Saw a guy selling his transfer case called it a 1.2? Said he upgraded to a 1.4? Due to larger tires

Are there different ratios available in these? I assume that he means 1:4

 

There are 6 different high range ratios of the lt 230. 1.003, 1.192, 1.211, 1.222, 1.410 and 1.667. The 1.4 is equivalent to swapping to 4:11s in the front and rear diff for a fraction of the cost and more than half the time. 1.2's work best with 4.11s and 33-35's. 1.4 works best with stock gears in the front and rear diffs and 33-35s. I've got a buddy running the 1.6 with stock ring and pinions but he put lockers in and he's running 37s. Best year of lt230 ? - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum Ratios found here. I might be the guy you're talking about. I got some 4.10s then it was about a grand to have them installed and that was with me taking out my diffs and bringing them somewhere so I opted out of that option and sold them. I kept my eye out for a 1.4 and picked it up, finally installed it months later. The only downfall of swapping the t case vs diffs is that 1, you don't get a lower geared lower range and 2, the stock front and rear diffs aren't any stronger, nor would they be if you simply installed 4.11s, then the ring and pinions would be stronger but the diff is just as explosive as ever. I plan to keep my eye out for a front and rear locker. Maybe Detroit fulltime in the rear and true trac up front. I've done a lot of research into the t case swap so I have a lot of stuff rattling around upstairs but feel free to ask me any question

 

Is there a way to determine which is which externally?

 

On that link I posted, about 1/2 way down the page there are numbers like 2 digit numbers that end in d. That is the beginning of the serial number on every lt 230. The one I took out was a 37d and the one I put in was a 22d. The serial number is located under the fill port on the read of the case. There should also be a little sticker next to it, it is all hard to see when covered in grease.... Not my pic

 

Wow. Great information. Good to know. Some time soon I will be shopping for an LT230 to replace the BW. Thanks for the post.

 

I considered the TC swap instead of regearing. I opted not to because it does nothing for your low range.
Setting up diffs really isn't all that hard. You can do it in your garage for $100 in tools.

 

So how much does it jack up the low range? I like my low range but a better high range would help the d1 get out of its own way

 

The low range stays the same throughout all 6 transfer cases. It's the high range that changes. My disco can boogie now, all of my low end torque is back so no more downshifting on hills or having to put the pedal through the floor in order to overtake someone on the high way.


FishEh- yeah basically everything on these discos can be done by owner with the right tools but mine serves me as a daily driver and when I had the 4.10s in my hand ready I had yet to get new bearings and as you know when it comes to anything drivetrain related prices add up really quick. I also figure that with the transfer case swap, say I happen to blow up one of my diffs, I can get ahold of another loaded front or rear differential. Not that I plan to go rockhopping but $h!t happens. I tend to take it easy on the trails too. 9 times out of 10 the reason why diffs explode in these things is cause the pumpkin is crap, so I figure when I can afford it I'll get some lockers. When it comes to traction it's not so much about how low your low range can go but how much surface area you have working in your favor to either keep you from getting stuck or to get you unstuck. So lockers vs a super low range, lockers win

 

Yeah when I get stuck lockers won't help, I am usually tires off ground, axles up on something, I will need to search for this case , realty sick of the slugg gets on my nerves losing speed on inclines on road with pedal down and I don't even have big tires

 

Defender source is a good place to look. I've got a 1.6:1 in my 90 because the engine only has 68hp with 32" tall tires, stock. If I were to upgrade to a more powerful engine I'd want a 1.4 or 1.2 case. So I'm guessing that others have swapped them out for the same reason. Also some of the bigger rover shops bring in lots of cool stuff all the time.