Jonga 4x4 or M&M Jeep CJ3B 4x4

[gd1418]

Thanks mate. Interesting reading..

Originally Posted by GTO

No sweat GD. Here you go:

Link 1

Link 2

Link 3

Link 4

[gd1418]

Nitrous, the niggling doubt that was layed to rest by GTO & others has resurfaced by this post...

Originally Posted by nitrous

Im sorry. I was referring to the CJ3Bs which the army were using till the late 80s since that is what he's gonna get from the army canteen.
The newer Mahindra Classics like the one U own have a world of a difference.
I accept what U've posted about the newer Mahindras.

[awini]

my brother had a disposal jeep when i was learning to drive in the early eighties, it was pretty reliable, my friend bought an ex air force low milage jonga a few years ago, most of his weekends were spent geting something or the other fixed, just the engine is not the only thing that can go wrong.
i have driven the protype of the civilian jonga,with the hino diesel, and i have never been as scared of driving a car before or after that, it was so bad!!

[nitrous]

Ok. Ok.
CJ3Bs are reliable.
Maybe the few that i've been in aren't.

[gd1418]

This is better..!

Originally Posted by nitrous

Ok. Ok.
CJ3Bs are reliable.
Maybe the few that i've been in aren't.

[madan80]

bump = so what did you buy?

[susan3004]

Originally Posted by nitrous

Is that 26.9 or 29.6 ?
A friend who owns one and is currently restoring it,gave me the latter .It doesn't make much of a difference though.

My experience with Mahindra reliability is off-road. A few sorry examples i've come across lose 4wd all of a sudden. Brake failure is a very common issue with Mahindra jeeps. A lot of electrical issues like the main wire burning up which i've experienced in two jeeps.To sum up, after an off-road session, the jeeps limp back home like soldiers do after a battle.

Jonga is no better as far reliability is concerned.
During the reign of Jongas in the army its counterpart(Mahindra petrol) was considered more reliable and spent less time at the workshop.

However, Jonga was preffered because of its comfort, space and power to take any terrain. I remember, when my father(he is a retired Brigadier) used to travel in his prefered Jonga, they used to keep a Mahindra as the backup vehicle.

Infantry used to mount 105mm RCLs on Mahindras instead of Jongas because of the reliability factor even when the Jonga was more suited for the equipment.

[4x4addict]

Originally Posted by awini

i have driven the protype of the civilian jonga,with the hino diesel, and i have never been as scared of driving a car before or
after that, it was so bad!!

I remember I booked one of those when they decided to sell it to civlians. But they never went ahead and I got my deposit back with interest. No regrets. I probably wouldn't want it now.

[Invicta]

For those who might browse through to this topic.

I have a SWB 1975 Mitsubishi Model J26 with 2.4 Ltr ASTRON engine.

Finding parts is like finding hens teeth.

Nice little truck but for an easy life go for something newer or that have parts you don't have to import.

HTH
Bernard

[wanderernomad]

@GD what did you end up buying or gave it up all together as a bad joke?

[MM440]

Have covered a few thousand kms in 40 to 50 year old petrol 3Bs,are as reliable as you can get.
Need a lot of attention and love,
As I always say: Work with the machine you have,dont make it work for you.
cheers
Jammy

Originally Posted by nitrous

Ok. Ok.
CJ3Bs are reliable.
Maybe the few that i've been in aren't.

[MM440]

Hi,
1>3Bs are lighter,shorter and are rugged as nails,the jonga on the other hand has suffered due to the apathy borne out of poor material selection in manufacture. The engine is reminiscent of the old 6 cylinder petrol engines that graced bigger and heavier cars.
2> A chrysler windsor fluid drive that i had was similar in engine capacity and power output.
3>The 3B has become a legend in its own right,but the jonga while being bigger and more powerful has a reputation for weakness.Due to the above mentioned factors in it's manufacture.
cheers
Jammy

Originally Posted by gd1418

I have an opportunity to acquire either a Jepp 4x4 GS M&M CJ38 or a
Jonga 4x4 GS NSN from army disposal. While the M&M website is blank &
silent on CJ38, Jonga from the Nissan stable is a 6 cyl 3956 cc Petrol
developing 110 BHP @ 3200 RPM.

Guys, I need advice and a comparison as to which is a better buy. More
details of CJ38 would be welcome..

[gd1418]

I did not give it up as a bad joke. The project is still on at the back of my mind. The deadline to put in the application was 31st March'08 and I missed it by a mile.

Am looking/waiting for another opportunity..

Originally Posted by wanderernomad

@GD what did you end up buying or gave it up all together as a bad joke?

[yamaniac]

Originally Posted by nitrous

Brake failure is a very common issue with Mahindra jeeps.

Just curious to know, or it might save a few lives.

How to stop a jeep in case of a Brake failure?

1)Ram the truck ahead of you?
2)Hit a wall/pole
3)Jump out from the jeep?

I wish there were a few instructions available here as to how to maneuver a brake less jeep at top speed . Cuz this might be every jeep owners nightmare.

[Sudipto-S-Team]

Interesting and practical question there. You should also learn how to drive with the various cables broken. Different strategies for different cables - like clutch cable snapped you have to do something, accelerator cable snapped you have to do a different thing.
All those who drive old Willys and other such jeeps know these jungle survival skills and they all have interesting stories to tell. One of my friends drove (some 100 km at night) an MM 540 with the accelerator cable broken.
His driver pulled the snapped cable out (I don't quite know from where) and was pulling it sitting on the front passenger side while he was driving. This on a horribly dark and pot holed highway with blinding trucks coming from the other side.
All the best
Sudipto