2000 Land Rover - Replacing ATF & Diff - Fluids?

[92saturnsl2]

I just picked up a 2000 Land Rover Discovery II with the 4.0L V8 engine, 4 speed auto trans (ZF 4HP22). Rig has right at 100k miles. From what I've read this auto trans has been around for ages and has been used in countless European cars, BMW, Audis, etc. I'm looking at replacing all the fluids in the vehicle, but need suggestion on fluid type and weight.

I don't know much about the differentials or transfer case, other than they seem to take 80w90 gear oil.

What type of ATF would you folks suggest for this transmission? And any certain favorite as far as gear oil for the diffs / transfer case? Any decent deals on a reliable brand that you guys know of?

I'd like to avoid the cost of synthetics, as I'm one of those who prefers to change the fluid every 30k with conventional, rather than a $100 fluid change every 100k.

All opinions / suggestions / pertinent info would be helpful and appreciated!

 

[Ramblejam]

Originally Posted By: 92saturnsl2
What type of ATF would you folks suggest for this transmission? And any certain favorite as far as gear oil for the diffs / transfer case?


Valvoline MaxLife ATF - $16/gallon @ Walmart. Total fill is 10 quarts, so a three gallon exchange (12 quarts) would run $50.
Both differentials and transfer case call for 75w-90. Mobil 1 is available locally and an excellent product. Heck, run Walmart Super Tech is you'd like -- it's not only API GL-5, but MT-1 and MACK GO-J approved.

 

[possum328]

Love the Discos -- pics?

 

[Clevy]

As far as diff fluids I will use nothing but redline. They make the very best diff fluids I've ever used and is the only brand that goes into my Harley,mustangs and now charger.
Amsoil severe gear is my second choice,but a distant second b
If you're going to buy amsoil order it from Pablo,our site sponsor. He'll give you the best deal you can get.

 

[92saturnsl2]

Originally Posted By: possum328
Love the Discos -- pics?


Forgive the lousy cell-phone quality, but here goes.

All-in-all, I think it was a good find considering the condition and mileage. Hard to find a 14 year old vehicle with only 100k. Paid $1,300 but the lady had one of the u-joints fail on her, so it dropped the front driveshaft while going 50 miles an hour. Those things (front driveshaft) turn about 2500rpm at highway speeds, and when it fell off the transfer case side it bashed into everything nearby and punched a quarter size hole in the side of the transmission case. Eventually happens to all Disco's, unless caught early or the owner knows about the problem. How Land Rover avoided a major class action lawsuit over this is beyond me.

The dealer told her she needed a new transmission to the tune of $6k, so she sold it to me for a song. I drove it home (leaking ATF the whole way) and was able to weld the hole closed for $0. Solid as a rock, but the woman was smart by calling a tow truck and stopping the vehicle right away when it happened. With Land Rover's legendary (un)reliability, ought to make for a nice hobby, hopefully not an expensive one

One thing I will say in support of LR, is this is the most comfortable, smoothest riding vehicle I've ever driven. I could compare it to a Cadillac, but even that wouldn't give it enough justice. Engine is soooo silky smooth and the tranny couldn't be matched better. Has the powerband of a diesel (power drops off above 3k) so shifts at 2k almost every time with more than enough low RPM grunt. Certainly will not win any stoplight drag races, and lacks high-RPM passing power for obvious reasons. 17mpg is what I'm getting which I think is reasonable.

Welded transmission case:

 

[Clevy]

1300 bucks and all you had to do was weld a patch.
Nice score.
It the front diff active or are you still missing the driveshaft.
Good score regardless.

 

[artificialist]

If your car calls for conventional 80w90 GL-5, you can get it cheaper by the gallon at auto parts stores. I am not exactly sure how much you will need, but I am sure you will use several quarts, enough to make buying by the gallon a good idea.

Does your car have clutch type LSDs? If you do, you must be sure your gear oils have LS additives included, or you have a tube of LS additive.

 

[92saturnsl2]

Nope just electronic "limited slip" where the ABS applies brakes to the spinning wheel(s). Makes fluid choice easy at least...

 

[01rangerxl]

A local indy shop that specializes in Land Rovers and Range Rovers uses 75W90 synthetic in the diffs in these. You may want to double check the fluid requirements - it may spec 75W90 syn and not 80W90 conventional.