Mahindra 4WD vs Modern 4WD

[vinod_nookala]

Jack 33,
Iam in love with your standard MM540 4wd. Maintained well.:-) During a recent off road trip i realised how effortless was MM540 compared to heavier LC70 & 80. LC's were very good for thier size but this was RAW! For example 2.1 litre engine had more grunt in 4wd low II gear compared to 4.2 litre N.A LC70. LC was faster in IInd gear making vehicle bounce over rocks, 1st gear was too low giving it a wheel spin. Refinement & handling inspired me but MM540 was slightly better due to its size and low gearing.

[Samurai]

EL, we really need to move on. Let's not keep going back to the old argument. Focus on technical differences and not on which one can do what. For example, qualified statements like Vinod's just above is more welcome.

[ex670c]

Originally Posted by jack33

hi arka,do you have a differential lock fitted? Probably with them I can get out from most of the stuck situations.It's raining there and the hills are too slippery for even my vibram soles.Hey arka,any plans for a Munnar trip, I will be happy to offer you my 540 and some great tracts!!!

Hi Jack!!!!

I don't have differential locks. But I have fitted Auburn Gear Limited Slip Differentials on the front and rear differentials.

The LSD are very effective in muddy and slippery conditions.

I will be happy to drive up MM540 for any Munnar Off-Road event.

Regards,

Arka

[headers]

Originally Posted by esteem_lover

To believe that most of the members who have vehemently opposed Arka's 'sweeping statements' have 'true' off roading experiences with the modern machines that they are boasting about would be a total misunderstanding.

I can also sit here & talk about the the TLC which gave us so much comfort yesterday while offroading. But do I actually have the experience of owning one or using one off road that many times in that many different terrains to make any comparisons with any of these 'cheap' MMs ? NO.

Yeah, there were 2 TLCs yesterday & both did very very well. They had excellent & willing drivers too. It would have been a very comfortable offroading experience. But the MMs are great in their own way. They might look awkward in the rocky climbs, but do the same with minimum fuss. Please do some real offroading on both machines before making counters to 'sweeping statements'.

Guess John had a view of the same terrain from two different angles yesterday, i suppose.

Agreed, we could'nt even hear the engines roar in both the TLCs..while the 540 growled her heart out. But also, inspite of a weaker, lower bhp powered engine,the 540s were good in their own simple way.

There were 4 540s yesterday - Arkas [2.5 D], mine [2.1D], Vinod_nookala[2.1D] and Sanjay [2.1D] All the 540s performed with minimum fuss until i came downhill carrying 8 people. I had busted my fuel line banjo..yes banjo i guess and had diesel leaking until we got it sorted out.

The best part was the sheer low speed driveability of the 540 while coming downhill in 3 LOW crawling over the rocks. It gave one so much confidence in these machinery!

Having said that, both the TLCs had no problems whatsoever and the only 540 that gave some trouble was mine cos of misuse and overload!

The event was great fun! My dear friend Sharat aka Samurai was missed! Ofcourse our esteemed Nitrous too could not make it due to some official reasons.

Originally Posted by ex670c

Hi Jack!!!!

I will be happy to drive up MM540 for any Munnar Off-Road event.

Arka, am game too! freeze on the dates!

[shankar.balan]

IMO also the much lesser weight of the MM vis a vis the LC would be a positive factor, especially in extremely slushy conditions.

Originally Posted by vinod_nookala

Jack 33,
Iam in love with your standard MM540 4wd. Maintained well.:-) During a recent off road trip i realised how effortless was MM540 compared to heavier LC70 & 80. LC's were very good for thier size but this was RAW! For example 2.1 litre engine had more grunt in 4wd low II gear compared to 4.2 litre N.A LC70. LC was faster in IInd gear making vehicle bounce over rocks, 1st gear was too low giving it a wheel spin. Refinement & handling inspired me but MM540 was slightly better due to its size and low gearing.