[shekaran]

i have the same HT like yours in my mm540.
although it looks somewhat awkward, HT makes sense with regard to safety, weather protection etc.,.
the rear door would make noises, especially if the spare tyre is fitted on it - when you go over rough patches in road.
other than that, the HT asks negligible maintenance sir, so think twice before parting with it.
best regards, cheers.

[dhanushs]

Originally Posted by shekaran

i have the same HT like yours in my mm540....
... so think twice before parting with it.

Thanks for the advice Sir!



btw, came to Bombay, and saw the vehicle. . Today took it to travel from Vasai till RTO and back, and carried out some other chores. Total distance traveled is about ~200 kms. All city, no highway. Other than the fact that I came home dead tired, the Jeep impressed me in almost every thing.

I expected a hell lot of rattles, and this turned out better. Even squeaks et al from leaf springs were very less for a 10+ year old 540. Not sure if its because the vehicle was left idle for a long time.

Also, pretty impressed with the FE. I believe it used up about 600 bucks worth of diesel for ~200kms of city driving in Bombay.

And, IMO, engine.. wengine.. transmission et all, are OK and nothing to complain.

Will comment in detail, after some more miles of driving.

-----------------------------------------------


Also, I intend to change the front axle to newer NGCS type, and also the diff and transfer case.

Any pointers on where and how I can procure this parts best in Bombay?. And if possible, where I can get it done?

Thanks in advance!!..

Cheers,

Dhanush

[dhanushs]

OK, got tyres and did some cosmetic mods over the weekend.

Tyres are 265/70 R16 Bridgstone Dueler A/T. Also, got the insect guard and fender flares.

Planning to do a complete service and the mechanical works this week.

[condor]

@Dhanush, are you home yet or still in Mumbai ?

What difference did you feel after getting the 265's ? I think FE will also be affected.

Pls start putting in the pics, as and when you do each change.

[dhanushs]

Originally Posted by condor

@Dhanush, are you home yet or still in Mumbai ?

Condor, still in Mumbai. Paperworks should be cleared in a couple of days. Afterwhich, will set the 4x4 right, and drive down to Kerala.

What difference did you feel after getting the 265's ? I think FE will also be affected.

Well, steering effort has increased for sure. FE has reduced, but not sure. As, I have not checked Tank full to tank full, and on top of it, need to change the oil and lubes.

Pls start putting in the pics, as and when you do each change.

Ask away!

Here's the vehicle after the tyre/alloy upgrade. Well, the old bald tyres would have given away any time, so thought of putting in new tyres 1st.












Insect guard and Fender flare pics will come up soon.

Dear bhp'ns please feel free to put in your advice/comments. Thanks!

[sreejeshmp]

Dhanush,

Your jeep looks great with the new tyres. Does that 265s are touching the leaf springs while turning ? Which front diff you are planing to put ?

[dhanushs]

Originally Posted by sreejeshmp

Your jeep looks great with the new tyres. Does that 265s are touching the leaf springs while turning ? Which front diff you are planing to put ?

Thank you Sreejesh. Yes, the 265's would just touch the leaf springs, and hence had to increase the turning radius slightly.

Planning to put the entire set of 53" axle, differential along with front discs from Thar Di.

[SPIKE ARRESTOR]

Dhanush, forgot to add earlier, diff ratio for Thar DI is 3.73, you need to consider the right ratio depending on your usage (on road / off road). Also with bigger tires, your effective ratio has changed drastically (when compared to stock setup).

Spike

PS- If rear diff is untouched it must be 4.88 now, which IMHO is the best ratio for such genre of Jeeps (good overall).

[Trueintrepid]

Congrats Dhanush for a great buy!

Just wondering, how much did the alloys cost you?

[parsh]

Dhanush, its looking super macho already with the alloys and the BS Dueller A/T. How much did it come to with the alloys and tyres? How is the grip and drive improved with them on?
Congrats on the super buy. And good to hear that the 10 yr old is as good as new. What a buy man. Have been seeing your thread from day 1. Nice shaping up.

When you say you had to increase the turning radius, how much is changed and how bad the effect experienced in actual traffic, also won't it be problem in off-roading too?

[deetjohn]

dhanushs, congrats on the Jeep. There is something about MM540!

Nice to see that you invested in a good set of tyres already. Now, all the best for the epic drive down to KL.

Enjoy it and keep your cool. True for the engine as well.

Also make sure all your gauges are working correct before you start.

I am sure you would have gone through Samurai' excellent thread on his CJ340. There are some very good pointers on what all to do and carry for that first trip home on a Jeep. Have fun!

[govigov]

Congrats Dhanush.

I like it how when jeepers go "nautical" with the terms and lesser mortals have no clue on what they are talking about. he he.

[dhanushs]

Originally Posted by Trueintrepid

Congrats Dhanush for a great buy!

Originally Posted by parsh

Dhanush, its looking super macho already with the alloys and the BS Dueller A/T.
Congrats on the super buy.

Originally Posted by deetjohn

dhanushs, congrats on the Jeep. There is something about MM540!

Originally Posted by govigov

Congrats Dhanush.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Trueintrepid

Just wondering, how much did the alloys cost you?

Originally Posted by parsh

How much did it come to with the alloys and tyres? How is the grip and drive improved with them on?

Actually, I got the Alloys through a friend and lets just say, I got it at a VERY competitive price.

Grip has improved for sure, but you know how fast Jeeps go on the road, hence thats not a big +. Have to go OTR yet, to comment on, off road grip.

When you say you had to increase the turning radius, how much is changed and how bad the effect experienced in actual traffic, also won't it be problem in off-roading too?

Turning radius has changed slightly, and its a bit to bother in city, however, I guess with wider axles things should be better than normal.

[jeeva]

The alloys and tyres have changed the complete character of the jeep. Those AT tyre's pattern looks very similar to the Yoko Geolanders. Hope, it will perform as good too.

Try to get hold of those thin sheet metal jeep monograms, one for each side (the one which is currently placed besides the front windscreen). The 540 needs it badly.
The ones available here are the cheap plastic ones.

[dhanushs]

Originally Posted by jeeva

The alloys and tyres have changed the complete character of the jeep. Those AT tyre's pattern looks very similar to the Yoko Geolanders. Hope, it will perform as good too.

Hmm.. been reading some good reviews in net. but none on person.. So, let see.. eh ?

Originally Posted by jeeva

Try to get hold of those thin sheet metal jeep monograms, one for each side (the one which is currently placed besides the front windscreen). The 540 needs it badly.
The ones available here are the cheap plastic ones.

Thanks for the heads up mate!.. I have seen a similar thread where one has fabricated these for his 550. Been wanting the same since then.

And, Jeevan, thanks for all the help offline!


---------------------------------------------------------

EDIT: Got the NOC just now. Was dealing with an Agent called Anant. He is extremely helpful, patient and does the job lightning fast. Infact, I submitted documents on Saturday, and got the NOC today. I would have gotten it a day before, if I had given the chassis print on time.

Oh. and yes, he is cheap.. The NOC cost me just ~1500, including a ~200 miscellaneous.

Will be mentioning him in the tbhp directory.