Defender Source Forum banner

Puma dash upgrade ?

Tags
dash
37K views 32 replies 25 participants last post by  Paul K 
#1 ·
Anyone every look into the possibility of upgrading to a Puma dashboard? Not just a simple upgrade but installing a RHD Puma dash on a LHD defender? The gauge console looks like it might be able to moved to the left.

I have emailed a couple of places in the UK and they dont think it can be done. Im tempted to just buy a dash and try it. I want to ask here first to see it anyone has attempted this modification.

Not worried about the gauges since I will be using aftermarket electronics. The engine is a diesel.
 

Attachments

See less See more
1
#2 ·
I'm not expert, but I seem to recall that the bulkhead is a bit different too. That's got to be a bit of cash to just throw at an experiment. Even taking that route, I would hold out for a LHD version. I'm sure one will show up in France or Germany eventually if you monitor them.
 
#3 ·
Have you looked at any of the posts I've sent in reply to your other posts regarding this? It look like **** (but sort of blends in) and probably still just about as best as you can expect - regardless of whether it's a regular D90 RHD to LHD, TD5 RHD to LHD, or Puma RHD to LHD dash. They'll all require some metal fab, and painted in a color that closely-matches the dash.

Yes, bulkhead is definitely different with the newer-style dashes - more different than the old RHD to LHD bulkhead conversions that have been done.
 
#7 · (Edited)
looks the same but not plug/harness is different

------ Follow up post added December 23rd, 2012 12:02 PM ------

regardless of whether it's a regular D90 RHD to LHD, TD5 RHD to LHD, or Puma RHD to LHD dash. They'll all require some metal fab, and painted in a color that closely-matches the dash.
There is no "metal fab" or paint work required on early bulkheads other than moving the block off plates from one side to the other which is as simple as drilling out a few rivets and reinstalling on the opposite side.
 
#9 ·
I have a LHD Puma dash cheap...

Anyone every look into the possibility of upgrading to a Puma dashboard?
I bought the LHD Puma Dash a year or so ago and have one here for $800.
It does not have everything, but is a good start for someone wanting most of the parts to convert at a reasonable price.
 
#12 ·
Would it be simpler (if more expensive) to upgrade to a Puma bulkhead and dash? Are the other fittings the same?
 
#13 ·
The eBay link that Dave posted is for a Puma bulkhead and dash combo. It ended at £510 ($821.10 at today's rate).

I don't know if that's an average price for this but assuming it is, I wonder how much it would cost to get it stateside? Maybe try to contact Stephen from Safari HP. I know he regularly imports a container full of rover porn.

I also noticed the auction did not include a gauge pod. I wonder how much more that would cost?
 
#14 · (Edited)
I also noticed the auction did not include a gauge pod. I wonder how much more that would cost?
Not sure if that'd be allot of use, as the gauges are canbus... I think. Did read on one of the UK forums the guys upgrading to Puma are just using VDO gauges on a alum dash panel.

From an SA LR site....

Keep the following in mind:

- The Gearlever in Puma is further away from the firewall. (On Puma , Gearbox is further back from the front hence the tranfer case is also located further back. (That's why the Front propshaft is longer than the Td5,Tdi and 2.8i)
- Because of this the Puma Dash (Centre portion) is designed to be further from the firewall (closer to the passengers). - The Puma Cab feel smaller inside)
- Because of the above the gearlever / Transfer case lever of pre-puma could be in the way so that there could be no space to fit the Puma Dash
 
#16 ·
You my find it difficult getting the guages (especially the temp) to work with any other engine apart from the 2.4/2.2 TDCi, as apparently it runs on a CAN BUS system and not analogue like the V8/Tdi/Td5. someone on the defender2.net forum is/was trying to fathom it out and not getting very far.

But as far as the physical fitting the dash assy into an older bulkhead, I gather it was /fairly/ painless. the heater unit is totally different on the puma dash, it sits in the middle like disco/rangies do, but I'm sure you could graft in the original NAS/euro pre-puma heater with some pipework.


The puma dash is horrible in a truck cab though.... you feel really cramped. a hard top with the bulkhead in place (so the seat won't go back very far) isn't much better either... my knee hits the edge of the dash when I drive one. although i am tall.
 
