Allahabad MM550 restoration project

V-16 · 30th December 2011, 14:12

Congrats on your buy. Welcome to the MM550 family. You have many able members guiding you so stick to what they tell you, you are in good hands.

A point i wanted to make regarding wheels. The stock size of the rims is 16'' and each rim weighs around 17kg or so. IMHO it is not advisable to use these rims if you are thinking of a tyre upgrade to wider tyres. It would be then good to go in for 15'' with the same pcd (139.7). Dont worry about non availability as these rims are widely and easily available as the pcd is shared with the Gypsy.

I would not suggest sandgrips or NDMS if you are going in for alloys. You have a wide choice of tyres to choose from and that would depend largely on your application. What is the Jeep primarily going to be used for? both off road and on road, mostly off road or only on the highway. Your choice of MT or HT tyres will depend on the above choice.

No need to hurry, get everything in order and then go for the rims and tyres. The alloy rims should cost you anything from 19k to 25k. for 15'' rims (recommended you change to this size) and the tyres depend on the availability and brand. Still safely budget between 7.5 to 12.5k per tyre depending on what tyres you want.

Twinn · 30th December 2011, 14:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertfox

get the hood made in Khaki color canvas and get some minor nick knacks fitted / done.

Pics do look great..As for the hood go for SRF Sandstone material (Supposed to be the best and long lasting) - I to got the same khaki material for my jeep, cost me around 280/- per meter in Chennai. Picked up around 10 meters... Keep the Sand grip tyres, they complement the jeep very well...

twistwrist · 30th December 2011, 20:49

Congratulations Desertfox. The Jeep has come out very well. In Delhi you get readymade soft tops in mayapuri area.Just check if its useful for you.

desertfox · 1st January 2012, 11:10

The Sandgrippers on it are brand new purchased 5 tires in Allahabad for Rs. 40,000 from an Army supplier, it was difficult to find these in Gurgaon, went to T mart and the MRF dealer. These are JK Brand 7.5 x 16, with stock MM550 rims on it which are really tough. All 4 rims were Ok and I bought a 5th one for spare wheel locally for Rs. 1200.

I had also bought a set of rubber mats and left it with the dealer in Mayapuri, I will fit it when the hood is installed. The present hood is a 2nd hand one picked up from the hood fabricator in Mayapuri for Rs. 600 to transport the vehicle from Allahabad to Gurgaon in this cold weather.

What Twinn has suggested Khaki would be a good soft top. Need the middle with velcro to open easily for night drives where we drive guided by a spotlight operator in the back deck.

fazalaliadil · 1st January 2012, 13:20

Shahid,

Stock and solid restoration, good workmanship done on your 550.
Didn't know the price of the Sandgrip's has shot up to 8K per tyre.

Wishing you many safe miles ahead.
Regards,

desertfox · 2nd January 2012, 15:34

Thanks Fazal Bhai,
Coming to Hyderabad tomorrow ( Jan 3 and 4 ) lets meet, you know ,my office in Himayat Nagar or I will be staying at the Taj Banjara, we could meet there if it is more central to you.

The hard work done on this Jeep is of my Phoopha Mr. Rizwan Ahmad, I can take very little credit. The paint work is very good and the engine is perfectly tuned. Just awaiting the registration to be completed so that I can get it here in Gurgaon, and then get a Khaki Canvas hood made.

r_nairtvm · 2nd January 2012, 17:27

Slightly OT, hence please excuse.

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertfox

Twelve years ago in 1999 this was the name conjoured up my Janbaz Ali Khan, an ex British army map reader and the founder of self drive off road events in Dubai, the Gulf News Fun Drives.

Hi Shahid,

An excellent outcome on the jeep. It still looks the macho it should be.

Thought you would be interested at the latest edition of Jum's continuing saga with GNFD (if you are not aware of this already).

gulfnews : Fun Drive will tackle Liwa terrain this year

Though I had the opportunity to be part of the Marshall Team, could not take it up as I had business travel on the planned dates of the event.

Best Regards & Drive/Ride Safe

Ram

desertfox · 15th March 2012, 23:28

My Mahindra MM 550 finally arrived in Gurgaon two days ago, trucked by a returning Maruti transportation vehicle.

Most of the day today ( having taken a holiday from work ) I was doing things for my Jeep to take it offroad with a group of 34 North India Off Road Jeeps and 94 participants and counting.

