[svsantosh]

On 7-apr-2012 I purchased this Armada Grand with Electric Shift 4x4 from Chennai. It is in decent nick, well looked after both by owner and the harsh humid/salty chennai air. Minimal body rust which can be fixed in no time, chassis and drive train in good condition. 4WD used seldom in tea estates of T.N, but never into hardcore offroading. Engine looks a genuine 150,500Kms per ODO, needing a rebuild say in another 25-30K Kms MAX.

















These pics were posted on TBhp classifieds and taken 4 days before purchase date - so pretty much in good nice I say.

BUT - It is no where close to what it is today already some 'uncessary' fiber parts have been discarded which may eventually have been donated to nature on trails...

Some initial observations (After driving a CJ340-XDP4.90-KMT90-T18-5.38-SWB for 3 years)

1) Power of XD3P is noticeably better and smoother

2) BA10 GB is a BIG welcome for highway driving for its smoothness and the much needed 5th Gear

3) Electric 4x4 works in HIGH Range - how to check if it works on LOW by JUST looking at the lights on Dash? In Low - the 4WDH stays on and 4WDL blinks!! Is this how it is supposed to be?

4) AC is a BIG - YAY!! Works like a charm... (There was no Heater in Grand)

5) Power Steering is a another YAYYAYYAY!! Super Welcome from a CJ!!

6) DISC BRAKES in front and Hydraulic Clutch are WELCOME...!!

7) Power windows and central locking are working to give a car feel!!

8) Rear jumper seats are only for kids <5 years old!!

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

Highway driving is super smooth thx to the mix of engine, GB, LWB and AC/PwrStr...

Large fuel tank (Is it 60Ltrs?) helps in fewer pit stops.

SuperWide 58" front (or is it 57") & rear 53" Track width adds to planted road presence - but all 4 leafs makes it slightly bumpy - OE Company sticker on driver door recomends 23-25PSi for unladen drives (max 2-3 people).

Outer perimeter 8 shackle bushes are silent type, inner 4 are grease type.

BorgWarner TC has rear output from center, and a right offset front output.

Chassis (just below middle bench) has a HUGE inverted U to allow the CENTER rear propshaft - CAN this accomodate a RIGHT OFFSET T18's shaft?

This is currently my daily drive with a slighter purpose of a occasional family weekend offroader if called for. Fits my purpose and purse to the T and any day I am happier with my jeep mechanic than a Stupid showroom (any brand) who knows Zilch...

More updates coming soon... Please feel free to comment and answer some of my questions above...

[Shubhendra]

Santosh Ji,
Congratulations, good decision to buy this vehicle. We had this vehicle for few months. Look for overheating when you drive at 90-100 kmph with AC on.
we faced this issue and simple solution is to put a electric fan of Fiat Palio.
just my 2 cents.

Shubhendra Singh

[HorsPwr]

Congrats !!

This beast looks in immaculate condition. One query, I was under the impression that manual shift is better than the electric shift in a 4x4 any given day. Is there some credibility to this fact or is it just a myth ?

[BANDHAV]

Oh, that's why you were there at jeepster thread asking few questions, congrats.

Is this Nano's replacement?

[svsantosh]

Originally Posted by Shubhendra

Look for overheating when you drive at 90-100 kmph with AC on

I am hoping even a Indica's Electric Fan will work? (Plenty in my town's scrap market...) And BINGO - yesterday I left the vehicle in blistering sun in parking lot with AC full speed for my family inside - when I came back after 15 mins - the coolant tank was bubbling and oozing coolant on the road and temp gauge was nearing the danger zone, started to drive and immediately it came down, thx to the flow of air whilst moving...

Originally Posted by HorsPwr

Is there some credibility to this fact or is it just a myth

Electric shift sucks, google around for 'problems of borg warner electric 4x4 shift' - i already ordered a insurance policy thanks to 'Charan', getting it soon... Keep watching.

