The successful evaluation process then led to a formal agreement between Zeus and YiCan, such that we became their local agent, and 2 years later saw an even closer working relationship with Zeus.

In view of the lack of published data on long term studies on the Zeus gears, I decided that every 50,000 kms, I would remove the front cover, and inspect the gears and various associated components. This would then lead to a factual record of a long term study of the gears, as opposed to the current anecdotal material.

In carrying out the 50K inspections, a photographic record would be made of the components, and these are provided below.

Over the last 2 years, the Disco has performed a wide range of activities that included:

-short trips to/from school as a kid transporter,

-demonstration unit at 4wd field days,

-test vehicle to show customers improved performance (27 kmh in 3rd gear going around round about),

-a number of interstate trips (constant high speed highway driving) to speak at 4wd clubs etc,

-field trip to Camerons Corner as part of ADR testing. This included high speed work on the normal roads and dirt roads plus sand driving to get vehicles stuck, and then recover using the ADR,

-towing tandem trailer, loaded with 2.5 tonnes of phone books as Scout fund raiser,that didn't require use of low range,

-recovering fallen logs, removing dead trees and the like on a friends' farm,

In other words, all the things that the vehicle was designed to do, but now does much better as the engine can be used from about 1100 rpm, rather than waiting for the turbo to kick in at 1850 rpm.

While I would like to be able to report that this vehicle has been maintained in accordance with the manufacturers' recommended schedules, and oil changed accordingly, this is not the case. As this is a working vehicle, it has been treated simply as a work horse, but without the close attention to scheduled servicing and oil changes as I would have liked, but as a small business operator time restraints have made this difficult. Despite this the gears and associated components show just how well they can stand up to such treatment.

CONCLUSION:
Zeus Timing Gears are doing what they are supposed to do, and if the above is any indication, one could extrapolate that these gears have a very long life time in front of them.
I'll repeat this exercise when we get to 100,000 kms, and then at 50,000km intervals.

Phillip Simpson
Frankston,VIC 3199
Australia
June 11, 2002

Thank you Ian for reminding me that I hadn't kept this page updated, so here it is.

The odometer now shows 67,135 kms which gives it 42,000 kms on the Zeus gears. As with the Discovery things have been quite "boring".

The Defender had been well setup for long range touring (winch, bull bar, long range tank, internal storage system, dual batteries etc) and as such is much heavier than the normal 110. Being able to utilise the engine from 1100 rpm onwards (yes it has a tacho fitted) makes this 110 much easier to drive around the city than when it had the timing belt.

Phillip Simpson
Frankston,VIC 3199
Australia