Thread: Why I love my Puma Defender...

Amidst all of the brilliant mechanical, modification and trip preparation advice that makes up the majority of aulro discussion, some recent negativity about Puma Defenders in comparison to earlier models as a bit-part concoction developed amid the changeover between Ford and Tata JLR ownership, has prompted me to start this thread...

Rather, I reckon it's time for a celebration of why the last of the Defenders is actually...perfect.

The following is a non-exhaustive list of why I think the Puma Defender is the equal, if not the best Defender ever built. I look forward to everyone else's thoughts...

Engine: The 2.2l Puma Engine is the quietest, smoothest running, most powerful engine ever put in a Defender. While not in the league of the venerable Isuzu 4BT1 in terms of torque and not yet proven in comparison for long term reliability in Defenders (time will tell), to me the Puma 2.2 represents everything a Defender has come to symbolise. It is frugal, relatively simple (in terms of contemporary engines which must meet regulations), has excellent torque, engine braking and above all it does just what is required and no more. It is smooth to drive with virtually no turbo lag. Will pull up a long freeway hill and outgun a Toyota and will plug away in low low with no fuss all day long. With a re-map it can be made more powerful, but the Defender was never designed to be a racing car. And the Puma purr of the air intake with the window down, is perfect.

Gearbox: The Getrag MT82 gearbox is a delight to drive. It is smooth, yet there is also a reassuring notchiness into gear. It feels solid. You know when you're in gear. Simple. Like most, first to second can take a little time to warm up and reverse can be annoying at times, but overall it is brilliant. Even without changing drive flanges (so far) I can achieve smooth gear changes 99% of the time.

Transfer Case: Ahh the timeless solid surety of the LT230 transfer case. No electric 4x4 engagement, no hubs to get out and lock, constant four wheel drive on all surfaces, lock the central diff on the fly. It's a beautiful thing and I hate driving any other 4x4 system. If mine ever develops a problem, I'll get another. Would be interesting to hear how many electronic transfer case's fail to engage in comparison.

MT82 Output Shaft: Now before anyone complains about the lack of reliability in terms of this known problem, obviously yes it should have been fixed at factory, just like any number of hundreds of problems that all vehicles have had over the decades that should have been fixed at factory. Yet there is a bullet proof fix made by Ashcroft Transmissions and it is entirely affordable, especially given the relatively low purchase price of a Defender. And it is clearly not only a problem for Puma Defenders, here is a quote from Ashcroft Transmissions website: "The MT82 6 speed gearbox fitted to the 2.2 and 2.4 TDCi is prone to the spline on the rear output shaft wearing which causes a total loss of drive, this spline 'frets' as it is dry in the same way the earlier LT77 and R380 mainshaft splines wear in the transfer case input gear, same thing, different spline."

If you have driveline clunk and are concerned about stripping your output shaft in the middle of the desert, or your warranty is running out, get an Ashcroft Output Shaft put in and a set of HD drive flanges for the ends of your axles. Problem solved. See it as a heavy duty accessory / mod just like any other that improves the vehicle. Or if you're not in the desert, still under warranty, sipping your latte's around town, then wait and see how it goes.

Driveline: Well it has been basically the same for yonks, with the exception of the rear diff. Yes we would all love a new Salisbury diff instead. But it has been shown that the new diff is generally pretty good when HD drive flanges are fitted. Everything else is tough as nails as always. I love the solidity of the driveline and accept the robust operating reality of this. I don't want to drive a spongy feeling soft roader.

Braking: I don't know the specifics, but the brakes on my Puma sooo much better than they ever were on my 300tdi. Are the callipers larger? Or maybe it's just that the vehicle is new. The Puma stops on a dime in comparison.

On Road Handling: Brilliant, sure-footed and solid. For a large HD 4x4 it is exceptional IMO. I've driven tojo troopies for years for work (hmm dangerous IMO) nissan patrols (fat, no over bonnet visibility) and most 4x4 utes (slouching seating position, poor visibility, rough! horse and cart springs, so over-rated its not funny).

Off Road: More Brilliant as always. As said above, the 4x4 system is best in business. Defender is simply the toughest 4x4 available. Clearance, articulation, low-range, visibility, size, shape, no hubs to lock, etc etc. Out of the box and even against modified trucks of all kinds, nothing else comes close.

Exterior: Design classic. It's as simple as that... I go into this aspect elsewhere, as both the design and cultural aspects of Defenders are the most interesting for me. ...Yet in practical pragmatic terms alone, no other 4x4 has been built with better exterior dimensions, form or materials. Predominantly aluminium body on HD steel chassis, low centre of gravity perfection IMO. Easily modified/accessorised as all Defenders are. No other vehicle comes close. Improvements over old include: one-piece rear door, non-welded door corners, better seals, better water-proofing (I am yet to have a leak at all), better fit and finish overall IMO. The only negative is losing the front vents...

Interior: But...despite losing the vents, I really like the dashboard. It is tough, no nonsense, functional. It just works. Given time and a more serious brief for Defender's current body shape longevity, I'm sure the vents could have been kept as well as having air-conditioning, but we now all know why this wasn't done. Having said that, the new aircon is a revelation compared to the old. There is now passenger leg room and the aircon works well. My only complaint is no vents at the outer ends of dashboard and my left arm/hand get too cold! Oh poor bugger. Whatever. Seats are even better than before, taller, more support front and rear, excellent lumbar, seating position is best in class IMO.

And the Puma Defender is quiet! sure not as quiet as an $80K+ Disco but totally acceptable as a work vehicle. Long drives, conversation, music (that subwoofer!), or just quietly enjoying the view are all an absolute pleasure compared to all earlier Defender models. AND at the same time, there is no sense of being cut off from the outside world. The purr of the Puma is just audible enough to get the gear changes right, the driving experience is just as engaging as ever, but now it is simply a quieter, more powerful, smoother, more refined version. Love it.

I almost forgot to mention the Defender wave, the permagrin and the whole sense of camaraderie with other Defender drivers. It's like nothing else and it's the same in a Puma Defender as any other.

Cheers

Originally Posted by Toxic_Avenger

Can someone please make a 10 hour youtube loop of this?
I will be the first to watch it start to finish (After I finish watching 10 hours of white noise)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCnCMHNyny8

ooo, skip to 9:32:56, that's where it all starts to get interesting!