Thread: TDI Vs TD5 Vs PUMA

Lots of good info on this thread and thanks for everyones participation.

We're now welcoming a 2.2 TDCI Puma to the family, soon to arrive next week.

Next up on the list is to get certified child restraints mounted onto the rear seats.
If anyone has any suggestions for locations around South East QLD please let me know.

We've decided to keep our old faithful 300TDI in the family, she'll be the work vehicle
and I can already see that the Puma will become the wife's car!!

Also looking for recommendations for a good Defender mechanic in South East QLD.

Happy driving!

Mechanic recommendation depends on where in SEQ your located.

How much does it cost to upgrade the drivetrain?

Allow $15k;

Ashcroft Front and rear axles and flanges
E Lockers front and rear
Centre diff atb
Custom clutch - exedy
Pegging kit for rear diff
Ashcroft cvs
Mt82 output shaft
Timken bearings all round

My vehicle purchase price plus these mods puts me pretty much on par with the cost of a brand new 70 series. Is the 70 series as tough or capable? NO! If i bought another vehicle and built it to be just as tough it would cost me a lot more.



Now im sure people will say it isn't necessary, and it isnt but it all depends on how hard you push or want to push your vehicle. Its a insurance policy in the back of my mind....

Originally Posted by Colmoore

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?

Wasn't michael mclauglin?

Originally Posted by Vern

Wasn't michael mclauglin?

Michael Nester from brisvegas somewhere - I think he's new to the LR crew but apparently already loving it.

Originally Posted by 1nando

How much does it cost to upgrade the drivetrain?

Allow $15k;

Ashcroft Front and rear axles and flanges
E Lockers front and rear
Centre diff atb
Custom clutch - exedy
Pegging kit for rear diff
Ashcroft cvs
Mt82 output shaft
Timken bearings all round

Now im sure people will say it isn't necessary, and it isnt but it all depends on how hard you push or want to push your vehicle. Its a insurance policy in the back of my mind....

Looks like a sensible Puma list.

Originally Posted by 1nando

How much does it cost to upgrade the drivetrain?

Allow $15k;

Ashcroft Front and rear axles and flanges
E Lockers front and rear
Centre diff atb
Custom clutch - exedy
Pegging kit for rear diff
Ashcroft cvs
Mt82 output shaft
Timken bearings all round

My vehicle purchase price plus these mods puts me pretty much on par with the cost of a brand new 70 series. Is the 70 series as tough or capable? NO! If i bought another vehicle and built it to be just as tough it would cost me a lot more.



Now im sure people will say it isn't necessary, and it isnt but it all depends on how hard you push or want to push your vehicle. Its a insurance policy in the back of my mind....

You just explained why the Defender is such a good platform,start standard and mod as required. Pat

Originally Posted by PAT303

You just explained why the Defender is such a good platform,start standard and mod as required. Pat

Im still at an age (34) where i go out with my mates camping and enjoy doing rough tracks and taking the **** out of each others vehicle. Now being the only land rover in the group puts me in the firing line prettt much all the time.
Thats where a defender is so versatile. I've built it not only to be tough but be able to confidently tackle any obstacle. It always impresses everyone how capable it is. My mates call it the "tractor", it just chugs along slowly but surely.
Once upon a time it was standard and it was capable, now its more capable but able to take more punishment.
The puma is a great platform. Best aircon out of any defender, best engine, best ride, best noise reduction, most technology (be it very little and outdated) and best gearbox in my opinion.