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beforethevision
10th January 2009, 05:36 PM
OK. Here goes.


Im looking at new defenders.

*breathes out*


Ok. Now the scary part is over lol. Now the questions begin.

Is the 'puma defender' really that different? IE do earlier defender accessories all interchange (with exception to engine/gb)? Will parts made to fit the general defender body still fit? I assumed so, but the 'puma' nickname got me all worried it could be a freak.

Also, Given that LR offer ZERO options, 110 or 130? I can see benefits in both, but would like to stirr the pot a little and get some positives and negatives. Its to be a DD (rarely city driving tho), but also a camping/touring vehicle. To name a few considerations/concerns:
Diffs
TC/ABS
Turning circle
Carriage capacity &/or tray options
Tyre options
but im sure there are many more...



I can fabricate and am not afraid to make custom parts. There is already a list as long as my arm of things that i think should be done regardless of model.

Ok, so lets hear it!

Cheers and many thanks,
Colin

dullbird
10th January 2009, 05:43 PM
mate I still bag Ian out to this day for not getting a 130...as that is originally what I wanted but he thought it would be to be for work and off road.

needless to say he now wishes we got one for the touring ;)

not many people have 130's if you want to be noticed I would go that model..
pretty sure most accessories fit except the cargo barrier (without modification) and seat covers as the seats are slightly different. oh and the chequer plate wing tops as the original ones from land rover for earlier models don't fit under the bonnet gap i believe but we have td5 ones on ours just they are slightly thin only 2mm i think

dmdigital
10th January 2009, 05:51 PM
OK, accessories:
Cargo Barrier - nil available ADR compliant and old one won't fit:mad:
Bash plates - OK
Springs and shock - same
Wheels - Same
Seat covers - Front bases are interchangable, everything else is a lot better
Anything in the cargo area that goes back to the seats is a potential issue (eg draws) due to the set locking mechanism.

Diffs - basically as per Td5 not Tdi
TC/ABS - TC works brilliantly on the Puma, way better than my old D2's.
Turning circle - Its a Defender, nuf said. I've wound the stops in one turn and will probably see if another is possible.
Carriage capacity &/or tray options - Will tow 3.5t, will carry 1t in a 110 though I'd hate to do it
Tyre options - As before

Overall I'm very happy and its my wife's DD - I get the Tdi 110.

The ho har's
10th January 2009, 06:40 PM
Colin


why didn't you just ring us up to ask to come over and check it out yourself

your'e EX is not here ATM

are you earning that much money know?????

anyway defender is a good choice


Mrs ho har

Bundalene
10th January 2009, 07:00 PM
Good choice on the Defender.

I stand to be corrected but I think the new 130 doesn't have ABS - so no traction control.

Erich

beforethevision
10th January 2009, 07:04 PM
Colin


why didn't you just ring us up to ask to come over and check it out yourself

your'e EX is not here ATM

are you earning that much money know?????

anyway defender is a good choice


Mrs ho har

Thanks Carolyn,

I have checked them out at the dealers to get an idea of how the new ones are trimmed, and extended family have a number of older 110 wagons and utes. I am not in a massive rush, so im doing my research. I would definately like to check yours out, and with the hours of my new job i am able to attend more club runs. I will be leasing it through work, to try and cut down the income tax i pay.

The 130 seems to be the more practical choice, probably with a custom, short tubeframe tray, but i would miss the TC/ABS and the turning circle worries me a tad. Although diff-locks fix alot of the traction issues and a 110 probably needs a 3+ pt turn anyhow.

Cheers!

camel_landy
12th January 2009, 05:42 AM
FWIW There is very little noticeable difference in the turning circles between a 110 & 130. TC/ABS is the biggest question you need to answer.

dm_td5 has covered most things. Basically, a lot was changed in the cabin so most things are not interchangeable. Externally, the drive train from the x-fer to the wheels is almost identical to the TD5 so most things will fit.

