It's here! And needs rust proofing...

**BilboBoggles** · 26th December 2008, 08:03 AM

Well I picked up my new PUMA yesterday!

First impressions

1 - Well it presents itself "Very" nicely, The dash is very good. The seating is great.

2 - Gearbox is great in comparison to the R380, it's comparatively easy to get it into gears, and it's not crunched yet at all!

3 - A/C is brilliant.

4 - There is a new steel cage that sits under the rear tub, and this makes it much easier to attach child restraints.

Things I don't like.

1 - There is no rust proofing underneath at all. And already some of the fasteners and welds are rusting. This vehicle was constructed only 6 weeks ago.

2 - Just about everything has been rationalized. As an example the bonnet support on the TD5 for the very light aluminum bonnet is a complex welded thick tube. The PUMA is a bent bit of light wire. There seem to be many bits of trim that have just been left out of the PUMA. There is an awful lot of plastic panels in and around the body. There are plastic panels underneath, the inner wheel arches are plastic. There are bits of rubbishy light weight plasticy foam attached to the inner mud guards that will deacy in about 2 weeks. I swear that the chassis is much thinner than the TD5. All of the A/C boxes in the engine bay are plastic. The side mirrors are tiny compared to the TD5. I think they have given every part back to the accountants and tried to make them as cheaply as possible.

3 - The doors and the bonnet are now steel - Compared to the TD5 I think this is bad from a weight perspective.

BUT overall I do like it - a lot - It's just so much nicer to drive - and it smells nice!

One question though - Does any one know a decent place I can take it to to get it rust proofed properly?

**Blknight.aus** · 26th December 2008, 08:42 AM

if welds are rusting you take it straight back to the dealer and have a go at them under the "anti corrosion" heading.

tell them you dont want it if its going to rust its welds in a couple of days as thats structurally bad. make sure that you drop a line that the rust was found by someone whose a certified welder and has all the gear to xray and ultrasound welds.

**Xavie** · 26th December 2008, 08:57 AM

I seem to recall that the rust proofing was an option. I think it should be done anyway and others will know better then I but I'm pretty sure they package dealed it with tint and fabric protector stuff for 1200 bucks.

I could be wrong but they definately put something over the underside that was goey and cost to much.

**spudboy** · 26th December 2008, 09:20 AM

The early ones came with rust protection under the body. Mine has a gooey black spray which took about 6 months to set/harden.

I have heard on a UK forum that the newer models don't get this spray unless you ask for it. Go figure

Slightly off topic, but I'd have loved to be able to order a galvanised chassis straight from the factory. Pity they've never offered this.

**dullbird** · 26th December 2008, 09:22 AM

paint protection is an option

they usually spray all that sticky black **** underneith it for that.....ares gets a dose every time it goes into the garage I hate the stuff yours should have it too if you have only just picked it up

**Pedro_The_Swift** · 26th December 2008, 09:43 AM

rusty already??
after 4 weeks on a boat
who'd a thunk?

**Bushie** · 26th December 2008, 10:15 AM

Maybe Land Rover have taken the crown from Toyota.

They used to reckon Toyotas came over as deck cargo on submarines.

Going rusty already - not good.

Martyn

**Chucaro** · 26th December 2008, 10:28 AM

If you are able to do the work yourself get POR 15 products and will be good for ever.
Try the grey undercoat for marine purpose first and when touch tack then use their chassis paint.
The dealers never are going to use this top quality paint

**spudfan** · 26th December 2008, 09:31 PM

I put three coats of heavy duty black stuff on my chassis, waxoyled the interior of the chassis then taped over the side chassis holes with black Duck tape.Enjoy your Puma it is a fabulous machine.

Rangier Rover · 27th December 2008, 12:08 AM

I have Rovers here from 1950 and no complaints on rust or plastic junk on under body. What have they done

. I guess trying to keep the weight down.
I would say something about the surface rust to the dealer. As others said ... the boat trip

Bit like English salted roads.

I hope it turns out ok as they seem nice.

Tony

Thread: It's here! And needs rust proofing...

Thread Tools

It's here! And needs rust proofing...

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions