Thread: late td5 or early puma?

Originally Posted by Samblers

Nope. Would love to hear!

Despite all the can-of-worms reading ive done I still do not know what the a/c 'solution' is in the td5, regardless of cost. Can the factory setup be ripped out and replaced by something decent?

I dont feel capable of doing what goingbush did to his td5 a/c myself.

Going back a fairly long way and I may be incorrect, but I recall the TD5 Defender air-conditioning system was originally designed and built here in Australia and was done as part of the original Pirente Project because the pommy one couldn't hack it at all, and was crappy

It was done in Brisbane and I also recall being told by one of those LRA travelling specialists that initially the Defenders arrived in Oz sans a/c and these were installed in Brisbane before distribution around Australia.

Suspect that if this is the case then getting anything "really improved" for pre "new dash arrangement", "no vents" may be wishful thinking.

Cheers
RF

Originally Posted by Rick Fischer

Going back a fairly long way and I may be incorrect, but I recall the TD5 Defender air-conditioning system was originally designed and built here in Australia and was done as part of the original Pirente Project because the pommy one couldn't hack it at all, and was crappy

It was done in Brisbane and I also recall being told by one of those LRA travelling specialists that initially the Defenders arrived in Oz sans a/c and these were installed in Brisbane before distribution around Australia.

Suspect that if this is the case then getting anything "really improved" for pre "new dash arrangement", "no vents" may be wishful thinking.

Cheers
RF

The Tdi and TD5 units were designed and built by AMC (no longer in business) using mostly off the shelf Sanden parts.

It eats up a lot of cabin space, particularly the passenger footwell and it's performance is ordinary except in a truck cab ute.

The condenser tends to restrict lot of airflow through the radiator too, its fin pitch is too tight IMO.

Originally Posted by Blknight.aus

betcha you'd drive the canning in matilda though.

Originally Posted by newhue

funny you say that Dave, I wouldn't.
....

Jason - Dave is probably right. Just like Rick, I'm a little bit mad.

Originally Posted by Blknight.aus

its relatively easy to simply shift the existing evaporator into the roof replumb down the bpillar and then run new lines.

Into the roof or onto the roof...?

Originally Posted by Blknight.aus

but in all seriousness, a simple dividing sheet down behind the second row seats and removing the left of center dash vent cools them well enough... [/url]

Whats the deal with the left of centre dash vent? Read the thread, didnt explain

Cheers

Originally Posted by Samblers

Has anyone on here owned both?

I currently have both a 2003 TD5 110 and a 2009 PUMA. For a young family the PUMA is a better option:

1 - The A/C is much better
2 - There is an option of 7 full size seats
3 - The middle row seats are full height and have headrests so are more comfortable and safer for the kids.
3 - The middle seat of the middle row has a full lap sash belt instead of jsut a lap belt.
5 - There is MORE leg room in the back of the PUMA, the middle/rear seat is about 4 inches further back.
6 - The rear tub has a steel frame which makes it legal to use simple bolt in child restraints, no need for a bar.
7 - It's easier to fit three child seats in a PUMA as the middle row is further back.


After just spending >$5k on a few fixes on the TD5, I can say that as they wear a there are some damned expensive bits on them (Harmonic Balancer, Flywheel.) So I'd suggest maintenance between the two should be comparable. A stock Td5 is a slug compared to a stock PUMA, the PUMA will have enough power to be a pleasure to drive, a stock TD5 is a lethargic lump compared. You can tune a TD5 and get some mind blowing power out of it... BUT that costs money and perhaps has other onflowing consequences.

From a purists point of view I'd argue the TD5 had some better quality parts, and was a little better put together. But practically these points don't make much difference.

As much as I hate to say it - the PUMA is a better defender.

Thanks Billbo

Heart says tdi or td5 with some mods/accessories, spend the saved cash on more fruit, camping gear etc
Head says Puma, reality of life in a desert city and with little kids. Spend my weekends driving it rather than underneath it…

After all the advice given and the couple of test-drives I’ll probably go with the head this time.

Cheers

Originally Posted by Samblers

Into the roof or onto the roof...?



Whats the deal with the left of centre dash vent? Read the thread, didnt explain

Cheers

into the roof, specifically underslung from it between the seat rows, its essentially little more than a replumb and rewire with Some custom fabrication required for shrouds.

theres 4 vents in the td5 ac duct take out the one on the passengers side nearest the trans tunnel. this throws more air down the back and helps prevent recirculation in the passengers footwell which makes the AC jtuink its colder than it is and winds the 1refrigerant flow rate back.

Originally Posted by BilboBoggles

As much as I hate to say it - the PUMA is a better defender.

And here I am thinking

more comfort = less defender
more luxury = less defender
enhanced passenger safety = less defender

If you want something of the defender lineage you should be using it to venture out into the unknown equipped with a feast of tinned spam and a swiss army knife. You should be happy whistling through baron landscapes unknown to the world with your windows wound down and the wind in your hair.

If you want a 4x4 with higher priorities on comfort and passenger safety then you have the Discovery. If you are in need of real luxury you have the Range Rover. There are even Freelanders and Evoques for the ladies!



I'm not Puma bashing, evidently it is a more civilised car... but this to me does not make it a better Defender.