What are all the levers for then?

Gear Changing Procedure

If you're new to the Series Land Rover experience then the array of control levers can seem a bit daunting. What do they do and when or where should they be used? This section is for you. Take the time to read through and then find somewhere quiet, off-road (check for public access first) and try the combinations for yourself. Better still, even if you never intend taking your Landy off-road, it's worth considering attending an off-road day at one of the many 4x4 centres around the country, just to find out what your Landy can do in a non-competitive environment.

The following is the 'official' Land Rover advice to owners as to how to operate their vehicles, with some extra comments where appropriate. It is taken from the Land Rover Series IIA & IIB Instruction Manual. Available from the LRE Bookshop (www.landroverenthusiast.com) price £10.95 plus post.

The Land-Rover gearbox may be regarded as having 10 gear ratios, (20 with the optional overdrive unit); that is eight forward speeds and two reverses. For convenience in use these gears are evenly divided into two groups, termed 'Low' range (low box) and 'High' range ( high box).

'Low' range consists of four low forward gears, plus a low reverse gear.

'High' range consists of four normal gear ratios, plus a normal reverse gear.

The two ranges may be used progressively when changing up, if conditions demand. The following tables summerise various work conditions alongside the recommended gearbox settings.

Gear Levers

Three gear levers are provided to control the gearbox, these being:

1. The main gear lever, fitted with a black knob? This is used in the normal way, and will engage the five gears within the range selected by the transfer lever.

2. The transfer gear lever is fitted with a red knob and is used to select the high or low range of gears; it also has a neutral (mid-way) position.

3. The four-wheel drive control lever, fitted with a yellow knob and used to select two or four wheel drive. The use of this control is explained later.

Use of gear ranges

When selecting the low range of gears with the transfer gear lever, the gearbox will automatically engage four-wheel drive at the same time. Therefore, when using the low gear range, the vehicle automatically provides maximum traction with maximum torque. When using the high range of gears under normal conditions, the drive is to the rear wheels only.

Should the operator encounter conditions calling for fourwheel drive in the high gear range (for example, ice or mud on the road) then this may be obtained immediately, by operating the four-wheel drive control.

As an example of how the full progressive range of the gearbox may be used, consider a vehicle which is heavily laden or towing a heavy trailer, and which is required to pull away from a standing start, up a steep gradient.

With the transfer gear lever in the low range position, the vehicle will pull away in first gear, and the gear changes for the first four gears can be made in the normal way, with the main gear lever.

When road conditions are suitable for the high gear range, they may be brought into operation without stopping the vehicle as follows:

Depress the clutch pedal, select the high range with the transfer gear lever and move the main gear lever into the second or third gear position, depending on road conditions. Release the clutch pedal and continue to change up in the normal way.

This operation can be carried out smoothly and quickly after a little practice. By making use of the full range of the gearbox in this manner, the clutch life will not be shortened by having to compensate for the selection of an unsuitable gear ratio.

Transfer gear changing

Changing from high (lever fully forward) to low (lever fully back) transfer ratio should only be attempted when the vehicle is stationary. The engine may be left running, but the main gear lever must be in the neutral position. Depress the clutch pedal and pull the transfer lever right back; release the clutch. Should there be any hesitation in the gear engaging, do not force the lever. With the engine running, engage a gear with the main gear lever and let in the clutch momentarily; then return the main gear lever to neutral and try the transfer control again.

'Forward Control' models are fitted with an easy-change transfer gearbox; this allows the change from high to low transfer to be carried out while the vehicle is moving slowly. Changing from 'Low' to 'High' transfer ratio may be accomplished at any time, regardless of the vehicle speed. Release the accelerator pedal, depress the clutch pedal and push the transfer box lever right forward, pausing slightly in the neutral position; let in the clutch.

Operation of the four-wheel drive control

Push lever down on 'Regular' and 'Long' models, or to the left on 'Forward Control' models to engage four-wheel drive when in high transfer. Front wheel drive in high transfer can be engaged at any time, irrespective of road speed.

However, in order to prevent excessive tyre wear, it is strongly recommended that 30mph (50 kph) should not be exceeded when using four-wheel drive in high transfer, and also that a return to two-wheel drive be made when driving conditions permit.

In order to regain two-wheel drive, stop the vehicle, move the transfer lever to the 'Low' position then back to the 'High' position. Front wheel drive will be automatically disengaged and the yellow control lever will return to the disengaged position.

General

Before moving off in the vehicle after it has been parked for some time, it is a wise precaution to check that front wheel drive has not been engaged.

It is essential that if your vehicle is fitted with Free Wheel Hubs (FWH - on the front axle) that they are engaged before selecting 4 wheel drive. It is good practice to engage the FWH anyway, about once a month or so, to allow the swivel housing oil to be 'thrown' up around the top swivel pin and to engage 4 wheel drive, to check that the mechanism still works. It will sieze up if not used and lubricated.

* These remarks do not apply to the operation of the front capstan winch., which has its own control lever & is driven directly from the front of the engine.