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Thread: 1995 TDi 300 - project

  1. #1
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    1995 TDi 300 - project

    Hi team

    I recently (last weekend) acquired a 1995 TDi 300 which i am starting to 'renovate' with the intention of turning it into an expedition vehicle. I understand it has already done the lap a couple of times and has had many owners over the years and there are all sort of 'extraneous' wiring, switches and dials mounted all over the place. So one of my first objectives with the internal fit out is to remove much if not all of this and put in a structured cabling system with a minimum of cable runs with fuses and relays all in the one (accessible) location if possible. Dials and switches in logical order (if there is such a thing) in a central location within good view and easy reach .

    In order to do this I need to identify what gauges and dials etc i need. I like to keep traditional and have nice round analogue dials but no doubt i will be forced to go for digital in some instances.

    What do you consider is essential equipment? I am pretty sure an oil pressure gauge, and maybe a tacho would be at the top of most peoples list but what else?

    What about things such as engine watchdog, solar regulators, battery monitors, remote type pressure/temp, turbo temp? What else??
    Cheers
    Travelrover

    Adventure before Dementia

    2012 Puma 90 - Black
    1999 Td5 110 Ute - White
    1996 Tdi 300 Wagon - White

    VKS-737 - Mobile 0972

  2. #2
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    My advice is keep it as per factory unless you need it. It will be easier to do, maintain and truoble shoot.

  3. #3
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    surely this thread should have some photos ?

  4. #4
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    In the original dash I have,
    Speedo, VDO Mechanical temp, EGT, Boost

    Made a custom centre dash console with,
    Saas Dual Volt meter, air pressure gauge for tank, fuel, clock.

    Doesn't appeal to everybody.
    20160609_143731.jpg
    '95 Defender 130 Single Cab
    HS2.8 TGV Powered
    ------------
    98% of all Land Rovers built are still on the road.
    The other 2% made it home.

    Cost difference between Britpart and Genuine seals: £2.04. Knowing that your brakes won't fail at any moment: Priceless.

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by travelrover View Post
    .....

    In order to do this I need to identify what gauges and dials etc i need. I like to keep traditional and have nice round analogue dials but no doubt i will be forced to go for digital in some instances.

    .....
    Sounds more likely that this is for a Defender, rather than a D1 .. but irrespective of that fact is my recommendation to have a look at the 1Gauge system.
    Lots of small round dials are cool and all, but they clutter the dash up to insane degrees.

    1Gauge is now about $500-ish, but it does include most (if not all .. in fact I'm sure it's ALL!) the sensors you need too.
    I fitted one to my D1(300Tdi), and placed the neat little screen up where the sunroof switches are on the roof console.
    Screen can go anywhere you like really, as it's connected by a ethernet cable(which can be as long or short as you like). The kit comes with a std type 1m cable, but I bought a 2m flat eth cable($2), as the flat type are much easier to route through nooks and crannies and up and down pillars and stuff.
    Screen displays 6 different input types(of your choosing) .. but they count as 7 inputs if you choose the 4WD version which displays primary Volts and secondary Volts on the one block.

    It's a very neat system, and super easy to keep it all 'cable minimal' if this is a concern to you too. You connect all the sensors via a 5core trailer wire, but the EGT sensor has to use a separate sensor wire .. so you'd have to allow for 2 wires running from engine bay into the cabin. Manifold pressure(MAP) sensor is via a vacuum line too.

    The system is such that there is a control box(about the size of a small smart phone(stacked x2) and then then a (ethernet)cable connects from the control box to the screen(where ever you place this) .. so install is a breeze other than the time taken to find all the adaptors required for each sensor connected to the engine or gearbox or wherever.
    Sensors are all VDO, so high quality units too.

    The control box has a slot for a micro SD card, so it records all sensors to a log file. Handy for keeping tabs of engine condition and any changes made to various components.

    My only criticism(s) of the system are:
    1. a time reference for the log file would be nice to have had built in, but thanks to some help from AULRO members, I finally sorted a way to make the log file more 'human readable'. (that's just nitpicking on my part .. mainly coz I'm pretty lazy )
    2. it'd be nicer if the screen(display) itself was a white on black display when lights are off(ie. daylight) and black on white when lights are on(ie,. dark out). As it is, it's a nice cool looking blue(as you can see on their website), and it dims when you turn on the lights.
    again nitpicking on my part as I'd prefer the white/black-black/white for in vehicle conditions.

    If you think about the price in isolation, $500 is quite a fair hike. But considering it's giving you 6(7th is aux battery output) different gauges ... it's not really expensive but it's a lot more compact!

    Note that while I highly rate the 1Gauge and what it can do, for my next vehicle(whatever that may be) tho, I'm going to look into a Arduino/RaspberryPi self built unit instead.

