Need Help on Gypsy MG410

shaktinanda · 25th March 2010, 20:34

Hello All Member Here
I would 1st like to thank you BHP for accepting me as member. Its a previllage and pride for me. I bought a used Gypsy MG410 yesterday for wildlife photography & for use in my construction site. I have very little technical knowledge and don't understand much about technical aspects of vehicle. Have never driven a 4X4 before. Although the looks and engine are in good condition (as per MUL advisors) I am not very happy after driving it. Now following are my few questions. I would be very glad if someone can guide me

1. Is a 1lt (1000c) engine of MG410 enough for 2/3 persons with some baggage load for roaming around jungles and forest searching for animals? It was a disappointing for me when i read here in this forum that the engine i got is not enough for me. But my previous owner claims he had this vehicle in many forests with easy and have crossed terrains with ease. I don't know if that is true or not.

2. I need a smooth driving, I have to use a lot of power to handle the steering when the vehicle is at slow speed. Also lot of power is needed to take a U turn. The previous owner suggested me to change to radial Tyre to get smoother feel. Should I? The tyres are in very good condition, provably it has been changed recently.

3. Engine sound is not smooth, what things i should look for to make it smooth. Is their any tweaks to fine tune the engine for my needs.

4. I want to make it a 2 seater cabin using metal sheets for securing the cabin as we carry expensive camera lens, laptop etc that we can't afford to keep it in open while chasing some animal in forest. It would be grate if i can fit a low power AC / a music system / car charger for mobile phone charging. I also want have a complete new look of the cabin by changing the seats, dashboard small steering wheel, mats etc. Please suggest what are the possibilities to give a decent interior for my gypsy within a decent budget.

5. What are the basic most important and essential things i should change to have a better feel of the vehicle considering technical side within a budget of 30K for the time being. Am not that bothered about the looks now as it can be done any time and slowly i can keep adding things.

6. Is is worth spending on MG410 or i should do some minimum modification for my purpose and sale it of after a year and buy a Gypsy King?

I am eagerly waiting for reply.
Thanks in advance

One more request - "Please Don't Do This To Animals...We Are 1 of Them"

Regards
Shakti

gsferrari · 25th March 2010, 21:31

All I can say is that this is typical Gypsy behavior. The 1.3 MPFI is probably better from an engine performance point of view but the steering effort is about the same and your Gypsy sounds like just about any other regular Gypsy out there.

If you got it for a low price then it is an ideal candidate for a 1.6L Baleno engine transplant. Much more power and torque can be had with this mod.

There are power-steering options available in the market as well but give it time and you'll get used to the standard steering.

AC - go for Subros 80cc compressor and the stock blower. If you are making a hard-top 2 seater cabin then this is more than enough and won't break the bank.

Yes you can get a custom 2-seater cabin made which is slightly bigger than the usual cabins you see on the forum. With the extra space you can store your camera equipment, clothes etc. inside the locked cabin space.

Note that any mods you do with the current engine in place that involve adding load on the engine (ac/ metal cabin etc.) will deteriorate performance even further. Shouldn't be a problem with a 1.6L engine.

Desmosedici · 25th March 2010, 22:35

Congrats on your purchase. what you have mentioned in a typical Gypsy behaviour. please note that this is not a vehicle to be raced on tarmac. it performs better on rough terrain and would be ideal for you for forest use.

1. MG410 derives around 45BHP, which is similar to a M800.

2. You can experiment with tyre pressure for a smoother ride but dont go too low on that. Stock tyres are hard as stones and will not give smoother ride. you can go for tyres like yokohoma geolanders / michelin latitudes / bf goodrich, but each tyre will set you back by around 4k.

3. Take it to MASS and get a routine check up done (as was suggested to me by all the gurus)

4. you can convert to a full metal cabin for the driver and passenger, but as GS mentioned that will add more weight and sap more power. AC also will do the same.
Further mods like seat, music system, mats can be done as per your taste. Change of dashboard actually would not be required if you are low on budget.

5. tyres if not good can be changes, you can check suspension bushes and the leafs and get those done to make your ride better.

6. Depends on your usage. if this is not your only car and you intend to use it only for your forest drives, you can keep it. if you are really enthusiastic then you can plonk a baleno 1.6 or even a gyspy 1.3 mpfi and make a lot of changes.

There are various threads on gypsy mods. Check them out.

Cheers,
Raj

shaktinanda · 26th March 2010, 00:49

Thank you for instant reply @ gsferrari & @ Desmosedici .

Its great feeling to have instant response to my confusion. Thank you very much again

I got the gypsy for 90k, i don't know if that is low or high for MG410. I should have checked before buying but i have been searching for a gypsy from months and i could not resist when i could find one.

I had took the vehicle to a Maruti Service Station for advice. I don't think the authorized service center advisers here have much interest & knowledge in gypsy. When i asked for 1.3lt esteem engine transplant. the adviser was surprised & refused the possibility. He hardly showed any interest in modifying thing. he just said we can repair what ever is their inside, you can try your modification else where MUL doesn't do such modification.

I certainly would like to replace a bolero 1.6L, This means if this transplant can be done on my vehicle then i will have sufficient power and needn't plan to sale off for replacing with Gypsy King Am i correct? if the answer is yes then i can do all the modification i want on my gypsy?

