Auto box Defender / Land Rover Special Projects

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S

Steve

Guest
Hi

Does anyone know if the Special Projects facility are able to deliver a new
Defender with an auto box?


 
....and Steve spake unto the tribes of Usenet, saying...


> Hi
>
> Does anyone know if the Special Projects facility are able to deliver
> a new Defender with an auto box?

Do you mean Land Rover Special Vehicles? I believe they will do almost
anything if the money is right. There was an article in LRO a while ago
where a guy challenged his local dealer to fit him an auto in a new 110
before sale. They did it as a one-off project (I think they used Ashcroft
Transmissions' expertise extensively) but it cost him several grand on top
of the price. I can't put my hand on it at the moment, but I'll look it out
if you are interested.

--
Rich
==============================

There are 10 kinds of people in the world - those who understand binary
and those who don't.


 
> Do you mean Land Rover Special Vehicles? I believe they will do almost

Yes, you're right.

> anything if the money is right. There was an article in LRO a while ago
> where a guy challenged his local dealer to fit him an auto in a new 110

That's what I want to put to the dealer. I had this question three years
ago when I bought my Defender Black, but I thought at the time that I could
accept a 'manual' again after years of autos. However, although I like the
box in the TD5, the clutch is so heavy. It hurts my knee a lot in traffic.
I think they're all the same - it's not that my Defender is any different.

It's a bit frustrating because the Defender is a really good vehicle in so
many ways. I don't like the Discovery. The Range Rover depreciates too
much for my liking. So, if they can put the auto box in, I'll have another
one.



 

"Steve" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hi
>
> Does anyone know if the Special Projects facility are able to deliver a
> new
> Defender with an auto box?
>
Yes I would also like a Defender with Auto box, but the trouble with the old
4 speed ZF, fitted to the Td5 Discovery, was the slipping torque converter,
it never went solid until about 52mph.
I coudn't stand the noise, and in the end went back to manual.
So for me, it would need to be the new 6- speed auto box, and I can't see
that coming to fruition.
Gordon

>


 

"Gordoni" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Steve" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> Hi
>>
>> Does anyone know if the Special Projects facility are able to deliver a
>> new
>> Defender with an auto box?
>>
> Yes I would also like a Defender with Auto box, but the trouble with the
> old 4 speed ZF, fitted to the Td5 Discovery, was the slipping torque
> converter, it never went solid until about 52mph.

Cured by a simple spring change within the gearbox valve block. My 110
(4.0V8, ZF4 auto, self-converted) locks up in 4th at 38mph!!

Badger.
B.H.Engineering,
Rover V8 engine specialists.
www.bhengineering.co.uk
www.roverv8engines.com


 
....and Badger spake unto the tribes of Usenet, saying...


> "Gordoni" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>>
>> "Steve" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>>> Hi
>>>
>>> Does anyone know if the Special Projects facility are able to
>>> deliver a new
>>> Defender with an auto box?
>>>
>> Yes I would also like a Defender with Auto box, but the trouble with
>> the old 4 speed ZF, fitted to the Td5 Discovery, was the slipping
>> torque converter, it never went solid until about 52mph.
>
> Cured by a simple spring change within the gearbox valve block. My 110
> (4.0V8, ZF4 auto, self-converted) locks up in 4th at 38mph!!
>
> Badger.
> B.H.Engineering,
> Rover V8 engine specialists.
> www.bhengineering.co.uk
> www.roverv8engines.com

How easy is this to do? <thinking cap on>

--
Rich
==============================

There are 10 kinds of people in the world - those who understand binary
and those who don't.


 
I put a ZF auto in my 90, very easy to do. A few pics at
www.richardsrovers.co.uk

Richard


"Richard Brookman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> ...and Badger spake unto the tribes of Usenet, saying...
>
>
>> "Gordoni" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>>>
>>> "Steve" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>> news:[email protected]...
>>>> Hi
>>>>
>>>> Does anyone know if the Special Projects facility are able to
>>>> deliver a new
>>>> Defender with an auto box?
>>>>
>>> Yes I would also like a Defender with Auto box, but the trouble with
>>> the old 4 speed ZF, fitted to the Td5 Discovery, was the slipping
>>> torque converter, it never went solid until about 52mph.
>>
>> Cured by a simple spring change within the gearbox valve block. My 110
>> (4.0V8, ZF4 auto, self-converted) locks up in 4th at 38mph!!
>>
>> Badger.
>> B.H.Engineering,
>> Rover V8 engine specialists.
>> www.bhengineering.co.uk
>> www.roverv8engines.com
>
> How easy is this to do? <thinking cap on>
>
> --
> Rich
> ==============================
>
> There are 10 kinds of people in the world - those who understand binary
> and those who don't.
>


 
This Richard anon leet fle a fart,
As greet as it had been a thonder-dent,
That with the strook he was almoost yblent.
and said....

