Td5 Defender Dash dimensiions

[rijidij]

I'm hoping someone can help me with some details of a Td5 dash.

I've made a replacement steel dash to fit the County and pre Td5 Defender , see pics of the finished item on this page Who has done 'unusual' Defender mods? (esp interior) (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/90-110-130-defender-county/256721-who-has-done-unusual-defender-mods-esp-interior-4.html)

The only difference with the Td5 dash appears to be the warning light panel, I'm talking cutout size here, and fixing method for the Td5. All the round gauges will be the same.

The earlier warning light panel is fixed from the front with two visible screws, but the Td5 panel appears to be fixed from the inner face of the dash.

What I'd like to know is, the cutout size for the Td5 warning light module and how it's fixed to the plastic dash panel. I'm guessing it clips on somehow to the inner side of the dash.

Any help appreciated, especially pics of the inner face of the Td5 dash with the warning light module removed.

Cheers, Murray

[Defendozer]

Hi Murray

Silly me had a whiskey while I was working and forgot to measure the cutout size while I had it all apart:whistling:

I did just measure it from the outside though and the opening measures 33x166mm.

Two screws remove the rear cover that then comes off with the circuit board, then another two screws fasten the whole unit to the binnacle.


Hope this helps, Ive got a couple more photos and am happy to pull it apart again as I can tidy some wiring while there.


Cheers
Remo

[uninformed]

Great work Murray,

any reason you didnt make yours out of aluminium?

how are you finding glare on gauges, especially warning lights with yours being more upright and less overhang at top. Glare on Tdi warning lights is very bad. basically any sunlight renders them unnoticiable. I changed all my globes to LEDs which helped. I belive the Td5 warning lights and actually all gauges an improvemnet over the Tdi

[rijidij]

Hi Murray

Silly me had a whiskey while I was working and forgot to measure the cutout size while I had it all apart:whistling:

I did just measure it from the outside though and the opening measures 33x166mm.

Two screws remove the rear cover that then comes off with the circuit board, then another two screws fasten the whole unit to the binnacle.


Hope this helps, Ive got a couple more photos and am happy to pull it apart again as I can tidy some wiring while there.


Cheers
Remo

Thanks Remo, that’s a great help.
I can see the difference between the Tdi and Td5 now.
I’d say to fit the Td5 type warning light module might mean bolts through the face plate, and maybe a spacer behind, but at a glance it looks like it would be doable.

Cheers Murray

[rijidij]

Great work Murray,

any reason you didnt make yours out of aluminium?

how are you finding glare on gauges, especially warning lights with yours being more upright and less overhang at top. Glare on Tdi warning lights is very bad. basically any sunlight renders them unnoticiable. I changed all my globes to LEDs which helped. I belive the Td5 warning lights and actually all gauges an improvemnet over the Tdi

I actually think the glare is not as bad with the gauges more vertical, but having said that, I haven’t driven it much yet so I’ll keep an eye on it, but so far so good.
Once I get some new gauges I’ll be going all LED too.

I went with steel for ease of manufacturing, and I’m not set up, yet, for welding Ally. One day I might get a TIG.
I’d be more likely to use stainless if someone wanted a raw metal type finish. I weld stainless by MIG.

Cheers Murray

[Defendozer]

Not a problem mate.

The neatest solution would be to weld on the little spacers on the inside with a hole drilled and thread tapped, exactly like the standard attachment method.

I personally like the neater look of a smooth fascia without any screws visible.


If you want to see the Td5 binnacle setup yourself let me know as we get down to Geelong from time to time to visit friends, more then happy to help out (anything to get a neat product up and running haha[wink11]).


Cheers
Remo

[rijidij]

Not a problem mate.

The neatest solution would be to weld on the little spacers on the inside with a hole drilled and thread tapped, exactly like the standard attachment method.

I personally like the neater look of a smooth fascia without any screws visible.


If you want to see the Td5 binnacle setup yourself let me know as we get down to Geelong from time to time to visit friends, more then happy to help out (anything to get a neat product up and running haha[wink11]).


Cheers
Remo

Thanks again,
The cutout for the Tdi type is 166x35.5, so it’s possible the laser cut pattern will suit both.
I’m located at Winchelsea, if you’re ever head down this way I’m always happy to catch up with other forum members.

Cheers Murray

[VladTepes]

Yep I note there is a 'lip' that retains the warning light panel from moving forward so that it can be located in place properly as the screws are tightened from the rear.

The clean look is good but its the readability of the Td5 panel (as opposed to the individual bulb setup of the older Tdi panel) that I really like.

I'm even considering a conversion of my Tdi dash if I can work out the wiring nightmare... :)

Of course all that lovely 'clean fascia' could then be ruined by fitting one of these...

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2018/01/429.jpg

[rijidij]

Yep I note there is a 'lip' that retains the warning light panel from moving forward so that it can be located in place properly as the screws are tightened from the rear.

The clean look is good but its the readability of the Td5 panel (as opposed to the individual bulb setup of the older Tdi panel) that I really like.

I'm even considering a conversion of my Tdi dash if I can work out the wiring nightmare... :)

Of course all that lovely 'clean fascia' could then be ruined by fitting one of these...

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2018/01/429.jpg

Lots of wiring info here for the Tdi Td5 conversion.

Installing a Defender Td5 Instrument Pack into a 200Tdi/300Tdi - Land Rover Technical Blog (http://www.retroanaconda.com/landrover/2009/10/installing-defender-td5-gauges-into-a-200tdi300tdi/)

[Defendozer]

Thanks again,
The cutout for the Tdi type is 166x35.5, so it’s possible the laser cut pattern will suit both.
I’m located at Winchelsea, if you’re ever head down this way I’m always happy to catch up with other forum members.

Cheers Murray

35.5mm might be just too big I think, the warning light fascia is only very slightly bigger then the cutout... But then again it might just be ok!

I'll pull the binnacle off again tomorrow to tidy up some wiring and I'll measure the actual warning light fascia while there.


Good point there Vlad I am probably going to fit a Madman at some stage anyway[biggrin]

[rijidij]

35.5mm might be just too big I think, the warning light fascia is only very slightly bigger then the cutout... But then again it might just be ok!

I'll pull the binnacle off again tomorrow to tidy up some wiring and I'll measure the actual warning light fascia while there.


Good point there Vlad I am probably going to fit a Madman at some stage anyway[biggrin]

A mate has just told me he has a Td5 dash in his spare parts, so I’ll have a close look at it when I get a chance.