Is the process very complex, can a mechanic with good experience do this modification easily. I have to do it outside of Maruti service center as it can't be done their as per the adviser, Kindly give some insight. Can i have a rough estimate of cost for such a modification please.

45 BHP = similar to maturi 800 engine. Well have never driven a 800 with AC but I had an alto lxi with AC. i remember how it used to struggle for even small climbs with AC turned on. If fitting an AC would result in similar experience with the gypsy then i think it is better to sale off.

As far as hard top 2-seater cabin modification is concerned. Am planning to do it with iron mesh and ACP (aluminum composite panel used for cladding building walls). This may give me a tough and light hard top cabin. Please suggest pro & cons of this idea.

Am ready to change my tyres if i can get better driving comforts although the tyres are almost new in the car. Is the power steering options are available in India or it has to be ordered from abroad. Are these kits reliable enough in deep forest.

My primary car is Spark LT and this gypsy is bought only for forest & sea beach drives. So i just want to know if its current capabilities are enough for moderate off road activities. But am keen on serious off road activities and i will incorporate changes required to the gypsy in the near future. It would be great help to have suggestions and advices to lead myself in right way for off road.

Regards
Shakti

COUGAR · 26th March 2010, 06:08

Congrats on your acquisition!

An MG410 is just fine for forest type applications: after all you arent going to be doing any rallying business.

do get it to Simlipal!

shaktinanda · 26th March 2010, 10:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by COUGAR

Congrats on your acquisition!

An MG410 is just fine for forest type applications: after all you arent going to be doing any rallying business.

do get it to Simlipal!

Thanks for ensuring me to keep the mg410. I will surely travel to Similipal & Bhitarkanika frequently. I bought this vehicle for getting in to deep forest areas only. I am not sure if my vehicle can handle the rough for 400 or 500 kms drive at a stretch. Just trying to buildup confidence that me & my gypsy can do it.

Regards
Shakti

pramodkumar · 26th March 2010, 11:45

Let me tell you some facts,

If you are seeking advise here, chances are most of the people who will post a reply will be offraoders, their application is different from yours, they need vehicles which can go over anything. The MG 410 was the most reliable expedition vehicle till the 410w was introduced then the king and MPFI king.

You have not mentioned the age so i assume it to be close to a 95-96 model, at that age the engine must require some work, the GB, suspension would also require work. First thing is get the compression check done.

Then get a full service with all the fluids changed, drive your vehicle around like that for some time.

A gypsy would never be as comfortable as a sedan so trying to attain the nearly impossible would be a waste of money, i would suggest to learn to live with the suspension hardness.

Regarding the steering, used PS units are available for gypsy in delhi for 7k onwards, you can ping some Deehli Bhpians for help.

Getting an AC should be second priority because most of your shoots would be outside cabin and if you need to mount a tripod you must need access to the flat bed, building a hard top would prevent this. Cooling is as effective if not more in some soft tops as well and a lot of bhpians have their offroaders air conditioned with a soft top.

Since you said you have almost new tyres there is no point paying attention there.

Just get the essentials taken care of a 15+ year old vehicle can never be as reliable and bulletproof as new. so no point being upset or expecting more. I myself saw a 80s model gypsy for 35k but every body advised me against it as it was an mg410 and not a mg 410w, do in need a wider axel? May be yes may be no, depends on my applications.

Just my 2 cents.

Pramod

shaktinanda · 26th March 2010, 15:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by pramodkumar

Let me tell you some facts,

If you are seeking advise here, chances are most of the people who will post a reply will be offraoders, their application is different from yours, they need vehicles which can go over anything. The MG 410 was the most reliable expedition vehicle till the 410w was introduced then the king and MPFI king.......................................

..........

Just my 2 cents.

Pramod

Thanks a lot Pramod Ji for explaining. Am now seriously thinking of keep the MG410 for long. To be honest i don't know how much off road modification i need to do with my MG410 to cater my needs that is wildlife photography. But i also know i have many limitation to face with MG410 if i want to modify it extensively like guys have done here in this forum. Am now very much keen on modifying it for serious off road activities. I would love to drive something like Mr.Khan or Mr.Arjun has. Am i getting tempted...but i must admit i am.....

My vehicle is a 96 model and has done 70000 kms as per the odometer (i don't know if that is showing the actual). i bought it for Rs.90k (Is is high for the model i bought?).

I will get all the basic technical things done this Saturday at a some good MUL authorized SC.

I need to carry some expensive accessories and equipments in the car and at time i have to leave them in the car itself for hours. I need a lockable secured cabin for securing these thing in the vehicle. Else i too would prefer a soft top or may be a complete open top.

AC is not required while shooting but it will give some comfort while going on highways for shooting wildlife.

Power Steering is not that important but i don't know how do you guys do off road drives without it. I find the steering very hard while reversing and taking u terns....am surprised how you guys manage with rocks with this steering .....do i need to go to gym to build up some muscle to handle off road steering.

So ...no need to change the tyres.....Currently CEAT NYLON F78 15LT-almost new tyres

Should i sale my 2 days old MG410 and search for a MG413....just now somebody called up to ask if i want to sale. I am confused now.....

Help me please...

pramodkumar · 26th March 2010, 16:54

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