> I put a ZF auto in my 90, very easy to do. A few pics at
> www.richardsrovers.co.uk
>

Thanks, but I have an auto already - it was the spring change in the valve
block I was interested in.

--
Rich
==============================

I don't approve of signatures, so I don't have one.


 
On Fri, 7 Apr 2006 20:45:31 +0100, "Richard Brookman"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>> Cured by a simple spring change within the gearbox valve block. My 110
>> (4.0V8, ZF4 auto, self-converted) locks up in 4th at 38mph!!
>>
>> Badger.
>> B.H.Engineering,
>> Rover V8 engine specialists.
>> www.bhengineering.co.uk
>> www.roverv8engines.com
>
>How easy is this to do? <thinking cap on>

I'd like to know a bit about this, I have the offer of an 87 RR 3.5
auto with some new 7.50x16 wheels and tyres and I'm tempted to try and
get the autobox in my 110 if I could get it to lock up early enough.
It's been offroaded so the inside and panels are duff and the engine
won't start with a ECU or fuel pressure problem but the chassis might
interest someone.

OR would it be only 3 speed at this age?

AJH

 

"AJH" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Fri, 7 Apr 2006 20:45:31 +0100, "Richard Brookman"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>> Cured by a simple spring change within the gearbox valve block. My 110
>>> (4.0V8, ZF4 auto, self-converted) locks up in 4th at 38mph!!
>>>
>>> Badger.
>>> B.H.Engineering,
>>> Rover V8 engine specialists.
>>> www.bhengineering.co.uk
>>> www.roverv8engines.com
>>
>>How easy is this to do? <thinking cap on>
>
> I'd like to know a bit about this, I have the offer of an 87 RR 3.5
> auto with some new 7.50x16 wheels and tyres and I'm tempted to try and
> get the autobox in my 110 if I could get it to lock up early enough.
> It's been offroaded so the inside and panels are duff and the engine
> won't start with a ECU or fuel pressure problem but the chassis might
> interest someone.
>
> OR would it be only 3 speed at this age?

'87 ought to be a ZF4. The mod is simple, all you need to do is remove the
sump and filter, remove the bolts securing the valve block (rangie factory
manual identifies the correct bolts - remove the wrong ones and the valve
block could dismantle itself!!!!) once removed, invert the valve block and
identify the "converter lock valve" (I have the zf manual for the box, it
identifies the valves, but it's difficult to try and explain as there are
too many valves within the block), remove spring keeper plate and swap
spring for a slightly softer one. There are a multitude of springs
available, as this box was fitted to numerous volvo's, bmw's, jag's etc over
the years, the difficult bit is identifying the lock speed against an rpm
for a given model and then ordering that spring. I've cut a couple of coils
off the end of one before now, but that's very much a trial and error
process, just remember to fit it with the cut end towards the keeper plate.
Next time I strip one, I've a bmw version valve block with the electronic
control solenoids, I'm going to see if I can rig up a solenoid operated lock
valve by amalgamating different parts together and use it like an overdrive
on a manual as I find it's useless with a trailer at anything below 55mph
when locked, which is maybe why landrover set it that way! Some
pre-production and early 4.2 LSE boxes have the lower lock speed from the
factory, if you can ident the serial number of a box from one then zf ought
to be able to quote the correct spring part numbers....
Badger.


