[Chanderjeet]

Hello,

I've finally smart-assed my wifey into buying me a rust-bucket. This happened after promising her a few more pair of shoes and a vacation somewhere not in the immediate vicinity of our home. In the process of acquiring a suitable match for my outstanding personality, I started looking into the world of well used jeeps. The first one I fell in love with, came with no wheels, no seats, no steering wheel but came with a few extra tetanus shots. I loved it and wanted to buy it but somehow wifey didn't agree with the whole "riding in a junkyard treasure" idea.

So scrolling the incessant screenloads of online ads began. My "internet research" went up a notch and I would started replying to ads. One thing led to another and before I knew I was getting me some......... responses. I was fascinated by the amazing community that drives the 4wd jeep. One "Ms. Sapna Singhania" kept emailing me about her "best massage services in town" but when I asked if that included a ride in her 4x4, she replied, "No, but we do accept all international credit cards". I moved on.

One day another like minded monkey answered my call and said,

"Come over and see what I have."
I said "Pardon me."
He said, "I meant the jeep".
I said "So did I".
He said "You'd be blown away"
I said "Pardon me."
He said "By the jeep"
I heard his cheekishly teasing smile.

Next morning, I called in the cavalry but only one of my numbskull friends showed up only because I promised food was on the house. Lucky for me he was half brain dead like me so together we made one decent set of buyers.


So the the owner had got it done last year, new paint job, new battery, new seats, new electicals, new cosmetics, fully overhauled etc etc. So I took some photos and want you guys to take a shot at it and let me know what you think. Remember, no low blows or biting.

PS. - Calling DHABHAR.BEHRAM ji to the white courtesy phone.
PS. - This goes out as a gesture of appreciation to all our wives and sweethearts. May they never meet.

[DHABHAR.BEHRAM]

Dear Chanderjeet - from the photographs, generally things seem to be in place, but it is too premature to conclude. All leaf springs must be changed immediately and original ones refitted. You will have to find an unmolested original set first. What is fitted now is nonsense, that's why vehicle stance is so odd, handling will be terrible. There are rust marks underfloor where some body work seems to have been done, check for any abuse in this area. Engine rear oil seal is leaking, needs to be replaced immediately. Please post lots of photographs from all angles, I must verify that there is no chassis crab (twist). Also post photographs of the engine compartment and the 4 wheel engagement lever mechanism.

Do not buy till I give you the go-ahead. You must get value for the money that you spend.

Best regards,

Behram Dhabhar

PS - I love your writing style

[aadithsince1980]

Great pick and loved your writing style I've just started bribing my wife with a quest to acquire a Gypsy, hope it pays off sometime soon
So you planning to keep the 540 stock or?

[AlphaKilo]

Originally Posted by Chanderjeet

Hello,

I've finally smart-assed my wifey into buying me a rust-bucket. The first one I fell in love with, came with no wheels, no seats, no steering wheel but came with a few extra tetanus shots.
One "Ms. Sapna Singhania" kept emailing me about her "best massage services in town" but when I asked if that included a ride in her 4x4, she replied, "No, but we do accept all international credit cards". I moved on.

Bring it on Mate! I am ROLFing in my office! "Rust-Bucket" and "Ms. Singhania" part was awesome.

well I am also another "like mind(ed)or (less) Monkey" but no BD sir. So I am not going to give you any low blows or biting or for that matter, won't even try to pull up a fight with you. I am going to stand by this thread and watch and enjoy your "rust-bucket" grow and see you getting off-(L)roaded (may be by your better-half if you don't fulfill your promise!).

[MileCruncher]

Overall the Jeep looks like from pictures but do wait for Behram saab's opinion. However what is the specification on the vehicle?

All the best in getting a Jeep!

Cheers

P.S: Loved your writing style!

[Chanderjeet]

Originally Posted by DHABHAR.BEHRAM

[b][u]Post photographs of the engine compartment and the 4 wheel engagement lever mechanism. Do not buy till I give you the go-ahead.

My age old camera went t*ts up on me that day. I will go there again and get some photos this weekend.

[Chanderjeet]

Originally Posted by aadithsince1980

Great pick and loved your writing style I've just started bribing my wife with a quest to acquire a Gypsy, hope it pays off sometime soon
So you planning to keep the 540 stock or?

Stock worries me. Custom worries me more. I guess I will just another sheep following the herd. Though I may turn out to be a black albino sheep.

