Everything You Need to Know About Going 10-Speed

Frequently Asked Questions

The conversion package

• What is included in a 10R80 conversion package?

  Each package includes the 10R80 gearbox (serviced, refurbished or new, as selected), engine and transfer case adapters, torque converter with adapter, Boostec transmission controller (TCU), new wiring harness, cooler kit, standard uni-joint driveshafts, a Shift By Wire shifter on 1HD-FTE and 1VD-FTV kits, and the remote setup and tuning needed to commission the conversion. Not included: transmission fluid, exhaust or crossmember modifications where required (the 4JJ3 crossmember needs a notch to clear the front driveshaft), engineering certification and consumables. On 4JJ3 kits your flexplate is exchanged. Your quote lists exactly what is in your package.

• Which vehicles and engines do you support?

  105 / 80 / 40 Series LandCruiser: 1HD-FTE, 1VD-FTV and Isuzu 4JJ3 engines” / “79 Series LandCruiser: 1HD-FTE and 1VD-FTV engines” / “GU Patrol: 1HD-FTE and Isuzu 4JJ3 engines” / “Isuzu D-Max and MU-X (2021 on): 4JJ3 engine

• How much torque can the 10R80 handle?

  Plenty. The 10R80 is proven in heavy diesel builds, and vehicles in our circle are running well over 1,300 Nm through them, including 3,000 kg plus tourers that tow. Every package is configured for the engine, power level and use you tell us about. If your build is beyond a standard configuration we will spec the upgrades it needs (see “What if I break something in motorsport use?”). Be accurate about your power level when you configure your conversion, as the package and its warranty are matched to it.

• Can I choose between a refurbished and new gearbox?

  Yes. Every kit is priced with a serviced, low-km 2nd-hand 10R80 as standard. It carries no warranty and requires a signed liability release. You can upgrade to a refurbished gearbox (+$4,400, covered by our Turn-Key & Drive policy) or to a brand-new Ford-delivered gearbox (+$6,800, 10,000 km or 6 months warranty). We will recommend the right option for your power level and use.

• What are the valve body upgrade options?

  Stage 1 valve body upgrade: +$1,900. Stage 2 valve body and clutch pack upgrade: +$3,500, which requires a new or refurbished gearbox. Upgrades carry the same warranty as the gearbox they are fitted to. We will recommend a stage based on your power level and use.

• What does "refurbished" actually mean?

  Every refurbished 10R80 goes through our workshop before it is sold. The outer clutch cylinder (the “trash can”) is replaced with the updated hard-anodised shell, the CDF drum is replaced with the updated anti-walk type wherever the early type is found, the unit is fully resealed with the clutch clearances set, the valve body is cleaned and inspected, every circuit is air-checked and the gearbox is operationally tested before dispatch. The known weak points of the early 10R80 are dealt with before the gearbox goes into your vehicle.

• What shifter is included?

  1HD-FTE and 1VD-FTV kits include a Shift By Wire shifter. Isuzu 4JJ3 kits retain the factory shifter.

• What driveshafts are included?

  Standard uni-joint driveshafts are included with both supplied kits and fitted conversions. Dual-cardan driveshafts (rated to 900 hp, low vibration) are an optional upgrade at +$2,490.

• What transmission fluid does the 10R80 use?

  Ford MERCON ULV (ultra low viscosity) only. Do not use a thicker or “universal” ATF. Fluid-related faults are not covered under warranty. If you are using a 10R80 transfer case, this will use MERCON LV.

• Is the wiring harness new?

  Yes. Every package includes a new 10speed.au harness built with Tefzel-grade wire (where suitable) for motorsport use, in standardised lengths so that every installation is wired the same way. That standardisation is what makes remote setup and tuning quick. New harnesses carry a 12-month warranty.

Ordering, pricing and deposits

• What does the $1,000 deposit secure?

