 | Home > Maintenance & Modifications > Td5 Automatic. More gears required? |
 
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| Pam W Member Since: 25 Oct 2011 Location: North Yorkshire Posts: 1169   
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I have a Td5 90 with the zfhp24, but originally we were going for the 22. The crux of the matter is to make sure you drive the vehicle and set the electronic gear changes to suit how you wish the vehicle to drive. We use the Compushift controller to do the set up, and it took quite a bit of tweeking to get it right, but it now drives very well. No need for any more gears.
(It is possible to put a an electronic zf22 from a TD5 Discovery straight into a Defender, but it will not be set up correctly for thr Defender td5 ecu which is why you need a separate means of adjustment to get the gear changes matching torque patterns and driver preferences) I believe a 6 speed auto is available (eg GM import from the US) and this is pretty much needed if it's a Puma auto conversion, but really with a good setting up/fettling with a controller on a td5 you should be fine with the 4 speed ZF. We are working our way around Australia in ours at the moment and despite the weight it is carrying, there is enough pull to get us where we want to be without constantly changing up/down. We have an upgraded intercooler but no re-map, so pretty standard engine performance but as I say, it works just fine with the set up we have. 
There are others who no doubt have other opinions!!  Our blog - http://landytravels.com/
Yorkshire Off Road Club - http://www.yorkshireoffroadclub.net |
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19th Apr 2014 2:06pm |
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| Autoairride Member Since: 18 Apr 2014 Location: Nth Norfolk Posts: 10  
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Yep, I know all about tweaking the compushift.... The problem I have is that the settings are very restricted when it comes to varying loads on the vehicle. I can set it to work well when the vehicle is unladen but as soon as the trailer goes on the back, the settings are miles out because you are pressing the throttle harder to achieve momentum. I even changed the torque converter for one with a lower stall speed, but a heavy throttle position just shoots the revs past what the converter can handle. That's why I was searching for an auto box with more gears, to try and take the revs off the converter.
Don't even get me started about the fuel consumption..... Lets have those opinions!! Thanks for the reply and enjoy your travels.. |
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19th Apr 2014 8:00pm |
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| H3nry Member Since: 08 Jan 2014 Location: Heathrow Posts: 134
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Pam,
Do you have info on the 6-speed? |
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20th Apr 2014 7:24am |
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| Pam W Member Since: 25 Oct 2011 Location: North Yorkshire Posts: 1169
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No, just know you can get them, as read here and there about them being fitted to Defenders. Do a google search or contact Ashcrofts.
Although we are not towing the all up weight of my Defender is around 3 tons in current expedition setup - roll cage, roof tent, water, extra fuel, winch, hi-lift, tools, spares, camp kitchen gear, LPG bottle, clothes, ARB 47l fridge etc. As I say it does fine on the 4 speed. We originally set it up as my commuter, shortish mixed urban/rural runs but when we started adding the extra weight we re-set it for that. Without the weight it runs quite happily on the same setting anyway. I would suggest trying to set it up for your worst case scenario, as it should then be ready for towing whenever. We got a bit of help at first from Patrick at Maddison 4x4 as he was the first UK specialist to work with the ZF and Compushift, direct with the US. We have 2 Defenders on Compushift now - mine plus Dave's 100" challenger motor which is 5.7 LS1 with a matched US autobox - also a 4 speed. Our blog - http://landytravels.com/ Yorkshire Off Road Club - http://www.yorkshireoffroadclub.net |
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20th Apr 2014 10:57am |
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| T1G UP Member Since: 08 Dec 2009 Location: Bath Posts: 3101 
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yep agreed, more gears are required for todays traffic and for better mpg. ive just got a vw transporter with the 7 spped dsg auto.....this is whats required in a defender.
the box is the box from the ford ranger auto. there also found in GM car in the states. its a version of the ZF box in the D3 etc the ford ranger has the 2.2 transit / defender engine fitted they also fit the 3.2 auto 
this is a great set up. there are a few controllers on the market as well as compushift BUT for what it costs may be cheaper to buy a ranger! |
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20th Apr 2014 11:15am |
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| Autoairride Member Since: 18 Apr 2014 Location: Nth Norfolk Posts: 10
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Thats what I'm talking about! If the four speed was ok for today's standards then everyone would still be using them. I have come to realise everyday use for work and towing is taking its toll on me and the fuel consumption! It's driving me mad!
