[directinjection]

Originally Posted by condor

My Sumo, and none that I have seen so far have coil springs. It does have a shock at the front. Rear is leaf springs. I have even explored the option of adding Coil springs at the back, but my SA adviced me not to.

Sumo front suspension always had coil springs. Earlier Sumos had the shock absorbers installed inside the coil springs which surrounded the shockers. The front portion of early Sumos used to bend considerably upon braking. Around the year 2000-01, the front suspension layout was revised and the coil springs were shifted away from the shockers.

At the rear, early Sumos had the shockers mounted in a peculiar way with LHS shockers behind the rear axle and the RHS shocker ahead of it. This layout also changed later from (I think) Victa onwards. Of course the leafs were always there at the rear.

[jeepster]

Some pics of Armoured Sumo 4x4.

Source: my H.D.D.

Rgds,
Nikhil

[AltoHoncho]

This is really interesting, a Sumo 4x4. I have never come across any so far even though I have been visiting the army cantonment in Pune quite often and meeting friends there.
Also, is there any thread on tbhp here about someone building a 4x4 Sumo or restoring one? Have read a lot of gypsy and MM ones but none on the Sumo. Considering the parts availability, ruggedness in 2WD ones, go anywhere ability, good GC ... am sure its a great contender for a 4WD mod.

[GTO]

If anyone was looking for a Sumo 4x4, here is a rare example on sale : Classifieds Link

[sourabhzen]

Originally Posted by AltoHoncho

This is really interesting, a Sumo 4x4. I have never come across any so far even though I have been visiting the army cantonment in Pune.....

I have seen a number of 4X4 army Sumos in Sikkim, most of them being used as ambulances. Recently, on my visit to Srinagar, I saw a civilian 4X4 white Sumo.

[DHABHAR.BEHRAM]

Dear all - this is indeed very interesting.

Best regards,

Behram Dhabhar

[scopriobharath]

All - is SUMO 4X4 supported at the A.S.S and are spares easy to find or would it go the "Hyundai Terracan" way.

[tsk1979]

Originally Posted by GTO

If anyone was looking for a Sumo 4x4, here is a rare example on sale : Classifieds Link

475000!
you can get a 2005 safari DICOR for less money!
The 3.0 liter safari is reasonably reliable on the engine front, has more space and pep too!

[KALINGA]

Behram sir suddenly appears in this thread....
The success story will repeat again in TATA.
Sir, Best of luck.

We can now expect a more modern SUMO 4x4 .

[Samurai]

Hmm, I don't know. The Thar benefited immensely from having the Jeep facade, which is iconic. Jeeps are accepted as both people carriers as well as lifestyle vehicle because of its legacy.

But Sumo? That will be seen either as a call center vehicle or tourist vehicle. In other words, a pure people carrier. Sumo even in the 4x4 avatar cannot become a lifestyle vehicle.

For Sumo 4x4 to become a lifestyle vehicle, two things have to happen. First, a complete face-lift is required, it shouldn't even remotely resemble the people carrier Sumo. Second, DON'T CALL IT SUMO.

[DirtyDan]

Originally Posted by Samurai

For Sumo 4x4 to become a lifestyle vehicle, two things have to happen. First, a complete face-lift is required, it shouldn't even remotely resemble the people carrier Sumo. Second, DON'T CALL IT SUMO.

I owned a 3.0L Sumo (Spacio) for 3 years. I went to Leh via Manali twice in it, among other things. It has many strong points including:

1.) Great seating position (After I remounted the seats back a few inches.
Took about an hour).

2.) Lots of glass and visibility. Pleasant to drive with all that glass around.

3.) Much narrower than other SUVs like Scorpio so easier to maneuver in
tight spots if you have PS.

4.) Simple, rugged. In 4x4 version, with MLD, it's a Gurkha in all
but name. It would get the already developed IFS no doubt, since
TATA already knows how to do this application for this vehicle. But
such a vehicle is not going to win the Palar Challenge or be a pure
off-roader anyway. It can carry the family, though, to the great
outdoors.

5.) Lots of room for gear or mother-in-law in the third row.

I can picture this thing with heavy Land Rover type storage racks on top and maybe on a reinforced rear door (Hinges a little weak. That's one reason they moved the spare underneath in later models. Underneath is not a good place for 4x4 version spare.) It's also going to need serious 235/70/16 tyres, not Bridgestones, please.

The front bonnet could sport some Humvee-like slits. They don't have to do anything, just look pretty. You could mount some serious no-nonsense 4x4 type bumpers front and rear and maybe some rock-slider type running boards mounted higher than stock for ground clearance....some loop hooks on the body here and there to tie stuff to and look manly....it's starting to look pretty good! You could make Vinod an offer he can't refuse, to handle the marketing.

Sammy is right. You have to change the name. You could name it after the ancient all powerful Western God....you could call it the Thor.

See preferred slits and bumpers below.

[wanderernomad]

Most of the Army 4X4 sumos are specialised vehicles which are yet to cover their mandatory mileage before being auctioned. The reason we see none of them up for grabs among the MM jeeps. Yes, Sumo in a 4X4 mode with a reasonable price tag would be a killer proposition. Long time back I had a Sumo as an official vehicle and boy was it fun drive, lol the rocking boat motion could lull any driver to sleep on a hot mid afternoon sun. But over all TATA has the platform, the technology, the right people (atleast now), wonder when they are going to surprise us.

[codelust]

Originally Posted by DirtyDan

Sammy is right. You have to change the name. You could name it after the ancient all powerful Western God....you could call it the Thor.

I have gone from really disliking the Sumo in my younger days to taking a liking to it now. The looks, obviously, have to be touched up a bit and if they can give a better rake angle in the rear it can be a pretty decent looker.

If they can get together the following in place, I can replace my hatch and Gypsy and stick to just one vehicle:

1) Factory HT - already there for the Sumo.
2) Factory AC - already there.
3) Great reliability - already there.
4) IFS/Live axle - Don't care as long as it can take a beating and a bit more. Strong preference for good ride quality.
6). Part-time 4x4 with high and low range. Factory lockers would be the Mila Kunis equivalent in a vehicle for me, but I can live without her, as I do now.
7) Power steering. I'm used to not having it in the Gypsy, but the ripping biceps it has given me creates way too much attention from the female population.

Quite a simple package. Rest all can be added on. Question is: will TATA bite the bullet?

[kg_murali]

Why a Sumo 4X4 ?.

Now with JLR & Mr DB under Tata wings, I bet, it will be on an old defender platform. Saw one in Bangalore. An old one, cream colored. the look simply rocks, that too a spare wheel perched on front bonnet its stance and ground clearance, WOW factor.

Any day it can rip the pants of "Thar" and if priced @ 5L to 6L sure winner.

Regards

Mur Naks.

[DHABHAR.BEHRAM]

Dear all - thanks for the good wishes. I was just wondering, I have a small question to ask you. Any vehicle sales brochure available in the showrooms with dealers contains some vehicle dimensions. In your opinion, which of these dimensions is the most relevant to what we are talking about?

Best regards,

Behram Dhabhar