Thread: Activating the dashboard display in a Puma?

Yep thouoght of this before. Thers nothing in the middle lol

Out of curiosity I clicked on this thread, and saw my picture LOL

Although the Defender dash looks similar to the one from the FL2 (and the Disco 3) it is probably not the same hardware or software to run it.

But let's investigate a little further anyhow...

The pre-facelift FL2 actually has two different instrument clusters

Low-Line, where the central LCD panel is blanked off (similar to the Defender?)
High-Line, with the central LCD display

The lower-spec FL2's had the Low-Line instrument cluster, and it's possible to retrofit it and activate it so it works. Likewise you can accidentally reprogram the High-Line cluster with the Low-Line file and it turns off that central LCD (although the backlighting stays on).

The Disco 3 cluster looks the same as the FL2 one, but it's different hardware & software. I don't know if the Defender uses the same HW/SW as the FL2, the Disco 3, or a different system again.

If i've got time I'll have a look through the parts catalog and see if there are any clues from the part numbers.

I'd need a Puma Defender in front of me to scan it, to see the actual files used for in cluster to be sure.

I reckon it's a long-shot, but certainly worth investigating.

P.S. I didn't write the custom file for the FL2, it was someone else, so I can't take credit for it. Just to be clear...

OK now this is interesting...

There does not seem to be any relation between the FL2 & Defender instrument cluster part numbers, but there is with the Disco 3 & RRS

LR001643; FL2 2.2D in KMH without trip computer

YAC502930PUY; Defender 2.2D in KMH (without trip computer)

YAC502520; Disco 3, 2.7D in KMH without trip computer

YAC502580; RRS, 3.6D in KMH

etc. etc.

The Disco 3 came with and without the trip computer display. So it would be possible to update a Disco 3 without trip computer to one with trip computer, although for the time being only with the standard functions.

Really need to get the instrument clusters from a Disco 3 & a Defender side by side to check the housing dimensions, connectors, etc. possibly they could be a swap...?

If so, then maybe the files could be the same between the Disco 3 & the Defender (long shot, but maybe) but still won't know for sure what the files used are until a car is scanned.

The files from the FL2 don't work with the Disco 3 since the hardware (and software) is not the same, to quote the guru "D3 is an 29 bit CAN car and FL2 is an 11 bit CAN car. Even if it's the same hardware, the software is not interchangeable."

They were working on this updated file with the added functions for the Disco 3, i'll have to ask where it's up to and if the Defender might also be a possibility...

You guys are too smart for me,but keep it up.I was thinking of a scanguage in this position but i'll wait and see what you come up with.Gotta say this forum makes the best read ,by the way.

I've looked into this further, and it seems kind of promising actually...

To physically fit a Disco 3 or RRS instrument cluster doesn't seem to be much of an issue. The rear housing of the instrument cluster appears to be the same, as well as the electrical connector. You would however need to remove the front of the Defender housing and fit it to the rear of the LR3/RRS cluster, as the curve of the front is different between them.

Here's some pics.

PUMA Instrument Cluster







Disco 3 Instrument Cluster







The RRS cluster appears identical to the LR3 one.

While searching for 2nd hand Disco 3 instrument clusters I came across one without the trip computer, and the hardware & software numbers are actually very similar to the PUMA cluster.

PUMA, MPH
HW: FH12-14C226-AA
SW: FH12-14C026-AB

LR3, KMH, no trip computer
HW: 7H12-14C226-AC
FW: 7H12-14C026-AE

The hardware & software versions of the LR3 cluster with trip computer are not clear from the labels, as it's not the full number shown. I'd need time to find out the software version for the trip computer version, or a car to plug into... but the experience with the FL2 is that the software for the low-line / high-line clusters is basically interchangeable...

It's definitely worth trying, but someone would need to buy a 2nd hand cluster, and offer their vehicle up as a guinea pig...

But you also have to think about "what's it worth to do this upgrade?" because the only Diesel KMH instrument clusters I can find secondhand are in Germany, and at ~250 Euros + shipping it's like $450 just for the parts.

There are going to be cheaper ways to get that information on a display, although perhaps not as elegant...

Then who knows if the Disco file will work on it... If a custom file has to be written, well that's an unknown cost because I don't do that stuff...

I came across this thread and wondering if any progress has been made on this.


I would be interested in pursuing it depending on how possible it is, and what information can actually be displayed on the panel.


However, I realise that even if it was able to work and the trip computer could be configured for the 2.2, you would still need to add a button for accessing and controlling it.

If a Puma owner in Sydney bought a D3 cluster and was willing to be a guinea pig, I'd be happy to spend a day on it regarding the programming. Otherwise I guess nothing will happen with it...

Another mod that I didn't know I needed!
I actually did something a little similar with my MGTF a few years back.
Im might source a RRS binicle to play with.
I wonder if Defender.Net has any info on this mod ability. I'll trawl it and get back with any info.
I enjoy customising my truck as much as driving it.
Thanks for this thread fellas.
Ken