I'm about to pull out an auto from a 94 that I had converted several years ago. It's going back to a manual. The kit was sourced from Ashcroft and in hindsight, it could have been largely sourced from Disco/Rangie parts other than the console.
not a hard job and parts can easily be sourced from a disco. Did it years ago in my driveway with a buddy then drove 90 to Moab 30 hours away no problems. One of the best mods in my opinion if you like to drive in big rocks too!
I would be doing a LT77 to auto. I'm running a diesel right now, 2.5 n/a. I would assume If I were to change the engine I would stay diesel. Is there a better running gas engine that I could put in. I'm not really obsessed with the whole fantastic mileage thing, just want an easy running auto.
Like has been said, best bet is to get a complete (wreck) of a 300Tdi auto discovery. there's loads here in the UK and europe, as they rust out for a pass time, but the chassis and transmission are generally in good condition.
You can pick up, if you're in the right place at the right time, a complete running truck for £500~£1000.
At least that way, you'd end up with a pair of spare axles (with disc braked rear), parts of the exhaust, the 300,radiator,pipes etc. PAS box and hoses.
With a defender, you'll either need to fabricate a transmission tunnel to hold the auto shifter (or locate the shifter into the middle seat position) or get something like the NAS auto console that the likes of Ashcrofts sell (or i suspect ECR might sell you one?)
other than that, it's a more or less nut & bolt job. a friend of mine is in the process of doing this here in UK. There are two ways of fitting the transmission as well....
either leave the standard engine mounts in place (in which case, all the factory hoses will fit) BUT you'll need to change/shorten the propshafts and play with the transmission tunnel.
Or, bolt the transfer box & main box in the manual-box position (and thus keeping the propshafts standard) and then change the hoses a bit, and weld in some new engine mounts. but as you're changing from 2.5NA anyway, then the engine mounts will need to be changed to fit the 300, so you're no worse off really.
It's a good conversion. although you'll want to fit a bigger intercoller and tweek the engine... the auto eats some of the power. and if you leave the 1.2:1 disco transfer box in place and have tall tyres, you'll struggle to get out of your own way... better to slip in the 1.4:1 defender unit.
You might find the 200 and 300 a bit weak with the autobox. Like Diesel Jim said, upgrade the intercooler, and maybe a new variable turbo... but only if the engine is good.
i did an auto conversion with the 2,8L tgv engine and "compushift" kit I got from Ashcroft in the UK. Works fantastic, and lets you programme the gear shifting - just the way you want it.
A couple of years ago I did the autobox conv to a TD5. It was no good at all...
A note regarding the 2;8L tgv: Get a heavy duty clutch kit - like the pedal type from Ashcroft.... The torque from the 2,8l will either shear the clutch to pieces, or make it slip.
I'm thinking a 200 tdi is the best way to go. I'll run with my current LT 77 is it goes I'll replace from ashcroft. Can my current transfer case hooked to my 2.5 n/a be okay. I believe it is a 1.4.
------ Follow up post added December 29th, 2010 10:42 PM ------
I'm thinking a 200 tdi is the best way to go. I'll run with my current LT 77 is it goes I'll replace from ashcroft. Can my current transfer case hooked to my 2.5 n/a be okay. I believe it is a 1.4.
------ Follow up post added December 29th, 2010 10:42 PM ------
It might be a 1.6 since you have a 2.5na. Ashcrofts website has the codes to determine your ratio. I run a 1.2 (actually a 1.198) behind my 200Tdi on my 110 hicap. I have no problem in the mountains, even with a full pickup bed. And 80 on the freeway is no problem. But I run 31.75" tires....
i'm running a 1.4 with 17 inch tires. So would the 1.2 benefit me?
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