Transferbox options

[rcx106]

I'm looking around for transferbox options for a buggy. I'm not sure where I'm going with this buggy build, whether it's trials, comp safari, Ultra4 or what.

I've been offered low cost "narrow case" diffs that would give independent suspension front and rear. The narrow cases mean the diff can sit in the middle and allows long swingarms with lots of travel.

Now I need a transferbox to suit! Most transferboxes have the rear output shaft at the top centre (ie inline with the input shaft). The front output is then lower down and offset to clear the engine. They are also usually mated with the gearbox.

Ideally I'd have a remote/divorced/unmated transferbox that connects to the gearbox via a mini propshaft (allowing easy mating to gearbox). The output shafts would be in the centre so that I get nice straight propshaft angles to my narrow diffs.

Here's what I've found so far:

Atlas - fits all of the above but costs $3000 plus import tax !! No way.

Suzuki Samurai - cheap. Output shafts aren't centred but the engine can be offset or the box can be rotated. Only good upto 200 lb.ft.

Iveco Daily 4x4 - seems to fit all the requirements, but no one's ever used it in a custom build! Limited info and no idea on price. Probably strong enough for anything!

Landcruiser - seem to be many variants. Well tested. Some options have output shafts at same offset to each other so could be rotated to get outputs centred. This is a mated box so would need "divorcing" using blanking plate. Awkward shape.

Use any other typical tbox, by divorcing it. But the rear output would be higher, which affects packaging, prop angles. Plus askward shape, difficult to mount.

Use transverse engine gearbox rotated 90 degrees with outputs going direct to diffs. Common setup on race 4x4s. But then no high ratio gears! And I wanted to get this buggy road registered.

[100SRV]

Have you looked at either Rakeway or Milner transfer boxes?

[rcx106]

100SRV said:

Have you looked at either Rakeway or Milner transfer boxes?

Yes just spoke to Rakeway, and they can do any transferbox, any rotation, any ratio! It opens up a world of possibility for rear or mid engine race buggies, no more gearing issues! It's not cheap but their prices compared to other solutions are good and you get exactly what you need.

Milner haven't replied to emails, and no luck on phone either but I'll try again later. I'm sure Milner will be more expensive.

If I decide not to pay for a custom route I may see if I can "divorce" and rotate a Land Cruiser box so that the shafts are on a single central vertical plane.

[C Lee Farquar]

Milner boxes are cheaper than Rakeway

[PugwasHDJ80]

Whats wrong with an LT230 from a landrover - you can clock the output

[rcx106]

PugwasHDJ80 said:

Whats wrong with an LT230 from a landrover - you can clock the output

I thought it was similar to the Land Cruiser box. But maybe you're right because the LT230 might have more gear ratio options. I'll take a look at it. Ar ethe output shafts co-linear (inline with each other)? Can it be divorced from the gearbox? And is the high ratio straight through 1:1 or is the high ratio also geared?

[rcx106]

rcx106 said:

I thought it was similar to the Land Cruiser box. But maybe you're right because the LT230 might have more gear ratio options. I'll take a look at it. Ar ethe output shafts co-linear (inline with each other)? Can it be divorced from the gearbox? And is the high ratio straight through 1:1 or is the high ratio also geared?

Glad I took a look at LT230. It has multiple ratios available in high which is a big plus, it is regular shaped so easier to mount, gear driven (no chain), and it looks like it's cable operated or something. It's not divorced but it looks like it just needs a flange added to the input shaft to divorce it.

[C Lee Farquar]

Rakeway do all the kit you need to remote mount an LT230, have a look on their website