New member looking for an Oka

G'day Oka owners,
I have joined the Oka forum as I'm looking to buying my 1st Oka
I got my licence back in 1976 in a Land Rover & ownd them ever since. I have gone from a swag to an Oz tent & the last 10 years I've had a Land Rover Defender 130
cab chasse with a Trayon slide on camper. I have always dreamt of having an Oka ever since I saw one when it 1st came out & now have decided if I don't get one now I never will.
So I need some help. Can anyone tell me or tell me of a website that gives the difference between a XT & LT apart from year of manufacter, the number built, the dashes being different & any other advise would be greatly appreciated.
I am looking for a dual cab 6 seater.
Cheers Peter

Peter
Welcome.
Gotta love Defenders. My 110 is still the best vehicle I ever owned. Plenty of people have a lot of negatives to say about them but my experience was that they didn't know a Defender from a Series 11 and they drove a Toyota.
Mine is 16 years old, has done 425,000 km and has only ever had the windscreen replaced and 2 uni joints.

Anyway, here is my take in the difference between XT and LT. It's not authoritative and I could de wrong on some points.

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Differences between an XT and LT Oka

XT's are older, they were the first Okas produced, 250 made from 1992 to 1996 approx.
LT's were made between 1996 and 1998, approx 180 were made

Generally The LT is more refined than the XT with a number of upgrades and one major mistake which was the Rockwell T223 transfer case which is a pig in most respects and should be avoided if possible. Some LT owners might disagree.

Transfer cases:
The XT has a New Process (NP205) transfer case close coupled to the 5 speed spicer transmission which is common to both models. The cast coupling adapter is an Oka specific part and is made of unobtanium as are the internal coupling parts. Early models had problems with the splines wearing but the parts can be modified to take a larger input shaft. Parts supply for the NP205 is good. It is a reliable transfer case. The handbrake likewise is Oka and parts are hard to get.

The LT has a Rockwell T223 transfer case coupled to the Spicer transmission with a jack shaft ( divorced mounted). It was never designed to be fitted to a vehicle with free wheel hubs, as the front output shaft has only a bronze bush to allow for slight differences in shaft speed, not one doing 2000 rpm and the other shaft not rotating. This causes it to rum hot. It also leaks oil at the seals and everywhere else, including over the handbrake which hardly ever works anyway. Later LTs had a wider handbrake which may work better.

Clutch:
XTs and LTs had the same spicer ceramic clutch, reliable but it shudders and shouldn't be slipped? LTs have hydraulic actuation whilst XTs have a cable operation. The LT is a better thing here.

Cab:
The front bonnet? varies between the two. the LT has a full width bonnet which makes for easier access the the stuff underneath - radiator filler, windscreen washers and wiper mechanisms.
The XT has a wider engine tunnel! which is great for fitting V8s but makes for a more cramped interior.
Wider more modern dash in LT with a nice fibreglass moulded centre piece. LT has better aesthetics with the handbrake lever integration.

Steering:
Early XTs had a Kirby-Bishop power steering box. It is undersized and leaks oil and should be avoided. Later XTs and all LTs have a TAS30 power steering box. It is uncommon but there is an Aust agent and can be repaired. Replacing the Kirby box is an expensive exercise
The XT tie rod arrangement is different from the LT. On the XT, the tie rods ends sit close to the front springs, too close to be removed by just undoing the nut and lifting up. Either the knuckles have to be removed or the axle dropped away from the springs or the tie rod screwed right out and then the hubs turned to clear the springs. LTs don't have this issue.
The power steering reservoir is different between XT and LT, don't know why.

It is important to note that the power steering and brakes use the same hydraulic pump for power assistance. Check for leaks and noises.
Springs:
On the front springs the rear upper shackle pin bush is mounted about Central in the chassis. On the LT it is welded to the bottom of the rail
Both XT and LT have an issue with the shackle pins being too small (5/8"). Upgrades are available at approx $1k.

Body:
Early XT bus bodies are shorter than later ones, easily picked by the smaller rear side window.

