Thread: Full Makeover Defender 110 - TD5 2002 - Auto and Engine refresh?

Hi Guys

Its been a while - life has been busy and no time for spending on anything for longer than a few minutes..

That aside - the time has come to sort our the defender. It runs reasonably well (chipped, intercooled and hybrid turbo) but the gearbox / Transfer is starting to get tired (its original - no work done) understandably and clutches just dont last like they used to Engine has done 269k

Paint is peeling pretty heavily so am looking at a respray. Its been like this gradually getting worse for 10+ years anyway.. stops people from parking near you too

My business now has an industrial unit with just enough space to squeeze the deefer in so i'm thinking I can take it off the road.. strip the panels to get them painted (local guy is happy to do this in bits and bobs as he gets round to them) My thought while panels etc are stripped is remove engine and driveline.. and replace / get rebuilt.. access would be easier for straight up and out.

Engine wise - It running ok - I could use more power / torque maybe from a different newer engine but for what it is its running fairly high power. Its running a tombie or td5 inside map (cant remember which I uploaded last) an allard intercooler and a td5 inside hybrid turbo.... so engine wise I have a few options...
- Easiest - do nothing - deal with the engine when it fails..
- Next easiest - Get engine fully rebuilt.. replacing what is required and hope I get another 250k out of it.. Who in Perth could do this?
- Bore engine to 2.8 get rebuilt - from what I can see very exxy - not sure if anyone in perth has the skill? From what I hear its good results though
- Source alternate engine - Cummins? What other options? Suggestions welcome...! Petrol not an option.. we dont run petrol in the business :P

Gearbox - I'm thinking of Auto we tow a lot (around 2 - 2.5t) and the manual isnt the smoothest for small drivers (boss) to use especially with an extra heavy clutch - disco 2 box with a compushift or similar? I'm assuming the gearbox will be drop in with the transfer box and nothing else needed to be done (except coolers etc) - Any suggestions of where to pick up either a used box in perth and someone to recon it or where to buy a fully recon box in perth? Ashcrofts is the obvious choice but there is no way i'd get than kind of money past the boss.. The Compushift and possibly the ancillaries I could.

Everything else is pretty straighforward.. I think.. but i'm doing this so we get another 15 years out of the thing.. and make some good memories with our nutty little boy along the way... !

Thanks for your thoughts in advance

Steve

Hi Pod,
There are a few a places doing M57 stuff.
House of Torque | Engine Conversion Parts Supplies
is one. They do Defender engine mounts, ZF auto to LT230, M57 to R380, looms and ECUs
The ZF8HP , assuming you use the 8 speed, has a lower first the the R380, and I would think much lower the the Rangie auto.

Tony

Originally Posted by POD

I'm in much the same situation as the OP, the 130 is getting tired but I'm keen to hang on to it as it has been an ideal vehicle for our uses and will remain so for a good while yet. The idea of updating to something that beeps continually, tugs at the steering wheel and slams on the brakes when it wants to, just fills me with dread. The 130 now has over 300,000km on it so needs a complete refresh.

The M57 engine looks like an attractive option. My ideal would be to do everything myself and purchase a sorted ECU and loom for the conversion. Do any reputable companies offer this?

Auto or manual is a bit of a toss-up; what is hill descent engine braking like with these as an auto? As well as outback trips we do a lot of steep high-country tracks where engine braking is important. I drove an 88 RR 3.5 auto, using the brakes for the steep descents, for about 11 years but it is not ideal.