Thinking of buying 3.2 ?

[oggy30]

Hi all, thinking of buying a 3.2 0n a 99 plate. its got the prob with the speedo. My question is does this affect its ability to go into over drive? i've been told different things Also i intend to use it for towing so if it didnt go into o/d would this affect its ability to tow and finally are they a good tow vehicle. Sorry for throwhing all this at you on first post.

[Rifleman]

How do you mean "overdrive" ?

[RatCav]

The B series Frontera has a reputation of failing speedo cluster. Its a relativly simple job to fix once you have the dials out and your handy with a soldering iron. Some people report that they can get it working again by switching the sidelights on and off again or just leaving them on. There are also people out there that offer a repair service as well, for not bad money. Crux of the matter is it doesn't affect the driveability of the truck at all. All the 4wd is independant of the speedo, you just won't know how fast your going.

As a point of note the Frontera doesn't have "overdrive" just normal 5 speed box and a reverse. There is a button on the dash that activates the 4wd using a system of vacuum pipes and essentially pneumatic cylinders, controlled by a small ECU built into the dash under the ashtray. No centre diff as well (as found on the Land Rover). Transfer box bolted to the back of the gearbox, that has a prop to the front diff and then your axles to the hubs. The nearside drive shaft is split and when 4wd is engaged an actuator connects the transfer box to the gearbox, and another actuator joins the two halves off the nearside drive shaft together giving you 4wd. Front hubs on the B series are fixed, though people often replace the hubs with manual locking ones allowing for more off road control and better economy as the wheels are effectivly free wheeling now. Advised not to angage 4wd on tarmac or grippy surfaces and only use it when needed, as the 4wd system on this is locked and all four wheels turn at the same speed. That means you can get torsional wind up in the system when in 4wd and going round corners as now the outside wheels cannot turn faster than the inside wheels. Does mean that you don't get loss off drive when you really need 4wd though.

A further point is the Frontera uses the Isuzu Trooper 4wd system. Vauxhall just designed a different body to go on the chassis effectivley. There are differences like prop lengths and locations of ancillaries but a lot of the parts are exactly the same made in the same factory.

[oggy30]

Thanks for the replies, Keith and Ratcav,that clears it up as i coundnt find a switch for the so called overdrive, either i was being wound up or misinformed

[4x4 bobby]

Hi mate welcome to the forum and you were probably being spun a yarn to make it sound Mega!!!

[andysd1]

hold on, it may have cruise control, and it will not work, if the needle is not showing the speed, it will not engage,

[4x4 bobby]

That aint overdrive though Andy!!!

[andysd1]

no, but he might be getting confused

[jimmybhoy]

[RatCav]

Cuise control takes its feed from a light blue wire with a red stripe. Its the speed signal wire from the gearbox. This wire is in one of the plugs that go into the back of the dial pod. Exactly the same as the Cavalier/Calibra V6/Turbos, Vectra V6, and Omega V6. I have a complete cruise control system in my garage that I pulled off an Omega and installed onto my old Cavalier V6. Cavaliers were never fitted with cruise control, but tapping into this wire did the job. Took about 2 hours to do the install ... including making the loom to the clutch and brake pedal switches.

Cannot see why it cannot be retro fitted to Frontera Series B's if you have all the bits from an apllicable donor. Will have a ganders at Fogmans tomorrow and guage the possibility.

[rf9rider]

I fitted cruise control to my B series DTI.
It came off a 3.2 V6 Frontera, it plugs straight in.

[Gazeddy]

by the looks of that it makes cruise control on an A possible

[andysd1]

[woodwizzard]

Do the autos have overdrive like the trooper auto?

[oggy30]

Well finally did the deal an my pajero's gone to pastures new But i'm now the proud owner of a 3.2 v6 wiv lpg to ease the pain .Just a couple of niggles - speedo prob an high tick over. Well made up an boy do these things shift

[rospicer]

Nice You're going to love it!! And with LPG, BONUS!!