Gypsy on Steroids: Next Dose -- Short Chassis for reduced rear overhang

[khan_sultan]

Ok friends,

The next set of modifications start tomorrow (hopefully). The MG413W will be visiting the garage to get the rear overhang chopped off. An approx of 250mm will be reduced from body length at the rear.

This will help in off-road situations where the 'departure angle' is of utmost important.

To illustrate, here is a scenario (from Hyd OTR report):


With the rear overhang of the LWB Gypsy, the chances of rear scraping or bottoming out are much higher. The reduction of rear overhang will also help in acute turns in some rocky inclines/paths that I have encountered in some OTR's (especially Thipagondahalli)

This set of modifications should be complete before the Sakleshpur drive + camping + cooking + OTR meet.

Cheers,

[kkr2k2]

Khan sir,
just for your information from what I observed at the above mentioned event:

The jeeps in stock condition cleared those obstacles with out bottoming. Even in the above pic, its a short wheelbase model but its not in stock condition and yes it bottomed out.

There was a mahindra comander hardtop long wheel base. its in complete stock condition, it cleared the obstacles with out bottoming it out. BTW, there were 5 adult men(one of them a hefty guy) and 4 children in the comander, it finished course with ease. I repeat with ease.

I will post the pics by tonight in this thread and also in the thread dedicated for the event.

raj.

[S@~+#0$#]

Shahnawaz,
FYI, fellow t-bhpian "Headers" has got the same done to his Gypsy. Do speak to him, he should be able to give you some tips/precautions from his experience. I like your spirit. I must say you are very brave to make structural mods to your ride. This shows your commitment to offroading.

Knowing you, I am sure you would have done your home work before you decide on something like this. All the best for this mod, keep us posted on how you go

[khan_sultan]

Santosh,

I had thought of this structural mod of reducing the rear overhang almost a year ago. Had even talked to a mechanic and was about to get it done, then for some reasons did not go through and had almost forgotten it.

Then all of a sudden, I saw pics of headers gypsy in his t-bhp garage and viola -- I could immediately notice that he had already got this structural mod done. This got me again thinking about it and had to get it done.

Meanwhile, I got sucked up in the 'locker' mod and wanted to test the Gypsy throughly before taking up the next mod.

I have already spoken to headers about it and we did discuss it when we had meet at the pondy meet. He has very kindly and graciously shared lots of info with me about this mod.

The good thing now is that I have a very competent person to do this for me. He is a fellow off-roader who goes to OTR's with us in Bangalore.

PS: I have a list of many other mods (all from an OTR perspective) already planned but each one will have to be taken one after the other. I think I did mention somewhere in t-bhp that my end goal is to make my Gypsy to be 'Camel Trophy' worthy. (even though there is no camel trophy now :-( )

Cheers,

[Spitfire]

Why not increase the height?

I am somewhat skeptical about structural modifications. Not that this is a major one but then...maybe its just me

I am sure you have done the homework, just my useless 2 cents.

[badboyscad]

Originally Posted by khan_sultan

I think I did mention somewhere in t-bhp that my end goal is to make my Gypsy to be 'Camel Trophy' worthy. (even though there is no camel trophy now :-( )

Well, you can still make it 'Dakar' worthy for the 2009: Buenos Aires–Chile–Buenos Aires.

[nitrous]

This is not structural,IMO.
U're chopping off rear overhang. Not touching the wheelbase at all.

[kkr2k2]

Originally Posted by kkr2k2

....
I will post the pics by tonight in this thread and also in the thread dedicated for the event.

though these pics maight be OT, I just want to highlight the long wheel base comander:




and the occupants:


PS: sorry, I some how missed out on the pic, where the Commander was negotiating the ditch.

[MM440]

As a person who believes that 'People Come First and Machines next'. May I suggest that if you have time from your regular routines please get the mods mentioned done,if not.Dont worry, your offroading partners in the OTR will definitely help you tide over the obstacles,please do take your time completing your vehicle modifications.
Have completed the tippagondanahalli trail as far as one can,further progress was limited by Mukund's gysy which was left at the top and the thought that it might need help on the way back prompted us to turn back,I was driving my MM440.
cheers
Jammy

Originally Posted by khan_sultan

Ok friends,

The next set of modifications start tomorrow (hopefully). The MG413W will be visiting the garage to get the rear overhang chopped off. An approx of 250mm will be reduced from body length at the rear.

