Gearbox

The gearbox is mounted at the front of the engine, in a cast iron casing. It is controlled via an extremely simple sliding linkage which is carried in bushes above the engine to a dash-mounted gear lever. Early cars are three speed, but most survivors in the UK are four speed.

Gearbox types and engines need to be matched since later Cléon engines rotate in the opposite direction to early Ventoux engines and it is possible to end up with a car with four reverse gears. Different models also have varying final drive ratios, as do gearboxes from different markets. Generally, the GTL box has a longer ratio final drive than the gearbox of the R4 vans (F4 / F6) or the smaller engined models like the 1123.

It is possible to convert to a 5 Speed box if a mark 1 Renault 5 HA1 box can be found. Some work is required to the chassis, since the box is slightly longer and some parts need to be swapped to enable the dash monted gerachange to be retained. The following link leads to an article which explains all.

http://www.renault4.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=1376