Gearbox Rod\Remote

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66moke
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Gearbox Rod\Remote

Post by 66moke »

Hi all,

My underestanding is that an early ('66) English Moke should have a remote change gearbox.

My car has a rod change.

My question is;
the alloy remote housings I've seen for my mini seem really long. Is the Moke remote housing shorter\different?

if any one has some photo's they could post or email me that would be great.

thanks
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Nigel(no top)Sykes
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Re: Gearbox Rod\Remote

Post by Nigel(no top)Sykes »

It should have a "magic wand" type gearbox. The remote type boxes were for saloons,commercials,estates etc As you note the remote is too long for a Moke. Aussie Mokes (and Portugese) have a rod change box with shorter rods
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Tim
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Re: Gearbox Rod\Remote

Post by Tim »

Early Aussie Moke used the remote gearbox but without the extension on the back. the same system was used in the mini vans and pickups at the same time. Its sometimes called a toggle change or pudding stirrer.

Tim
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Slow Smoke Moke
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Re: Gearbox Rod\Remote

Post by Slow Smoke Moke »

Can I revisit this thread please.

The Moke (1968) I have has been crudely adapted to accept a remote or rod gearchange. In time I’m going to overhaul the lot but could do with knowing which direction to head towards..

How do I tell if it's remote or rod please?

Accepting that the remote gearchange is incorrect, should I revert to original magic wand type or is the rod change box do-able/acceptable?

What are the pros/cons?

Do I have to change the whole box or just the change mechanism?

This is on a 1275 engine.

Thanks,

Nick
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janz
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Re: Gearbox Rod\Remote

Post by janz »

Glad you revisited this one - although I thought the NoSmoke had an electric motor, and not a 1275 (probably A+ series). I'm afraid I can't offer any clear advice although am looking for solutions myself.

My Moke has a c1981 Aussie CKD body that originally had an early 1098 A series with magic wand engine (yes it's FUD the bitsa). Now it has a 1293 with rod change box. Alternative system probably not man enough for the engine. Basically, the rods were cut down to the appropriate size to fit although the job wasn't perfect and hence it's function is more pudding stirrer than anything else. So ideally you/I would have the Aussie selector and rod set and that should work. Problem is finding them and paying the price.

Question to anyone who might offer alternative solutions - would a Portuguese selector and rod not work? I know flip all about Portuguese Mokes so I might just be asking a totally stupid question - let's leave it at that.

Cheers, Jan
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Nigel(no top)Sykes
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Re: Gearbox Rod\Remote

Post by Nigel(no top)Sykes »

The three boxes ( rod, remote and magic wand) are different to each other and while the internals are swappable to a certain degree the cases aren't.
The remote box, identified by having a long aluminium housing for the gear lever is really of no use in a more as it puts the gear-lever right about where the handbrake is in a mike ( in a mini the handbrake is further back)
The magic wand box has no extension, just a gearstick stuck out of the back of the box. The problem with these is it MAY struggle to deal with the power output of a 1275 plus the boxes themselves are now fairly rare and harder to get hold of (read expensive). On top of that you'd also have to find a moke type magic wand gear-lever, and that's venturing into hens teeth territory.
The rod change boxes have no extension from the diff housing (a bit like the magic wand box). They have an aluminium housing that sits under the gear-lever and is connected to the box by two steel rods. They are relatively plentiful, can deal with the power but (there's always a but) are pretty much guaranteed to come with a mini length set of rods. As mentioned above these can be cut down to length such that the gear-lever comes out of the hole where the good old wand lever came through.
A couple of points to note here 1. The Portuguese/late Aussie mokes have slightly different rods that move the lever across towards the driver, more room for the exhaust but a new hole needed in the floor. 2. The housing has a bracket on the back of it to hold it up, there will need to be some "adjusting" of this if you go down this route. 3. The saloon gear-lever that usually comes with them needs some bending so that it doesn't hit the heater in 1st and 3rd and hide behind the drivers knee in 4th

Hope this helps
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Slow Smoke Moke
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Re: Gearbox Rod\Remote

Post by Slow Smoke Moke »

Nige suggested in a separate thread that there are a number of Moke’s with 1275GT engines in. Do we know what they’re all doing with gearboxes?
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Tim
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Re: Gearbox Rod\Remote

Post by Tim »

I'm pretty sure the Australian export models built in the early '70s with 1275s used the direct change box. This is the remote gearbox housing but without the cast aluminium remote extension to the gearstick. Early big wheel mokes with 1100cc engines used the same gearbox. It was also used in Mini vans around the same time. The parts are still available to convert a remote gearbox and the gearstick comes out of the same hole in the floor, but the Moke gearstick has some funny bends in it.

Tim
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Slow Smoke Moke
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Re: Gearbox Rod\Remote

Post by Slow Smoke Moke »

Many thanks Tim and Nige, good info.

I'm sure a specialist can fabricate a Moke style gear lever at a reasonable(!) cost. Finding out about all this is becoming a project in its own right.
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Nigel(no top)Sykes
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Re: Gearbox Rod\Remote

Post by Nigel(no top)Sykes »

I'm thinking the rod change route is the easiest option, if you're in the northern hemisphere that is, they are more plentiful, and the gearstick is easier to shape to your will
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Doug G
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Re: Gearbox Rod\Remote

Post by Doug G »

My mechanic fabricated a spare and 'so far' it is working well. 8)
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Doug G
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Re: Gearbox Rod\Remote

Post by Doug G »

Oh oh.

I appear to have spoken too soon.

It is now trifle difficult to get into first and/or second gear.

Suggestions?
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Nigel(no top)Sykes
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Re: Gearbox Rod\Remote

Post by Nigel(no top)Sykes »

Why not try asking the expert tomorrow?
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Doug G
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Re: Gearbox Rod\Remote

Post by Doug G »

I had it all set up.

Unfortunately Mother Nature deemed otherwise.
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Tom
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Re: Gearbox Rod\Remote

Post by Tom »

Jumping onto this thread with perhaps a slightly odd question.

Does anyone know what length the magic wand gear lever on a 1964/5 MK1 Moke would be from the top of the rubber gaiter to the base of the gear knob?

Also, I believe it would have a kink at the top, rather than completely straight, yes?

Thanks.
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