A few questions about 90's

[Twelfthman]

Hey everyone,

New AULRO member here, long time LR fan.

I'm looking to sell my current 79 series Cruiser (lifted, locked f+r, 35's) and purchase a 90. Reason is I now live inner city and it's basically too big. Not only that but my very good friend has a wrangler 2Dr who I try to follow. We wheel pretty hard and I have a hard time following him some places simply because of the approach, ramp and departure angles.

I wanted to ask you lot here a few specifics about the Puma as Im worried that what I'm after wont be obtainable to the extent I think it will on the 90 D'fer. And the last thing I want is to lose to a Wrangler, psh.

1: I'd preferably be keeping the 35's and thus looking to fit them to the 90. I've read countless forums across the internet about what would be required to fit them. Obviously I would need a lift (2"???) to fit them.
My concern is the strength of the CV's. I went and crawled under a new Puma at a dealership the other day and they don't seem too big. Has anyone had any experience with this? Good, bad or indifferent?

2: Suspension. I've read alot of info about how LR's don't need to be lifted as much as the Jap trucks to achieve the same results. Also, given it's a SWB a big lift is not a good for COG issues. My concern is, will the defender flex well enough on a 2" lift? Also then dislocating vs non dislocating (a whole other kettle of fish from what I can gather)

3: Given the size of the SWB, and the 3500kg towing capacity, how does the 90 go when towing offroad, given the mass of the car would be less than a 110 or comparable?

4: Is there room for a 2nd battery under the bonnet of the 2.4 and 2.2 Pumas?

Cheers
Twelfth

edit: tyres are BFG KM2 315/75/16

[460cixy]

You have X-ray vision?

[Psimpson7]

What year are you looking at?

03-05 - Td5
10-11 - 2.4 Puma
11-current - 2.2 Puma

1: I'd preferably be keeping the 35's and thus looking to fit them to the 90. I've read countless forums across the internet about what would be required to fit them. Obviously I would need a lift (2"???) to fit them.
My concern is the strength of the CV's. I went and crawled under a new Puma at a dealership the other day and they don't seem too big. Has anyone had any experience with this? Good, bad or indifferent?

I ran my TD5 90 on the std cv's on 33's and 35's for years and never broke one, even with the front locker in. Having said that they aren't that strong and its a simple upgrade from Ashcroft transmissions in the UK, and mine have been changed now. My TD5 90 gets a very very hard life as well.

2: Suspension. I've read alot of info about how LR's don't need to be lifted as much as the Jap trucks to achieve the same results. Also, given it's a SWB a big lift is not a good for COG issues. My concern is, will the defender flex well enough on a 2" lift? Also then dislocating vs non dislocating (a whole other kettle of fish from what I can gather)

2" lift should be plenty. I wouldnt go any higher than that.

3: Given the size of the SWB, and the 3500kg towing capacity, how does the 90 go when towing offroad, given the mass of the car would be less than a 110 or comparable?

I bought my first one basically only for towing and it was fantastic. Very short overhang between the rear axle and the towball helps. They weigh roughly 2tons. I towed 2.5-3.5ton trailers all over the place with no issues

4: Is there room for a 2nd battery under the bonnet of the 2.4 and 2.2 Pumas?

Not under the bonnet no. The main battery is under the passenger seat and you can fit 2 slightly smaller batteries in there

I liked my first one so much I bought another one!

[Twelfthman]

Hurhurhur :P
No xray vision, unfortunately.
Just that I've read CV's could be a weak point. Which isn't exactly something new for people that 4x4 but given the size of the 90 and the size of my 79 LC I would assume that there would be more chance of failure on the 90 due to the smaller size??? However I could be completely wrong, that's why I'm here to learn

[Dopey]

Just a quick reply to your questions,
1). 35" (315/75/r16) are bloody huge for a 90. Can be fitted easily, use flat dog flares to cover them. 2" lift required. -25 offset wheels from Dynamic wheels are available to stop them rubbing on components and chassis and also to allow for better steering.
Driveline gear...... Ashcroft (UK) is your answer..... Ashcroft make "stuff" for landrovers, it works well. They are also members of this forum if you have any questions.

2). Suspension..... Start reading threads by forum member "lowranger" about suspension set ups and "balancing" front to rear setups. Have a look at some of his videos on "Vimeo" and at the pictures and comments from the "superior engineering super flex arms" threads.

3). Never done any towing of any trailers offroad, so cannot help there.

4). Batteries on defenders go under the passenger seat.
Some members on here have managed to fit triple battery systems in there, some just use doubles. Not enough room under the bonnet of a "Puma" TDCI defender for a battery.

If you PM me your email address I can send you some pictures of 90's that might answer your questions.

