Puma auto conversion

[LoveB]

Hey all, I know it might have been talked about before and I knew there were a few options for it but I spoke to bruce davis a while back and he mentioned that the ones he tried out were overheating and that a proper conversion would cost a fair bit.


However, it seems that ashcroft now have an auto conversion for the puma. I have a few friends over in the Philippines who have done it and they swear its the best thing theyve done to their defenders.

I want to convert james the 110 to auto cause I want it to be my wifes daily. or atleast be able to drive it. shes ok with manual but much prefers auto obviously.

Who is the local distributor of ashcroft gear? I think les richmond I was told but they have not gotten back to me regarding a kit.

Was wondering if anyone else in australia had done it? otherwise happy to tgry and be the first. but first I want to find the kit and get better idea of pricing haha

[alan48]

Hi,,
there was a 2.4 puma auto for sale in Vic recently--may still be and it was done by Ritters in Melbourne and the owner has done a lot of towing with it so must be ok. I priced a conversion for my 2.2 130 with Ritters who have done quite a few and it is around $18-19K drive in drive out. The Ashcroft kit is about $10K I think just for parts and I know a few people are looking at importing the kits for their own cars.

[LoveB]

yeah off the website parts is 9k for ashcroft. so it really depends i suppose on how much someone will charge to fit it lol

[Babs]

Isn't the Ashcroft the auto out of the 300tdi disco. Apparently they are the ones that overheat in Australian conditions.

Who are Ritters and what auto gearbox do they fit?


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[alan48]

Hi,
Ritters are like Davis Performance but in Melbourne and are one of Australia's leading LR expert service and modification centres--they have been around a long time and are very well known--check their website. They use the Ashcroft kit from the UK specifically for the puma engine ( ie not for the tdi motors) and Ashcrofts spent a fortune in designing the kit--they too have a great website that details what they did. I have no connection with Ritters but know they are at the top of the list of specialists.

[Babs]

Hi, Ritters are like Davis Performance but in Melbourne and are one of Australia's leading LR expert service and modification centres--they have been around a long time and are very well known--check their website. They use the Ashcroft kit from the UK specifically for the puma engine ( ie not for the tdi motors) and Ashcrofts spent a fortune in designing the kit--they too have a great website that details what they did. I have no connection with Ritters but know they are at the top of the list of specialists.

Cheers for that.

The Ashcroft auto is I'm pretty sure the 300tdi auto which they have modified for Puma. The problem is and even Ashcroft will tell you, is it is fine in Europe in the colder climates but will overheat in Australian conditions.

The one that Bruce Davis did here has now had the original manual gearbox reinstalled.

The 2.2 Puma Transit motor comes in Auto this is what has to be looked at. Or the Ford Ranger Gearbox.

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[frantic]

Cheers for that.

The Ashcroft auto is I'm pretty sure the 300tdi auto which they have modified for Puma. The problem is and even Ashcroft will tell you, is it is fine in Europe in the colder climates but will overheat in Australian conditions.

The one that Bruce Davis did here has now had the original manual gearbox reinstalled.

The 2.2 Puma Transit motor comes in Auto this is what has to be looked at. Or the Ford Ranger Gearbox.

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Umm, no read their website. In The tdi defender 90-98 they used the tdi auto, in the TD5 and now the puma they use the d2/RRC p38 auto. In most cases a p38 RR will weigh more and hit the gearbox a lot harder at high rpm with the 4.6v8 than the 2.2 puma or 2.5td5.
Ashcroft Transmissions (http://www.ashcroft-transmissions.co.uk/defender-auto-conversion-kits/tdci-defender-auto-kit.html)
Ashcroft Transmissions (http://www.ashcroft-transmissions.co.uk/defender-auto-conversion-kits.html)
Some upgrade options.
Ashcroft Transmissions (http://www.ashcroft-transmissions.co.uk/defender-auto-conversion-kits/td5-defender-auto-kit.html)

[alan48]

Hi,
yes as said it is not the older Tdi type which I have on my 130 Tdi300 which Bruce in fact fitted and very well. It did overheat (150 degrees) when first used carrying a Northstar slideon camper in a Vic High trip which is pretty steep, so after that we fitted a second tranny cooler with two thermo fans under the front of the tray and it now runs perfectly at a max of 75 degrees--so you just need a second cooler. Now the puma one is completely different as it is electronically controlled unlike the Tdi type--I am no tech head so excuse me if wrong terms used--but it needs to talk to the puma electronics unlike the Tdi one so look at the detailed story re what Ashcroft does--you will be impressed--and they use a huge cooler. I have had various autos incl a C4 with P76 V8 in a series ute and they transform the driveability of the vehicle as first runs out too quickly in my opinion in the puma--if you can afford the conversion your wife will love it and so will you particularly in city traffic conditions--just ring or email Ritters for details--they were very helpful--think Jason Robinson was the contact person.