  Your deposit registers your selected build, secures your place in our build schedule and locks in the selected build price for 12 months. If you cancel in writing within 14 days, the deposit is refundable. After 14 days from the time of purchase, the deposit is forfeited as we would have started to work on supplying your parts.

  The deposit is deducted from your final invoice, so it is a part payment rather than an extra fee. If we are unable to deliver your build, your deposit is refunded in full. Reservations can be transferred to another vehicle you own that uses the same driveline package.

• Will prices change after the presale?

  Yes. Presale pricing is 20% off RRP and applies to reserved builds. Paying a deposit locks your build price for 12 months. After the presale, pricing returns to RRP.

• What happens after I enquire or pay a deposit?

  A member of the team will contact you within 48 hours to confirm your vehicle, engine and options, answer your questions and, for deposits, confirm your place in the build schedule. From there we agree the build date or dispatch date with you and your installer.

• How long is a quote or invoice valid, and can I pay it off?

  Invoices are valid for 14 days from the date of issue. After 14 days the invoice becomes invalid and a new one will need to be created, and pricing may have changed (reserved builds keep their locked price for 12 months). Part payments and instalment plans are only valid if agreed in writing, and they do not extend the validity of an invoice beyond 14 days. If an invoice is not paid in full within 14 days, any instalments received may be returned. Fees for support and tuning are payable at or before completion unless otherwise agreed.

Installation

• Can I purchase a supplied kit or have the conversion fitted?

  Yes. You can order a conversion kit for installation by a suitable workshop or select a fitted-and-tuned conversion completed through one of our approved installers.

  Installation components in a DIY kit (fittings, hoses, brackets, fasteners and cooler lines) are not covered under warranty. The supplied gearbox, harness and TCU keep their warranties whoever installs them; see our Terms and Conditions.

• Can my own workshop install the conversion?

  Yes, although we strongly recommend checking with us before purchasing to confirm that your installer is suitable. It is your responsibility to check with us that your installer or tuner is a recommended, qualified and authorised person to work with our products. If you do not check beforehand, warranty is determined at the time we inspect a supplied part, and any doubt can result in a no-warranty outcome. Installation workmanship remains the responsibility of the installer, and faults caused by incorrect installation, wiring, fluids, configuration or tuning are not covered.

  Your installer will also need to perform basic electrical checks with a multimeter and will need a Windows-based laptop for setup and tuning sessions.

• What is an approved installer?

  Approved installers are workshops that have fitted 10speed.au conversions to our standard and work directly with us on setup and tuning. Platinum installers are our most experienced shops that usually have been part of the development. The current installer network is shown on the installer map on this site.

• I run a workshop. Can I become an installer?

  Yes. Use the “Become an installer” form on this site and we will be in touch.

• My vehicle is older, or the wiring has been modified. Does that matter?

  Yes, and it is the most common cause of electrical problems. Devices or patch harnesses connected to modified electrical harnesses (of any age), or to original harnesses more than 20 years old, have a much higher chance of failure. Supplied parts used in either of those situations are not covered by warranty, and there is no warranty on any of our parts when our recommendations for replacement parts or harnesses are not followed. Repairs to parts in these cases are charged at a rate we nominate. High-hour or high-km vehicles and connected devices may also fall outside warranty. These conditions are determined by us solely, so if you would like certainty before you buy, ask us and we will reply with an explicit answer.

  Most 80 Series, 105 Series and GU Patrols are now well past 20 years old, so expect wiring to be part of the conversation.

• Is the conversion road legal?

  Our conversion parts are supplied for motorsport, competition, off-road and experimental use. You are responsible for confirming the legal requirements for your intended use, including any engineering certification or registration requirements in your state or territory.

  The minimums required to have the conversion “road-legal” can vary depending on your state, although we have some recommendations that are general in nature and should allow the conversion to be “signed off” and legal in most states and territories.

Tuning and support

• How are the tuning sessions performed?

