[NIP]

wow ! eagerly awaiting more pics and reports !! samurai...your jeep looks fab with the new shoes !!

[jayakumarkp]

All you seniors!!! Please please please please send in the photos and complete report. Cant wait!!

[ssjr0498]

Hi Guys,

Awesome OTR! too bad I cant do it in my vtec

just wondering, jeep no 36! Dunno if it is the same but I have seen a similar looking jeep parked regularly at the HP DP office?

Whose jeep is it? Its a total drool maal!!

Shrey

[rjstyles69]

ripper macha that was one helluva super report man. Certain things in life can never be compromised on and in your case the itch to be at the OTR.

Sharath needless to echo here and say we are all waiting for your report with the pics .

Originally Posted by ssjr0498

Hi Guys,
just wondering, jeep no 36! Dunno if it is the same but I have seen a similar looking jeep parked regularly at the HP DP office?

Whose jeep is it? Its a total drool maal!!

Shrey you by any chance speaking of a dabwaali jeep parked at office with those fat tyres ?

[ex670c]

The First Section of the Munnar-Kodai route.

Start Point to Lunch Spot.

The trail started with a mild and long climb (100mts).

It was a good opener and an indicator of things to come. A few vehicles got stuck in the middle of the climb.

A gypsy stalled because of bald tyres and resulted in the clutched getting burnt (not yet fried).

The Spanking Green CJ5 from Hyderabad, got stuck, 4WD Low ratio was not engaging and had to be winched up the slope.

But this climb showcased the power of the Scorpio engine, a 2WD made it up the slope in 1st Gear.

After that it was a casual trail till the Mahindra-Team-Chickened-out Point.

They were not going beyond this point, JEEPers talk say they were scared.

This was also the regrouping point for all vehicles which the trail had claimed so far.

1) MG410 DC Modified
2) CJ5 Green
3) SPOA MM540 with 3.3L S4, the FFRAxle had snapped.

[ex670c]

Section 2 of the Munnar-Kodai Route

Where all the Trail-Damaged vehicles were stopped to the lunch point.

This was a nice steep trail. (pics 6573-6582) after that it was a regular Jungle trail to the Lunch Spot (pics 6600)

Most participants regrouped at lunch point.

The Hyderabad JEEPers and a few Bangalore JEEPers members stayed back at the lunch point, as they made it up late.

[Red Liner]

Nice snaps...but the trail still doesnt look as dastardly as the one on the pictures posted by the Kerala jeepers on their OTR/recce recently...

Either I am missing something, or the really devilish pictures are yet to make it in here...

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by Red Liner

Nice snaps...but the trail still doesnt look as dastardly as the one on the pictures posted by the Kerala jeepers on their OTR/recce recently...

Either I am missing something, or the really devilish pictures are yet to make it in here...

At all the real challenging parts, getting down to take photographs was not an option. The drivers focussed on driving, the passengers held on to the Jeep with both hands. Even I have very limited action shots.

[ex670c]

Originally Posted by Red Liner

Nice snaps...but the trail still doesnt look as dastardly as the one on the pictures posted by the Kerala jeepers on their OTR/recce recently...

Either I am missing something, or the really devilish pictures are yet to make it in here...

The trail was long and very exciting, but I did not find it challenging......and don't forget camera tricks

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by ex670c

The trail was long and very exciting, but I did not find it challenging......and don't forget camera tricks

Well, unlike the wet December, the trail was bone dry this time. I guess that took away the challenge. Considering I too got through without getting stuck, it must have been cake-walk for the veterans. Next time we must go there in the rains.

BTW, I put up the first part of my detailed report: http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/4x4-of...-jt-event.html

[vinod_nookala]

Originally Posted by ex670c

The trail was long and very exciting, but I did not find it challenging......and don't forget camera tricks

Nice pictures arka! How did your modification of steering assembly stand the abuse (if there was any)?? Your jeep looks purposeful!! The climb looks good and exciting.

[ex670c]

Originally Posted by vinod_nookala

How did your modification of steering assembly stand the abuse (if there was any)?? Your jeep looks purposeful!! The climb looks good and exciting.

The turning radius has been adjusted and in 2WD its less than a small car !!!

No more wheel wobbles and kingpin adjustments.

In 4WD Low with the front LSD the Turning Radius is less than a Stock MM540 in 2WD.

However the Front LSD gave made controlling and precisely aiming wheels difficult.

Next mod is to fit the 4-Way Steering Stabilizer.

Regards,

Arka

PS - I changed the rear diffs to switched around Mahindra Bolero Diffs with 1 Piece FFRA.

[ex670c]

Section 3

Lunch Point to Series Rocky-Slushy Incline.

We guys were asked to return from section 3 as it was getting late.

10 JEEPs including Samurai & Suresh Stephen had gone ahead, approximately 4 kms ahead to where the trail ended.

We had a few mechanical problems to sort out before we went to catch up with the group ahead of us.

A few kms ahead at 1830 (approx) we got mobile signal and were informed that the 10 JEEPs were near Kodaikanal, so we turned around.

We regrouped with the remaining JEEPers and John, our guide took us through a bypass for the village, that was quite an exciting route.

Enroute we spotted the headlight of a few JEEP and one of them drove down to our position and informed all is well and we decided to meet up near the village.

We reached the village at 2130 (approx) had a small fire to keep ourselves warm and shared some snacks. (the Chennai JEEPers were carrying enough to last 10 people 24hrs.)

At 2215 (approx) we started our drive to Munnar town. reached Munnar at 0045 and had some food and then drove back to Sterling & Club Mahindra.

The total off-road distance was 15-18Kms one way i.e 30-36Kms

[Red Liner]

Originally Posted by ex670c

The turning radius has been adjusted and in 2WD its less than a small car !!!

No more wheel wobbles and kingpin adjustments.

In 4WD Low with the front LSD the Turning Radius is less than a Stock MM540 in 2WD.

However the Front LSD gave made controlling and precisely aiming wheels difficult.

Next mod is to fit the 4-Way Steering Stabilizer.

Regards,

Arka

PS - I changed the rear diffs to switched around Mahindra Bolero Diffs with 1 Piece FFRA.

Arka, can you start a new thread on this and tell us what you did? My steering is still as horrible as hell - from the time you drove it back from Coorg last Jan.

You know me by now, dont you?

Next time we must go there in the rains.

I cannot wait to go here and to Coorg in the rains. Thats a definite. I am pulling the plug on a few local OTR's to save up for those.

[vinod_nookala]

Originally Posted by ex670c

The turning radius has been adjusted and in 2WD its less than a small car !!!

No more wheel wobbles and kingpin adjustments.

In 4WD Low with the front LSD the Turning Radius is less than a Stock MM540 in 2WD.

However the Front LSD gave made controlling and precisely aiming wheels difficult.

Next mod is to fit the 4-Way Steering Stabilizer.

Regards,

Arka

PS - I changed the rear diffs to switched around Mahindra Bolero Diffs with 1 Piece FFRA.

Good to know the turning radius is much lesser! With NDMS and the new steering i think there is no need for power steering! By the way what is 4-way steering stabilizer?? How do you plan to fit it?

I noted the increased rear track. But your diff is still right biased, didnt you change the complete axle set up?Also i noted reinforced rear plate on bumper and winch holder on the front bumper. Way to go!!