[LoveB]

Yeah thats pretty much what bruce told me before.

Just got a call from ritters. 19k drive in drive out. mama mia!!! lol was expceting that anyhow as thats around the price that bruce told me. might have to put aside pennies.

john said he gets a locally built box as its easier to get warranty on. hes currently got an ashcroft converted puma on the hoist now that was done elsewhere thats torn the torque converter apart.

now to decide whether to get runaround car for 19k or convert defender so my wife can drive it lol

[alan48]

Hi,
yes and they will give you say $1K for your puma manual box so drops to say $18K I believe. I do know a few people are looking to bring in Ashcroft kits but early in the new year. Just make sure whoever does the conversion is familiar with them.Good luck. By the way to convert a Toyota V8 diesel is around $22K I think as they were at the 4WD Adventure Show in Sydney so they are not a cheap conversion. If you go ahead let us know on the forum re how it drives etc.

[LoveB]

i ll let you know. have a few friends in the philippines that have done it and love the ashcroft kit. not too sure how well it would cope here though!

[strangy]

Just some opinions.

I've done an Auto conversion on my TD5.
Just finished an Auto conversion on sons cruiser.
IMO these conversions are for DIY types or those with mates who can do it for them.
In both cases above it was DIY and the cruiser had some external input for wiring loom mods.
Around 3.5 grand did it with some patient frugal/ smart shopping and a number of man hrs over weekends.
While my TD5 has been done a little different, the $ would probably be similar.
If you have 19+k to spend for a slushy buy a vehicle that has it.
If it's for running around comfort 19 k buys a lot of runaround.

You will unlikely see 10% of the money spent if you are someone who trades in/ upgrades regularly.

Having said that the conversions are fantastic and both vehicles mentioned are long term eg no plan for moving on in the future.
But absolutely no way either would be contemplated or value increased for the sort of $ being thrown around.
Sons cruiser was wagon originally converted to ute.
It would probably be cheaper or similar to convert an auto wagon to ute back.


These are just my opinions and experiences make of them what you will.

[LoveB]

planning to keep defender really.


19k is still a lot for me but when your wife asks for an auto car and turns down just about every suggestion and she says 'make the defender auto for me and buy yourself another' thats an option I would consider lol

[Babs]

Umm, no read their website. In The tdi defender 90-98 they used the tdi auto, in the TD5 and now the puma they use the d2/RRC p38 auto. In most cases a p38 RR will weigh more and hit the gearbox a lot harder at high rpm with the 4.6v8 than the 2.2 puma or 2.5td5. Ashcroft Transmissions (http://www.ashcroft-transmissions.co.uk/defender-auto-conversion-kits/tdci-defender-auto-kit.html) Ashcroft Transmissions (http://www.ashcroft-transmissions.co.uk/defender-auto-conversion-kits.html) Some upgrade options. Ashcroft Transmissions (http://www.ashcroft-transmissions.co.uk/defender-auto-conversion-kits/td5-defender-auto-kit.html)

I stand corrected.

It was back in 2012 when I researched this so I'm mistaken on the gearbox used, what still stands is the overheating issue.

I would love to hear from someone that has done this conversion in a Puma and their recommendations.

I will see Bruce Monday morning, I'm going to have this conversation with him again.

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[alan48]

Hi,
maybe ring the Vic fellow on carsales who is selling his auto 2.4 puma 130 (also an older auto 130 on there as well)--a white one with just over 100K kms and done by Ritters--I spoke to him as I was interested and he tows his camper and conversion was done 70Kkms ago and to be fair not bad value considering what he spent on it re the conversion--Ritters use Aschroft kit with some parts made/ sourced locally re any warranty issues. Just quiz him re any overheating issues just saying you want to do it to a 2.2 but any advice he could give would be appreciated--he was a nice guy to talk to--at least you are no worse off by ringing him. Keep us informed re any progress as a number of people are considering converting, incl others in the ACT. As mentioned before my first go with Tdi auto did overheat but as soon as a second cooler was fitted it now runs at exactly the correct temp for the auto even towing a horse float.