 

"Badger" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "AJH" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> On Fri, 7 Apr 2006 20:45:31 +0100, "Richard Brookman"
>> <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>>> Cured by a simple spring change within the gearbox valve block. My 110
>>>> (4.0V8, ZF4 auto, self-converted) locks up in 4th at 38mph!!
>>>>
>>>> Badger.
>>>> B.H.Engineering,
>>>> Rover V8 engine specialists.
>>>> www.bhengineering.co.uk
>>>> www.roverv8engines.com
>>>
>>>How easy is this to do? <thinking cap on>
>>
>> I'd like to know a bit about this, I have the offer of an 87 RR 3.5
>> auto with some new 7.50x16 wheels and tyres and I'm tempted to try and
>> get the autobox in my 110 if I could get it to lock up early enough.
>> It's been offroaded so the inside and panels are duff and the engine
>> won't start with a ECU or fuel pressure problem but the chassis might
>> interest someone.
>>
>> OR would it be only 3 speed at this age?
>
> '87 ought to be a ZF4. The mod is simple, all you need to do is remove the
> sump and filter, remove the bolts securing the valve block (rangie factory
> manual identifies the correct bolts - remove the wrong ones and the valve
> block could dismantle itself!!!!) once removed, invert the valve block and
> identify the "converter lock valve" (I have the zf manual for the box, it
> identifies the valves, but it's difficult to try and explain as there are
> too many valves within the block), remove spring keeper plate and swap
> spring for a slightly softer one. There are a multitude of springs
> available, as this box was fitted to numerous volvo's, bmw's, jag's etc
> over the years, the difficult bit is identifying the lock speed against an
> rpm for a given model and then ordering that spring. I've cut a couple of
> coils off the end of one before now, but that's very much a trial and
> error process, just remember to fit it with the cut end towards the keeper
> plate.
> Next time I strip one, I've a bmw version valve block with the electronic
> control solenoids, I'm going to see if I can rig up a solenoid operated
> lock valve by amalgamating different parts together and use it like an
> overdrive on a manual as I find it's useless with a trailer at anything
> below 55mph when locked, which is maybe why landrover set it that way!
> Some pre-production and early 4.2 LSE boxes have the lower lock speed from
> the factory, if you can ident the serial number of a box from one then zf
> ought to be able to quote the correct spring part numbers....
> Badger.
Badger said this
Cured by a simple spring change within the gearbox valve block. My 110
(4.0V8, ZF4 auto, self-converted) locks up in 4th at 38mph!!
Sounds easy, until you explained what we need to do.
It's not straight forward, especially the trial & error bit, and all the
parts start falling out. No thanks.
Gordon

>


 
In message <[email protected]>, Badger
<[email protected]> writes
>
>"Gordoni" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>>
>> "Steve" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>>> Hi
>>>
>>> Does anyone know if the Special Projects facility are able to deliver a
>>> new
>>> Defender with an auto box?
>>>
>> Yes I would also like a Defender with Auto box, but the trouble with the
>> old 4 speed ZF, fitted to the Td5 Discovery, was the slipping torque
>> converter, it never went solid until about 52mph.
>
>Cured by a simple spring change within the gearbox valve block. My 110
>(4.0V8, ZF4 auto, self-converted) locks up in 4th at 38mph!!
>
>Badger.
>B.H.Engineering,
>Rover V8 engine specialists.
>www.bhengineering.co.uk
>www.roverv8engines.com
>
>
I have a similar 90 -can you give more details please. Mine currently
locks up at about 55 so the chance to reduce that would be most welcome.
--
hugh
Reply to address is valid at the time of posting
 
On or around Fri, 7 Apr 2006 14:34:17 +0100, "Steve" <[email protected]>
enlightened us thusly:

>Hi
>
>Does anyone know if the Special Projects facility are able to deliver a new
>Defender with an auto box?
>

It's not hard to do - engine and box from a suitable RR or disco and bob's
yer uncle, more or less.

In the one I did I had to move the engine mounts on the chassis, and
lengthen the rear prop 2" - the latter 'cos I used a Rangie box with the
Borg Warner t-box. Using the LT230 T-box twould get around that problem.

The engine mounts were abotu fittigna rangie V8 into what was a 4-cylinder
110.

If you're trying to get a TDi auto from a TDi manual, then you only need the
box.

--
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.net my opinions are just that
"There are three sorts of people in the world - those who can count,
and those who can't" (Anon)
 
On or around Fri, 7 Apr 2006 22:16:46 +0100, "Badger"
<[email protected]> enlightened us thusly:

>
>"AJH" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> On Fri, 7 Apr 2006 20:45:31 +0100, "Richard Brookman"
>> <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>>> Cured by a simple spring change within the gearbox valve block. My 110
>>>> (4.0V8, ZF4 auto, self-converted) locks up in 4th at 38mph!!
>>>>
>>>> Badger.
>>>> B.H.Engineering,
>>>> Rover V8 engine specialists.
>>>> www.bhengineering.co.uk
>>>> www.roverv8engines.com
>>>
>>>How easy is this to do? <thinking cap on>
>>
>> I'd like to know a bit about this, I have the offer of an 87 RR 3.5
>> auto with some new 7.50x16 wheels and tyres and I'm tempted to try and
>> get the autobox in my 110 if I could get it to lock up early enough.
>> It's been offroaded so the inside and panels are duff and the engine
>> won't start with a ECU or fuel pressure problem but the chassis might
>> interest someone.
>>
>> OR would it be only 3 speed at this age?
>
>'87 ought to be a ZF4.

