Just bought an ex-army Jeep

[planet_rocker]

Originally Posted by vrooooooom

I guess this one is bought from some auction area near Panagarh. BP could confirm that

AFAIk - he got it from someone at panagarh. he went there around 12am i believe. but then the jeep look really good apart from the fact that it smokes a lot.

i have the engine bay pics with me - i can upload them if required.

[Spitfire]

Originally Posted by esteem_lover

For the time & price of doing the above, you would be better off with a scorpio.

I agree. Dont see much sense in going through all that trouble. You will have to invest a lot of time and money to get this Jeep upto your needs.

1> A decently powerful engine with utmost reliability and low maintenance cost
You would have to go with the engines Mahindra provides. Try and get hold of the XD3P from the Bolero.

2> Proper seats with adequate support for comfort on long distance travels
With that body shell it will be a big task. No doors, no windows.

3> Should be able to seat 6-7 persons and have enough space for luggage
Again open Jeep, no doors, no windows.

4> Should be able to come out of tricky situations like mud and water. But I am not looking for extreme offroading and rock crawling
You dont need a 4x4, a good diesel engine with good lowend torque will pull you out of many tricky situations.

5> Should be able to cruise at 100-110 kph all day long without heating up
Again point 1.

6> Should be able to run trouble free for long distance travels like about a 1000 Kms a day and without breaking the passengers
Without any protection for the occupants 100 kms will be difficult.

Why not the Bolero? You get all of what you want. Scorpio is a good choice but is about 30-40% costlier.

[BlackPearl]

Originally Posted by Rudra Sen

Why didn't you go to Panagarh for army disposal sale? At least you could have taken your Baleno for another run.. if not for anything.

I did exactly the same thing sir

[BlackPearl]

Originally Posted by Spitfire

Why not the Bolero? You get all of what you want. Scorpio is a good choice but is about 30-40% costlier.

Got your points and have to do a feasibility study before jumping on to anything. Anyway I will be going to US very soon if everything goes on right. So till I come back this project will be on hold. But one thing is that I like the looks of the old jeep much better than that of Bolero or Scorpio, that is why to go that extra mile to get this thing into a decent shape. If my wife does not agree to it, then it will be a different matter altogether

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by BlackPearl

But one thing is that I like the looks of the old jeep much better than that of Bolero or Scorpio, that is why to go that extra mile to get this thing into a decent shape.

Exactly why I preferred buying an old CJ or MM instead of the current Bolero. Among the current breed, only Major has the old look.

[gd1418]

Will somebody here please explain in simple terms, without going into technical jargon, the difference and features of a SWB & LWB Jeep? And why is a SWB jeep suitable for off-roading than a LWB Jeep or say Safaris or Scorpios?

Finally, how does one identify a SWB Jeep? Thanks..

[nitrous]

Congratulations.

It is a long wheelbase one and might not be liked by the bhpians.

Welcome to LWB club. You atleast have a 650. Mine's a 750. I vaguely remember 108 inches being the wheelbase in mine.

[Spitfire]

@BlackPearl :Oh good, i was sure there had to be a reason to go for this Jeep. You could have gone in for a Commander HT (Hard Top) same looks closed bodyshell.

[BlackPearl]

Originally Posted by Spitfire

@BlackPearl :Oh good, i was sure there had to be a reason to go for this Jeep. You could have gone in for a Commander HT (Hard Top) same looks closed bodyshell.

I had almost got hold of one but the price was beyond my reach.

Originally Posted by nitrous

Congratulations.
Welcome to LWB club. You atleast have a 650. Mine's a 750. I vaguely remember 108 inches being the wheelbase in mine.

Thanks a lot nitrous

[Spitfire]

Originally Posted by gd1418

Will somebody here please explain in simple terms, without going into technical jargon, the difference and features of a SWB & LWB Jeep? And why is a SWB jeep suitable for off-roading than a LWB Jeep or say Safaris or Scorpios?

Finally, how does one identify a SWB Jeep? Thanks..

SWB: Short Wheel Base
LWB: Long Wheel Base
Self Explanatory

Why SWB is better then LWB? let the image below do the talking. This wont happen in a SWB Jeep.