#20 ·
Thread bump & question- would the Puma dash work with the LS engine? I was going to put the Dakota Digital display in, but if the GM 'brain' will 'talk' to the Puma dials, I might go that route...
 
#21 ·
Not without some type of signal converter. Nick says he plans on making the Puma cluster work, but I don't think it's high on his priority list so it may be a while before there's a straight-forward solution. I think the LR3 cluster would need to be the basis for the swap since you get a MPH readout, no 'Diesel Fuel Only' and an 8k RPM tach. It looks to be interchangeable with the Puma cluster but I haven't been able to test that theory yet.

The last Puma/LS swap I did I just ran my own gauges. If you do it right the end product doesn't look out of place at all.

-Ash
 
#22 ·
Not without some type of signal converter. Nick says he plans on making the Puma cluster work, but I don't think it's high on his priority list so it may be a while before there's a straight-forward solution. I think the LR3 cluster would need to be the basis for the swap since you get a MPH readout, no 'Diesel Fuel Only' and an 8k RPM tach. It looks to be interchangeable with the Puma cluster but I haven't been able to test that theory yet. The last Puma/LS swap I did I just ran my own gauges. If you do it right the end product doesn't look out of place at all. -Ash
There are canbus signal converters exist, they aren't rocket science they are just time consuming. You're likely looking in the wrong places. Farm equipment, semi trucks, often this is where you'll find someone trying to integrate analog to digital signals for canbus.
 
#24 ·
Can we find out?
 
#26 ·
If i remember correctly you have a couple pair of canbus wires that go to/from the computer. One of them runs the tach. There was another wire but I forget what it didn't do. All the dash lights will work as normal. SHP was working on a patch to plug and play it but do not know where that stands.
 
#28 ·
Get Iveco dash, lol.

I own both, drive both. Puma and 300TDi non-AC. I like the functionality and vents of the 300TDi.

The Puma dash, whilst looking more modern, takes up more space. If you are 5'5", prob no big deal. I am 6'2", and the 300TDi dash offers a LOT more legroom.

The Puma dash's two center AC vents are about worthless if the sun is shining in one of the side windows. It does defrost well, but then again I use the heated windscreen function for that also.

If you go Puma, it would be smart to do the double DIN dash center. Pumas do have different metal bracketry. The wiring can be done, see defender2.net or the LRO forums. Or have Safari do it, I believe he cracked the code.

The popular mod here in Europe is to upgrade to TD5 dash, or MUD UK/Raptor center panel.

Or go crazy, design your own, mod steering column to move inboard three inches, shave 2 inches off seatbox, and move seats inboard. That way your outside elbow is not in constant contact with the door panel! That's what Iveco did, with 175HP to boot.
 
#29 ·
There are ways to make the gauges work on a non can bus system but it involves gutting them - the center LCD screen would be dead. But you can do it (the warning lights and also work)


Talked to north Hollywood speed about this a while a go... basically you gut everything behind the panel and install Vdo guts... not cheap but possible.
Me I decided not to bother with it. And I like the normal NAS lay out
 
#31 ·
Anyone every look into the possibility of upgrading to a Puma dashboard? Not just a simple upgrade but installing a RHD Puma dash on a LHD defender? The gauge console looks like it might be able to moved to the left.

I have emailed a couple of places in the UK and they dont think it can be done. Im tempted to just buy a dash and try it. I want to ask here first to see it anyone has attempted this modification.

Not worried about the gauges since I will be using aftermarket electronics. The engine is a diesel.
Hello There
I installed the whole bulkhead and dashboard from a 2007 LRD THD in a 1986; not sure if you can just install the dashboard.
 
#33 ·
Maybe? I know there are downsides to the Puma dash, mostly the lack of leg room and loss of the big vents. But there are many positives too- a grab handle for the passenger, plenty of places to put stuff including closed storage, it looks much better and the heater controls are better. And it looks really good. I’s also partly due to the original being just awful. Furthermore, the aftermarket options that I have seen are ugly as hell.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Santiago Montenegr
Top