Shimsteriom
Master Procrastinator
Put one in my Disco TD5 and although you could tell it was fitted I wouldn't do it again as the change was not as great as I was hoping for.
flounderbout
Member
For £70 odd this is one of the best mods I have done to my td5. Gearchange was like a rigged fairground game before - now it is spot on. As Jim says you need to spend a bit of time getting the springs just right, but even so this is a really simple mod that even a muppet (me) can do in <30mins. 100% worth it IMHO.
dag019
Well-Known Member
Any one fitted a slick shift to a td5 defender pros and cons please
Depends on what you are used to and what you like. I am used to an '89 110 and has been my daily drive since I was 18, my other car is a series 3. I have a friend who is used to German saloons, guess which one of us has the slick shift. I hate driving his, the throw on the change is to short and it just feels awkward, however he hates driving mine because you actually need to move the gear lever. If it was fitted to a vehicle I had bought I would remove it, it just does not feel right for me, and if you want your defender to act, feel and behave like a modern hatchback you need to sell the defender.
But if you are used to terrible modern cars then a proper vehicle may be a bit of a shock and you may feel you "need" one, in the same way you may feel it "needs" to be water proof and you "need" to be able to a) get to, and b) hold a conversation at modern motorway speeds!
Shimsteriom
Master Procrastinator
You'll find it's a personal thing.
I think it's one of those things which you need to fit and try for yourself in order to find out if it's worth it.
I think it's one of those things which you need to fit and try for yourself in order to find out if it's worth it.
justin king
Member
Fitted 1 to my 2001 td5 90, made a world of difference when driving, well worth it. just picked up a 110, will get the same upgrade.Any one fitted a slick shift to a td5 defender pros and cons please
dag019
Well-Known Member
Or preferably find someone who has it fitted and will let you drive around the block. Then it doesn't cost you anything to find out you hate it
bankz5152
Well-Known Member
Pretty much.
flounderbout
Member
That and reduce the sloppiness in the standard shift.
There is a very boring video about it here which is a decent guide to fitting too...
dag019
Well-Known Member
Exactly, make if feel like a a modern hatchback for people who can't handle mechanical purposeful feel of of a proper gear change. Hate to think how they would manage with a non-synchro gearbox let alone a proper straight cut. And that's before you get into the fun things like range changes and splitters as found on thinks like old Scammels (I would love one of those
)
flounderbout
Member
Exactly, make if feel like a a modern hatchback for people who can't handle mechanical purposeful feel of of a proper gear change. Hate to think how they would manage with a non-synchro gearbox let alone a proper straight cut. And that's before you get into the fun things like range changes and splitters as found on thinks like old Scammels (I would love one of those
I can't imagine anyone suggesting that adding a slickshift would make it feel like a modern hatchback. If they do, they are being a bit silly. It will feel like a Defender with a shorter more precise throw.
I have never previously worried that liking a shorter throw makes me "unable to handle" all the non-modified Defenders I have driven over the years, but I guess that is a viewpoint. I should probably sell my Massey.
Rougharse Racing
Well-Known Member
A 1.66:1 transfer box is miles too low for a Tdi unless you live at the top of a very big mountain. I have a 1.2:1 in mine, it doesn't sound like the engine is about to explode any more.
Si Click
Well-Known Member
I remember in 1997 getting a 300Tdi as a courtesy car while my SIII was being MOT'd. Whilst it was obviously a far better vehicle in every way and had all the things I dreamed of putting on my 109 - turbo diesel engine, power steering, coil springs etc, I was used to the SIII and strangely, did not enjoy driving the newer vehicle as much as my old one. I missed the completely vague steering, the cart spring suspension, even the lack of grunt and the truck-like gear change; but I knew that if I drove the Tdi for a week I would probably not want to go back. It is all about what you are used to.
We fitted a slick shift to my son's TD5 D90 a year ago and we both like the change. It is still a Defender, it still feels and drives like a Defender. It does not feel like a modern hatchback, the gear change is shorter, more precise, but totally in keeping with a Land Rover 25 years younger than my old SIII.
We fitted a slick shift to my son's TD5 D90 a year ago and we both like the change. It is still a Defender, it still feels and drives like a Defender. It does not feel like a modern hatchback, the gear change is shorter, more precise, but totally in keeping with a Land Rover 25 years younger than my old SIII.
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