Has anyone fitted an 8 speed ZF auto from a D4 to a TD5?

**Captain_Rightfoot** · 25th July 2025, 09:30 AM

I had my eyes opened yesterday. Apparently it is possible to fit a ZF 8 speed from the discovery 4 to the TD5. This gearbox and it's variants is in a lot of cars and is very well regarded. Physically it's not that hard I don't think, but the electronics take a bit of doing. It seems like it's a new thing. Perhaps with the growing availability of D4 Autos.

I'd entertained the idea of an Ashcroft 4 speed conversion - but it seemed like a lot of money and effort for a not very good gearbox. I'm not sure on the costs, but I think the gearboxes would be fairly cheap from end of life D4's.

Of course I probably should just buy a Grenadier which shares the same gearbox (newer version).

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**loanrangie** · 25th July 2025, 01:51 PM

You must come out from under your more often, there is a forum member half way thru this conversion now.

BMW N57 8hp to TD5 Auto adapter kit

**reid25** · 25th July 2025, 03:26 PM

Unsure on whether that Youtube channel use one from a D4 (I didn't even know they get them) but commonly they're out of BMW's. They're my thing so I have a reasonably large knowledge base on which ZF8's are the ideal ones, but my wallet just doesn't allow for the daily to get one at this stage. Compounding this is the fact 8speedau now exist, which specialise in fitting ZF8 conversions to 79 series landcruisers, drift cars etc. (all people with much more money than me). There's a few variations which are great for holding big power but I'm sure the D4 one is fine for a TD5. Overall they're a bloody awesome gearbox and you can't go past them!

**loanrangie** · 25th July 2025, 03:59 PM

Originally Posted by reid25

Unsure on whether that Youtube channel use one from a D4 (I didn't even know they get them) but commonly they're out of BMW's. They're my thing so I have a reasonably large knowledge base on which ZF8's are the ideal ones, but my wallet just doesn't allow for the daily to get one at this stage. Compounding this is the fact 8speedau now exist, which specialise in fitting ZF8 conversions to 79 series landcruisers, drift cars etc. (all people with much more money than me). There's a few variations which are great for holding big power but I'm sure the D4 one is fine for a TD5. Overall they're a bloody awesome gearbox and you can't go past them!

I think they more commonly use the BMW box since there are plenty of them around.

**Captain_Rightfoot** · 26th July 2025, 08:07 AM

Originally Posted by loanrangie

I think they more commonly use the BMW box since there are plenty of them around.

My information was there was something about the shape of the D4 version that made it easier to fit. I reckon there would be ample D4's by now which have met their end too.

**Ellisben133** · 28th July 2025, 04:45 PM

Blackbird Industries have done a few D4 8hp's into TD5's, same lenth as the 4hp so no change to props etc, but still a pretty penny.

$4100 plus shipping to aus, then you need a controller $2500, and have to have a TD5 ECU that is can enabled $500, plus box $2500, plus cooler $500... etc etc 10k plus still assuming you do the work yourself.
Still feels smarter to slap a M57 and 6hp in there.

https://www.blackbirdindustries.co.u...hp-adaptor-kit

**Slunnie** · 28th July 2025, 06:14 PM

Given the TDV6 is a Ford motor, is the 8HP an actual ZF 8HP or is it a Ford/ZF 8HP like used in the Fords?

That said, I also thought the conversion 8HPs came from a BMW N57 and were made by ZF.

**Ellisben133** · 28th July 2025, 06:22 PM

They're still zf 8hp70's, not like the rebadged ones in earlier stuff. There isn't a lot of info on the tcu's yet, but there may be difference between those and the other brands.

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