  We remote into your laptop via a phone hotspot or internet connection at the vehicle. You will be required to have a Windows laptop. Typically we use AnyDesk to initially set up, update and configure the TCU, and then we can usually ease off to remote logging (log files sent by email) or the native remote tuner.

• Can I tune the TCU myself, or have another tuner work on it?

  No. All 10speed.au TCUs are supplied locked, without exception, and calibration is performed by 10speed.au, Boostec and our authorised tuners only. This protects the calibration, your gearbox and your warranty. Work on the TCU by anyone else, or any attempt to unlock it, voids the warranty.

• Do I need to keep the TCU software and configuration up to date?

  Yes. As our products mature there are legacy firmwares and configurations that may need updating to keep a warranty intact. It is up to you or your tuner to check with us that your setup is on a current configuration. Some flexibility on non-critical updates is allowed, but failing to keep up with updates that affect warranty is the customer’s responsibility. Contact us with any concerns.

• What support is included, and what costs extra?

  The setup, configuration and tuning sessions needed to commission your conversion are included in your package. Support and training hours are non-refundable. Additional support beyond commissioning, such as re-tuning after engine or driveline changes, extra training, or time spent diagnosing installation faults, is charged at our standard rates (2026 onwards):

  •     Minimum charge for remote login (under 1 hour): $55
  •     Remote tuning or remote login: $180 per hour
  •     Wait time / stand-by time: $25 per 15 minutes
  •     In-person tuning: $255 per hour
  •     Software training, remote: $180 per hour or $1,100 per day
  •     Software training, in person: $255 per hour or $1,550 per day
  •     Travel: $110 per hour plus costs
  •     General rates not listed: $110 per hour or $1,100 per day

  Fees are payable at or before completion unless otherwise agreed.

• Where do I go for support after installation?

  Email or call us. Product updates and discussion happen in the 10 Speed discussion group on Facebook, which is the best place to search for answers and connect with other owners. We do not sign you up to newsletters unless you ask. If you are unable to use Facebook, please email or call us to discuss anything about your purchase.

Warranty

• What warranty is included?

  Serviced 2nd-hand gearboxes carry no warranty and require a signed liability release. Refurbished gearboxes are covered by our Turn-Key & Drive policy: 12 months or 10,000 km from delivery, whichever comes first. New Ford-delivered gearboxes include a voluntary warranty of 10,000 km or six months, whichever comes first. New wiring harnesses, TCUs and other new parts include a 12-month warranty. Torque converters are covered only as set out in our Terms and Conditions. Conditions and exclusions apply, so please read the full Terms and Conditions before purchasing. Nothing in our warranty excludes your rights under the Australian Consumer Law.

• What is the Turn-Key & Drive policy?

  Refurbished gearboxes are covered for 12 months or 10,000 km, whichever comes first, from the date of delivery. If a covered fault occurs, contact us before any work is done and we will arrange assessment through your installer.

• What is not covered by warranty?

  In addition to the exclusions in our full policy, warranty does not cover:

  •     faults caused by incorrect installation, wiring, fluids, configuration or tuning
  •     parts connected to modified harnesses, or to original harnesses more than 20 years old
  •     work by installers or tuners we have not authorised, or any attempt to unlock or modify the TCU
  •     setups running outdated firmware or configurations where an update was required
  •     2nd-hand, non-refurbished parts (these are supplied with a signed liability release)
  •     modifications to custom items, which can only be further modified and carry no warranty on the modification
  •     damage from competition or motorsport use unless your package was configured for it, and damage from power/torque increases you have not told us about
  •     normal wear and tear, consumables, and damage from accident or neglect

  Installation workmanship remains the responsibility of the installer. Only new parts are covered by warranties. There are no chattel warranties on new, modified or custom items, and all use is at the owner’s risk.” with “No warranty applies beyond those stated in our Terms and Conditions, and all use is at the owner’s risk.

