Auto conversion into Td5 Defender.

[landy]

Hello all.
I would like to convert my Td5 Defender to auto. Now just as a general question, why cant I just buy a Disco Td5 Auto and fit auto plus the doner engine and auto ECUs?
I realise that the centre consol and interior stuff would need to be perchased extra.
So really, do I need to buy a compu-shift?

At the moment I'm just in the "what if" stage

Any thoughts?

Cheers

Nino

[jimr1]

Hi Landi , Its a good question , I do beleve Les Richmond of Thomastown does this convertion . Like you I would also like to know how happy Defender owners have been . I've had a td5 Disco 2 that the wife would happly drive , including towing our van , she refuses to drive my td5 Defender . I've always thought it should have been offerd as an option, after all the Land Rover factory had all the bits at hand , when you think about it Range Rover and Discos had the option , so I look forward to your replies good luck jimr1 :) ..

[Michael2]

I think the D2 ECU would want information from wheel sensors.

You can buy a stand alone ECU for the D2 auto from ashcrofts

Ashcroft Transmissions (http://www.ashcroft-transmissions.co.uk/index.php?act=viewCat&catId=7)

They can supply a rebuilt gearbox, ECU and NAS spec auto transmission tunnel, as well as all the brackets, blanking plates etc.

Have a look at their website.

I reckon if I needed to go to auto I'd be getting their set up off the shelf.

They also do the D1 box without electrickery, but they can fit the D2 to Tdi & TD5 engines for those who want the more refined robotic option.

[landy]

I had a good look at the ashcrofts site and am very impressed. But when you consider initial purchase, shipping and import duties it's just too expensive for me. I like the idea of the comp-shift as you can fine tune it but don't think I really need that.
I just want to know why I can't just get an auto from a write off and fit that plus change the loom for the auto ECU. As mentioned, it was all on the assembly line and land rovers are the biggest Mecchano kits around so surely it's been done.

Nino.

[Ranga]

Perhaps call MR Auto at Redcliffe - they've converted Defenders to auto.

[redrovertdi]

A friend looked at doing this and it is also an option to fit the non electronic zf4hp22 from a 300tdi, but you have to make a kick down cable bracket/mount that connects to the accelerator peddle.
Richard

[Tote]

George 130 on here has/had an auto TD5. Might be worth a PM

Regards,
Tote

[VladTepes]

Perhaps call MR Auto at Redcliffe - they've converted Defenders to auto.

What he said. The owner there (Warren) had an auto in his personal TD5 130. The thing was auto and chipped - went like a scalded cat ! Fantastic :D

(Note that at the time I think it was in the region of $6-7K for a conversion, but don't quote me).

[landy]

All the replies are valid. But....... I'm not interested in a non electronic auto, if it's good enough for a Disco then it's good enough for my Defender. MR use the compu-shift from ashcrofts (or so their website says) and without being rude or harsh to any suppliers I'm yet to buy cheaper in aust anything I can order from the UK (inc postage in most cases).
But the big issue is the $7000 cost. I'm equipped to fit the hardwear myself and believe I can buy most of the parts for half the price from wreckers. I just need a shifter, a consol and someone who has wired up the auto ECU..
easier said than done !!!

Nino

[Steve Td5 130]

Owen at Ritter Automotive in Melbourne

Have done a number of
Ashcroft Conversions
They will be able to supply a centre console and the other parts required

Phil at TRS is Adelaide

Have done a number of conversions by wiring the Discovery ECU into the Defender.

They could supply the T bar shifter you require ( Discovery 1 shifter)

[landy]

Steve,

Thanks for that. That was just the information I was after. I knew someone would be able to point me in the right direction.

Cheers, Nino.

[chewy7]

Nino,
Did you end up contacting Phil at TRS in Adeliade about using a disco ECU on the defender for the auto?

Cheers,
Shane

[lro11]

There is a guy at Redcliffe who has just done this conversion and it is for sale on eBay now for 25k I think he said gold city rover did the work at Gympie

[Iain_B]

I changed my TH400 transmission ( 3 speed) on my Jaguar XJ-S to a 4L80E transmission ( 4 speed full electronic control)

I would recommend an after market Transmission Control Unit. I used a Powertrain Control Solutions - TCM-2000 (http://www.powertraincontrolsolutions.com/product/TCM2000/) - even went as far as getting paddle shift kit.

It was great, no problems what so ever, easy to install. All it needs is a signal from the TPS, engine RPM, brake pedal, There are a few more that make it do fancier things, but that's about the minimum. I had it for around 3 year, did about 90,000km in it when I sold it. I also converted a friend's XJ-S as well, and his is still going strong after 8 years.

It is easy to program, just connect a laptop and everything is programmable. I had three modes, a normal soft slush box mode which would start off in second gear on light throttle, lock the torque converter as soon as it was in 3rd and 4th. A sport mode with a bit firmer shifts, allowing it to go close to red line before shifting, not locking the torque converter until later , then full manual with the paddle shifts. It made the car really fun to drive and gave great fuel economy ( for a 5.3l V12).

The guys at PCS were really helpful, even sourcing a new harness for inside the 4L80E for me as the plug Jaguar used was unobtainable. They have programs for loads of transmissions, just need to ask them for a basic on for the transmission you want to fit.