HBOL says 1986-on, so yes. My experience of a 3.5 auto is that the engine
is a bit lacking in low-down grunt for good performance - helps to wind the
kickdown cable up as far as it'll go, so it uses lower gears more often;
although it depends what you expect it to do.
--
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.net my opinions are just that
In Touch: Get in touch with yourself by touching yourself.
If somebody is watching, stop touching yourself.
from the Little Book of Complete B***ocks by Alistair Beaton.
 

"Gordoni" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Badger" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>>
>> "AJH" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>>> On Fri, 7 Apr 2006 20:45:31 +0100, "Richard Brookman"
>>> <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>
>>>>> Cured by a simple spring change within the gearbox valve block. My 110
>>>>> (4.0V8, ZF4 auto, self-converted) locks up in 4th at 38mph!!
>>>>>
>>>>> Badger.
>>>>> B.H.Engineering,
>>>>> Rover V8 engine specialists.
>>>>> www.bhengineering.co.uk
>>>>> www.roverv8engines.com
>>>>
>>>>How easy is this to do? <thinking cap on>
>>>
>>> I'd like to know a bit about this, I have the offer of an 87 RR 3.5
>>> auto with some new 7.50x16 wheels and tyres and I'm tempted to try and
>>> get the autobox in my 110 if I could get it to lock up early enough.
>>> It's been offroaded so the inside and panels are duff and the engine
>>> won't start with a ECU or fuel pressure problem but the chassis might
>>> interest someone.
>>>
>>> OR would it be only 3 speed at this age?
>>
>> '87 ought to be a ZF4. The mod is simple, all you need to do is remove
>> the sump and filter, remove the bolts securing the valve block (rangie
>> factory manual identifies the correct bolts - remove the wrong ones and
>> the valve block could dismantle itself!!!!) once removed, invert the
>> valve block and identify the "converter lock valve" (I have the zf manual
>> for the box, it identifies the valves, but it's difficult to try and
>> explain as there are too many valves within the block), remove spring
>> keeper plate and swap spring for a slightly softer one. There are a
>> multitude of springs available, as this box was fitted to numerous
>> volvo's, bmw's, jag's etc over the years, the difficult bit is
>> identifying the lock speed against an rpm for a given model and then
>> ordering that spring. I've cut a couple of coils off the end of one
>> before now, but that's very much a trial and error process, just remember
>> to fit it with the cut end towards the keeper plate.
>> Next time I strip one, I've a bmw version valve block with the electronic
>> control solenoids, I'm going to see if I can rig up a solenoid operated
>> lock valve by amalgamating different parts together and use it like an
>> overdrive on a manual as I find it's useless with a trailer at anything
>> below 55mph when locked, which is maybe why landrover set it that way!
>> Some pre-production and early 4.2 LSE boxes have the lower lock speed
>> from the factory, if you can ident the serial number of a box from one
>> then zf ought to be able to quote the correct spring part numbers....
>> Badger.
> Badger said this
> Cured by a simple spring change within the gearbox valve block. My 110
> (4.0V8, ZF4 auto, self-converted) locks up in 4th at 38mph!!
> Sounds easy, until you explained what we need to do.
> It's not straight forward, especially the trial & error bit, and all the
> parts start falling out. No thanks.
> Gordon

Not quite sure what you're getting at Gordon, it IS easy, all you need to do
is follow the book for removal so that it DOESN'T fly apart, then change the
spring for one you want, after doing a little investigative work to order
the correct part. Not exactly difficult, is it?
Badger.


 
On or around Sat, 8 Apr 2006 14:22:35 +0100, "Badger"
<[email protected]> enlightened us thusly:

>Not quite sure what you're getting at Gordon, it IS easy, all you need to do
>is follow the book for removal so that it DOESN'T fly apart, then change the
>spring for one you want, after doing a little investigative work to order
>the correct part. Not exactly difficult, is it?

not everyone is as happy with the idea of crawling underneath and unbolting
bits a as you or I.

