Afternoon all, I’ve recently bought a 1988 Double cab and am about to replace the bulkhead. As the dash will obviously be coming out for this it got me thinking, is it possible to upgrade the dash to something more modern (such such as a puma dash) or is it just a bottomless hole of electrical issues and fitment problems?
Interested to hear if anyone has done this and what they replaced it with!
Thanks in advance.

I’ve seen a puma dash fitted in LR magazine articles so it is doable but probably quite a bit of work. Someone who has done it can give you more advice. As an alternative, how about a Raptor dash pod for extra switches and gauges? They look good, although I believe you have to slightly modify the dashboard to fit. And fit LED bulbs too.

l've seen a Puma dash fitted in 300tdi so it can be done.
However in my opinion the 300tdi dash is more in keeping with the vehicle than a Puma one.
It might be a lot easier to fit the later TD5 dash, which would be a nice upgrade without spoiling the interior ambiance.

I’m open to any options really, it’s simply due to the fact I’m going to use it as an overlander, and so a more functional dash would be preferable.
I’ve just had a look at the TD5 dash, that would work too! I’m new to anything other than Wolf land rovers so stupidly assumed the others dash units were the same as the Puma!

I am a great fan of Raptor Engineering dash upgrades.
While keeping more to the traditional lines they are well made, really strong (being robust could be an important consideration for an overlander) and they give you the flexibility to add whatever instruments, switches, audio etc etc that you require.

Mine keeps the usual layout but does away with the fragile binnacle & mount (replacing the mount is a no-brainer as by a certain age the original one is almost certainly going to have degraded and if not already split will probably go as you play around with it) and then additional switchgear, instruments, CD / radio & map-reading light are all contained in the centre console which has ample room behind it for wiring etc plus a handy tray fixed to the underside.
They have a large selection of layouts to choose from or you can have one custom cut or even blank (to allow you to cut all your own holes).

They also do a couple of other nice items of which the lockable glovebox is one I would have liked to go for (unfortunately I couldn't fit one as that side of the dash is already occupied).

I was contemplating doing the same earlier this year and came across this company http://www.ministryofdefender.co.uk/index.html

I was also thinking about installing aircon and there was a company I found that sells a complete kit and it replaces the heater unit. Looked like a very interesting idea...but it cost over 2 grand plus VAT. This would have been pointless without the Puma dash conversion as the early TD5 heating ducts are very ineffective

In the end I decided to buy a soft top hoop set and canvas instead

Litch said:

I am a great fan of Raptor Engineering dash upgrades.

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They are very good, I have the same centre console in my early TD5 (dash was like that of a 300tdi). Opening the drivers vent is a bit of faff though

Not a fan of bolt on bits. The defender bulkhead must be one of the easiest bases to create a new dash from. I made one for a series as I hate the series 3 dash and to be honest I didn’t come across anything that was overly complicated and I was in a rush.