Anyways, maybe a 90 with standard height suspension and a locker in the rear and an ATB in the front would surprise you with what they can do without going to big lifts and huge tyres. I have both.
The experience of the driver, not the modifications on the machine is the main thing in getting anywhere offroad AND back again without breaking things.
Regards,
Mike.

Edit, 35" tyres with -25 offset wheels.......good luck with getting them engineered and legal (some have done it though with no problems)
Usually a double card on front propshaft is required for a 2" lift on a TDCI Puma defender, due to the angle that the engine/gearbox/transfer case is mounted at.

Psimpson7 got in before me, I forgot his write ups, you can learn a lot by reading his comments on here and on the 4wd action forum as well about his TD5 90.

[Twelfthman]

What year are you looking at?

03-05 - Td5
10-11 - 2.4 Puma
11-current - 2.2 Puma

I ran my TD5 90 on the std cv's on 33's and 35's for years and never broke one, even with the front locker in. Having said that they aren't that strong and its a simple upgrade from Ashcroft transmissions in the UK, and mine have been changed now. My TD5 90 gets a very very hard life as well.

2" lift should be plenty. I wouldnt go any higher than that.

I bought my first one basically only for towing and it was fantastic. Very short overhang between the rear axle and the towball helps. They weigh roughly 2tons. I towed 2.5-3.5ton trailers all over the place with no issues

Not under the bonnet no. The main battery is under the passenger seat and you can fit 2 slightly smaller batteries in there

I liked my first one so much I bought another one!

I think I'd be looking @ the 2.4 however I could be swayed to the 2.2. I think I'd rather look for a newer car than the td5 as my current LC is 04.

I've heard the name Ashcroft used a fair bit, Ill go and have a gander and see what I can read about them and their LR gear.

[Twelfthman]

Just a quick reply to your questions,
1). 35" (315/75/r16) are bloody huge for a 90. Can be fitted easily, use flat dog flares to cover them. 2" lift required. -25 offset wheels from Dynamic wheels are available to stop them rubbing on components and chassis and also to allow for better steering.
Driveline gear...... Ashcroft (UK) is your answer..... Ashcroft make "stuff" for landrovers, it works well. They are also members of this forum if you have any questions.

2). Suspension..... Start reading threads by forum member "lowranger" about suspension set ups and "balancing" front to rear setups. Have a look at some of his videos on "Vimeo" and at the pictures and comments from the "superior engineering super flex arms" threads.

3). Never done any towing of any trailers offroad, so cannot help there.

4). Batteries on defenders go under the passenger seat.
Some members on here have managed to fit triple battery systems in there, some just use doubles. Not enough room under the bonnet of a "Puma" TDCI defender for a battery.

If you PM me your email address I can send you some pictures of 90's that might answer your questions.

Anyways, maybe a 90 with standard height suspension and a locker in the rear and an ATB in the front would surprise you with what they can do without going to big lifts and huge tyres. I have both.
The experience of the driver, not the modifications on the machine is the main thing in getting anywhere offroad AND back again without breaking things.
Regards,
Mike.

Edit, 35" tyres with -25 offset wheels.......good luck with getting them engineered and legal (some have done it though with no problems)
Usually a double card on front propshaft is required for a 2" lift on a TDCI Puma defender, due to the angle that the engine/gearbox/transfer case is mounted at.

Psimpson7 got in before me, I forgot his write ups, you can learn a lot by reading his comments on here and on the 4wd action forum as well about his TD5 90.

Thanks for the awesome quick responses!!!

Yeah I realise the 35's would be silly big on such a small car. I figured I would have them so I may as well try and use them. They are already -35 (edit: -25) offset so they 'should' be a swap. Also, I understand the difficulty getting them engineered.

As for the Sup Engineering gear. I've only ever had good experiences with their stuff so I'm happy they make some arms for the defender. Would def be investigating getting some fitted if (when) I get a 90.

I completely agree re: driver skill. I've broken stuff before in rural areas, thankfully nothing too serious (sway bar mounts, and locker air hoses) and it's a pain.

When I get home I'll do some more reading!

Thanks again for the prompt replies. Great community you have here.

Twelfth

[Dopey]

Land rover defender wheels/hubs are 5x165.1 PCD, I think Toyota are different?

[Dopey]

35" aren't silly if you have a need for them,
However, it isn't really required for most...
Recommended that you change the diff ratio if going to the bigger buggers.
Go to the 4.10.1 or whatever....anyways,
Just shoved a 315/75/r16 KM2 from one of my bush bashing 90's under my 2013 model 90 for a pic for you.
Nb, the 2013 is running completely stock suspension and driveline at the moment.

[Dopey]

Here's another pic, standard sawtooth wheel (+20 offset) on the back with. 235/85r16.
315/75/r16 on the front.