ejparrott Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 I've ready Cwazy and James' post's and website about TD5 speedos and retrofitting them into defender dash's. I'm thinking about the possibility of fitting one in to my 109. It looks almost certain it's going to get an LT77 and probably an LT230 now, and it seems as though it could be a sensible option, if I can find a defender TD5 speedo head! Has anyone done this before? My friends hybrid has a non-series speedo installed, not certain if its from the defender the gearbox came from or the rangy that provided all the running gear, but I know that fits the series panel. Thoughts anyone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CwazyWabbit Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 It's possible to alter the calibration of the speedo head so taking account of differing diff ratio's etc is simple enough with a few calculations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ejparrott Posted November 27, 2012 Author Share Posted November 27, 2012 Ultimatly, The 109 will have a 3.54 rear diff, and runs 750's anyway, well, 23585R16's. Does the t'box ratio play a part in it? I'm never quite sure. I think we'll start out with a 1.4 t'box, see how things go, and maybe then upgrade to a 1.2 perhaps. Will the head physically fit the series dash do we know? Without hacking that is! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie69 Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 T-box ratio makes no difference, as otherwise your speedo would read wrong in low range Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ejparrott Posted November 27, 2012 Author Share Posted November 27, 2012 oh yeah, 'course it does...doh! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vulcan bomber Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Ed, i've got a td5 speedo in the 110...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mo Murphy Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 I can't foresee any problems doing that, it's very simple to do. All you'll need is the speedo, a transducer (only genuine) and some wire Mo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ejparrott Posted November 27, 2012 Author Share Posted November 27, 2012 I can't foresee any problems doing that, it's very simple to do. All you'll need is the speedo, a transducer (only genuine) and some wire Mo That was sort of the thinking, although to be honest, running a speedo cable isn't that hard! I havent quite figured out exactly how much wiring is needed yet beyond the three wires between transducer and head Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CwazyWabbit Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 ....... Will the head physically fit the series dash do we know? Without hacking that is! I have a head sitting next to me as we speak..... Diameter of back is 100mm (by measuring internal diameter of retaining ring) Diameter of face is 105mm External diameter of retaining ring 110mm Depth excluding wiring is 67mm Depth from back of face lip (poor explanation I know) is 61mm caveat: all measurements taken with a tape measure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CwazyWabbit Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 ...... I havent quite figured out exactly how much wiring is needed yet beyond the three wires between transducer and head Fairly certain you'll just want.... Permanent live Switched live And lighting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mo Murphy Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Your mum could do it Once you've fitted an electric speedo you'll never want to go back to a "guess my speed by taking an average of the highest and lowest needle flicker" cable speedo. Mo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ejparrott Posted November 27, 2012 Author Share Posted November 27, 2012 lol at both! Will measure a spare head as soon as I get chance, hopefully tonight. whats the retention method? the Series 3 has a couple of long legged clamps itted to screws on the back, bit like aftermarket gauges usually have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CwazyWabbit Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Retention is a big screw on plastic ring as in piccy below Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ejparrott Posted November 27, 2012 Author Share Posted November 27, 2012 ah ok, so provided the head is the same size as a series and slots through the dash nicely, then that ring should hold it all back nicely. Cheers! Next problem will be to replace the then lost low oil pressure, main beam and heater plug lamps which are on the series speedo! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vulcan bomber Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 That was sort of the thinking, although to be honest, running a speedo cable isn't that hard! I havent quite figured out exactly how much wiring is needed yet beyond the three wires between transducer and head You can borrow my notes if you want them.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 ah ok, so provided the head is the same size as a series and slots through the dash nicely, then that ring should hold it all back nicely. Cheers! Next problem will be to replace the then lost low oil pressure, main beam and heater plug lamps which are on the series speedo! just fit 3 individual circular lights like these to replace the 3 in Series3 speedo http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/VWP-onlinestore/switches/warninglights.php can be supplied with the correct icon on the lense too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRecklessEngineer Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 I've fitted a td5 speedo to my '88. As I recall, it didn't fit in the series dash - I ended up cutting down a Defender dash and fitting to the series housing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gremlin Posted November 28, 2012 Share Posted November 28, 2012 Of no relevance to the td5 speedo.......... but i have a series speedo in a defender dash, its a loose fit. so the opposite, fitting the td5 head in the series dash might prove difficult. Trimming the hole to a larger size is the only option. G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ejparrott Posted November 28, 2012 Author Share Posted November 28, 2012 just fit 3 individual circular lights like these to replace the 3 in Series3 speedo http://www.vehicle-w...rninglights.php can be supplied with the correct icon on the lense too. Thats what I would probably go for yes. Didn't get a chance to get a spare head out last night, will try again tonight! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daan Posted November 28, 2012 Share Posted November 28, 2012 I hate to ask, but what is being achieved with a td5 speedo in a series? Daan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CwazyWabbit Posted November 28, 2012 Share Posted November 28, 2012 The advantages of a TD5 speedo as I see it are, steady needle and better lighting. Whether you see the change from a mechanical cable to a sender and 3 wires an advantage is personal choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ejparrott Posted November 28, 2012 Author Share Posted November 28, 2012 The series speedo cable won't couple to the LT230 I don't think, so I have to have a new head and cable to suit the LT230 in any case. After that, its the case of running cable or...cable (ok, wire...) I always find running the speedo cable in to the back of the dash a right pig, especially in a series, don't quite know why I find it worse than a 90/110. By having the TD5, I'd cure the wobble, but it's still open at the moment. I'm getting a box on friday, I've asked for the price for the speedo and cable from the donor and will probably start there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daan Posted November 28, 2012 Share Posted November 28, 2012 I know what you mean, but on a defender, the cable is split in the engine compartment, which turns this into an easy job. The needle is stable enough for me to never worry about it. Daan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ejparrott Posted November 28, 2012 Author Share Posted November 28, 2012 Is it? That must mean the speedo in the hybrid isn't a defender one - we fitted a new cable two weeks ago, and that was one piece, and a swine to fit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve200TDi Posted November 28, 2012 Share Posted November 28, 2012 The advantages of a TD5 speedo as I see it are, I couldn't have put it better my self! The advantages of a TD5 speedo is I can see it. Full stop! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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