1995 Defender 130 - TD5 auto conversion??

[defender0z88]

Hi All,
i want to pick your brains,
Has anyone done an auto conversion to a defender?

i am looking at a 1995 defender with moderate k's.
i was thinking of taking out the tdi motor and replacing it with a low k td5 and auto from a discovery 2.

whats peoples thoughts?
my misses loves auto and to be honest.
i have driven a s2 disco auto and wow. the ability of the autos i quite like also.

any and all info would be highly appreciated.

[alan48]

Hi,
I have a 1999 130 big cab auto with the 300tdi. the auto was a new Discovery one fitted by DPL in Sydney and is absolutely great even though I feel 300tdi's are a bit noisy and gutless as compared to say a puma. One thing that I recommend is an extra transmission cooler as we did overheat ours while carrying a slide on camper on a Vic High trip--since the extra cooler no issues --sits at 70-75 degrees now. We often tow a horse float with no trouble --except a bit slow due to 300 motor even though rebuilt.

I have been told that it is harder to do a TD5 due to the electrics but maybe ring Bruce Davis at DPL and pick his brains. he also supplies a really top custom centre console to go with the autos he does.

It makes the Defender so much more user friendly and your wife will love it.

[defender0z88]

Cool will have a chat to him.
yeah i reckon would be harder but would be a sweet conversion.

worst case would try auto to the current tdi but just feel could do with a little more power,
and a td5 has that with minimal extra fuel usage. chip and exhaust and they are close to being on par again.

whats your economy like with the auto?

[p38arover]

If I recall correctly, George130 had a Davis Performance Landys auto conversion (it may have been a John E Davis Motorworks - the previous incarnation of DPL - conversion).

(Bruce Davis and John Davis are brothers)

[cripesamighty]

Looking on the interwebs recently, it's quite a common conversion. Type in 'automatic defender' in the search bar on the bottom left of the page and you will find a lot of info. Good luck with it. Sounds like a great plan.

[ggscadet]

I had to convert my ex-army Defender after losing right leg (ouch) Kevin at Jordan Rova-Tech did a fantastic job and used it to perfect the conversion. 2 years down the track and its been hassle free and hasn't missed a beat, can't recommend him and the crew highly enough.

[loanrangie]

Tdi to Td5 conversion is not hard if you get all the bits or ideally a d2 wreck .

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[Disco Muppet]

Strangie (i think) on here has one he's done :)

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[defender0z88]

I am thinking of finding a sub 200,000k disco seem some for round $7,000 which would supply me with the engine, auto and all necessary bits.

would be a beast.

[loanrangie]

I am thinking of finding a sub 200,000k disco seem some for round $7,000 which would supply me with the engine, auto and all necessary bits.

would be a beast.

You should get a wreck for half that.

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[MR LR]

You should get a wreck for half that.

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You'd think... maybe if you buy it privately, but at the auctions a certain wrecker pays top dollar to get his hands on 'every one'.

I've been outbid quite a few times...

Just the other day a Td5 manual D2a with 330kkm went for 3400 before fees (4k+ after fees). I knew the motor was stuffed, the person that bought it (1500km away) did not...

[strangy]

I have done the conversion to a 130 DC using a low k D2 as the donor.
It is a physical/mechanical straight forward conversion, however, there are a number of brackets and mods that need to be accommodated changing the 300tdi to the TD5.
Engine mounts, radiator mounts, fuel tank mounts.
The auto just bolts straight up (if the TD5 was from an auto) otherwise flex plate etc.

Your biggest hurdle is the electrics.

Note how I made that sentence stand alone:cool:
I fitted the entire D2 loom into my defender which required a number of splices, custom brackets and mounting cradles for ECU's. Extra holes and grommets for looms to run. Grafting the D2 binnacle into the Defender spot and a good understanding of the D2 electrics.:D
I did this because
> I had the complete D2 and the alternative Compushift at the time, was cost prohibitive considering I had all the gear in the D2.
> I have the option of legal/ compliant Self Levelling Suspension for the rear using custom air bags, without purchasing a stand alone system.
>Cruise Control without mods, full pwr window options and an overall superior wiring setup in comparison to the original Defender.[bigsmile]
> All the great features of D2 Auto control in Low and Hi range, like TC lockup on overrun in Low range etc.
>Various engine maps are available for the D2 auto.:burnrubber:

The alternative is the Ashcroft Compushift, however you will still require a TD5 Defender wiring loom.

Physically you will need a new rad, intercooler, fuel tank, fuel lines and pump (pump could come from a donor D2) airbox, intake hoses, intercooler hoses, all cooling hoses and header tank. Accelerator pedal(potentiometer) or modify the D2 unit if using the D2 wiring.

More fun....the D2 uses wheel speed sensors for speed, cruise ctrl and ABS.
You will need to consider how you are going have speed input signals to the ECU's (there a number of inputs which must be considered) as the 95 Defender doesn't have these.
This can be overcome using D1 ABS front swivels and later model Defender rear ABS components. You cannot use the electronic speedo output from a D1 or late Defender.

Now the easiest auto conversion to a Defender of that vintage is to simply fit a mechanical (D1) ZF auto and fit a kickdown cable.
But the electronic auto is the business for a very sweet setup.:twisted:

If you are still keen after reading this give me a PM and a phone number.
I'm more than happy to tell you everything I can.

[defender0z88]

Mmm, decisions.
i just really want to have an auto.
i do love the 300tdi and there are some great kits you can get to extract a bit more power from them and maintain there awesome fuel economy.

Seen on the Davis Brown site a turbo and pump upgrade.

https://davisperformance.com.au/dyno-performance/300tdi-inj-pump-and-turbo-performance-pack.html

and a 2.8lt stroker kit.
https://davisperformance.com.au/performance/300tdi-and-2.8lt-stroker-kit.html

combined would make it pretty pokey motor while maintaining sub 10l per 100km.

there are a few people putting cummins motors in there defenders and getting good results. but that would be a headache and high expense.
maybe in the future for a long term project.

[Disco Muppet]

6.6L Duramax and Alison auto :cool:

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[defender0z88]

6.6L Duramax and Alison auto :cool:

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Yeah Nah, not gonna happen, don't have $45,000 + to spare and the rest of the headache that goes with it

[Disco Muppet]

Td5 auto swap ain't exactly a cheap or simple exercise either ;)

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