If I get "my" 110 back to use as the basis for the planned monsterbus then I
might be interested in the details. Mind, when it was a 110, I wasn't that
bothered by the lockup at 50 - although it does rather droip the revs - but
then if it had a better engine (last one was about a V6½ by the end) it'll
probably be OK.
--
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.net my opinions are just that
0123456789112345678921234567893123456789412345678951234567896123456789712345
1 weebl: What's this? | in recognition of the fun that is weebl and bob
2 bob: it a SigRuler! | check out the weebl and bob archive:
3 weebl: How Handy! | http://www.weebl.jolt.co.uk/archives.php
 

"Badger" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Gordoni" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>>
>> "Badger" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>>>
>>> "AJH" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>> news:[email protected]...
>>>> On Fri, 7 Apr 2006 20:45:31 +0100, "Richard Brookman"
>>>> <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>> Cured by a simple spring change within the gearbox valve block. My
>>>>>> 110
>>>>>> (4.0V8, ZF4 auto, self-converted) locks up in 4th at 38mph!!
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Badger.
>>>>>> B.H.Engineering,
>>>>>> Rover V8 engine specialists.
>>>>>> www.bhengineering.co.uk
>>>>>> www.roverv8engines.com
>>>>>
>>>>>How easy is this to do? <thinking cap on>
>>>>
>>>> I'd like to know a bit about this, I have the offer of an 87 RR 3.5
>>>> auto with some new 7.50x16 wheels and tyres and I'm tempted to try and
>>>> get the autobox in my 110 if I could get it to lock up early enough.
>>>> It's been offroaded so the inside and panels are duff and the engine
>>>> won't start with a ECU or fuel pressure problem but the chassis might
>>>> interest someone.
>>>>
>>>> OR would it be only 3 speed at this age?
>>>
>>> '87 ought to be a ZF4. The mod is simple, all you need to do is remove
>>> the sump and filter, remove the bolts securing the valve block (rangie
>>> factory manual identifies the correct bolts - remove the wrong ones and
>>> the valve block could dismantle itself!!!!) once removed, invert the
>>> valve block and identify the "converter lock valve" (I have the zf
>>> manual for the box, it identifies the valves, but it's difficult to try
>>> and explain as there are too many valves within the block), remove
>>> spring keeper plate and swap spring for a slightly softer one. There are
>>> a multitude of springs available, as this box was fitted to numerous
>>> volvo's, bmw's, jag's etc over the years, the difficult bit is
>>> identifying the lock speed against an rpm for a given model and then
>>> ordering that spring. I've cut a couple of coils off the end of one
>>> before now, but that's very much a trial and error process, just
>>> remember to fit it with the cut end towards the keeper plate.
>>> Next time I strip one, I've a bmw version valve block with the
>>> electronic control solenoids, I'm going to see if I can rig up a
>>> solenoid operated lock valve by amalgamating different parts together
>>> and use it like an overdrive on a manual as I find it's useless with a
>>> trailer at anything below 55mph when locked, which is maybe why
>>> landrover set it that way! Some pre-production and early 4.2 LSE boxes
>>> have the lower lock speed from the factory, if you can ident the serial
>>> number of a box from one then zf ought to be able to quote the correct
>>> spring part numbers....
>>> Badger.
>> Badger said this
>> Cured by a simple spring change within the gearbox valve block. My 110
>> (4.0V8, ZF4 auto, self-converted) locks up in 4th at 38mph!!
>> Sounds easy, until you explained what we need to do.
>> It's not straight forward, especially the trial & error bit, and all the
>> parts start falling out. No thanks.
>> Gordon
>
> Not quite sure what you're getting at Gordon, it IS easy, all you need to
> do is follow the book for removal so that it DOESN'T fly apart, then
> change the spring for one you want, after doing a little investigative
> work to order the correct part. Not exactly difficult, is it?
> Badger.
>ER. well I suppose not if it can be done with gearbox in-situ, and I think
>you infer that it can.
I had a 1994 reg Tdi300 Disco, and that went solid at 48mph, I found that
OK, but all my later models seem to have higher set points.
So a spring from a 94 Disco might do the trick!
Thanks Badger for the inform.
Gordon


 
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