Originally Posted by BANDHAV

Is this Nano's replacement?

yes, 'TATA' Nano

[BlackPearl]

Congrats svsantosh. The vehiclelook to be in immaculate condition. The previous owner must have maintained it very well. Have you been looking for such a vehicle or was it an impulsive buy? One observation is that the front wheel hub is not jutting out like my Bolero 4x4. Is it different?

[Shubhendra]

Originally Posted by svsantosh

I am hoping even a Indica's Electric Fan will work? (Plenty in my town's scrap market...) And BINGO - yesterday I left the vehicle in blistering sun in parking lot with AC full speed for my family inside - when I came back after 15 mins - the coolant tank was bubbling and oozing coolant on the road and temp gauge was nearing the danger zone, started to drive and immediately it came down, thx to the flow of air whilst moving...

I tried Indica fan in Gypsy 410 and it worked satisfactory. Palio fan was my mechanic's idea and we simply implemented it. If i am not wrong Grand has old metal radiator not aluminium one. if that is the case, then i suggest you to go for big radiator.
even after installing Palio fan in grand, overheating issues were reduced to a great extent but not eliminated.
I believe, if you opt for big radiator and electric fan, it may eliminate overheating problem.

Shubhendra Singh

[Jaggu]

Congratz Santhosh this indeed is a good buy, am sure a little bit of rejuvenation will do wonders. WRT engine i understand usual a ring job and head cleaning will give you another 50k with these engines, if done on time. Do check on this with the guru's.

[asdfvinay]

Congratulations on your new buy. This one looks well maintained. I have seen it in classifieds section and thought of it, but then I didn't bother since it is in a different state.

Are all the pictures of the same vehicle? the first pic which I also saw in classifieds has the Bolero wheelcaps, while other pics sport TATA Sumo wheelcaps. I remember this as a KA vechicle.

[kingofmyworld]

Congratulations on your new buy. This is one car I always liked to travel in. I use to travel in this car the armada GRAND when I was a kid. Did multiple mumbai pune trips in it and use to love it. Back in it's days, it was one of the most comfortable cars in it's segments. Wish I could drive it now.

[Ashley Nair]

Well maintained vehicle in good shape. IMHO remove the fiber claddings before the seven slat grill and bring back the CJ looks.

[Sutripta]

Hi,
I know exactly how you feel. I had a 500DP as my daily drive/ tourer, and then the Grand.
Which FIP do you have CAV or Bosch?
Lights blinking: Shifting in progress, or error.
Check for leaks in the power steering system.
As the power windows go bad, replace them with manual winders.
AC: running R12 or R134A?
If starting problems, first check self starter, the battery and cables. FIP/ engine last.
Throw out the rear jump seats.
Calibrate speedo/ odo. (Mine used to overread by ~20%.)

You are a seasoned jeeper now, so things like bolts dropping on your feet, or a bit of overheating here and there shouldn't scare you!

So now you have the 340 for OTRs and the Grand for Ladakh. Congrats.

Regards
Sutripta

[svsantosh]

Originally Posted by BlackPearl

Have you been looking for such a vehicle or was it an impulsive buy? One observation is that the front wheel hub is not jutting out like my Bolero 4x4. Is it different?

1) Been on lookout for a SUV/MUV for last 1 month to replace nano - got this
2) This came with fixed flange for the front hubs, now it juts out with the new FWH from lambda - wait a day for new avatar pics!!

Originally Posted by Shubhendra

If i am not wrong Grand has old metal radiator not aluminium one. if that is the case, then i suggest you to go for big radiator.
even after installing Palio fan in grand, overheating issues were reduced to a great extent but not eliminated.
I believe, if you opt for big radiator and electric fan, it may eliminate overheating problem

Thx a ton - already requested electrician bhai to procure a working indica fan from scrap ASAP - tomm 1st thing is this work along with misc electrical check ups...

Originally Posted by Jaggu

...a ring job and head cleaning will give you another 50k with these engines, if done on time. Do check on this with the guru's.

Hmm, may be a good idea... let me check...

