[Dry Ice]

Originally Posted by BlackPearl

Good advice is always welcome! But my visa period is limited, so it is difficult to get a motorhome here and utilise it. I might rent one, but never liked the idea of using a rented motorhome. I still don't understand why cant we get a few decent options in India as I feel the potential is huge.

Well, if you so insist, only these 3 threads come to my mind. 2 out of these may fulfill your 4wd need. I am sure there must be more posts scattered over the forum but I don't recall right now. Maybe some keyword searches can dig out more.

TT as PV: https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/comme...ml#post3804948 (Caravans - Why not in India ?)

The 1-ton: https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/4x4-v...-1-ton-23.html (Nissan 4W73 aka 1 ton)

207 pickup mod: https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/modif...away-home.html (Building a truck camper : Home away from home)


EDIT: As for the why? I guess it's more to do with our archaic laws which we never bothered to modernize with the changing times. Then there are people everywhere out to fleece/deceive you - right from finding the right mechanic, to govt. officials, to traffic cops. Now, there maybe good folks around and that's why the world doesn't implode, but, still - you just can't let your guard down anywhere. And when you have such a niche vehicle, all these people will interpret the rules/laws differently. Toll booths for example, they may insist and ask you to pay commercial rates as they won't have a slot for larger private vehicles. I am not saying it can't be done, but there are far too many headaches IMO. A simpler solution could be camping with your Thar. Maybe kit it out with a roof tent.

[Tejas@perioimpl]

I have a friend, Rahul Gavand who has bought a Mercedes truck and is converting it to a motor home. It's a 2wd with rear diff locks because Bharat Benz doesn't sell 4WD trucks in India. He's a tourer and doesn't need 4x4 capabilities.

If you want I can share his contact details on PM.

[BlackPearl]

Originally Posted by Dry Ice

EDIT: As for the why? I guess it's more to do with our archaic laws which we never bothered to modernize with the changing times. Then there are people everywhere out to fleece/deceive you - right from finding the right mechanic, to govt. officials, to traffic cops. Now, there maybe good folks around and that's why the world doesn't implode, but, still - you just can't let your guard down anywhere. And when you have such a niche vehicle, all these people will interpret the rules/laws differently. Toll booths for example, they may insist and ask you to pay commercial rates as they won't have a slot for larger private vehicles. I am not saying it can't be done, but there are far too many headaches IMO. A simpler solution could be camping with your Thar. Maybe kit it out with a roof tent.

Very well said, really appreciate the points you have mentioned.

Originally Posted by Tejas@perioimpl

I have a friend, Rahul Gavand who has bought a Mercedes truck and is converting it to a motor home. It's a 2wd with rear diff locks because Bharat Benz doesn't sell 4WD trucks in India. He's a tourer and doesn't need 4x4 capabilities.

If you want I can share his contact details on PM.

That is great news. When will his project be complete? The points mentioned by Dry Ice above are very salient points and has made me skeptical. I would like to wait and get a feedback from him once his project is complete and has done a few trips. It would be unfair to bother him with questions right now. I will surely PM you to get more details after I get a confirmation from you, provided the itch remains strong. For now Dry Ice has been able to put a big seed of doubt.

[KMT]

http://smlisuzu.com/productlisting.a...&productid=107

4x4 407s are available on order but are HARD and bouncy to drive.

Has anyone seen an SML 4x4?

[ashroy_6]

Originally Posted by KMT

http://smlisuzu.com/productlisting.a...&productid=107

4x4 407s are available on order but are HARD and bouncy to drive.

Has anyone seen an SML 4x4?

Hi,

I test drove a brand new SML army ambulance 4x4 last year. They were totally agricultural to drive. One has to completely forget the luxuries of a car.
But in India they are the best option for modification for a motorhome...right size with 4x4 capabilities. I wanted to buy one last year but getting it in white board is a major challenge. I had even made a 3-d model of the sml motorhome which I wanted to build. few pics attached.

[Dry Ice]

Originally Posted by ashroy_6

Hi,

I test drove a brand new SML army ambulance 4x4 last year. They were totally agricultural to drive. One has to completely forget the luxuries of a car.
But in India they are the best option for modification for a motorhome...right size with 4x4 capabilities. I wanted to buy one last year but getting it in white board is a major challenge. I had even made a 3-d model of the sml motorhome which I wanted to build. few pics attached.

Looks swell!

Incidently, SML says they also make this, which I believe could be just as good a platform considering it comes with factory PS, AC.





Also attaching the brochure from their site - sml_4wd_dualcab.pdf

[ashroy_6]

The best bet I feel is either Swaraj mazda 4x4 chassis which is very much available for around 17 lakhs. Getting white plate is also quite possible. This I guess has 2+ tonnes capacity and is slightly bigger than tata 407.

The second best option would be to get TATA 407 4X4 which would cost around 10-11 lakhs. It would be little bit shorter than SML but the size would be perfect for Himalayan roads plus I feel it would be little better to drive also.

[ashroy_6]

Originally Posted by Dry Ice

Looks swell!

Incidently, SML says they also make this, which I believe could be just as good a platform considering it comes with factory PS, AC.


Attachment 1856408


Also attaching the brochure from their site - Attachment 1856409

If you are looking for SML, then go for the regular 4x4 truck. It cost about 17.5 lac ex showroom. It would give more flexibility for design.

[condor]

If anyone is interested in a 4x4 407, I came across this ad on olx

https://www.olx.in/item/tata-407-4x4-iid-1522780167

[sechebe]

Which is a better 4x4 chassis for an expedition vehicle, available off the shelf, for a budget build?

Does SML 4WD or Tata 407 4x4 have 4Low? I guess both doesn't have Diff locks.

Also, as per Tata Motors website, the GVW of 407 4x4 is only 3800 kg, which is way low compared to 2wd versions which go upto 6tons. Any idea why it's so?

[funkykar]

I had a great road trip on a Tata 407 4x4 that i purchased on a friend's behalf. I have documented in detail on this thread https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/comme...road-trip.html (A rare Tata 407 4x4 | 1300 km road trip). Hope you guys will enjoy reading it too.

[ashwinvardhan]

Yup tata 407 4x4 has only 4wd low, I just bought onefor future campervan conversion.

[ashishpotdar]

Live next to an Army Camp area in Mumbai, Kandivali East. Came across this vehicle in the morning commute. Badge mentioned Tata 407 4x4.

[BlackBeard]

Originally Posted by ashwinvardhan

Yup tata 407 4x4 has only 4wd low, I just bought onefor future campervan conversion.

Congratulations!

How is the truck off road? How is the progress so far on the campervan conversion?

Eagerly looking forward to the final product, is it going to be a custom built body or something off the shelf?

Earlier there is used to be a double cab version of the TATA 407 truck, don't see them around anymore.

There is one available below, if somebody is interested:

https://www.olx.in/item/407-44-army-...iid-1765233617

[AdityaDeane]

Originally Posted by BlackBeard

There is one available below, if somebody is interested:

https://www.olx.in/item/407-44-army-...iid-1765233617

This seller also claims that his truck is a 407 4x4 model, if anyone's interested:-

http://www.olx.in/item/tata-407-44-f...iid-1743087323