So hard to find good tray back ute 300tdi!!

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Originally Posted by cafe latte

I was going to get a Perentie, but I am now looking for something which can double as a second car so fuel consumption is more an issue.
Chris

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Is there really much difference between a Perentie and a 300 tdi Deefer fuel economy wise? From what I've read, Perentie owners are generally getting around 10 -11 L/100, so maybe 1 L/100 more than a 300tdi. My 120 - which is about 3t with camper, roof rack, tools, accessories, BFG mud terrains - normally gets around 11-12.5 L/100. Arguably too, the Isuzu is cheaper to maintain (no timing belt, less prone to head gasket failure) so any increased spending on fuel is likely to be offset by that. Don't get me wrong, there are some good reasons to choose the 300tdi Defender over the 4bd1 Perentie but I'm not sure that cheaper running costs is one of them.

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Originally Posted by eeyore

Is there really much difference between a Perentie and a 300 tdi Deefer fuel economy wise? From what I've read, Perentie owners are generally getting around 10 -11 L/100, so maybe 1 L/100 more than a 300tdi. My 120 - which is about 3t with camper, roof rack, tools, accessories, BFG mud terrains - normally gets around 11-12.5 L/100. Arguably too, the Isuzu is cheaper to maintain (no timing belt, less prone to head gasket failure) so any increased spending on fuel is likely to be offset by that. Don't get me wrong, there are some good reasons to choose the 300tdi Defender over the 4bd1 Perentie but I'm not sure that cheaper running costs is one of them.

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From what I have read with the original diff a Perentie gets more like 6km/l and a 300tdi gets more like 10km/l so there is a big difference. Also having driven a Perentie 6x6 as much as I loved it it is rather noisy over 80km/h so if I am going to do any km in it it is not going to be very comfortable.
Chris

Not many 300tdi's have decent aircon Chris, they are mostly pretty shot and were never much good anyway. You would most likely need to add an aftermarket unit somehow. Easier in a 110 behind/above rear seats, not sure how you would do it on a trayback? Through rear window?

If you're looking at 20K+ for a good 300tdi, you might be better getting an early model puma 130 with decent aircon?

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Originally Posted by MrLandy

Not many 300tdi's have decent aircon Chris, they are mostly pretty shot and were never much good anyway. You would most likely need to add an aftermarket unit somehow. Easier in a 110 behind/above rear seats, not sure how you would do it on a trayback? Through rear window?

If you're looking at 20K+ for a good 300tdi, you might be better getting an early model puma 130 with decent aircon?

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Hmm, good to know.. The aftermarket ones are quite big, if the 300tdi ones are as good as the td5 ones then for what I will be using it for it will probably do as our fire truck aircon is just acceptable probably not for Cairns though.
I already have a Puma, a new one and I was looking for something simple and easy to fix as my work ute.
Chris

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Originally Posted by cafe latte

Hmm, good to know.. The aftermarket ones are quite big, if the 300tdi ones are as good as the td5 ones then for what I will be using it for it will probably do as our fire truck aircon is just acceptable probably not for Cairns though.
I already have a Puma, a new one and I was looking for something simple and easy to fix as my work ute.
Chris

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Yes a conundrum re aircon. I faced same dilemma with my 300tdi. Tried many times over the years to repair gas leaks with no luck. Ended up putting up with the heat - often 40 degrees in northern oz. (interesting how you're happier to get out of the car in hot weather with no aircon!)

Replacement of all components was only option, or I have seen a good conversion mounted on cargo barrier, but that may be complex too.

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Originally Posted by MrLandy

Yes a conundrum re aircon. I faced same dilemma with my 300tdi. Tried many times over the years to repair gas leaks with no luck. Ended up putting up with the heat - often 40 degrees in northern oz. (interesting how you're happier to get out of the car in hot weather with no aircon!)

Replacement of all components was only option, or I have seen a good conversion mounted on cargo barrier, but that may be complex too.

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Fixing would be preferable if it has aircon fitted, I know an auto electrician quite well so he will do me a good deal whatever needs changing. Fitting a new system will still not be cheap though even with mates rates.
I just manage to get the missus in my Puma if I have any hope of getting her in a 300tdi I need to get aircon somehow :)
Chris

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Originally Posted by MrLandy

Not many 300tdi's have decent aircon Chris, they are mostly pretty shot and were never much good anyway. You would most likely need to add an aftermarket unit somehow. Easier in a 110 behind/above rear seats, not sure how you would do it on a trayback? Through rear window?

If you're looking at 20K+ for a good 300tdi, you might be better getting an early model puma 130 with decent aircon?

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Originally Posted by cafe latte

Hmm, good to know.. The aftermarket ones are quite big, if the 300tdi ones are as good as the td5 ones then for what I will be using it for it will probably do as our fire truck aircon is just acceptable probably not for Cairns though.
I already have a Puma, a new one and I was looking for something simple and easy to fix as my work ute.
Chris

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Part of the problem with the Tdi and TD5 era A/C is the heater box.

The seals fail around the heater core/header tanks and then they suck in hot air from the engine bay.

Fix that and a truck cab and even a crew cab the AMC system works OK.
The wagons just had too big a volume IMO.

I'm not a fan of the system, I ended up ripping mine out as I found the condenser partially blocks air to the radiator and I/C and the sheer size under the dash is a PITA.
One day I'll make my own system up, for the crew cab it'll be a fan coil unit in the roof at the rear with a bigger condenser that has a coarser fin pitch. The compressor size is more than adequate.
It's the fin pitch on the condenser and maybe the slight lack of width that causes the air flow problem to the rad in my testing.
It's just an aftermarket/universal Sanden condenser, not vehicle specific.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cafe latte

Hmm, good to know.. The aftermarket ones are quite big, if the 300tdi ones are as good as the td5 ones then for what I will be using it for it will probably do as our fire truck aircon is just acceptable probably not for Cairns though.
I already have a Puma, a new one and I was looking for something simple and easy to fix as my work ute.
Chris

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Yes a conundrum re aircon. I faced same dilemma with my 300tdi. Tried many times over the years to repair gas leaks with no luck. Ended up putting up with the heat - often 40 degrees in northern oz. (interesting how you're happier to get out of the car in hot weather with no aircon!)

Replacement of all components was only option, or I have seen a good conversion mounted on cargo barrier, but that may be complex too.

Chris
As mentioned ac will be your sticking point. First thing I did to my 130 was rip out the piece of junk and then mount a 22l air tank under the drivers seat. With a 90-130psi pressure switch proper air is more useful than ac. Just put a small fridge in place of the centre console and leave it on always... solar panel on roof to keep heat loading down. Will always have cold drinks at hand.

S

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Originally Posted by cafe latte

rather noisy over 80km/h
Chris

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Yep, that would be one of the good reasons to buy a 300tdi Defender over a 4bd1 Perentie :)