Softer clutch action for Puma?

[alittlebitconcerned]

I've seen a couple of threads here showing mods that gain a softer/easier clutch action for defenders though nothing really for the Puma.

There is the redbooster kit - http://m.redbooster.com/ - but there is no feed back that I know of about this product.

Does anyone have experience with the redbooster kit for the Puma, or know of a cheaper option or mod that will make the Puma clutch lighter?

[solmanic]

But the Puma clutch is already a bit lighter than the previous Td5. Man up! :p

[Tombie]

Gym membership?

[isuzurover]

As mentioned - join a gym or drive more to improve your leg muscles. My better half has no problem driving our 110 or our IIA.

There is no reason the redbooster won't work. To decrease foot effort you need to increase mechanical advantage - either through pneumatics (booster) or by changing the link geometry - e.g. longer pedal or changed pivot. The latter would mean even more pedal travel.

The redbooster is probably just a generic booster, so if you search the small car wreckers you may be able to find one which will fit.

[alittlebitconcerned]

I haven't had so many blokes show interest in my masculinity since getting a haircut in Newtown :eek::D

Ssooo... Back to the question. Does anyone have experience with the redbooster on a puma? Or a cheaper mod? If I get a generic one from a wreckers, what am I looking for?

[goingbush]

I'd get the red booster, Compared to a Landcruiser The clutch on the Td5 is VERY heavy, I even put a Tdi clutch spring on mine which improved it a lot.

Apart from the fact that the red booster will make the clutch so light that your wife will want to drive all the time it will make changing the master cylinder a 5 min job, because how its set up now is a pain to change.

You can't just get a small booster from a jap car, its the new pedal tower that comes with the kit where the money is.

[Blknight.aus]

Take an R series, Acco or Centurian for a drive, you'll be amazed at how light the clutch is after that...

OR

go do some leg presses.

[alittlebitconcerned]

:rolleyes: Watch a couple of episodes of fattest loser and suddenly everyone's a personal trainer. :Rolling:
It's for a dodgy hip people. Now it's the resident surgeons turn... Go!

[isuzurover]

:rolleyes: Watch a couple of episodes of fattest loser and suddenly everyone's a personal trainer. :Rolling:
It's for a dodgy hip people. Now it's the resident surgeons turn... Go!

:D

Sounds like you need an auto conversion then. (won't be much more than the prices for that clutch kit!)

Btw - if you ever need a hip replacement, find a female surgeon...



...

You can't just get a small booster from a jap car, its the new pedal tower that comes with the kit where the money is.

I figured the TD5 and Puma must have had the clutch MC turned around to face a sensible direction! I think I will have to fab up a pedal box like that to turn the MC around. Just changed a clutch MC, not keen on doing it again.

[Judo]

Just got back from the gym.

Am I safe to purchase a Puma now? :angel:

[goingbush]

Guys, when someone complains about a heavy clutch in a Defender its usually for a therapeutic reason, I for one have a knee issue from crawling around under houses and in roofs for 30 years.

Tounge in cheek, where tounge in cheek is due but fair dinkum, I'd rather look like Mr Bean than Mr Universe
You know you don't really have to be a REAL MAN to drive a Real Mans 4WD, not everyone has a left leg like Commando on the aforementioned Big Fat Loser. Fact is my bloody knee hurts after driving the Defender all day.

BTW I used to own a R series Inter and a Mk3 Acco and I certainly never noticed the heavy clutch on them, so obviously I must have turned into a whimp in my old age, so does that take away the fact that I can't enjoy every aspect of driving my LandRover.

If someone complains about the heavy clutch is going to be for a pretty good reason.

so RedBooster gets a thumbs up from me . by the way, how much is a Auto Conversion ? the red booster is $680 last time I asked.


BEFORE
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/05/1532.jpg

AFTER
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/05/1533.jpg
That turns the Clutch Master Cyl replacement from one of the worst jobs on a LR to one of the easiest !!

[isuzurover]

... by the way, how much is a Auto Conversion ? the red booster is $680 last time I asked.
...

Depends how much the auto box costs. But in the $500 - $2k range if you do the R/R yourself. Less whatever you can sell the manual box (and clutch assembly :D ) for - which should be at least $500 for a good R380.

[TimNZ]

Only £4,335.00GBP from Ashcrofts:

Ashcroft Transmissions - TDCi Defender Auto Kit (http://www.ashcroft-transmissions.co.uk/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=75)

[alittlebitconcerned]

I'd considered an auto conversion but have heard you get a noticeable drop in power and economy. Happy to be corrected if anyone knows better.
Also, I wonder how it performs offroad?

I'm also considering manufacturing the bluebooster (TM). I recon theres a real market for the real men here. It makes the clutch really really hard to press.

[isuzurover]

Auto fuel economy and acceleration will be slightly worse, but not much. Autos are better than manuals offroad in most situations.


Only £4,335.00GBP from Ashcrofts:

Ashcroft Transmissions - TDCi Defender Auto Kit (http://www.ashcroft-transmissions.co.uk/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=75)

Thanks - forgot we were talking Pumas. The talk of td5s in the middle confused me...

[goingbush]

Auto fuel economy and acceleration will be slightly worse, but not much. Autos are better than manuals offroad in most situations.


My hybrid 90 had a 302 ford with a c10 auto and custom low stall torque converter, (with modern transmissions there are better solutions now days) but In the mountains that vehicle was absolutely awesome off road , and in low 1st the auto would hold back suprisingly well down hill too.
But for a round Australia tourer and for towing I'd rather have a Manual.

But I don't think I'd want to have an auto with a diesel.

[isuzurover]

My hybrid 90 had a 302 ford with a c10 auto ...

...
But I don't think I'd want to have an auto with a diesel.

The world has moved on since pushrod v8s and crappy (but strong) autos...

The 300Tdi is a POS, but a 300Tdi+ZF auto is no worse. And so it goes for TD5 and ... (Puma + Ashcroft conversion)...

[spudfan]

I have a 2008 Puma and a 2011 Puma and the clutch on the 2011 seems lighter than on the 2008 model. However compared to a 200 tdi which I drove for 14 years any Puma clutch seems feather light! I wonder if the clutch can be lightened on the Puma by delving into the electronics?