1992 RRC SWB - deeper into the LR rabbit hole

[StangGT5]

I will second the BW endorsements. I have two 92 RRCs, a County with a LT230, a Maxidrive reduction gear, and ARB lockers F&R, and a base with the BW case. The BW is far, far quieter.

The stock 92 is a non-ABS truck and, not to jinx myself, stops on a DIME. It requires a little more pedal pressure than the WABCO truck, but I actually don't like how touchy the brakes are in the WABCO truck. I might feel different if the non-ABS truck was lifted and had 35s as well, but on 245/75/16s the non-ABS truck stops very well and has a much simpler system.

I know you already have the diesel in your sights, but I cannot imagine choosing any diesel other than a Cummins over a well built RV8. Just me though.

 

[Blueboy]

The BW is far, far quieter.

My ‘96D1 has the LT230 and while noisier than the BW in the Rangie not that noticeable. Feel sure total luck of the draw!

Good to know the base ‘92 RRC didn’t have the ABS system. Always thought other than the Hunter ABS was standard since intro in 1989 on all models.

 

[discomeans]

I will second the BW endorsements. I have two 92 RRCs, a County with a LT230, a Maxidrive reduction gear, and ARB lockers F&R, and a base with the BW case. The BW is far, far quieter.

The stock 92 is a non-ABS truck and, not to jinx myself, stops on a DIME. It requires a little more pedal pressure than the WABCO truck, but I actually don't like how touchy the brakes are in the WABCO truck. I might feel different if the non-ABS truck was lifted and had 35s as well, but on 245/75/16s the non-ABS truck stops very well and has a much simpler system.

Mine certainly doesn't stop on a dime, but I forsee new pads and stainless flexible lines in the future.

I know you already have the diesel in your sights, but I cannot imagine choosing any diesel other than a Cummins over a well built RV8. Just me though.

I've thought about it, but I wanted to stay true to the brand and this engine is going to be fully mechanical, no electronics.

 

[ukoffroad]

Reread your posts and saw this: “I do want this to be a tourer rather than just 4x4”
Not sure I’d change out the B-W. Had a ‘93 LWB with ARB lockers frt and rear. While a LT230 would have been better the B-W worked fine when in Moab on some difficult trails. Unless of course your B-W needs replaced and then it would be an option. Mine failed while in Switzerland and it was just easier to ship a B-W from GB to the dealer and have it installed.

I owned two, replace them now or be prepared for problems. Thankfully both mine failed in the locked position.

 

[ukoffroad]

My 92 was the same color, Westminster Grey I think? No ABS on that one either.

 

[p m]

Not sure I’d change out the B-W. Had a ‘93 LWB with ARB lockers frt and rear. While a LT230 would have been better the B-W worked fine when in Moab on some difficult trails. Unless of course your B-W needs replaced and then it would be an option. Mine failed while in Switzerland and it was just easier to ship a B-W from GB to the dealer and have it installed.

Somehow I missed this bit.
If you plan on using the truck off-road extensively, keep in mind that

if you break an axleshaft, or a diff, or a driveshaft, you can drive out maybe a couple of hundred miles relying on the Borg Warner viscous coupler in the transfer case. Be prepared to replace it immediately afterwards.

That consideration alone made me swap out a perfectly working BW for an LT230 in my DD/trail truck.

 

[Blueboy]

Somehow I missed this bit.
If you plan on using the truck off-road extensively, keep in mind that

if you break an axleshaft, or a diff, or a driveshaft, you can drive out maybe a couple of hundred miles relying on the Borg Warner viscous coupler in the transfer case. Be prepared to replace it immediately afterwards.

That consideration alone made me swap out a perfectly working BW for an LT230 in my DD/trail truck.

Very true and why you need to figure what is the main use of the truck. No doubt if the plan is to extensively go off-road on difficult trails go with the LT230. However if primarily a tourer as mentioned and occasionally off-road trips I’d still stick with the B-W.

 

[StangGT5]

Mine certainly doesn't stop on a dime, but I forsee new pads and stainless flexible lines in the future.

