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Mr Fox



Member Since: 10 Sep 2011
Location: green & pleasant land
Posts: 1043

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Keswick Green
Best Donor Defender for auto / engine conversion?
Other than reading the older threads on here, I'm wondering whether those who have done an auto conversion (with or without an engine change) have any advice for the ideal base 90 vehicle?

Quite a few conversions are based on the TD5, is this an easier swap than a Puma?

TIA
Post #1072290 27th Jul 2025 3:39pm
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TVR Tommy



Member Since: 26 Nov 2013
Location: Bucks
Posts: 191

United Kingdom 2000 Defender 90 Td5 Heritage LE Bronze Green
The zf4hp22 is an easy install onto a TD5 as you can take a box out of a disco 2 (electronic) and then buy a compushift. Or a cheaper option is a zf4 out of a disco 1 (hydraulic) mounted to a disco 2 bell housing. You should also consider fitting a v8 torque converter as they are bigger so have a lower stall speed. The td5 TC is a bit revy. Made even worse with a tuned TD5

You can put a zf4hp22 onto a puma TDCi you’ll need an Ashcroft bell housing.

People have started putting zf8 onto the back of TD5’s which looks like a nice option. Being a newer conversion there’s not a huge amount of info. Once there is I may go down that route.

Current I’m running a 90 td5, disco 2 box with compushift 2 with a v8 TC. It works well and you can get it to shift how you want it to.
Post #1072311 27th Jul 2025 7:38pm
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jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 8359

 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
I have done hp22 to TGVs with some success. I say some as they were off roaders with gearing to suit and didn't do a massive amount of road miles so can't comment on them as daily drivers.

Last conversion I did was 6hp28 to m57 but note in your previous post you don't like the m57/auto conversion you drove. For me having driven and used various 300tdi autos, tgv autos, v8 autos, td5 auto in defenders the m57 auto conversion is far better suited than anymore the above.

Td5/8speed would be one I would like to try.

I do however feel most landrover defender engines are not best suited to autos. Cheers

James
110 2010 XS Utility
130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper
90 2010 Hardtop
90 M57 1988 Hardtop


Last edited by jst on 28th Jul 2025 12:57pm. Edited 1 time in total
Post #1072319 27th Jul 2025 9:20pm
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Mr Fox



Member Since: 10 Sep 2011
Location: green & pleasant land
Posts: 1043

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Keswick Green
Hi James, didn’t like the particular 90, not the M57 swap.

I’d liked the engine and trans, it was the actual vehicle which was a mess.
Post #1072322 27th Jul 2025 9:53pm
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Mo Murphy



Member Since: 01 Jun 2008
Location: Letchworth Garden City, Herts
Posts: 2377

United Kingdom 1984 Defender 90 BMW M57 3.0 Diesel HT Auto Pennine Grey
I put a BMW X5 M57n and 6hp in my 90. I wouldn't go back to the Tdi it had before.
Mo The Land Rover 90 - Many are called, few are chosen.

50 Shades of Pennine Grey
Post #1072337 28th Jul 2025 10:32am
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V8Simon



Member Since: 17 May 2016
Location: Prestatyn, Wales
Posts: 154

United Kingdom 1985 Defender 90 V8 Petrol SW Auto Arles Blue
I've a 25+ year old conversion in my V8 90 which was an Ashcroft supplied ZF HP22 which has been faultless and was setup perfect out of the box. Mine is standard but has the bigger torque converter as mentioned.
If I was going down that route again, I'd be looking for a newer type of auto, not that there's anything wrong with a HP22, but just to future proof parts and add any functionality that comes as standard with the newer stuff. Very Happy 1984 90 V8 puma want to be.
Post #1072362 28th Jul 2025 3:20pm
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MarkBrown



Member Since: 03 Oct 2022
Location: Mid Wales
Posts: 558

Wales 1983 Defender 110 Other HT Auto Keswick Green
I’ve had a few autos.

Disco 2 4.0 with the ZF hp22 - the engine was a bit gutless but I liked the auto.

I tried a 110 with the 300 tdi and the earlier hydraulic ZF hp22 - this was smooth but about as quick as a lawnmower.

My current 110 has an OM606 Mercedes engine and has a modified ZFhp24 with the middle sized torque converter - to work better with the engine - and is hydraulically controlled. This is smooth and suits both the engine and vehicle well.

I’ve had three Mercedes cars and a Jeep with the 5 speed 722 gearboxes, these have all been excellent.


I’ve currently got a seven speed automatic Sprinter, that’s really good. I’ve no idea what gear it’s in, but it’s always the right one.

If I were to replace the gearbox in the 110, I would go for the six or eight speed ZF as I think these would make acceleration quicker, quieter and more effortless than the current 4 speed. It would probably be more economical too. 1983 110 automatic OM606
Post #1072387 28th Jul 2025 8:59pm
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