Improving the doors

I've got an early type TD5 and the agricultural charm has worn off over the past 6 years and I'm kind of trying to make it just feel like a nicer vehicle. One thing I can't figure out is how crappy the doors are. Somehow they feel and sound worse than vehicles produced in the 70s. When I close them they just feel so tinny and rattly compared to the Tiguan which I daily. It sounds like part of the problem is that the glass in the window mechanism is clattering around when I slam it so I may open it up and see if I can pad that. I was also considering spraying lots of sound deadening foam inside the door.

Has anyone got any experience with this? Would upgrading to Puma doors solve any of this?

A Td5 is near 20 years old so wear and tear will be an issue.
Fitted a new drivers door to my 1990 truck a couple of years ago with new glass, rails and other fittings, rattles gone.
Spray foam would likely clog the window mechanism, not much room inside

If you fit sound pads to the inside of the outer skin and the inner plate/frame thingy, then some foam insulation to the inside of the door cards it makes a big difference. Also while you are there some foam cloth wrapped round the cable and rod linkages helps to cut down on rattles.

"The agricultural charm has worn of"

The doors will benefit fron a bunch of new bits and an addition of some sound deadening pads.
There is a small section of bitumen stuck on the bottom of the door.
You need to take the door panel and then the inner panel/window mechanism off and scrape this off the inside of the door skin
Clean up the inside and fit some DoDo mat everywhere ... (there are other manufacturers/sellers)


You door will now be heavier and close with a satifying 'clunk'.

The rattles (as @tottot says) are because thing have got a bit worn over the last 20 years.
New window runners help a lot .



The doors will sound like a Rolls Royce after all that,

Twinnie said:

I've got an early type TD5 and the agricultural charm has worn off over the past 6 years and I'm kind of trying to make it just feel like a nicer vehicle.

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Land rover went through this process twice. The first time they came up with the Range Rover in 1970 and the second time the Discovery 1 in 1989.

If you don't want utility or agricultural, then you have the wrong vehicle. A classic Range Rover or Discovery 1 are almost identical under the body (just a different wheelbase) and use essentially the same axles, suspension and transmissions (and even engines). Giving them pretty equal capability, but with a much nicer, more comfortable and refined cabin and interior.

As for the doors, LR did re-design them for the Puma models and these are the best factory doors available. But somewhat pricey to get hold off. And likely won't change most of the complaints you mention above.

miktdish said:

The doors will sound like a Rollr Royce after all that,

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Absolutely no chance.