Thread Starter
#1
My first Jeep experience was when I was a kid. My uncle used to work for a mining company and all the vehicles used were Jeeps. My uncle's vehicle was a CJ3B RHD with the Hurricane petrol engine (I didn't know that then. To me it was just a Jeep). It was grey in colour with a white Roplas top. There was also a similar Red Willys LHD with a metal top which he used sometimes. We travelled all over Goa in those Jeeps but never off-road, except on one ocassion when we went to see a barge which got grounded in the river. Later on the Gypsy was launched and I wanted one but could not afford it. I actually wanted the Gypsy because it looked cool. I never thought it could go off-road. Fast forward to 2011 and I got a chance to attend the Mahindra Great Escape in my friends MM550. We had a nice time and by the end of the event we managed to blow the head gasket and had to be towed back by another friends Thar. That was my first experience of the Thar. Was was first experience of towing (on land) too. Due to my job, I at least know the safety aspect when it comes to towing (see I actually know something that can be used during off-roading). Well that about all I know. I don't even know how to engage 4WD without using a mobile phone.
Well to cut a long story short; "I need to buy a 4x4"!
I've already exchanged a few PM's with Frankenstein for some advice and I'm looking for more inputs fro other Jeeper's / Off-Roaders here.
Some Basics:
- The vehicle will not be a daily driver. I already have a car for that.
- Initially I won't be doing any hardcore off-roading but plan to do so eventually once I gain the skills.
- The Jeep has to look good.
- I don't want to spend absurd amounts of money but I'm willing to do where required.
- My basic preference is for a MM540 family vehicle but open to other vehicles too.
- I am allergic to Maruti but can make an exception for the Gypsy.
- Be prepared to do some explaining in simple language as I'm not very good at the technical stuff.
Must haves:
- Good Paint Job.
- Comfortable seats.
- Seatbelts.
- Roll cage.
- MT or AT Tyres.
Would like to have:
- Alloys / Army Rims / Other non-standard steel rims.
- LSD (Don't know why but I guess it's good).
- 57"OKBJ front and 53" FFRA (Again don't exactly know what it is and how it is different from the original option).
- MCRBT or PS (Have no problem if the PS unit sticks out).
- AC
- Spare wheel frame.
- Wrangler Tail Lamps.
- High Lift Jack (Someone please explain the use).
- Winch.
- Snorkel.
- Goa Registration.
I am willing to do the mods / additions in stages.
Now the options I have are:
- New Thar CRDe.
- 2nd Hand Thar CRDe (Need to find 1).
- New Thar Di.
- 2nd Hand Thar Di /M2Di ( There is 1 available).
- Ex-Army MM550 ( There is 1 available).
- Civilian MM540 / 550 4WD (Need to find 1).
- 2 WD MM540 and convert to 4WD (2WD MM540's are easy to find).
- Older Mahindra CJ or CL series.
- Bolero Camper (Need to find a way to register it in Kerala - White Plate).
- 2nd Hand Bolero 4WD.
- New Scorpio 4WD base model.
- New Maruti Gypsy.
- 2nd Hand Maruti Gypsy (Usually overpriced).
- New Gurkha.
- 2nd Hand Gurkha / Judo (Difficult to find).
- TATA Xenon.
Well to cut a long story short; "I need to buy a 4x4"!
I've already exchanged a few PM's with Frankenstein for some advice and I'm looking for more inputs fro other Jeeper's / Off-Roaders here.
Some Basics:
- The vehicle will not be a daily driver. I already have a car for that.
- Initially I won't be doing any hardcore off-roading but plan to do so eventually once I gain the skills.
- The Jeep has to look good.
- I don't want to spend absurd amounts of money but I'm willing to do where required.
- My basic preference is for a MM540 family vehicle but open to other vehicles too.
- I am allergic to Maruti but can make an exception for the Gypsy.
- Be prepared to do some explaining in simple language as I'm not very good at the technical stuff.
Must haves:
- Good Paint Job.
- Comfortable seats.
- Seatbelts.
- Roll cage.
- MT or AT Tyres.
Would like to have:
- Alloys / Army Rims / Other non-standard steel rims.
- LSD (Don't know why but I guess it's good).
- 57"OKBJ front and 53" FFRA (Again don't exactly know what it is and how it is different from the original option).
- MCRBT or PS (Have no problem if the PS unit sticks out).
- AC
- Spare wheel frame.
- Wrangler Tail Lamps.
- High Lift Jack (Someone please explain the use).
- Winch.
- Snorkel.
- Goa Registration.
I am willing to do the mods / additions in stages.
Now the options I have are:
- New Thar CRDe.
- 2nd Hand Thar CRDe (Need to find 1).
- New Thar Di.
- 2nd Hand Thar Di /M2Di ( There is 1 available).
- Ex-Army MM550 ( There is 1 available).
- Civilian MM540 / 550 4WD (Need to find 1).
- 2 WD MM540 and convert to 4WD (2WD MM540's are easy to find).
- Older Mahindra CJ or CL series.
- Bolero Camper (Need to find a way to register it in Kerala - White Plate).
- 2nd Hand Bolero 4WD.
- New Scorpio 4WD base model.
- New Maruti Gypsy.
- 2nd Hand Maruti Gypsy (Usually overpriced).
- New Gurkha.
- 2nd Hand Gurkha / Judo (Difficult to find).
- TATA Xenon.