WANTED - R7ME Gearbox

Looking to buy all the components needed for an R72 to R7ME gearbox conversion.

R7ME Gearbox, Transfer Case, Intermediate Prop & Diffs

Leeds-based but can arrange collection.

Track down Mr Priestly (on here or facebook group). He is that way on and I've had a few bits off him with no issues.

Will do, thanks!

I'd first make sure that your gearbox is gone, then I'd take it out and strip it to see if it can be rebuilt with new bearings.

It will be cheaper and less trouble than changing the entire drive line if it can.

It will be pretty obvious on visual inspection if there are damaged gear teeth.

Changing the bearings is fairly easy once you have the gearbox on the bench, the complete bearing kit used to be around £120.

If you fix the problem you have, at least you know it is fixed. Buying unknown has its issues - the parts may not be perfect, and they will be older / worn. I have had a run of bad luck on used transfer cases, not through sellers trying to rip me off, just old unknown units. So I would agree with Facade.

Setting aside the question of whether the R72/R7ME conversion is the right solution for the OP's Jimny -- which is being discussed in another thread -- I have a question for the Gen3 experts in the forum.

It seems most of the criticism of the R72 is around bearing failure, and secondarily perhaps some defective (leaky) output yokes.  Assuming the latter issue has by now been addressed, and that rebuilding an R72 with high-quality shielded bearings would more or less solve the former issue, then the question is:

Is a carefully inspected and rebuilt R72 a perfectly adequate and reliable gearbox, or is it still to be avoided for other reasons?  


I don't have a view myself, I am just asking for my own knowledge and perhaps for the greater benefit of the forum.