HTH

M

Scallops
12th January 2009, 12:12 PM
ARB did bring out a "2007MY" winch bar for the Puma but I'm buggered if I can see what is different about it.

dullbird
12th January 2009, 12:23 PM
I believe the only differnce is they have put a slight extension in where it mounts to the chassis rail.......

or at least thats what our friend at ARB told us when he was working there

Xavie
12th January 2009, 12:50 PM
Bullbar is not the same either is it? sorry... missed the last posts:confused:

Scallops
12th January 2009, 12:58 PM
I believe the only differnce is they have put a slight extension in where it mounts to the chassis rail.......

or at least thats what our friend at ARB told us when he was working there

OK - that would be because the grill sticks out a touch on the Puma.

eckwalsh
12th January 2009, 05:48 PM
mate I still bag Ian out to this day for not getting a 130...as that is originally what I wanted but he thought it would be to be for work and off road.

needless to say he now wishes we got one for the touring ;)

not many people have 130's if you want to be noticed I would go that model..
pretty sure most accessories fit except the cargo barrier (without modification) and seat covers as the seats are slightly different. oh and the chequer plate wing tops as the original ones from land rover for earlier models don't fit under the bonnet gap i believe but we have td5 ones on ours just they are slightly thin only 2mm i think

Hi Guys just to drop in on this point.
I was looking at getting a dual cab 130 but couldn't justify the extra few thousand dollars and it comes with less options (traction control/abs, mag wheels) and is also a cab-chassie so there is an extra cost then to put a tray on it.The plan was to have a ute for the motor bikes, a custom back for my work stuff (electrical contractor) then a camping back that i could interchange. The extra approx $4000 before i even had any backs made. No one seems to be able to tell me why they are so dear considering theres less stuff on it. Admittedly it is 500mm longer but it should still be cheaper.
Regards:

eck

Redback
15th January 2009, 07:36 AM
OK. Here goes.


Im looking at new defenders.

*breathes out*


Ok. Now the scary part is over lol. Now the questions begin.

Is the 'puma defender' really that different? IE do earlier defender accessories all interchange (with exception to engine/gb)? Will parts made to fit the general defender body still fit? I assumed so, but the 'puma' nickname got me all worried it could be a freak.

Also, Given that LR offer ZERO options, 110 or 130? I can see benefits in both, but would like to stirr the pot a little and get some positives and negatives. Its to be a DD (rarely city driving tho), but also a camping/touring vehicle. To name a few considerations/concerns:
Diffs
TC/ABS
Turning circle
Carriage capacity &/or tray options
Tyre options
but im sure there are many more...



I can fabricate and am not afraid to make custom parts. There is already a list as long as my arm of things that i think should be done regardless of model.

Ok, so lets hear it!

Cheers and many thanks,
Colin

I'd be more concerned with the issues they are having (ie) problems with the new motor amongst other things.

Baz.

JohnR
15th January 2009, 10:48 PM
Not sure about the 130's but the 110's the accessories are only limited by your imagination and the size of your cheque book! I love the Puma it's like one big leggo set to me. I keep buying new bits to bolt / Screw on and there never seems to be a proble finding anything you want. I have had to search a bit harder for some things and fabricate others.

You are more than welcome to come an see ours sometime if you like.

Cheers,

JamesH
16th January 2009, 02:59 PM
Admittedly it is 500mm longer but it should still be cheaper.
Regards:

eck

Maybe Defenders are like yachts; a small increase in length means a big increase in price.

beforethevision
16th January 2009, 09:32 PM
Not sure about the 130's but the 110's the accessories are only limited by your imagination and the size of your cheque book! I love the Puma it's like one big leggo set to me. I keep buying new bits to bolt / Screw on and there never seems to be a proble finding anything you want. I have had to search a bit harder for some things and fabricate others.

You are more than welcome to come an see ours sometime if you like.

Cheers,

Oh i definately agree. The lack of factory options is only annoying due to the difficulties with lease agreements. Thats also why im looking at them. I want 'my' defender, and the puma defender provides what i consider a nice starting point.


Cheers!