Long-term Puma Defender?

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Originally Posted by Shoogs

Happily piloted our 1996 CT 110 300tdi all around Africa and the CSR and various other trips around Oz, however its now time for the Puma, just some nice touches that are hard to give up on...

Our last trip was along the Baxter cliffs/Bilbunya dunes, I wont miss the 50km/h head wind and 80km/h ground speed... but yes miss the relaxed nature.

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Just on a side note.... Shoogs, with towing the Trailer behind your CT Defender Tdi, how did u go with economy + how bad did it struggle on inclines, etc?
Earlier this year we towed our trailer down to the Vic High Country and even though it did it, it was hard work, especially with any road inclines (Hwy's, etc) on the road, u were constantly back through the gears to try and keep up some sort of suitable speed on the open roads (ok if you're retired and don't have a time limit)....
The economy for that 5000k trip was an average 14.7ltrs/100kms (which is better than our 2010 Prado gets when towing the same trailer)

You have two Defenders too Rob? Which one did you take to the high country? The Tdi?

Slow up long steep hills is a Defender characteristic, especially if towing. I’d rather that than a bigger engine that would use 18-20L/100km.

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Originally Posted by Zeros

Cheers Shoogs, what year is your Puma? How much prep have you done on it?

It must be tough to relinquish your CT Defender! 😊

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It is a 2008 SVX, Alu Cab roof, batteries, OME springs Koni Raid shocks, heavy duty turrets, heavy duty trailing arms, 255/85 tyres, remap, drive train upgrade most was done when I bought it by the the previous owner. I had wanted another Puma and the SVX with the seats etc... had me sold.

Yet to do long range tank and interior mods, i had a 2009 and sold it as we went back overseas so am familiar with them.

CT is just in storage I take it for a run every month or so, but to insure it for daily use is quite ridiculous...

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Originally Posted by Robmacca

Just on a side note.... Shoogs, with towing the Trailer behind your CT Defender Tdi, how did u go with economy + how bad did it struggle on inclines, etc?
Earlier this year we towed our trailer down to the Vic High Country and even though it did it, it was hard work, especially with any road inclines (Hwy's, etc) on the road, u were constantly back through the gears to try and keep up some sort of suitable speed on the open roads (ok if you're retired and don't have a time limit)....
The economy for that 5000k trip was an average 14.7ltrs/100kms (which is better than our 2010 Prado gets when towing the same trailer)

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That's about right at 14.7, across the Nullabor though in 4th into a headwind... it was up in the high teens... yes quite a struggle. Mind you the CT weighs quite a bit more than average with the roll cage and roof rack etc... I do have a hybrid turbo and larger inter-cooler and tweaks as well.

Our 2009 Puma with the six-speed uses 10.5-11 normally and about 11.5 towing our CT.
It is very happy sitting on 100kmh in sixth gear.
We previously had a D1 300 Tdi four-speed auto, so I can compare them them. The Puma is better.

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Originally Posted by DiscoMick

Our 2009 Puma with the six-speed uses 10.5-11 normally and about 11.5 towing our CT.
It is very happy sitting on 100kmh in sixth gear.
We previously had a D1 300 Tdi four-speed auto, so I can compare them them. The Puma is better.

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Yes the Puma Defender is better than the 300Tdi Defender in many ways and not as good in other ways. Which is why it’s a difficult decision.

Fuel economy comparo:
Puma 2.2 - 11-12L/100km.
300 Tdi - 10L/100km

Power: Puma
Quietness: Puma
Simplicity: Tdi
Mechanical Robustness: Tdi - but with $3000 of driveline fixes on Puma, it might be better.
Electrics: Tdi - but Pumas seem to holding up well in this area?
Ease of servicing: Tdi
Fuel Quality tolerance: Tdi

...what have I missed?

The only electrical issue on my Puma was the rear doors stopped opening because the wire from the body to the door got pinched.
One tip is to oil the arm mechanism attached to the cable on the heater valve, which is the white plastic thing on the passenger side of the engine bay at the rear on top, so the plastic in the valve doesnt warp.

Changing the fuel filter near the fuel tank on the driver's side regularly on mine seems to have prevented any fuel issues.

Also, make sure the right engine oil is used. LR says the right synthetic oil will last 20,000 kms, but I change mine more regularly. Oil is cheap insurance.

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Originally Posted by Zeros

You have two Defenders too Rob? Which one did you take to the high country? The Tdi?

Slow up long steep hills is a Defender characteristic, especially if towing. I’d rather that than a bigger engine that would use 18-20L/100km.

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Yes, currently have 2 but only had the Tdi when we did the VHC. It did it but I don't think I would like to tow with it too often as it's certainly hard work...

I haven't had the Puma that long to make a judgment call and yet to do any trips in it. Its 1st maiden voyage will be our Madigan line trip next year so I'm busy trying to get it ready for that an also become a bit more familiar with it too...

If I were absolutely familiar with my Puma and confident in being able to diagnose/fix any problems, then I also would certainly take it on Overseas touring. One of my concerns would be the quality of the Diesel around the world but I have no knowledge or experience to really know if its a real issue or not. There's no real spot to install a 2nd fuel filter in the engine bay either, so I'm not sure where u install one or if u even bother to do so and instead just carry more spare fuel filters.....

Also, again I have no experience with this but how do these PUMA Engines handle high altitudes compared to the old Tdi300 engines?