A Range-Rover Plus

Schuler Presses have been offering various options for Range-Rovers for some time, varying from superior interior trim to uprated suspensions, from quad-lamps to alloy wheels. Now they offer what must be the ultimate in transmissions, combined with the option of a very effective anti-skid device. Heart of the conversion is the transfer box, made by FF Developments Ltd. of Coventry, which replaces the standard Rover unit and completely eliminates the “snatch” so familiar to Range-Rover drivers. This is achieved by using a Morse chain drive, instead of gears, together with an ingenious viscous coupling which absorbs any sudden torque reactions, as well as providing the effect of a limited slip differential. Either a JRT five-speed manual box or a Chrysler Torqueflite automatic can be used. The viscous coupling makes it possible to fit an anti-locking device to the brake system — a sensor is installed at the input to the viscous coupling, which monitors the relative Speeds of the shafts, senses immediately if a wheel intending to lock on, and via electronics produced by Mullard Ltd., releases the brakes momentarily to prevent lock-up. The resulting vehicle was very impressive to drive on a test track at a recent press day, and I hope to be able to try the vehicle at greater length and on more testing terrain later in the autumn. — PHJW.