Hi Guys,

I am looking to buy a Land Rover, and would like some advice.

As i only have 1 usable arm, the car must have an Automatic transmission and power steering, and as i now live in Greece AC is really a necessity, the car is to be used as a second car, so I am looking at around 3000 quid, and LHD would be preferable but not a necessity.

I would really prefer a Defender 90 but am having great difficulty finding one that fits all the criteria and price, it seems that there are very few of the older Defenders fitted with Automatic transmissions, and if they have AC is not fitted.

I have read a few articles in various magazines where owners have retrofitted Automatic gearboxes to older Defenders, has anyone driven or own one of these if so your thoughts and experience would be greatly appreciated if shared.

Also was AC and power steering ever offered on Defenders, either standard or as an extra if so from what year?

Am i flogging a dead horse here with the Defender?

I have seen that the Range Rovers Classics and some of the older Disco’s fit all my criteria, should I just bite the bullet and search for one of these instead?

Any thoughts much appreciated
Thanks Mark.

well, it is hard to match some of those criteria, a disco has air con, but is hard to find a decent one for that kind of money. a defender can always have an autobox fitted, but they generally dont have air con, but this can also always be installed. it is generally quite easy to find a decent one for the money you are tlking. an old rangie is perfect. they have air con (most), cheap, are automatic. persoanally, looking at the things that fit your criteria, a rangie would be ideal, but if a defender floats ya boat, you can always have the criteria you want fitted into it. hope this helps... cheers Rob (16)

Thanks Rob,

In Spring Issue 6 of Land Rover International there was an article about a guy rebuilt a double cab 110xs with a 300Tdi engine, in the article is says the guy had lots of aggro fitting the Auto box.

I would be grateful to hear from anyone else driving a Defender converted into an Automatic, the same if anyone has fitted AC to a Defender.

Cheers Mark.

well, you could always let a garage fit it but thats cheating!

__________________
Elenor ~My V8 90~
Cheers Rob (16)

Hi

Converting from manual to auto is no feat to be sniffed at. It's complex time consuming and can be expensive.

You'll either need a new radiator with the auto cooler part or a secondary cooler radiator.
All the wiring loom will need replacing (auto boxes use different functions)
You may need to move/add some gearbox mounts, I think the Autobox is longer than manual box.
Transfer box may be different so that'll need replacing.
Gearbox tunnel may need modifying.
You may need a conversion plate to fit the box the engine
You will need to re-register it at DVLA (Big fine if you don't, although not a hard job couple of forms and hey presto it's done oh and a small fee)

I looked into converting a 109 Series to an Auto and found it was far cheaper and easier to buy an auto as standard. There is a way round it take one Range Rover V8/Diesel with an auto box fitted slot the lot in with loom/rad/transfer box etc. (although not a cheap option it might be easier)

How about a Range Rover ? It has air con, autobox, lhd and cheap.
Hope this is some use

Charlotte

this charlottte person really knows her stuff. good on ya i aggree with evertyhing she has said (dont understand it, but hell, i am only 16, so i want to learn! this is a great place to learn!) range rovers do fit all your requirements...

__________________
Elenor ~My V8 90~
Cheers Rob (16)

Hi

Thanks

Charlotte

hi

no problem.

Rob
hehe.

__________________
Elenor ~My V8 90~
Cheers Rob (16)

Why don't you try and look for a Range or Disco somewhere in Europe? In many countries petrol and taxes are so expensive that if you buy two old tyres they throw in the car for free...

Check www.autoscout.com, click on the "english" link, and then go to "extended" before to search. There you can choose country of origin and all sorts of details for the car. I got 13 returns for Range Rover, auto, aircon, 1000 to 4000 Euros.

Cheers

Philip

Hey all,
I’m in the process of converting a 1990 110 into a 300tdi auto - if you swap both the engine and box then it’s a lot lot easier!!

I’m using my own 1996 disco so it solves all the radiator probs as it’s a straight swap and i have all the bits I need! (i.e. wiring, engine to box conversion plate and transfer box)
Yes, the engine mounts needs to be moved, the auto box is the same size as the 1 I have in so that’s nice and easy.

As for the gear box tunnel you can buy the one that’s in new standard auto defenders (aprox £400) but you can either make your own out of MDF and carpet over or Iv seen a few nice chequer plate 1s. You can also use the central console out of a disco - means you have a cubby box and the auto leaver is all nice and in the right place!


I've already re-registered mine and I didn’t get charged!! The forms aren’t too bad either. One thing I will say id be honest with your insurance company as if you do something similar to me you will have technically upgraded the engine and changed the spec of the motor therefore if you just say it’s an auto or with a standard replacement engine then your policy is invalid!!!

My budget for this is £3500 so it is poss but be prepared to get your hands dirty! That’s one of the mint things bout landys - use your imagination ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!!!!!

Hope it helps, Lucy xx