Upgrade Puma Bonnet?

[manic]

There's a flat bonnet for sale in the market section and it got me thinking. Can you 'upgrade' a pumas bonnet to a flat one, or is the bulge actually required to clear the engine ? To me it looks like a flat one would fit.

If the bulge is only there to protect pedestrians that make it over the bull bar (EU law?), would putting a flat one on a puma cause any legal issues? And has any one done it?

[D90 orkney]

It's there to fit the engine in I believe. Flat won't work

[MLD]

The transit engine is taller than the TD5 and prior engines. The "Power" bulge is to accommodate the engine. You could drop the engine mounts if you are keen.

As an aside, I'm intrigued of your description of "upgrade" to a flat one.

[jimr1]

Having both the TD5 , and a Puma I can tell you there is a big difference in weight ! The flat bonnet as described is made of Birmbrite alloy and steel, where as the Puma must be made all of steel . I really like the earlier bonnet , and thought the Puma lump spoiled it . Strange how It's grown on me . I quite like the look now ! There are some fiberglass Puma bonnets out there . I'm sure there are a few people that would like to upgrade there bonnets to make there vehicles look a bit more modern , Not sure why you would want to go the other way ? One other thing , the earlier bonnet could be put back against the windscreen , you cant do that on the Puma without tying it up , it wont stay because of the lump !!.. Jim

[D90 orkney]

I think they both look good but prefer the tougher look of the puma bulge

[manic]

The transit engine is taller than the TD5 and prior engines. The "Power" bulge is to accommodate the engine. You could drop the engine mounts if you are keen.

As an aside, I'm intrigued of your description of "upgrade" to a flat one.
I read that it provides extra clearance for pedestrian impact protection, so thought flat might fit but closer to the engine. Puma engine doesn't appear to protrude much higher than the wings does it? The 'flat' one adds a couple of inches above wing level.

I'm just curious. We all know that puma bonnets fit pre puma, so interested to know if it would it work the other way around?

I guess if you could, some one would have done it by now.

[Ranga]

I read that it provides extra clearance for pedestrian impact protection

How?

[manic]

EU law something along the lines of: if pedestrians head smashes into bonnet there needs to be a crumple zone. Otherwise head meets engine.

On cars makes sense but on a defender your heads not likely to make it past the bonnets leading edge!

[Tombie]

It's to give clearance to the engine.. certainly not an upgrade.....[emoji6]

[MarkM]

I put soundproofing foam on the underside of my bonnet, its about 20mm thick, and it rubs on the top of the engine slightly. So thats all the clearance you have on a 2.2.

[Pickles2]

I think they both look good but prefer the tougher look of the puma bulge
+1, Puma bonnet for me.
Pickles.