Defender Auto

So OK here goes, I am going to make a 90 auto, I am an amputee, so the auto is a necessity not a frivolous idea.
I am thinking of buying a 300tdi defender that needs work, strip it down and build it back up with my lad to show him how things work. At the same time get rid of my 'French' Espace and get a 300tdi auto Discovery and drive it. Then after any rattles and gremlins are sorted out I'd the Disco, transplant the running gear into the defender.
Any advice or tips?

buying a 300 defender and using disco 300 tdi and auto makes life easier as the whole lot will just bolt in ,auto is the same length as def manual box so props etc dont need swapping

James, how would he get on if the disco had edc stuff on it?

I was wondering if I got the defender 300tdi 'tuned' could I avoid the EDC stuff?

Marmaduke said:

James, how would he get on if the disco had edc stuff on it?

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a big wiring job or fit std injection pump and tune pump,timing,turbo etc

'tis funny, I was thinking about just this the other day.

Some auto discos have a fly by wire injector pump, although you wouldn't be using the disco engine I don't know if there anything electrical on the auto box regarding kickdown

Marmaduke said:

Some auto discos have a fly by wire injector pump, although you wouldn't be using the disco engine I don't know if there anything electrical on the auto box regarding kickdown

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nothing apart from reverse switch and stater inhibitor,simple 4 wire plug, selection is by bowden cable so lever can be fitted wherever

Result, it almost sounds simple.....

If you are going the route you suggest then you will need to change the transfer box as the discovery transfer box is too high geared , normal motoring you hardly ever get into TCL ( 55mph) unless you run the smaller discovery tyres on the 90 .
I kept the edc when i did it , its not that difficult , if you are pretty well up to speed on wiring . It does require modding the defender accelerator to operate the fbw throttle unit .
i wanted to keep the immobiliser etc . You will need to shorten the trans cooler pipes
not difficult. Everything else just bolts straight in , with a slight mod you can even use the discovery gearbox crossmember . If you want to use the discovery disc brake rear axle , you will need to swap the donut drive off the diff. You will also need to fit the brake limiter valve . HTSH

It might pay to buy a older defender with crap chassis and build everything onto a new galv 300tdi 90 chassis. JMHO

Well this has got me started!!! Just need to offload the Espace. Anybody moving to France?

No. I don't want another French car, thanks.

My missus has a Peugeot 206 and it gives me more grief than the Landy and is a pain to work on (built down to a cost not up to a standard like most French things). She has now been briefed that there will be no more French cars in our household, so thanks for the offer but no thanks! :5bbeatdeadhorse5::5bbanghead:

I'll be interested to see how this conversion goes 4-speed auto seems to work well in a defender both on and off the road. Any thoughts about gear lever placement? Most conversions I've seen tend to use either the expensive trim part from the 50th anniversary model or a fairly crude sheet metal box. I reckon a column shifter would work great if you could fit one.

FlyingPete said:

I'll be interested to see how this conversion goes 4-speed auto seems to work well in a defender both on and off the road. Any thoughts about gear lever placement? Most conversions I've seen tend to use either the expensive trim part from the 50th anniversary model or a fairly crude sheet metal box. I reckon a column shifter would work great if you could fit one.

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i have seen a new console on the market for around £120 i thought look reasonable but i can't find it now

It was in LRO so will look when im home.

I am using an auto in my 90 and have considered this if i cant make anything nice looking

I would really like to see how this is done too.
The mechanics of it is not much of a problem, but how to get that original look with the RRC shifter I have lying around mounted on the transmission tunnel is my main concern.
Would really appreciate it if anyone could put up some photos of what they've done with the interior.

This is what I see, not as original as a nas console but much cheaper

http://www.bordermotorsport.co.uk/index.php?id_product=50&controller=product

Found this looking for td5 dashes

Marmaduke said:

Found this looking for td5 dashes

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I like that .. very neat

Marmaduke said:

Found this looking for td5 dashes

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You see if I built one that's how I'd want it. Very neat, almost car like.
I think most things bent up in metal are going to look a bit pants.