Thread: TD5 Defender - Auto conversion

I have been considering it once the R380 packs it in. But some of the prices I have seen are very expensive....$10k plus.

We are thinking the better option will be to wait for the 6 speed ZF to be introduced into the Defender and probably junk the TD5 for the Transit engine. There will be stack of ZF 6 speeds floating around given they are in virtually everything at the moment....even Falcon cabs!!!!

Something to worry about some time down the track.

Is your R380 playing up? Why are you considering teh change?

How you going Noddy
Just think the manual trans is sh&*t. My wife hates driving it when she has to. Just think it would be a superior vehicle with an auto in terms of on and off road performance.

$10k is bloody steep, could buy a custom kit from Ashcroft transmsisions in UK for less than that(and this is a bolt in kit - very high quality).

The car is booked into Graeme Coopers on Tuesday for possible diff problem so I am going to ask their advice.

Edd (George130) has one in his 130...he bought it with the auto conversion done.

I'm sure he'll give some detail.

Yep I have the ZF 4 speed with the disco electricery. I beleive it was done by Graeme Coopers. THe rumors was he did it for his wife.
The thing is very easy to drive. Only issue I have found is the cooling. Get the reves wrong for to long and it heats up very quick. Get them right and she cools down just as fast. My setup also has a modified stall converter so makes it very quick of the lights when you wan't it to be. The cooling setup was done twice as the original setup wasn't up to the task.

I would talk to them about it and what it will cost. Find out about the 5 speed from the BMW 5 series as I can get one for about $300. or just go the disco like they did for mine.

Off road its great being able to change up or down on steep descents as you need to and not have to worry at other times about what gear you are in.
P.S. I do have rock crawlers in the low range transfer case.

Thanks for the feedback George. Will be interesting to find out what costs are. Is your auto a late model one with CDL.

Also does the electonic shifting work well in the Defender with regard to when the vehicle changes up and down as well as kicking down nicely.

Will let you know how I go with discussions on Tuesday. Daz

I would have thought that mating up a Disco 1 ZF Auto to the TD5 would be the easiest option - no electrics to go wrong or wet!!!

Just my 10c worth

LRH

Originally Posted by LRHybrid100

I would have thought that mating up a Disco 1 ZF Auto to the TD5 would be the easiest option - no electrics to go wrong or wet!!!

Just my 10c worth

LRH

Probably cheaper too !

Dhumphri - The CDL is in the transfer case, not the transmission. I believe the transfer case is the same for auto or manual, so you would retain your original one (with CDL).