Thread: TDI Vs TD5 Vs PUMA

The only mods I've done are axle flanges,removing the CAT,center muffler unplugging the EGR and under body sound proofing. I've had two issue's that I've had to pay for which is the clutch,one of the springs came out,and the VCV,other than that it's been brilliant.Both my Tdi and TDCi Defenders have done a lot of outback Oz. Pat

Originally Posted by Colmoore

Ditching the cat was on my to do list however, looks like I've sold her.
I'm still swinging wildly over the 130; from buying an old tdi, 2.8 Inter or td5 with a good body OR buying another puma and going through the drivetrain,wiring etc
Dare i ask you what you've spent on mods Pat? (axles and flanges, lockers, driveline seals etc, any other necessities)
Col

I would buy a stock Defender,no 2.8,no Td5,a stock Tdi or stock TDCi. Pat

Well I'm looking for a shoulder to cry on - I'm defenderless as of this morning. A bloke called Michael (I think he's on here somewhere) came down from Brisy & bought my truck. She was sweet.
Now I'm still in limbo as to what to buy next.
I've taken your advice Pat and ruled out the Inter motor due to parts becoming scarce.
After driving the 300 tdi its a long descent from the grunt & top end of the BAS puma; even if it will keep on trucking for five hundred thousand kms under water post apocalypse.....
The thought of driving to Broome again next year at 100kms an hr makes me shudder a bit.
The td5 seems to be a pretty good compromise and they're pretty cheap as there's so many of them.
I'm mostly driving about in the following order: picking up building materials, dragging a trailer to the tip, occasionally towing a bobcat or excavator, playing bus driver to my kids and last but not least, going camping.
What would you guys pay for a very straight mostly original td5 with > 200k kms on?

Originally Posted by Zeros

I have a 98 300tdi and a 2014 Puma.

I'll never part with the tdi, despite and perhaps because it's had a very rough life over 320,000 km (just run in I hear you say), but those kms were predominantly proper 'out bush' in remote northern Australia. ...It still purrs, it feels significantly lighter than the Puma, more fun in many ways, front vents, bullet proof really, still stock other than rear HD drive flanges. ...but it's also pretty rugged (LOUD!) on a long road trip now! No aircon either. Yes I'm going soft!

Cue the Puma...on road I agree, there is no comparison. Puma is quiet! No ear plugs needed here. It's sweet. Aircon works, you can have a convo with others in the vehicle without yelling, not s bad stereo either. ...very disappointing though that the majority of the drive line will need to be replaced with three Ashcroft ATB diffs, new clutch every 100,000, adapter shaft out to be greased. ...Especially because I can't really afford the vehicle in the first place! + all those preventative mods $$ !! Hmm.

But then there's nothing else.

They're still the most practical built for purpose vehicles on the planet. No other real 4x4 comes close for pragmatic, robust, ability and affordability.

I've known toyotas to blow multiple diffs, gearboxes, etc when the going gets tough.

Then there's the Defender four coils, constant 4x4, bigger chassis, lightweight body, visibility, availability of parts, off road ability, ...and not mention the cameraderie!

Grab any Defender you can. That is all.

Man you sound as though you have a sweet life - if you need someone to ride shotgun; I'm in!
The Puma was definitely hard to let go, but I really feel they might end up costing more than I want to spend to keep on the road if used as intended. It is a hard decision and there's always a compromise!
How do you find the adjustment between tdi & tdci?
Have you propped your Puma in deep water (over the bonnet)?
What does it cost to go right through a puma driveline with Ashcroft or Maxidrive gear?

Col,the reason I rule out the Td5 is cost,don't get me wrong,it's a good engine,but the Tdi can be given a few cheap mods such as tweaking the pump,bigger I/C,straight through exhaust etc and it'll give all the performance but cheaper.It's easy to get a Tdi to go and they'll keep a Td5 honest with minor mods,I had both at one time and I couldn't see the reason to upgrade and I'm glad I didn't,my Tdi is about to clock 517K,a Td5 would've died by now. Pat

What does it cost to go right through a puma driveline with Ashcroft or Maxidrive gear?[/QUOTE]

You don't need to do all that unless your a meat head driver or think climbing rocks is fun. Pat

Originally Posted by Colmoore

Man you sound as though you have a sweet life - if you need someone to ride shotgun; I'm in!
The Puma was definitely hard to let go, but I really feel they might end up costing more than I want to spend to keep on the road if used as intended. It is a hard decision and there's always a compromise!
How do you find the adjustment between tdi & tdci?
Have you propped your Puma in deep water (over the bonnet)?
What does it cost to go right through a puma driveline with Ashcroft or Maxidrive gear?

Hard earned and in debt.

Tdi to Puma? I do it all the time. Tdi is my knockabout daily drive. It's light, it's economical and it's fun. Keeps the kms off the Puma. It owes me nothing and I love it. ...except on long trips! It's had a very hard life so it's loud and rattly!

The Puma is quiet and smooth and if I was driving to Broome it would be my choice.
But I'm an oldish bastard now. Gone soft. ...I might sell it if I can't afford it. Then I'll Always have the trusty Tdi, which has done countless trips to Broome in its time!

Tdi water over bonnet a few times. Tdci no. Usually it's entirely uneccessary.

Ashcroft gear? Dunno. Look online. The only one I might do is centre diff ATB (approx $1400 installed I think I was quoted). But don't have the cash.

Good luck in your search

I drove 42000kms around Australia last year in my puma and it was good being able to do the speed limit, even with the camper on.
I thought you wouldn't get a tdi to go anywhere near a chipped td5 - speed and power wise?