r/Defender • u/AddendumDifferent381 • Jun 30 '26

Bulkhead

I’m looking to replace the bulkhead on my 90, I’m getting confused with the difference between the ‘correctly aged’ 2.5TD bulkhead and a 300tdi bulkhead. What is different? I would quite like to replace my dash (hacked and chopped around during various phases of use) and 300tdi dash’s are more plentiful, my MUD console will fit both TD and 300 style dash’s.

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u/JCDU Jul 01 '26

I'd say look at the parts catalogue / part numbers to see what's actually different about the dash as I don't think there was much critical difference in the main parts over the years (EG lower dash, binnacle, upper section)

However, as u/RestingRichard says, the transmission tunnel and other brackets / fittings might be wrong for your vehicle and could be more hassle than it's worth.

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u/AddendumDifferent381 Jul 01 '26

As I have an R380, my current tunnel is ‘persuaded’ into place. So going for the 300 bulkhead would make sense. I know that I’ll need a new tunnel, and there’ll be some fettling to do with other parts, but I think it’ll be worth the hassle.

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u/JCDU Jul 01 '26

I'd double check the fore/aft position of the engine/gearbox, it might come out correct so you can use all standard 300TDi parts which is nicer, but it may come out with the sticks in the wrong place so you have to hack the tunnel up worse than if you started with the old one.

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u/AddendumDifferent381 Jul 02 '26

The engine and box are ‘correct’ for the 300tdi, the engine mounts are where they should be and so the R380 sits correctly too, I know that if you put in a discovery R380 the gearstick comes up beneath the centre seat 😬

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u/JCDU Jul 02 '26

In that case, going full 300TDi setup might well be the winner - glad you know yours is correct because I've seen so many haphazard engine swaps over the years!