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by AK83 View Post
    Sounds more likely that this is for a Defender, rather than a D1 .. but irrespective of that fact is my recommendation to have a look at the 1Gauge system.
    Lots of small round dials are cool and all, but they clutter the dash up to insane degrees.

    1Gauge is now about $500-ish, but it does include most (if not all .. in fact I'm sure it's ALL!) the sensors you need too.
    I fitted one to my D1(300Tdi), and placed the neat little screen up where the sunroof switches are on the roof console.
    Screen can go anywhere you like really, as it's connected by a ethernet cable(which can be as long or short as you like). The kit comes with a std type 1m cable, but I bought a 2m flat eth cable($2), as the flat type are much easier to route through nooks and crannies and up and down pillars and stuff.
    Screen displays 6 different input types(of your choosing) .. but they count as 7 inputs if you choose the 4WD version which displays primary Volts and secondary Volts on the one block.

    It's a very neat system, and super easy to keep it all 'cable minimal' if this is a concern to you too. You connect all the sensors via a 5core trailer wire, but the EGT sensor has to use a separate sensor wire .. so you'd have to allow for 2 wires running from engine bay into the cabin. Manifold pressure(MAP) sensor is via a vacuum line too.

    The system is such that there is a control box(about the size of a small smart phone(stacked x2) and then then a (ethernet)cable connects from the control box to the screen(where ever you place this) .. so install is a breeze other than the time taken to find all the adaptors required for each sensor connected to the engine or gearbox or wherever.
    Sensors are all VDO, so high quality units too.

    The control box has a slot for a micro SD card, so it records all sensors to a log file. Handy for keeping tabs of engine condition and any changes made to various components.

    My only criticism(s) of the system are:
    1. a time reference for the log file would be nice to have had built in, but thanks to some help from AULRO members, I finally sorted a way to make the log file more 'human readable'. (that's just nitpicking on my part .. mainly coz I'm pretty lazy )
    2. it'd be nicer if the screen(display) itself was a white on black display when lights are off(ie. daylight) and black on white when lights are on(ie,. dark out). As it is, it's a nice cool looking blue(as you can see on their website), and it dims when you turn on the lights.
    again nitpicking on my part as I'd prefer the white/black-black/white for in vehicle conditions.

    If you think about the price in isolation, $500 is quite a fair hike. But considering it's giving you 6(7th is aux battery output) different gauges ... it's not really expensive but it's a lot more compact!

    Note that while I highly rate the 1Gauge and what it can do, for my next vehicle(whatever that may be) tho, I'm going to look into a Arduino/RaspberryPi self built unit instead.
    Yes it is a Defender :-). I was originally going to post in the Defender section and forgot I put it in Projects. I shall investigate the 1gauge system, sounds pretty impressive and presses the right "button" with reducing cables and space. I have been looking at boltonbits. They seem to have a pretty cool range of consoles. Photos to come.
    Cheers
    Travelrover

    Adventure before Dementia

    2012 Puma 90 - Black
    1999 Td5 110 Ute - White
    1996 Tdi 300 Wagon - White

    VKS-737 - Mobile 0972

  7. #7
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    Hi all

    Photo showing some of the various switches cables dials and tubes running around as promised.

    The boost gauge hasn't moved in the 650 kms I have driven it so will investigate and remove.

    It actually came with the manual for the cruise control but I think it will need a tune before I try that as it couldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding in current nick. I have had 300 TDi's before (110 and 130) and pulled a horse float with over ton of moving animals in the back and pulled them ok but this one is far from that point just now, and extremely slow off the mark!

    Didn't burn any oil but certainly needs the tappers adjusting. Heater matrix needs a "service". Very little heat comes from it. Engine/gearbox mounts shot. Lots of movement in the front drive shaft but rear ok. Gearbox and diffs sound ok. Low range/diff lock select leaver moves very freely so I suspect a spring or something gone there.. wipers need investigation, I think it may need a new park switch.


    IMG_1901.jpgIMG_1902.jpgIMG_1904.jpgIMG_1905.jpgIMG_1906.jpgIMG_1907.jpg

    The pre sales photos (in the ad) looked fine and when I asked for more they took some time to come and wasn't until after I paid the deposit they arrived showing the front passenger door had a serious ding /hole which will probably require a replacement skin.

    Anyone got a suitable donor door? Also will be looking for some dash parts if anyone has these too?? The panel behind where the three switches in the photo are mounted and the top piece that runs the whole length, with the ashtray hole in it. Need floor coverings as these have long gone.

    I have no idea how to load photos from the new AULRO desktop app so these are loaded from my phone.
    Cheers
    Travelrover

    Adventure before Dementia

    2012 Puma 90 - Black
    1999 Td5 110 Ute - White
    1996 Tdi 300 Wagon - White

    VKS-737 - Mobile 0972

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