-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000864749-04-000063.txt : 20040827
<SEC-HEADER>0000864749-04-000063.hdr.sgml : 20040827
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040827182419
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000864749-04-000063
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040825
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040827
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20040827

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DENNISTON JOSEPH F JR
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001242004

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14845
		FILM NUMBER:		041003504

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O TIMBLE NAVIGATION LTD
		STREET 2:		645 N MARY AVE
		CITY:			SUNNYVALE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94086

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TRIMBLE NAVIGATION LTD /CA/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000864749
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	MEASURING & CONTROLLING DEVICES, NEC [3829]
		IRS NUMBER:				942802192
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			CA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		749 NORTH MARY AVENUE
		CITY:			SUNNYVALE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94085
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4084818000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		749 NORTH MARY AVENUE
		CITY:			SUNNYVALE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94085
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-08-25</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000864749</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>TRIMBLE NAVIGATION LTD /CA/</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>TRMB</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001242004</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>DENNISTON JOSEPH F JR</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O TIMBLE NAVIGATION LTD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>645 N MARY AVE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SUNNYVALE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94086</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Vice President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-08-25</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>28</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>893</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Includes 510 shares acquired under the Trimble Navigation stock purchase plan of June 30, 2004.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Joseph F. Denniston</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-08-26</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----