A question for the TDI Conversion guys

cornish rattler

Well-Known Member

Posts

6,432

Location

Manc chester

• Sep 17, 2023

• #1

Hi guys
Just throwing an idea out and i'm not saying i will be doing it if its two complicated but has anyone converted a series 1,2,3 to Auto box, is there any benifit in doing this conversion and what auto box to use, my S2a is on a galv chassis so don't want to cut up the chassis,
What do you think

 

L

lynall

Well-Known Member

Full Member

Posts

25,754

Location

Kent

• Sep 18, 2023

• #2

I reckon any series or defender tdi would make for a really good car in auto guise.
You will need tape a measure to see if it will all fit length wise, sure I read something ages ago about boxes being so long that the rear prop was stupidly short?

 

FlyingPete

Well-Known Member

Posts

1,305

Location

Coventry

• Sep 18, 2023

• #3

Auto boxes are normally a bit longer, and for example the LT77 manual conversion is troublesome in a 88" due to the rear prop length. On a 109" it should be doable. You get an overdrive gear with a 4-speed auto, so should be a better drive on the road too. If you could lift a 300tdi and gearbox from a discovery, with the LT77 adapter kit from Ashcroft it should bolt together ok. You'd have to figure out engine and gearbox mountings, and potentially move the transfer box back to account for the length.

 

Bobsticle

De Villes Advocaat

Posts

27,632

Location

Manchester

• Sep 21, 2023

• #4

Gay.

 

H

Hicap phill

Well-Known Member

Posts

16,238

Location

Wiltshire

• Sep 21, 2023

• #5

Hope you enjoy changing UJs ??
They will eat them due to the angle & been short.
Mine was a V8 but used the same sized box & fixing position.

@cornish rattler
What gearbox are you using now?
Changed your diffs?
(Not up to date on your build)

 

300bhp/ton

Well-Known Member

Posts

5,009

Location

Near MK

• Sep 21, 2023

• #6

I don't think props are likely an issue. 80" coilers have been running short rear props for over 40 years.....

That said. I'd have thought an automatic Series would be very counter to its image. Might as well just buy a more suitable vehicle. The old automatics are pretty horrid with a Tdi too. Very wheezy and slow, not very fun to drive, way slower and poorer mpg. You also don't get any engine braking off road. I'd also expect them to feel louder and more noise too as the torque converter will mean higher revs for almost any condition.