Hi Laurie
I have a 1996 +4 4 seater. My comments, relevant or otherwise, as a learner DIY home mechanic:
I have the R380. It can be clunky when changing into 2nd gear, mainly when the gearbox oil is cold. Searching on the internet, I believe this may be a common issue with this box (and the 4wd versions fitted to Land-Rover vehicles.). Slower changes and/or double de-clutching, when the gearbox oil is cold, seem to help. It is not much of an issue once the oil is at working temperature.
I was lucky to have an access hole provided, I think, or maybe i fed a fill tube down from the handbrake slot? I think I have a recolection of using a torx socket and a spanner, the same as someone above mentioned.
I have changed my unknown previous oil for a generic MT94 spec oil. It may have improved the change slightly but not transfomed it. I don't knoiw whether the branded gearbox oils work better (as recommended on Gomog). I am a cheapskate and have vowed to change regularly with cheaper, rather than less often with expensive.
I had the little steel cup, at the base of the gear lever, re-welded, which saved a rattle and may help slightly with selection or wear and tear.
I had to remove the gearbox cover, to replace my handbrake cable. While I had the cover off, I noticed the selector remote bushes were perishing or torn. I replaced them with poly bushes. I don't think gear selection had been compromised but I was glad to do the job while I was at it (I also changed the gearbox mountings, while I had access, as they were showing signs of age).
Maybe some of the above is a help, in some way.
David