Rear diff:
Limited slip diffs (standard from factory) seem to be more common in XTs.
Larger 35 spline axles seem to be more common in LTs.
The smaller 32? spline axles are a problem with early failure. Larger 35 spline axles don't seem to break in an Oka.

Front diff.
No difference between XT and LT. A35 spline upgrade is available for the front outer drive axles. Recommended as the smaller 30 spline ones are prone to fail in hard 4WD driving.

Tailshafts:
Early XTs has 1350 series unis and yokes on the front tailshaft. These will be narrower than the 1410 series fitted to all other Okas. These do not articulate as well as 1410s and may bind up.

Electrics:
Some XTs may be fitted with a 55 amp alternator. LTs will have and 85 amp one. There is a 120 amp one that will sit in the same space.

Radiator
The XT radiator is fitted back against the engine fan. It is a prick to remove and comes upwards through the cab. The LT is mounted at the front just behind the grille and can be removed in an hour.

Hi Peter, welcome.

I can't add much to Pete's list except that the dashboard is considerably different, but see these 2 earlier topics on our forum, XT vs LT and XT vs LT Which is best ?

BTW, I'm also a former Land Rover fan, still got a Disco actually, but my favourite was our LWB Series 11A which we drove around the world in the 70's. Sold it for a pittance 30 years ago and still regret it.



In the cold but spectacular centre of Afghanistan, December 1974. Doing the same in Oz in our Oka now.

In my experience when driving Oka's before buying our LT, in standard form XT's seem to go better than LT's probably due to the Rockwell transfer case sucking a noticeable amount (supposedly 13%) of the limited power.
Ours certainly goes much better with the auto and Nissan transfer case.

Thanks everyone very much for all your info- it's going to take me sometime now to absorb all of this, there is obviously pro's & con's for both models & some of these things maybe hard to identify.
Unfortunately the 130 will have to go when I get an Oka & this will be very sad as we have done many trips in the big backyard of our country.
I'll still have an old seies 2 forward control parked in the backyard which hasn't moved in 20 yrs
Cheers Peter

Wheels

XT 16" split rims

LT 19.5 tubeless rims


Oka design is based on series 2 forward control land rover!!

Welcome Peter
As you can see we have a great site and if you have any issues you only have to ask and assistance is never far away. I suggest that before you decide drive both and see what suits you as we all have different requirements. We have one of each here in Moruya if you wanted to come and have a look you are more than welcome.
Greg

Backyard Peter wrote: Unfortunately the 130 will have to go when I get an Oka & this will be very sad as we have done many trips in the big backyard of our country.
I'll still have an old seies 2 forward control parked in the backyard which hasn't moved in 20 yrs
Cheers Peter

For what it is worth, the Oka is the only vehicle I have ever liked driving more than my 130. Lots of people go from Land Rovers to Okas - if you have a Land Rover, Oka is really the only way forward. I don't think you would regret it, but much as I love the FC models, you might be better to sell it and keep the 130. That's what I did......

Good luck!

Welcome to the site Peter,Peter Fox gave you quite a comprehensive description of both models,as regard to the OKA specific parts not all is lost,I do have the housing between the Spicer box and the NP 205 and planning to have some more castings done over the next month or two, also I have in stock a modify NP 205 housing to accept the 29 splines input gear and couplings to match the 29 splines to the Spicer box,so if your stuck for parts just ask and will see what can be done.
Cheers,Joe

Hows the OKA hunting going Peter???

If you find something you like, post the numbers up. Someone should know about its history.

I am now the new excited owner of #396, a due cab 6 seater. I am going to build a alloy tray for it to suit my Trayon slide on camper along with many other bits and pieces. It also has a cable gear shift as being discussed in a resent topic.
Many thanks to OKA Pete for finding it and his help, Greg 210 Dean 366 who have a XT and LT and spent sum time showing me the differences between the two and everyone who replied to my original post. This forum is excellent I have learnt a lot and I am sure I will learn a lot more.
I am hoping to be on the road soon and may be meeting sum of you.

Cheers for now
Peter

Congrats

Don't forget to put some pictures up..

You already have some great OKA friends and anywhere you go you will find more

Welcome to the OKA Family