This will help in off-road situations where the 'departure angle' is of utmost important.

To illustrate, here is a scenario (from Hyd OTR report):
Attachment 50879

With the rear overhang of the LWB Gypsy, the chances of rear scraping or bottoming out are much higher. The reduction of rear overhang will also help in acute turns in some rocky inclines/paths that I have encountered in some OTR's (especially Thipagondahalli)

This set of modifications should be complete before the Sakleshpur drive + camping + cooking + OTR meet.

Cheers,

[sreerajunnithan]

Originally Posted by nitrous

This is not structural,IMO.
U're chopping off rear overhang. Not touching the wheelbase at all.

Me too think the same way, Eagerly waiting to see your SWB Gypsy. She will be HOT! As always, please post the mod jobs by pictures once its done.

--Sree--

[planet_rocker]

there is a certain white gypsy in chennai with the rear chopped off (too bad the gallery is missing) - looks beautiful.

@K_S - hope you have seen the car

[khan_sultan]

Originally Posted by nitrous

This is not structural,IMO.
U're chopping off rear overhang. Not touching the wheelbase at all.

.. spot on Nitrous. It is structural only in the sense that the rear part of the ladder chassis will be cut (some 10" approx). The WB remains the same.

Originally Posted by Spitfire

Why not increase the height?...

Just wait.. I can't do all mods in one go :-). As I said, I have a list of mods to be done over a period of time.

Originally Posted by sreerajunnithan

...Eagerly waiting to see your SWB Gypsy...

NO. it will NOT become a SWB gypsy with this mod. The WB will remain the same. Only the length will get reduced.

there is a certain white gypsy in chennai with the rear chopped off (too bad the gallery is missing) - looks beautifyl.

Yes. That's headers Gypsy. I have taken inputs from him and seen the pictures also.

PS: the Gypsy is at the garage now. Ready to be chopped off. Will get it back on next Wednesday/Thursday

Cheers,

[mjothi]

Hey liar.
You said there are no mods planned in the last meet and again it started to pour.

Good one though. So, it also good to hear that it would be ready before the next camping. Great.

[sreerajunnithan]

Originally Posted by khan_sultan

NO. it will NOT become a SWB gypsy with this mod. The WB will remain the same. Only the length will get reduced.

Yes i understand, i some how interpreted SWB to short chassis. My apologize. There wont be any change in your Breakover angle but your angle of departure will me improved substantially

--Sree--

[Motocoorg]

Hey mate,

I am new to this forum but not very new to offroading, I really like the way your gypsy is taking and your dedication for the sport. i had a gypsy and currently have a suzuki samurai which is the short wheel base variant of gypsy.I have seen some pics of my old gypsy in this forum (which prithvi had).

Well its good to be on the forum with some like minded people and share knowledge..

since you are leaning you are leaning your gypsy to offroad spec i might know one or two inexpensive tips.

1) remove the sway bar and throw it in your garage- this will increase the articulation of the gypsy( any articulation is good when you are offroad) and it dosent feel much different on the road unless you are rallying.

2) I can emphasise the importance of good tyres and tyre pressure. Tyre pressure can work some magic and its good to experiment and helps if you have a onboard compressor (good investment). Offroad you should be way way low than on road (obviously).

3) leading the differential breathers high into the bonnet will save your differentials and transfer case from sucking water in river crossings(especially when its hot).

4)full Exhaust upgrades to gypsy will make huge differnce to that lil engine if done right. You really want to have a 2" inch pipe going from a good extractors and may be three chamber free flow muffler at the back to maintain the back pressure. this mod will defenetly put a smile on your face.

hope thats helpfull and i have learnt a lot as well here

happy wheelin bros

Originally Posted by khan_sultan

Ok friends,

The next set of modifications start tomorrow (hopefully). The MG413W will be visiting the garage to get the rear overhang chopped off. An approx of 250mm will be reduced from body length at the rear.

This will help in off-road situations where the 'departure angle' is of utmost important.

To illustrate, here is a scenario (from Hyd OTR report):
Attachment 50879

With the rear overhang of the LWB Gypsy, the chances of rear scraping or bottoming out are much higher. The reduction of rear overhang will also help in acute turns in some rocky inclines/paths that I have encountered in some OTR's (especially Thipagondahalli)

This set of modifications should be complete before the Sakleshpur drive + camping + cooking + OTR meet.

Cheers,