Need Expert Opinion: convert a 97 Defender manual transmission to automatic trnasmisson

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M

Mun

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Hi, I want to convert a 97 Defender manual transmission to automatic transmission keeping the 4WD capability.
There are several options but can't make my mind as I'm very new to LR; I've listed few options below but if there's any other options missed out please guide me:
1. 2.7L AJD V6 with 6 speed automatic transmission from Discovery 3 L319.
2. 2.7L TDV6 with 6 speed automatic transmission from Discovery 4 L319.
3. BMW 2.9L TD6 5-speed GM5L40E 5 speed transmission ZF 5HP from Range Rover L322.
4. Is there a compatible automatic gearbox that fits in with 2.4/2.5L Defender engines?
 
Think someone on here has done a manual to auto conversion on here so worth doing a search. Might have been a 300 TDI Disco box that was used
 
Kwakerman said:
Think someone on here has done a manual to auto conversion on here so worth doing a search. Might have been a 300 TDI Disco box that was used
Click to expand...
That would have been the route I would have taken. Use an auto tdi discovery and keep your current engine. Although your first three options have the potential to eventually give a nice vehicle it will be far more complicated once installed due to all of the electronic ecu controls and will be very difficult to make everything fit. a discovery auto however is almost a straight swap by comparison.

link 1
link 2
 
The problem with the options you suggest are that they all expect to be used with the original engine, and may not communicate correctly with the Defender's systems as the CAN protocol will be different- so information about engine speed, pedal position, vehicle speed etc will be missing.

The ZF 4HP22 as fitted to the Discovery is one option and electrically it's almost standalone. Anything else will likely require an aftermarket TCM to make the box work correctly.

JE Engineering do a 6-speed automatic using the same Ford 6-speed as fitted to the Ranger. This is only offered for the 2.4/2.2 TDCi engines (2007 on) but they do bespoke work too so might be worth a call.
 
dag019 said:
That would have been the route I would have taken. Use an auto tdi discovery and keep your current engine. Although your first three options have the potential to eventually give a nice vehicle it will be far more complicated once installed due to all of the electronic ecu controls and will be very difficult to make everything fit. a discovery auto however is almost a straight swap by comparison.

link 1
link 2
Click to expand...
Thanks mate for the suggestions. Actually options listed were to swap the whole system i.e. engine, gearbox, ecu/engine management system, wiring looms not the gearbox from the defender
 
jamesmartin said:
whats your budget
Click to expand...
@jamesmartin: I've not finalized yet on budget but seeking all the options and put the figures together. Aim is swap the 97 interiors with puma interiors, convert the manual transmission to a 5/6 speed automatic with 4wd capability for that if I need to swap the engine and wiring I'll do that.
 
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