Got the 3rd party insurance done. Got pollution certificate done.
Got a relay and Philips Halogen bulb installed for headlight beams.
The Jeep was registered last month in Dehradun, UK
Got the rattling noise in the back fixed, the tail gate needed new rubber liner and got a denter to do a few adjustments to the locking mechanism.
Its too dark now and the vehicle is not clean. Will shoot and post pictures tomorrow
Washing greasing needs to be done before it goes for hood fitting and new mats tomorrow to Mayapuri.

desertfox · 8th April 2012, 15:20

Finally had a free Sunday afternoon and I was able to spare the time to shoot and post a few pics of my MM 550 Jeep after its new canvas top was also fabricated on Friday.

desertfox · 8th April 2012, 15:28

Here are other pictures including the engine compartment

Acclero · 13th April 2012, 00:34

Looks like how a JEEP is supposed to look like!

Congratulations ! and i didnt see the Intrepid Explorer Symbol yet!

desertfox · 13th April 2012, 11:49

Yes I got to find a vendor and get the Intrepid Explorer cover made. Artwork is a blue Elephant in clumps of grass marching ( only front half and tusks visible ) against a cream / white background. I am sure there will be somebody in Gurgaon who can do this.

desertfox · 20th April 2012, 23:29

Two offroad trips with the limited time I get to pursue this these days and the vehicle has been brilliant conquering any terrain that came under it, sand, rocks, mud and slush. I am satisfied with it fully knowing that it is an MM550 and not a Landcruiser.

vishwaschettri · 22nd April 2012, 02:53

Hi Desert Fox,

Excellent vehicle. Looks very purposeful. Very tastefully yet simply done.

Btw do you have any contact to get army auction vehicles registered from D.Doon ?. I did be interested.

Cheers
Vishwas

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertfox

Two offroad trips with the limited time I get to pursue this these days and the vehicle has been brilliant conquering any terrain that came under it, sand, rocks, mud and slush. I am satisfied with it fully knowing that it is an MM550 and not a Landcruiser.

desertfox · 22nd April 2012, 08:50

It is very very difficult my cousin got it done for me. The expenditure is also huge.

30th December 2011, 14:12	#16
V-16 Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2005 Location: mumbai Posts: 4,594 Thanked: 950 Times View My Garage	Re: Allahabad MM550 restoration project Congrats on your buy. Welcome to the MM550 family. You have many able members guiding you so stick to what they tell you, you are in good hands. A point i wanted to make regarding wheels. The stock size of the rims is 16'' and each rim weighs around 17kg or so. IMHO it is not advisable to use these rims if you are thinking of a tyre upgrade to wider tyres. It would be then good to go in for 15'' with the same pcd (139.7). Dont worry about non availability as these rims are widely and easily available as the pcd is shared with the Gypsy. I would not suggest sandgrips or NDMS if you are going in for alloys. You have a wide choice of tyres to choose from and that would depend largely on your application. What is the Jeep primarily going to be used for? both off road and on road, mostly off road or only on the highway. Your choice of MT or HT tyres will depend on the above choice. No need to hurry, get everything in order and then go for the rims and tyres. The alloy rims should cost you anything from 19k to 25k. for 15'' rims (recommended you change to this size) and the tyres depend on the availability and brand. Still safely budget between 7.5 to 12.5k per tyre depending on what tyres you want.
	() Thanks

30th December 2011, 20:49	#18
twistwrist BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: bangalore Posts: 29 Thanked: 20 Times	Re: Allahabad MM550 restoration project Congratulations Desertfox. The Jeep has come out very well. In Delhi you get readymade soft tops in mayapuri area.Just check if its useful for you.
	() Thanks

1st January 2012, 11:10	#19
desertfox Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Gurgaon, Delhi NCR Posts: 1,270 Thanked: 648 Times	Re: Allahabad MM550 restoration project The Sandgrippers on it are brand new purchased 5 tires in Allahabad for Rs. 40,000 from an Army supplier, it was difficult to find these in Gurgaon, went to T mart and the MRF dealer. These are JK Brand 7.5 x 16, with stock MM550 rims on it which are really tough. All 4 rims were Ok and I bought a 5th one for spare wheel locally for Rs. 1200. I had also bought a set of rubber mats and left it with the dealer in Mayapuri, I will fit it when the hood is installed. The present hood is a 2nd hand one picked up from the hood fabricator in Mayapuri for Rs. 600 to transport the vehicle from Allahabad to Gurgaon in this cold weather. What Twinn has suggested Khaki would be a good soft top. Need the middle with velcro to open easily for night drives where we drive guided by a spotlight operator in the back deck.
	() Thanks

