Thread: Engine Options

Traditionally Defenders were released around the beginning of Q3 each year and labelled MY for the year to come. for example a release in Sept/Oct 16 was labelled MY17. Some people quote the build stamp as the age, some quote the release year (MY), some quote the year it was first registered. For the last example it might have been built mid 16, first registered in late 16 and labelled MY17. Clear as mud?

As for the change over, you will see TD5's and Pumas both called MY07 in the adverts. Simple identifier is the bulge in the bonnet. TD5 flat bonnet, Puma bulge in bonnet.

As for the comments on Puma MT82 gearbox. Its subjective. I hated the R380 box in my TD5. First was too high and shooting into the darkness with a blindfold was more precise than the shift in a R380. Again that's my opinion and take it with a grain of salt. The only way to know is to drive a few defenders of various years and age and see what you like/dislike.

M&D engineering in UK sell an adaptor for the MT82 to the TD5 engine if you happen to love the TD5 engine and love the Puma gearbox.

IMO you are getting bogged down on the detail and semantics between models. Each series will have Pro's and Con's. Each vehicle will be affected by its age, milage, service history, location it is stored (ocean v inland). The best indicator is your diary air while driving and a good once over inspection.

If you hang around this forum long enough you can put a fiver on the likely response from regular members advocating various models or advocating certain brands for parts (that's because we are all influences by our own experiences, subjective likes and dislikes and buyers bias). That's not to say those people are wrong (often it is sound advice), just be wary that it creates semantics which in the long run, fall away when you find your own path and form your own biases.

Originally Posted by MLD

Traditionally Defenders were released around the beginning of Q3 each year and labelled MY for the year to come. for example a release in Sept/Oct 16 was labelled MY17. Some people quote the build stamp as the age, some quote the release year (MY), some quote the year it was first registered. For the last example it might have been built mid 16, first registered in late 16 and labelled MY17. Clear as mud?

As for the change over, you will see TD5's and Pumas both called MY07 in the adverts. Simple identifier is the bulge in the bonnet. TD5 flat bonnet, Puma bulge in bonnet.

As for the comments on Puma MT82 gearbox. Its subjective. I hated the R380 box in my TD5. First was too high and shooting into the darkness with a blindfold was more precise than the shift in a R380. Again that's my opinion and take it with a grain of salt. The only way to know is to drive a few defenders of various years and age and see what you like/dislike.

M&D engineering in UK sell an adaptor for the MT82 to the TD5 engine if you happen to love the TD5 engine and love the Puma gearbox.

IMO you are getting bogged down on the detail and semantics between models. Each series will have Pro's and Con's. Each vehicle will be affected by its age, milage, service history, location it is stored (ocean v inland). The best indicator is your diary air while driving and a good once over inspection.

If you hang around this forum long enough you can put a fiver on the likely response from regular members advocating various models or advocating certain brands for parts (that's because we are all influences by our own experiences, subjective likes and dislikes and buyers bias). That's not to say those people are wrong (often it is sound advice), just be wary that it creates semantics which in the long run, fall away when you find your own path and form your own biases.

Great post 👍

Thanks for the feedback.

From my understanding (just looking at American muscle cars for a sec) - I know the 1968 Dodge Charger was the first year for the new styling... however, it is built towards the end of 1967 sold as "1968".

So is that what you are saying with the TD5, that they were finishing the last run towards the end of 2006 which would in turn be sold on show room floors as a 2007, and thus a 2007 TD5 is the last of the TD5s?

Regarding the gearbox stuff since that has been mentioned a few times...

I would eventually like to make the Defender an Automatic (like the Jeeps are Auto)... can this be done with the TD5? Would the model of year make any difference to this or no difference?

Originally Posted by G.man

I would eventually like to make the Defender an Automatic (like the Jeeps are Auto)... can this be done with the TD5? Would the model of year make any difference to this or no difference?

The tranny out of the Disco works.

A few blokes on here have done it, Strangy converted a Tdi to TD5/auto with Disco instruments, cruise control, etc.
It's an impressive car

I haven’t seen an 07 TD5 for sale....not saying there isn’t any just I have not seen one.

I’d love an auto behind mine....but can not justify pulling a perfectly good manual out.

I have a low k 2000 TD5 ‘95k’...an ex army one, they pop up every now and than with extremely low k’s, only problem is they are 2 door only.

I’ve removed EGR and installed a later ECU.

As Weeds said, late 2006 is when Puma Ford powered MY07 Defender started. No 2007 plated TD5 as far as I know.

Originally Posted by rar110

As Weeds said, late 2006 is when Puma Ford powered MY07 Defender started. No 2007 plated TD5 as far as I know.

So the 2006 model is the last TD5. 2007 onward = Puma design ?

Terms of the Gearbox... are there better (aftermarket/performance) gearboxes available other than the Discovery 2 Auto for the TD5?

Just wondering why everyone does the D2 auto, is it simplicity/works so no need to look at anything else, or other options for Auto don't exist?

Yes its all simple and factory parts.
My 2002 TD5 has an Auto with the matching higher ratio transfer case. Slow on hills because the defender has bigger wheels but i love it.
Nice relaxed cruising and so much easier in Sydney's traffic.