I've thought about it, but I wanted to stay true to the brand and this engine is going to be fully mechanical, no electronics.

I respect staying with the brand. I usually prefer to do the same, but have decided if the Bosch 4.6 in my D2 or RPI 4.6 in my RRC ever give out, they're being replaced with 5.3 LS engines. The Rover V8 is an all aluminum GM V8, so an all aluminum 5.3 isn't too sacrilegious.

 

[Blueboy]

Li

I respect staying with the brand. I usually prefer to do the same, but have decided if the Bosch 4.6 in my D2 or RPI 4.6 in my RRC ever give out, they're being replaced with 5.3 LS engines. The Rover V8 is an all aluminum GM V8, so an all aluminum 5.3 isn't too sacrilegious.

Great viewpoint! Just replacing one GM engine with another! Yet I’ll probably stay with the old RPI lump. It’s served me well.

 

[discomeans]

Just got an update - the remaining parts we need are shipping from Ashcroft and we have an ETA of (hopefully) 2 weeks.

Work to be done includes:

• 300Tdi/LT230/Rebuilt ZF auto trans
• HD 24-spline conversion
• Front and rear lockers with onboard air
• Upgraded front brakes (I think the Defender ones?)

Anyone want a ~180k mile 3.9V8, ZF, and BW box?

 

[Blueboy]

Just got an update - the remaining parts we need are shipping from Ashcroft and we have an ETA of (hopefully) 2 weeks.

Work to be done includes:

• 300Tdi/LT230/Rebuilt ZF auto trans
• HD 24-spline conversion
• Front and rear lockers with onboard air
• Upgraded front brakes (I think the Defender ones?)

Anyone want a ~180k mile 3.9V8, ZF, and BW box?

Very nice. See you decided on the LT230. Good to see you’re staying with an Auto box. Really liked the 300Tdi in the 110 we had in Brasil. There were times though it was gutless until the turbo spooled up. The 110 also had A/C which would be nice to have in a Rangie.

 

[discomeans]

Ordered 225/75 KO2's today to be installed this upcoming weekend. Currently running 245/70, and I'm liking the idea of getting something a little narrower but the same height.

 

[discomeans]

The Rangie is off for its transplant!

We dropped it off on Friday for what's probably going to be about a month for the work to be completed... forgot to take pics. Got to take a look at he TDI and transfer box - they're clean and look pretty low mileage, but Jake's going through it with a fine-toothed comb anyways to replace any consumables with new. Super excited!

 

[discomeans]

I feel like something is missing, but I can’t put my finger on it…

 

[Blue]

at least it's not leaking oil right now

 

[discomeans]

@Blue thanks for jinxing things!

So we were hoping to have it back home a couple weeks ago. During a week-long shakedown, Jake found that one of the Ashcroft diffs and their t-box each had bad o-rings causing some issues, including "territory marking" from the LT230 (I think the issue with the front diff was an air leak). Thankfully they agreed to fast ship new o-rings and he got those leaks fixed.

Jake had warned me that Ashcroft QC doesn't seem to be what it was pre-pandemic and that's not a surprise. They're really trying to churn out backorders.

So then hoping to get it back this weekend, and he discovered that one of the high pressure A/C lines had a crack in it. The part number still is available but rather than paying 600+GBP he's getting one locally made, but that still means I won't get it back this weekend. But I'm actually really happy about it, as that was a source of the plastic-y smell my wife and I were smelling in the cabin (I'd never smelled a Freon leak before).

All good things come to those who wait, right?

 

[Eliot]

This is very true. The front mudflap bracket connection through the floor wasn’t the best design. Along with the big sponge under the carpet. Many have just replaced the floor section yet depends on what the final goal is.

Didn’t they use horse hair matting too?

 

[discomeans]

It’s home!! Couple quick pics:

 

[Blueboy]

It’s home!! Couple quick pics:

View attachment 64157
View attachment 64158

Looking great! In my prior ‘93 LWB installed the locker switches in the same location.

 

[Blueboy]

Didn’t they use horse hair matting too?

Heard that as well yet wasn’t there in either ‘93 or ‘94 LWB.