaq.html

Rosco on here is doing a big block buick into a classic also.

So I would find a box that normally lives behind a bbf and adapt it to the LT230. You may want to consider the Borg Warner box also - but its an unknown quantity when it comes to strength - at least there are several examples of people doing silly things with LT230's

topcatcustom · Post by **topcatcustom** » Thu Apr 02, 2009 2:22 pm

Thats good to know thanks Elliot, I found out that the block itself weighs 250lbs, and the heads are 73lbs each

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