Thread: VDO electronic speedo conversion with part numbers and ebay links

I recently converted my 110 from a mechanical speedo to a VDO programmable electronic speedo. While I have an LT95, it works just as well with any LT230 running a mechanical speedo.
VDO speedo.jpg
It was motivated/necessitated by a diff ratio change to 4.11 and the fact that this seller on ebay has a number for sale at a good price:
VDO Electronic Speedo Cockpit International 12-24V 120km 100mm Diamete FREE POST | eBay
Get in quick because there are only 7 left at this price...(no affiliation to seller)
A 120 km/h max is enough for me and I like the detailed resolution that this scale gives, but there are are many other versions of this speedo, if your 110 is faster than mine, or you want it to look faster..
These 4" speedos drop straight in, with no modifications required to the dash.

These VDO programmable speedos will work with the Landrover sender YBE100530 which bolts straight in to either a LT95 or LT230 in place of the speedo cable:
FOR LAND ROVER DEFENDER 98-07 2.8 4.0 2.2 2.4 2.5 D GEARBOX SPEEDO SPEED SENSOR | eBay

I recommend this plug, which makes the connections to the back of the VDO speedo a snap.
8 TERMINAL PLUG with terminals SUITS VDO 80/85/100mm Speedo+Tacho Gauges | eBay

If you use the YBE300530 sender (as opposed to the GPS sender option below), you also need this plug to connect to the speed transducer (TD5 tail light plug) STC4637
Anschluss-Stecker Defender Rucklicht ab '95 | eBay

There are 3 wires which run between the sender at the transfer case and the speedo (+ve, -ve, signal). I used a 240v power cable with the plugs cut off and followed the old speedo cable routing. About 2.2m is needed.
Installed, it looks like this at the transfer case:
speed sensor.jpg

Alternatively, you can use a gps sender like this one, which updates at 10 positions per second (10 Hz) as opposed to a typical smart phone gps which only updates at 1 Hz. This will give a smooth reading with no lag.
GPS speed sensor / sender, GPS receiver, speedometer sender, Navigation receiver | eBay

Below are the wiring details if you use the YBE100530 3 wire sender:

• VDO pin 2 (12vconnect to YBE100530 pin 1
• VDO pin 3 (ground) connect to YBE100530 pin 2 and ground.
• VDO pin 8 (sensor signal) connect to YBE100530 pin 3
• VDO pin 4 to switched 12v input
• VDO pin 6 to bridged to VDO pin 8

Its a really easy conversion, giving the benefits of a super accurate, stock looking speedo, no matter your tire size or diff ratio, smooth needle movement and much better visibility at night.

Originally Posted by Tombie

True.

But.... if you live in say Sydney... going to be a little difficult to know speed when you’re in a Tunnel
Or in the CBD where “Canyoning” occurs...

And *may* get picked up at roadworthy inside a garage where it can not receive a signal.

I do wonder about tunnels. Do they have a leaky GPS feed in the tunnels? My cars' (both) GPS seem to continue working just fine in the M5 tunnel.