Originally Posted by Chanderjeet

One "Ms. Sapna Singhania" kept emailing me about her "best massage services in town"

Originally Posted by DHABHAR.BEHRAM

You will have to find an unmolested original set first.

Originally Posted by DHABHAR.BEHRAM

Handling will be terrible

Originally Posted by DHABHAR.BEHRAM

Check for any abuse in this area.

Oh behave :P


Oh wait, you are talking about the jeep.

Note from the Team-BHP Support: Please use the EDIT or MULTI-QUOTE buttons instead of typing one post after another on the same thread.

[Chanderjeet]

I went clickety-click today and got more photos.

[svsantosh]

engine bay pics (OE or messed up alterations) and exterior pics from all 4 sides would help in knowing about chassis crab. take exterior shots from about 10 feet away from about your waist height (squat) - would highlight the chassis-tub-grill joint area...

[Chanderjeet]

I am uploading with a 2yo kids dancing in front of me while I try to make her eat her dinner. Must resist

[vishwaschettri]

Looks pretty nice all around.

I can tell you from my personal experience that making a similar spec machine after picking an ex army 550 will cost you minimum 2.75-3 L.

I was in mayapuri today and 2001 model 550 have an asking rate of 1.5L and the newer 2006 ngcs with 5 speed gearbox and borgwarner transfercase a whopping 3 L. Both though in start condition will require atleast 1.5 L additional to make them solid and reliable.

Work your way up from these figures. Only thing my untrained eyes can picsk from these pics are
1. Stance is awkward. Maybe because of leaf spring as DB pointed.
2. Radiator shroud is missing (minor issue)
3. LCV tires fitted.

I would say bargaibn hard and pick it up. Do keep an extra 50k in kitty for the unforseen.

cheers
vishwas

[DHABHAR.BEHRAM]

Dear Chanderjeet - you have posted correct quantity of pictures to take a decision, as follows:

Underfloor - things are in place, "spike arrestor" cable and pipe is missing / leaf springs with their bushes must be changed. LH tie rod end rubber dust cover is missing / engine rear oil seal is leaking, otherwise generally OK.

Engine compartment - vehicle seems to be uncared for, lots of leaves all over the place / engine compartment is dirty / 4th injector seems to be leaking. Air cleaner pre-cleaner area is very dirty, needs immediate cleaning / battery terminals must be changed, what is fitted is aftermarket nonsense / exhaust pipe U clamp support on the cylinder block is missing / battery is aftermarket, needs to be replced with N70Z specification as per JIS-D-5301 from Amaron or Exide.

Interiors - upholstery is aftermarket nonsense / electricals are hanging all over the place needs complete removal, correction and refitment. Superstructure needs correction, finally Thar CRDe canopy must be fitted.

Performance - I do not know how the vehicle works, I need this data also. You can purchse after very hard bargaining. Don't get flustered during negotiation, many people do not buy these things so you must get the price that you want. If performance is majorly not OK, you will need minimum of 80000 rupees to put things in place without appearance change and without tire change. If performance is OK, first thing to do is a full wash and complete lubricant change. Then, do only those things which prevent it from delivering normal performance. Please ensure that all documentation is in place.

Best of luck.

Best regards,

Behram Dhabhar

[svsantosh]

engine needs rebuild

open the breather cover and then start, you should see puff's of smoke coming out, also while throttling up and down (esp during down) you would see more smoke coming out... also take out oil dip stick, it would also smoke away to glory.

its not expensive to rebuild a xdp4.90, you can do it 2 ways. cheap way is only rebuild the head & change 4 cylinder sleeves and rings - approx 17-20K. Expensive (recommended way) is FULL, approx 35-38K.

cheapest way is to drive around till 1 or 2 cylinders loose complete compression... a good mech can approximate the left out life in these Peugeot's. In my experience once back-compression starts these engines die a slow death for the next 25-40K Kms.

[Chanderjeet]

Behram Dhabhar : Thanks a lot Sire. I read elsewhere in Harjeev's thread about a friend of yours who was at one of the Mahindra's Service Center. A person whom you fondly remembered and suggested. I would be glad to take it to him if you think that's the best bet. I am in New Delhi.

[DHABHAR.BEHRAM]

Dear Chanderjeet - can you PM me the details of the person.

Best regards,

Behram