Defender Automatic

Hi all,

Is there a Defender automatic produced, the 90 series ?
Or would it be an engine and gearbox transplant from some other Land Rover vehicle?

Wife had long liked the 90, but will not entertain a manual box,

Gra.

Manual only except for the 50th Anniversary model. So it's http://www.ashcroft-transmissions.co.uk/defender-auto-conversion-kits.html

There are a few about but mostly converted. Think some of the NAS were too (might be wrong)

Depends on car, but TDI200 or 300 could you use parts off Discovery 1?
TD5 parts off Discovery 2?

Its an easy enough conversion , if you have a 200 or 300 tdi just get relevant box and torque converter , from discovery . If other model then get whole drivetrain , you need to change rear diff drive flange on 300tdi rear axle to get disc brake back axle . If later 300tdi discovery drive train it will have edc which requires immobiliser set up and mod of fbw throttle pedal, unless you fit non edc fip . The auto selector assy can be bolted into center seat area .

uk_vette said:

Hi all,

Is there a Defender automatic produced, the 90 series ?
Or would it be an engine and gearbox transplant from some other Land Rover vehicle?

Wife had long liked the 90, but will not entertain a manual box,

Gra.

Click to expand...

Only UK model was the 50th Anniversary model with the 3.9 V8 and 4 speed auto. Very nice model, but you'll pay a premium.

NAS (North American Spec) could be had with the auto and 3.9 V8 as well, but will be LHD and an import.

As per your other thread though.

You can convert them. But depends on what the end goal is and how much ££££ you want to spend. If it's a 100% road vehicle, then tbh a Discovery or Range Rover are simply better vehicles, hence why they exist at all. Or as I mentioned a Jeep.

I daresay if you look about you'll find a converted auto Defender for sale. Most tend to be Tdi's. I like the Tdi engine, but it is noisy, not all that powerful, not massively great on fuel and while pleasant to drive, will never be all that quick. An auto will just blunt the performance and drop the mpg more so.


If you haven't done so already:

a) go drive a Defender so you know what they are like
b) if you can't find an auto one, drive an auto Tdi Disco, it'll give a fair comparison of how a Defender will go.

I drive a Defender for work.

As a tow vehicle, it is EPIC. As a vehicle of comfort, it fails

The parking brake (hand brake) lever hit's your leg on every bounce, bump and shudder on (and off) the road.

If you're not quick, closing the door can hurt your right elbow.

The seats don't go back enough, so if you're tall, it'll be an awful ride.

However, like I said, if you plan on pulling stupidly awkward trailers up steep gradients, then this is the car you want.

But I would agree that other vehicles made by LR are far comfier....