1st January 2012, 13:20	#20
fazalaliadil Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 2,022 Thanked: 672 Times View My Garage	Re: Allahabad MM550 restoration project Shahid, Stock and solid restoration, good workmanship done on your 550. Didn't know the price of the Sandgrip's has shot up to 8K per tyre. Wishing you many safe miles ahead. Regards,
	() Thanks

2nd January 2012, 15:34	#21
desertfox Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Gurgaon, Delhi NCR Posts: 1,270 Thanked: 648 Times	Re: Allahabad MM550 restoration project Thanks Fazal Bhai, Coming to Hyderabad tomorrow ( Jan 3 and 4 ) lets meet, you know ,my office in Himayat Nagar or I will be staying at the Taj Banjara, we could meet there if it is more central to you. The hard work done on this Jeep is of my Phoopha Mr. Rizwan Ahmad, I can take very little credit. The paint work is very good and the engine is perfectly tuned. Just awaiting the registration to be completed so that I can get it here in Gurgaon, and then get a Khaki Canvas hood made.
	() Thanks

15th March 2012, 23:28	#23
desertfox Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Gurgaon, Delhi NCR Posts: 1,270 Thanked: 648 Times	Re: Allahabad MM550 restoration project My Mahindra MM 550 finally arrived in Gurgaon two days ago, trucked by a returning Maruti transportation vehicle. Most of the day today ( having taken a holiday from work ) I was doing things for my Jeep to take it offroad with a group of 34 North India Off Road Jeeps and 94 participants and counting. Got the 3rd party insurance done. Got pollution certificate done. Got a relay and Philips Halogen bulb installed for headlight beams. The Jeep was registered last month in Dehradun, UK Got the rattling noise in the back fixed, the tail gate needed new rubber liner and got a denter to do a few adjustments to the locking mechanism. Its too dark now and the vehicle is not clean. Will shoot and post pictures tomorrow Washing greasing needs to be done before it goes for hood fitting and new mats tomorrow to Mayapuri.
	() Thanks

8th April 2012, 15:20	#24
desertfox Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Gurgaon, Delhi NCR Posts: 1,270 Thanked: 648 Times	Re: Allahabad MM550 restoration project Finally had a free Sunday afternoon and I was able to spare the time to shoot and post a few pics of my MM 550 Jeep after its new canvas top was also fabricated on Friday. Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

8th April 2012, 15:28	#25
desertfox Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Gurgaon, Delhi NCR Posts: 1,270 Thanked: 648 Times	Re: Allahabad MM550 restoration project Here are other pictures including the engine compartment Attached Thumbnails
	(1) Thanks

13th April 2012, 00:34	#26
Acclero BHPian Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 127 Thanked: 11 Times	Re: Allahabad MM550 restoration project Looks like how a JEEP is supposed to look like! Congratulations ! and i didnt see the Intrepid Explorer Symbol yet!
	() Thanks

13th April 2012, 11:49	#27
desertfox Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Gurgaon, Delhi NCR Posts: 1,270 Thanked: 648 Times	Re: Allahabad MM550 restoration project Yes I got to find a vendor and get the Intrepid Explorer cover made. Artwork is a blue Elephant in clumps of grass marching ( only front half and tusks visible ) against a cream / white background. I am sure there will be somebody in Gurgaon who can do this.
	() Thanks

20th April 2012, 23:29	#28
desertfox Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Gurgaon, Delhi NCR Posts: 1,270 Thanked: 648 Times	Re: Allahabad MM550 restoration project Two offroad trips with the limited time I get to pursue this these days and the vehicle has been brilliant conquering any terrain that came under it, sand, rocks, mud and slush. I am satisfied with it fully knowing that it is an MM550 and not a Landcruiser.
	(1) Thanks

22nd April 2012, 08:50	#30
desertfox Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Gurgaon, Delhi NCR Posts: 1,270 Thanked: 648 Times	Re: Allahabad MM550 restoration project It is very very difficult my cousin got it done for me. The expenditure is also huge.
	() Thanks