LWB are good on inclines, drops and have better stability.

[Ashley Nair]

Anyway my friend ,a Jeep is a Jeep and calls for respect.I suggest MDI3200A engine for your jeep.It is tolerabley powerful(63BHP) and superbly reliable without any maintenance issues.

[Spitfire]

Originally Posted by Ashley Nair

Anyway my friend ,a Jeep is a Jeep and calls for respect.I suggest MDI3200A engine for your jeep.It is tolerabley powerful(63BHP) and superbly reliable without any maintenance issues.

As per me all vehicles deserve respect and not only the Jeep. Each one is made for a purpose and if it does it well its respected.

Who ever said the Jeep is not respected?

[Spitfire]

Commander 650 DI
Axle Front: 2WD Tubular dead axle - this model for civilian use never came with 4WD (othe folks please confirm)

Axle Rear: Full floating, hypoid type with 4.27 ratio

Frame: Ladder type, steel channel side members

Brakes: Service: Hydraulic internal expansion non-servo floating shoes, 279.4 x 50.8 mm (11" x 2") Tandem master cylinder. Parking: Mechanical, operated on rear propeller shaft.

Clutch: Single dry plate 23.5cm (9 1/4") dia.

Suspension: Semi-elliptic, leaf type springs with hydraulic double acting telescopic shock absorbers.

Cooling: Radiator-fin and tube type, pressure cap 49 kg/sq.cm (7psi)

Fuel Tank: 40 litre Capacity

Electrical: 12 Volt, 22 amps, Generator.

Instruments: Speedometer(km/h) Temperature & fuel guages, indicators for charging, oil pressure and high beam.

Steering: Worm & roller type. Right hand. Ratio: 20:1, Turning radius: 6.69m (22')

Transmission: Three forward speeds and one reverse speed with synchromesh on second and top. Gear ratios: 2.798:1, 1.551:1, 1:1. Reverse: 3.798:1

Wheel & Tyres: 5 disc, 4.50 x 16 rim with 6.00 x 16 tyre-6ply Highway/Cross country.

Engine Specifications:

Type: Overhead valves

Number of Cylinders: 4 in line

Bore & Strokes: 3 1/2" x 4" (88.9mm x 101.60mm)

Displacement: 154cu.in (2520cc)

Compression Ratio: 18:1

Horse Power(Max BHP): 40 @ 2300rpm

Torque(Max): 101.2 lbft(14 kgm) @ 1400 rpm

Piston: Aluminium alloy with 2 compression rings and one oil scraper.

Connecting rod: Alloy steel, steel backed copper lead bearings

Crankshaft: Drop forged steel fully balanced with 5 main bearings.

Camshaft: Alloy cast iron

Fuel Injection Pump: MICO BOSCH in line type with mechanical governor, driven by gear drven by crankshaft.

Lubrication: Pressure type, camshaft gear driven rotary oil pump, full float system.

Ventilation: Crancase Ventilation System.

Electrical: Battery type 12 volts, negative earth. Generator 22 amps, driven by belt.

Cooling system: Centrifugal type thermostat controlled.

I am still doubtful that it came with a 4x4 system. Does the army buy 4x2 Jeeps?

[vinod_nookala]

hi,

As far as i know army took a batch of Armadas which were 2wd. But i dont think they ever took 650DI. I have seen 4wd 4spd DI being made in mahindra plant for civilans against order. 3 speed never had 4wd in commander.

[Spitfire]

Originally Posted by vinod_nookala

hi,

As far as i know army took a batch of Armadas which were 2wd. But i dont think they ever took 650DI. I have seen 4wd 4spd DI being made in mahindra plant for civilans against order. 3 speed never had 4wd in commander.

Agree Vinod, like i said in my post #9 in this topic. That engine with a 4WD and that too for army use, is a bit difficult to understand. The 750 DP with the the XDP4-90 Engine could have been a better bet.

Was the soft top Commander ever bought by the army?

BlackPearl can you look up in the RC book for any signs of it being an Ex army jeep. But again the question is, do they mention it in the RC book that it was an ex-army jeep and now is for civilian use?