The landy earns its keep ok and I would love to find a more current and modern transmission. Anyone know how to fit this seven speed into a defender td5?!  |
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20th Apr 2014 9:17pm |
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| Fatboy Slim Member Since: 04 Feb 2008 Location: Bridgend Posts: 1006 
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Hi all, first post here for a long time (but I do lurk a bit
) I have a Td5 auto with the ZF 4HP, must say that I fitted one of ashcrofts heavy duty converters in my D2 and that made it 100% better (same box of course). The trouble is, I cannot justify the cost of another one for the defender and I feel that the defender would be far better as a manual for what I do, so a manual retrofit is in progress.........The Td5 is a revvy beast in auto form no matter what you do sadly, it seems to suit some more than others, I find it great for long runs but hopeless up and down the mountains. Its up and down the box like nothing on earth. |
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22nd Apr 2014 7:48pm |
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| Fatboy Slim Member Since: 04 Feb 2008 Location: Bridgend Posts: 1006
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Ps mine is the 'mechanical mod' 4HP so has a kickdown cable and no electrics, no electrical bits here
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22nd Apr 2014 7:50pm |
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| davew Member Since: 02 Jan 2012 Location: North Yorkshire Posts: 888 
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It sounds to me like you have more of an issue with final gearing rather than gears. Extra gears on an auto don't stop it changing gear, quite the opposite. If you find that it's kicking down and hunting between 3rd, 4th, 4th lock up you'll probably find that a lower final output will give better fuel consumption and improve driving.
The TD5 should be able to cope quite happily with a 4 speed unless it's over geared or has an issue that means it's down on power. What tyre size are you running ? What transfer box ratio ? What intercooler ? Has it got an aftermarket tune on the TD5 ? http://www.yorkshireoffroadclub.net/ |
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22nd Apr 2014 11:34pm |
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| Autoairride Member Since: 18 Apr 2014 Location: Nth Norfolk Posts: 10
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Davew, thanks for your post.
Tyres: 265/75/16 BGF AT Transfer box 1:4 Alive/Sercks full size intercooler Alive remap with larger turbo (not vnt) So it's not power I'm short of....I think? I kept the 1:4 box when I did the conversion, as Patrick at Maddison 4x4 said the 1:2 would be to tall for towing, I'm glad I did or it would be worse! I have resorted to using TCC lock up in third @40mph as forward progress was hopeless when towing if unlocked. This way of setting the box has highlighted how far apart 3rd and 4th ratios are, hence my search for more gears. |
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23rd Apr 2014 9:36pm |
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| ashtrans Site Sponsor Member Since: 08 Nov 2008 Location: Harpenden Posts: 257
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Hi,
Do you know if Patrick fitted the stock converter or the larger HD one we supply, I don't think you need more gears, the TD5 discos don't have these problems on the ZF, either the stock converter is slipping excessively which they do if the engine is tuned or the Compushift needs adjusting, Do you have the CS1 or CS2 Compushift ? Dave Dave |
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24th Apr 2014 5:51am |
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| Autoairride Member Since: 18 Apr 2014 Location: Nth Norfolk Posts: 10
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Hi Ashstrans,
H/Duty converter, with CS1. Was thinking about using CS2, to make use of the two different shift setting feature. One for towing, one without. Also the TCC can be manually overridden, right? Is it worth the upgrade? I also have a spare GKN overdrive, what about adding that into the mix!? |
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24th Apr 2014 8:45pm |
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| Fatboy Slim Member Since: 04 Feb 2008 Location: Bridgend Posts: 1006
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Hi Dave, I spoke to you earlier this week regarding my auto box (Stu that works for Cat) I think this is the issue with mine to be honest, I would certainly say it has been remapped and seems to have the higher ratio transfer box.
The box itself shifts beautifully, just seems a bit revvy when in converter drive 3rd speed. I am still going to remove it as the vehicle would be far more use to me in manual form. Pity really, but it's the correct decision to make for the use of the vehicle and I'm sure someone will make good use of the auto conversion once removed! |
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24th Apr 2014 8:46pm |
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