TD5 Defender variations

[Judo]

Hey crew,

Although I'm not sure I can afford it yet, I'm always doing research into my next LR purchase, which will almost certainly be a Defender. There are numerous threads on TD5 vs Puma and I don't want another one - they seem to result in too much conflict!

So if I decide I'm a TD5 kinda guy, my question is, what changed in the TD5 Defenders? My understand is 1998 - 2006. I'm looking at 110's.

Drive-line?
Engine refinements?
Electrics (ABS, TC, etc)?
Suspension?
Interior?
All R280 gearbox?
All LT230 transfer box?

(P.S. I tried searching but couldn't find anything.... Feel free to prove me wrong)

[Psimpson7]

Off the top of my head:

The only major driveline change was the swap from the Salisbury to the p38 type rear diff in 2002. The Rover type housing is fine, but the centre isn't very good atall.

They all run suffix L R380 gearboxes and 1.4:1 43d or 57d prefix LT230 transfer cases. (I dont know what changed between those prefixes, but dont think it was much)

10p engine (internal fuel return gallery, black top injectors, slightly lower injector pressure, plastic head dowels, non water cooled EGR up to about 2002)

15P engine after 2002ish. (Fuel return hose running along inlet manifold, green top injectors, steel head dowels, water coolerd EGR)

ABS and traction control would depend on trim level. There are both, but I think all Extreme's would have it.

Post 2002 has the horizontal radio and central panel in the dash which is an improvement. It also has the 1 piece steel rear door which is miles better.

Post 2005ish have 1 piece steel front doors too, again a massive improvement. This can be seen by looking at the top interenal front corner ofthe frame. the late ones are rounded, not welded.

Post 2002 also have a flashable NNN Ecu.

Post 2002 I think also have a CAT in the down pipe.

Post 2002 also have the round rear reversing and fog lights, and the rear body mount pushed infront of the back face of the tub so you cant see it, unlike the earlier ones. There are other small changes too I think.

[Judo]

Cheers.

I realise using the word "improvement" is always subjective on here, but it sounds like post 2002 has a lot of improvements (with the exception of the rear diff). Enough that I would wait for a post 2002 model. ABS/TC optional, but would probably go for it in a post 2002.

Fair assessment?


P.S. checked out your D90 members ride thread. Nice.

[Psimpson7]

Thanks!

Yep, I would say post 2002 would be a good bet. If I was after one I would go as late as I possibly could, ideally 2005/6, and sort the rear diff out if it broke at a later date.

[isuzurover]

I thought the sals disappeared during 2003?

I would either get one of the last models fitted with a sals or as above one of the last TD5s.

With most vehcles (and especially defenders), the general trend is for the early models tend to have teething problems which decrease during the model run. This was certainly the case with 300Tdis and TD5s (and pumas?).

[flagg]

I thought the sals disappeared during 2003?

Like many LR changes it seemed to stagger a bit but my fathers 02 td5 has a rover diff.. Which was a surprise to me!

[frantic]

My 02 td5 has the salisbury Not 100% on the ecu flashable, but it did have the watercooling around the egr.(have done the bypass but need to get connectors for the cooling as the inlet is a different size to the outlet pipe on the egr cooling. I have a defender 110 extreme so it has the abs/Tc and the newer type door. Also think there was a different shape for the fuel pressure regulator in different years for the td5.

[copba]

A minor detail but the early ones 1999 to 2003 etc had grey interior lining, and colour coded flares. The later 2005, and 2006 had black interiors, and black flares like the Puma's do, and I think an alarm as well, rather than just central locking, and an immobiliser.

My 2002 has a salisbury , and water cooled egr, and I presume the flash-able ecu. Don't know about the steel dowels, as the head casket is still original. Touch wood