New defenders...

[beforethevision]

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]

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]

OK, accessories:
Cargo Barrier - nil available ADR compliant and old one won't fit
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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Bullbar is not the same either is it? sorry... missed the last posts