[Trebro]

hi

I've just bought a '81 imported from Aus last year. Chassis and body are in virtually rust free condition, panels fairly straight but welcoming of a respray at some stage I think (although personally I prefer the aged look someone has flattened back the panels, in prep of tidying it up I guess)

runs, drives, stops starts and seems generally in reasonable condition for its age and guessing it's not been subjected to a resto in the past. It has a 3 speed auto, which I understand was a dealer fit option from 1980 onwards, not sure if this was dealer or aftermarket fit but it's smooth through the gears with very little clunk when going into reverse or forward. Did have air con but units in the boot and I'm not sure iii be bothering with that for sometime

interior is rough and along with the cab electrics need attention, I.e. Loads of added switches not sure what they do, fuel gauge and speedo don't work, light stalk playing up, binnacle surround broken etc etc oh and it's on slightly raise springs but doesn't look silly imo.

plan is to sort the electrics and get the interior functional, not back to factory upholstery finish for my use though (I prefer not to have to worry about that kind of thing, run through the mechanics and get it on the road, immerse it in wax oil until it positively seeps out of every seam then see what crops up!

whats the general consensus on these auto boxes, and what chance have I of getting replacement dash panels at reasonable prices?

ii try and post a couple of pics,

 

[95classiclwb]

vintage classic parts are being reproduced and the ease of availability is expanding every day, the tranny is probably a Chrysler Torqueflite. this was a very sought after unit by old school racers of chrysler vehicles, it was a sturdy unit and simple easy to rebuild.

 

[JS5D]

Yes Torqueflite 3 speed was used as the first auto box in the Range Rover. My 83 has one (USA grey import - in 1983 mind). Initially I was not too chummed, but then found that with some adjustment of the throttle linkage it shifts very smooth indeed and in fact is pretty nice! Obviously not too powerful the 3.5 Carb engine, but good progress and keeps up with modern traffic no problem.

Fairly common unit in the USA and easy to get parts for.

Known to be a very strong box but not without some issues. One is that your should not idle the engine for too long in P(ark), something to do with oil circulation. Then I find it is not free of leaks and if you park it for a few days the torque converter seems to drain it the box which causes some dripping at the back of my tranny. It then also needs a few seconds to 'engage' after starting the car. Seems to be quite common, not sure you how (if) to fix. Not really an issue, but keep an eye out on the oil level. I change the pan gasket and filler o-ring which stopped some of the smaller drips. Oil leaking seems to be fairly common issue among the hot rodder as well.

The later 4 speed was married to a chain driven transfer case, which eliminates the clonk when engaging reverse unlike the gear driven transferbox that comes with the 3 speed. Not very sophisticated in the supermarket parking lot.

Hi-Lo is a bit fiddly to engage on mine. I need to move from D to R to shift H-L-H (stationary obviously), just selecting neutral won't do.

Not having rust is huge bonus in the UK, but you will find that interior parts are very hard to get. In the UK you could look for a rusted out equivalent for cheap and transplant the interior.

 

[Trebro]

Thanks guys
That’s reassuring news


I’ve done a bit of internet research and gather that two door interior bits in good condition are at a premium, in the short term iii concentrate on the electrics and a general recommissioning, at least that’s the plan unless I unearth problems!

 

[Range123]

Some photos of the new beast would be good

 

[RRToadHall]

I think I remember reading that the Torqueflight was a one year only thing for Rover.

 

[Trebro]

Some photos of the new beast would be good

Here s couple of shots taken when collected and undercover next to similar vehicles from the 80’s

 

[JS5D]

I think I remember reading that the Torqueflight was a one year only thing for Rover.

Wikipedia: A three-speed Chrysler TorqueFlite automatic gearbox became an option in 1982, which was upgraded to a 4-speed ZF box in 1985

So not a very long run. Apart from the US market I would not expect there would have been a lot of demand for an auto box in those years. They had only just decided to move the vehicle upmarket, which was of course a brilliant move at the time.

If I had the choice I would have a manual any day, but as it happens my 84 is a 3 speed which work fine. Maybe one day I change it...

 

[JS5D]

Here s couple of shots taken when collected and undercover next to similar vehicles from the 80’s

Looking darn good! In need of some touch up. I like the colour! here is a picture of mine on day of collection:

View attachment 270000

1 year later and she is in fine fettle.