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DirtyDan · 11th November 2007, 05:29

I need a vehicle for use in the Himalayas, the Manali-Leh road, Lahaul-Spiti, etc. At the top of my short list is Scorpio mainly because of its engine and 4x4 capabilities. (All that glitzy voice warning stuff and carpets and electric windows makes me cringe but Force won't sell Gurkhas.)

The problem is the Scorpio looks a little fragile to me. I can take off the front bumper with the air dams and have someone fabricate a tubular front bumper that will not impede an approach angle. I can get somebody to fabricate some skid plates for the oil pan and maybe some other things (If you are a Scorpio owner please post your advice on what things). But the thing that worries me most is that rear multy-link suspension with the torsion bars and radius arms hanging down. I can see rocks snapping them off like they were pencils. This alone may change my mind about the purchase. I need advice on what tyres to buy and what to do to harden this thing up. I have not booked it yet, I have not bought it yet. I am not really asking what car to buy. My questions are technical but they may influence my purchase.

11th November 2007, 05:29	#1 (permalink)
DirtyDan BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Dharamsala Posts: 645	Hardening a Scorpio for 4x4 abuse I need a vehicle for use in the Himalayas, the Manali-Leh road, Lahaul-Spiti, etc. At the top of my short list is Scorpio mainly because of its engine and 4x4 capabilities. (All that glitzy voice warning stuff and carpets and electric windows makes me cringe but Force won't sell Gurkhas.) The problem is the Scorpio looks a little fragile to me. I can take off the front bumper with the air dams and have someone fabricate a tubular front bumper that will not impede an approach angle. I can get somebody to fabricate some skid plates for the oil pan and maybe some other things (If you are a Scorpio owner please post your advice on what things). But the thing that worries me most is that rear multy-link suspension with the torsion bars and radius arms hanging down. I can see rocks snapping them off like they were pencils. This alone may change my mind about the purchase. I need advice on what tyres to buy and what to do to harden this thing up. I have not booked it yet, I have not bought it yet. I am not really asking what car to buy. My questions are technical but they may influence my purchase.