Originally Posted by asdfvinay

Are all the pictures of the same vehicle? the first pic which I also saw in classifieds has the Bolero wheelcaps, while other pics sport TATA Sumo wheelcaps. I remember this as a KA vechicle.

Good observation - i was the 1st pic was quite a few months old, had a shunt with a Auto (traffic signal) and lost the left fender and ORVM, front bumper Etc...

edit - thinking abt it - may be the owner just picked up a pic frm internet to show a grand!! mods - can u delete the 1st pic plz - even the current number plate size doesnt match the one in the pic!

Originally Posted by kingofmyworld

Wish I could drive it now.

thx... still brings a smile to my face compared to a old world jeep!

Originally Posted by Ashley Nair

IMHO remove the fiber claddings before the seven slat grill and bring back the CJ looks.

Pics tomm

Originally Posted by Sutripta

Which FIP do you have CAV or Bosch?
1) Will check

Lights blinking: Shifting in progress, or error.
2) Error mostly!!

Check for leaks in the power steering system.
3) PS Motor in front covered in oil, cleaned with diesel for now and awaiting to see the exact point of leak - any pointers?

As the power windows go bad, replace them with manual winders.
4) Is the door frame compatible readily with manual system?

AC: running R12 or R134A?
5) Will Check

If starting problems, first check self starter, the battery and cables. FIP/ engine last.
6) ok

Throw out the rear jump seats.
7) ok

Calibrate speedo/ odo. (Mine used to overread by ~20%.)
8) How?

You are a seasoned jeeper now, so things like bolts dropping on your feet, or a bit of overheating here and there shouldn't scare you!
9) You bet!! not at all alarmed with approach to bring this back to glory

So now you have the 340 for OTRs and the Grand for Ladakh
10) You are a dangerous MAN!!

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Some updates after purchase:

1) Got all oils changed - she runs beautifully now
2) She was mechanically maintained in a bad state, may be without the knowledge of the owner thx to a bad mechanic!!
3) Engine oil drain bolt would not budge loose, spanner/allenkey point was butchered - no wonder oil was like grease
4) Same issue with GB/TC Bolts!! - oil was wine red color here!!
5) SAME DAMN Issue with diffs - got them gas heated out and put new oil filler bolts!!
6) Yoke was DRY!! Filled it with grease now.
7) Horizontal Stabilizer Bar bushes changed thx to a thud noise!
8) FWH's fit.
9) Most of plastic parts removed for storage
10) Electric shift to be removed shortly in lieu of a smart product from USA.
11) She currently has 9-44 (4.88) Diff ratio!

Complete electrical work/checkup tomm...

[dhanushs]

Congratulations on the buy Santosh!!.. Wishing you many happy highway/OTR miles in this machine.

Just like you, I have also changed from the XDP 4.9 to the XD3P and its noticeably smoother, and powerful.

Originally Posted by svsantosh

Chassis (just below middle bench) has a HUGE inverted U to allow the CENTER rear propshaft - CAN this accomodate a RIGHT OFFSET T18's shaft?

I'm not entirely knowledgeable, but why do you want to change to T18? Can the Borg Warner made manual? If so, I guess you will get the added advantage of FFRA, which I guess you have now?

4) Is the door frame compatible readily with manual system?

Yes, it should be.

11) She currently has 9-44 (4.88) Diff ratio!

With 4.88 differential ratio, BA10, and on these tyres, may I ask what is the top speed you are getting? Or does the engine start screaming over 90?

Originally Posted by svsantosh

the coolant tank was bubbling and oozing coolant on the road and temp gauge was nearing the danger zone

I think flushing the cooling system, and the fuel system immediately after buying a used vehicle (Jeep) is a good idea. I do that, and has worked positively.

Originally Posted by Sutripta

Calibrate speedo/ odo. (Mine used to overread by ~20%.)

Hi Sutripta, how does one do that! I've been wondering for long, as my Jeep has an error of about ~25% due to upsize tyres.

Thanks,

Dhanush

[rajeev k]

Looks great and think of keying in the buying experience and pricing along with more interior pictures would be informative.
Happy smiling miles.