Thread: TD5 or PUMA? The perpetual question!

Well contributors! I really don't know what to say, other than the fact that I certainly didn't mean for this thread to become a heated exchange between Defender owners.

Don't get me wrong I am grateful for any and all input. It has made me realise that people are passionate about their respective vehicles and like and want to express why this is better than that.

But I have made a decision and that is to go down the PUMA or TDCi path. Reason being is that is a bit more refined for my wife and kids to be in. I personally loved the TD5 for its ruggedness, the vents and airflow of having everything open, but I realise that the wife didn't like it for that same reason. It is not a car, but a truck. If going down this path means that we will spend more time on the road, enjoying good quality family time, I am prepared to wear what ever is thrown at me.

I have no doubt there will be issues. But then again I had issues with the TD5 and Tdi. That is part and parcel (unfortunately) with owning one of these mighty fine steeds.

All I know is that you are all Defender Aficionado's, you can tell that by the context of the thread. But make no mistake, IMHO, they are the best cars out there. So enjoy them, the rest of the people are envious!

I shall update with some photos once purchased!

I know most of you lot have owned all the models in question, and I have worked on / maintained all those models in question, they ALL have their problems, but more importantly they ALL have immense character and smile factor.

JayBoRover has hit the nail squarely on the head above, we wouldn't drive anything else.

So stop your moaning and go out and use them.



JC ( was RRC now 110 County owner !!!)

Originally Posted by goingbush

The Paint, The Paint, thats the problem.
I remember when the rot started to set in

When they started to paint the Galvanised Corner capping, Tub & door bottom capping,

Now if only they still had bare Gal strips & proper door handles like on this gem



Lets push Solihull for a new retro model with Gal strips, sliding windows, Salisbury rear , Even with TdCi & Mustang gearbox I'd put my money down tomorrow,
bonnet bulge & All .

Bonus is you can have door recesses to hold maps & stuff .

Now that is one beautiful LR 110 County. Is it yours?
No that should not be a retro model, but the current base model...but im my mind it goes a little like this:

New diffs front and rear, in fabricated housings with drop out 3rds, ring gear 9inch dia, 3rd bearing pinion support. 4-6inch wider track. larger swivels and cvs. Min 30 spline axle with room for 35. All oil lubed, wider wheel bearing spacing. Bigger brakes. Non abs available.

Body the same but 4-6inches wider. Longer front doors. Pull cab back on chassis 2 inches. SWB to be 100inch, LWB to be 112-114. 130 to be 130. Engine to have pulleys over axle center line (ill take a bigger trans tunnel for this to happen) Disco 2 RA bushes at axle with same spacing, original RRC chassis end, in narrow arms. Longer RA, TA and A frame to refelect the same geometry as the original RRC on 29s, but 32-33 standard on the Defender. Basic stand alone elecs for engine, with full gearbox, axle traction control also an option. either 5 or 6 cyl 3-3.2 ltr deisel. 500nm.

All elec wirering to be of good quality and heavy duty in copper cross section. KISS approach. ALL brimabright skins. Attention to sealing of windows and openings. Gal cappings on all steel...

I can dream right

Originally Posted by uninformed

No I don't have roof racks Pat, and your point is BS given apple's for apple's.....Given you are a smart guy when it comes to most things mechanical, how is it a postitive two have to cars side by side, that look the same, same physical size, yet one has a higher COG and more mass further forward?

oh and the new defender doors are all steel!

I have both Serg and have driven both over tar and across dirt and the TDCi eats the Tdi over all conditions,the TDCi is the most predictable vehicle on dirt this side of the L322 I've ever driven.Remember,were talking 4wds here not Porche's. Pat

Originally Posted by PAT303

I have both Serg and have driven both over tar and across dirt and the TDCi eats the Tdi over all conditions,the TDCi is the most predictable vehicle on dirt this side of the L322 I've ever driven.Remember,were talking 4wds here not Porche's. Pat

can you decribe more what you mean by predictable? If both are on stock springs, what is the difference in your mind? Could it be that the TDCi is alot newer and therefore tighter? No matter how good your bushes are on an old vehicle it will never be as tight as a new one of the same. Id bet that a TDCi would not handle corrogations as well as a 200tdi. Do you think the TDCi has better shocks stock than the TDi?

The Tdi has firmer springs with Koni shocks,the TDCi is stock,the Tdi had all the bushes replaced 40K ago as well as the shocks and springs,the swivel hubs overhauled to new,new A frame ball joint etc and it drives as good as a Tdi can drive,the TDCi is still better.When I say the TDCi is predictable I mean I know what it's going to do,my eldest sister drove the Great Central with me at Xmas,she has never driven a 4wd before or driven on dirt roads,the reason she came with me and after a few hours she was totally comfortable behind the wheel,to the point where I had to ease her back a bit,she felt very confident and safe.My last four LR's,the Tdi,the Disco 1,L322 and now the TDCi have travelled many miles over Oz and the Tdi and D1 needed better shocks,IMHO the L322 and TDCi don't and the TDCi shocks will be replaced by genuine when they wear out,also I don't need lift kits or 35'' tyres to go where I go so needing DC shafts or bigger axles etc doesn't bother me.Just lastly my opinions are based on owning and driveing these vehicles in the outback,they are not based on ''my mate said'',''my mate had one'',''the bloke down the pub'' talk. Pat

Originally Posted by Blknight.aus

let me know how you go with a "by the book" complete fuel injection system overhaul.

The channel selector is the button on the left,or you probably don't own a modern radio with all that eledickery so turn the dial. Pat

Originally Posted by PAT303

The channel selector is the button on the left,or you probably don't own a modern radio with all that eledickery so turn the dial. Pat

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Kf_RYVt2XQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player]communication - YouTube[/ame]