Off Road with an Autobox (4 spd auto with viscous transfer)

[Andy Clayton]

Hi All,

I'm looking at buying an Land Rover 90 with an automatic V8 installed.

I'm used to using a manual on off road days, but can anyone tell me if there is any great advantage / disadvantage with using and auto? I'm only going to be using it on Pay and play days so nothing too hardcore.

The box is the 4 speed auto with viscous transfer if that makes a difference.

Any guidance appreciated.

Cheers

Andy

[tuffer]

Devon 4x4 use one in their racing Landy so should not be an issue.

[uk_vette]

Andy, when you start to use the auto, you will wonder why the hell you didn't do it sooner.

There is a lot of trepidation about using auto boxes for off-roading, but after studying some of the "really good" guy's the auto is far more managable.

just boot it and hang on !

[signia]

yep, if you have the V8, the auto is the way to go.

Some people go on about "not having control", but to be honest, if you want to focus on the terrain and the job in hand, the auto deals with the power a lot more smoothly and in many ways, more appropriate for the task in hand.

In theory, it also reduces the risk of tearing a half shaft or UJ too.

Plus, a lazy left foot won't result in the clutch getting burnt out at a critical point - it just gets even lazier instead

[Kermit power]

My 3.0 V6 Shoggie is an auto, and it's bloody amazing off road. My biggest concern was that it wouldn't know when I was going down a slope, so would change gears on me, but not a bit of it. It just sits there happily crawling away.

[t0ny99]

The biggest advantage, in my experience, is maintaining momentum in mud or on slippery surfaces. Also, with low range and the 'box shifted into 1 or 2, you have no worries about unexpected changes, and still retain plenty of control (in 1) when going down steep inclines.

I'd not have a manual off-roader.

[Andy Clayton]

Sounds good to me guys!!

Cheers for the replies. I CAN'T WAIT!!!

Andy

[Fume Troll]

Go for it, seems to be the thing all the competition/ trials drivers use now.

Cheers,

FT.

[pugwash4x4]

all three of my offroaders are autos on purpose

only really useufl skill is to learn to cadence brake properly down hill as you just dont get the engine braking you do in a manual tdi

Auto has huge advantages for me in controllability (especially if you learn to left foot brake), reliability, and ease on the drivetrain.

[tuffer]

Ahhh, found the pic I was looking for earlier, no real point to the post other than it has an auto box, looks the dogs and I want it!

[normalbloke]

Downsides to autos.

Water will kill them very,very quickly.Make sure your breathers are sorted.
They can be quite easy to boil over.Is the sandard LR cooling up to it?(probably not)
You will have to assist on some downhills with the footbrake.
Expensive to rebuild.
Require more maintenance than a manual.

I have a CJ7 with the TH400 auto box in it,it's only a 3 spd but has so much torque it's perfect.