• Is the torque converter covered by warranty?

  Torque converters carry no warranty except new converters supplied by us with data logging enabled from installation onward and complete logs produced on request. Any over-temperature event voids the warranty on the converter and the gearbox. See section 5 of our Terms and Conditions.

• What if I break something in motorsport use?

  Most configurations, once completed, will be suitable for light motorsport use. If you are planning on using the vehicle predominantly for motorsport, we will need to tailor a package for you that includes some upgrades as a precautionary measure. Of course there are limits to everything. If we deem your setup will not be suitable for its use, we will communicate with you to make a plan where everyone involved gets the desired outcome.

Returns, refunds and shipping

• Can I return parts or a kit?

  Yes, within limits:

  •     Mistaken orders (new parts): full refund excluding shipping.
  •     Unused new parts: return within 45 days for a full refund excluding shipping. Returns after 45 days usually incur transfer fees and a 10% re-stocking fee, due to non-refundable payment windows and the costs we have incurred. Outside the 45-day window we reserve the right to set an appropriate refund based on the situation, with a minimum of 50% for new products returned within 6 months. Returns beyond 6 months are at our discretion and may be rejected.
  •     Used items: 75% of the original purchase price if returned within 45 days. Items that are damaged, scratched or altered may incur additional costs, deducted from the refund.
  •     Custom and configured items (adapters, harnesses built to your vehicle, gearboxes built to your specification): limited returns and warranties. Custom items can only be further modified, and there is no warranty on the modification.
  •     Gearboxes can only be returned and refurbished further or completely replaced at our discretion.

  Shipping costs are non-refundable and are not included when calculating the item value for a refund.

• How are refunds paid?

  Where a refund is due, we will request your bank details for the refund up to three times. If we are unable to return the funds within 60 days (usually because we cannot get a reply), we reserve the right to retain them. If we are unable to make contact after 90 days, we do not make further attempts.

• How is my conversion shipped, and is it insured?

  Gearboxes and complete kits are shipped by road freight on a pallet or in a crate. Smaller parts ship with Australia Post Express within Australia and DHL Express overseas. All items are quoted and shipped without full insurance. Our recommended carriers include only a small base level of cover (typically $50 to $100 within Australia and $100 overseas), which is nowhere near the value of a conversion. It is your responsibility to request higher value cover by email BEFORE shipping commences. The extra cost is added to your shipping, and following up any claim is then your responsibility, although we will always assist with a reasonable claim. If you ask us to use a cheaper shipping method or a lower declared value, carriage of the goods is solely at your risk. We do not replace lost items or refund any costs unless agreed by email prior to shipment.

  Shipping is quoted separately and is non-refundable. Some shipping costs may be included in an advertised price, and we reserve the right to deduct shipping from item values or add additional shipping charges as appropriate to get the physical items to you or to a required location. If the actual shipping cost exceeds the quoted amount, we may request the difference.

• Can I purchase a kit if I am not in Australia?"

  Yes. We have installers and resellers in Europe (Iceland and the UK), South Africa, Thailand and the USA. If you are outside these regions, contact us for the best recommendation. Import duties, taxes and customs clearance in your country are your responsibility, and overseas shipping is quoted per order.

Lead times and fitment

• How long from deposit to dispatch, or to a fitted installation?

  Please allow up to 8 weeks once we confirm your order. In some cases where special machining is required, we may require more time.

• I already own a 10R80. Can I buy just the TCU, harness and adapter?

  Yes, please contact us with models, photos and vehicle details to confirm you have the right starting point.

• Does the conversion keep my factory transfer case and 4WD system?

  In most cases yes, except for the Isuzu 4JJ3 conversion kits.

• Is a transmission cooler included, or required?

  Yes to both. A transmission cooler is required, and a cooler kit is included in every package.

• How long does a fitted installation take?

  For a professional outfit, approx. 20 hours in most cases from start to finish. This can vary.