[dhanushs]

Originally Posted by Samurai

The fan is now of clutch type, supposed to run 4 times faster than the engine rpm. I am unable to understand how this works. Any idea?

EDIT: Sorry, just now noticed the fan is clutch type. Please disregard this..

I noticed that the suspension action has reduced, decreasing the ride comfort. Is it because the heavier engine is compressing the leaf springs more? Should I get the leafs re-cambered or add another leaf?

Yes sir. There should be two more leaves. No need for higher bend while recambering, keep same values, as it will be jumpy.

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by dhanushs

EDIT: Sorry, just now noticed the fan is clutch type. Please disregard this..

But what were you trying to say? How does this clutch type fan actually work?

Originally Posted by prabhuav

you need to add at least two leaves to compensate...and be very very careful when you take jumps... this engine chews through chassis

Me and jumps? I'll leave that to likes of you and Robi.

Originally Posted by 4x4addict

Sharath since your primary purpose of this jeep is to go offroad, I agree with Arka's comment that you should stay with 4.88 and upgrade tyres to 31 inch. You will end up with a balanced gearing and more GC.

Guess what, the only size that is available in 31 inch is 31x10.5R15, since I have 15 inch wheels. And there is not a single AT tire currently available in the market at that size. Some MT tyres are available, but I want AT.

BTW, what is the original tyre of MM550? Is it 6x16 NDMS?

[DHABHAR.BEHRAM]

Originally Posted by Samurai

BTW, what is the original tyre of MM550? Is it 6x16 NDMS?

Dear Sharath - yes, that is correct. M&S (mud and snow) tread pattern for 4*4, highway tread pattern for 4*2.

Best regards,

Behram Dhabhar

[dhanushs]

Originally Posted by Samurai

But what were you trying to say? How does this clutch type fan actually work?

I was of the impression that the fan is driven by pulleys (direct drive). Hence my comment was about pulley diameters.

About the clutch fan, I do not have a deep understanding, but I think it is supposed to be more efficient and it can run on different speed ratios, unlike your old fan, which has only one speed ratio.

[svsantosh]

The Isuzu Trooper (SWB) in this page has yoko geo 31(.5?)*10*15 AT's

link

[AVR]

Originally Posted by Samurai

Guess what, the only size that is available in 31 inch is 31x10.5R15, since I have 15 inch wheels. And there is not a single AT tire currently available in the market at that size. Some MT tyres are available, but I want AT.

The Apollo Hawkz R/T is available in that size and its a decent tire. I guess R/T places it somewhere between A/T and M/T and works fine on the roads too. Should check it out. I think it retails for around 7.5-8k

The one in the center here has those tyres. Check

Cheers,
Adi

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by svsantosh

The Isuzu Trooper (SWB) in this page has yoko geo 31(.5?)*10*15 AT's

That size is not available right now, I checked with Nikhil.

Originally Posted by AVR

The Apollo Hawkz R/T is available in that size and its a decent tire. I guess R/T places it somewhere between A/T and M/T and works fine on the roads too. Should check it out. I think it retails for around 7.5-8k

How is the offroad/onroad performance of that tyre?

[AVR]

Originally Posted by Samurai

How is the offroad/onroad performance of that tyre?

I've seen it on some amount of rocks and sand but not in mud and they did alright. Bhpians khalil_khan and Ramkya1 have them on their 540/550s so they'll be the right people to answer this.

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by AVR

I've seen it on some amount of rocks and sand but not in mud and they did alright. Bhpians khalil_khan and Ramkya1 have them on their 540/550s so they'll be the right people to answer this.

Apollo Hawkz R/T doesn't come in 31x10.5R15 size.

http://www.apollotyres.com/india/pro...spx?id=21&pt=3

[tsk1979]

Originally Posted by Samurai

That size is not available right now, I checked with Nikhil.

How is the offroad/onroad performance of that tyre?

The R/T is the "extreme" tire. HT highway, AT, all terrain, RT is rural terrain. Its a very good tire if you frequent places where cuts from rocks can happen often. Ladakh taxi drivers love this tire as it has a very tough sidewall. Many roads there are just sharp stones thrown on the road, and tire cutting is common if you venture off the main routes.
I have also seen the R/T and the A/T being used extensively in the greater Himalaya region.
That said, I would recommend the Continental cross contact A/T, if you can get the size you need.

[AVR]

Originally Posted by Samurai

Apollo Hawkz R/T doesn't come in 31x10.5R15 size.

http://www.apollotyres.com/india/pro...spx?id=21&pt=3

I know the website doesn't show them but they surely do. Khalil picked them up a couple of months back. Both jeepers I mentioned have the 31x10.5R15 size.
P.S. I don't know if its possible to tag bhpians into a post so that they can answer your queries better especially about availability. Is there a way?

[4x4addict]

@samurai: It used to come in 31x10.5x15 size. I have seen it in person and also fellow Jeeper Kiran from goa has this. Maybe this size has been discontinued.

[ramkya1]

Samurai, your jeep rocks, gr8 to see the Roplas top doing duty. The last time I saw your first Jeep was way back in 2005 at your office, on my way to Kerala.

Saw this thread yesterday.. took some pictures on my mobile of the tyres, I think tyre isis still available, will check. The performance on sand, when we did a couple of ORT's, not so deep / gooey mud is very good and the tarmac experience is not so bad, need to reduce to 27-28 for cushioning the ride on road, haven't seen it on lots of heavy rock yet, but I think it would be good too.




My jeep is in the workshop for problems like:

• The tail gate is rattling too much, heavy load of tyres, changing the bushes to metal ones.
• Engine overhearing.... still!! Radiator is a heavy duty, 6 core copper one, fixed an extra fan etc, but when the A/C is on, the needle nudges the 100 mark, very hot days here too, winter no problem. The Senden 507 + Superking is a chiller. There's only a half shroud, top portion, will get a full one and the belts needs adjusting, one of them was too tight, will have to see if the heating problem is sorted out.
• Oil pressure gauge not working, me thinks the sensor (pressure valve?) the one on the engine block needs changing.
• Jeep has dog bone shackles, too much rolling at speeds above 60. Checked it out, found out that the bolts were thinner for the caliber of of the bushes, there was play, changed bolts to correct sizes, problem solved for now.
• Most of the buses were gone, replacing the kit.
• Tucking all the low handing wires, fuel lines etc., inspiration from this thread and others, next time at the workshop will tuck it way up.
• Left door handle stuck, not able to open it form inside!! Getting it fixed.
• The soft top needs repair, replacing the transparent sections with imported clear plastic till the rains, then the HT.
• Rock sliders getting fixed (got it from Viji/ Bangalore) needs some cutting and fabricating to fix it.

Pictures of the new bolts and bushes that anchors the suspension.




Search is on for a Roplas, again inspired from Samurai's Black Top, thinking of painting it creatively to make it look different from the Government jeeps. The white Roplas top would sure invite people to show hands for a lift

--Ramky
=====

[vishwaschettri]

Originally Posted by Samurai

The view under the hood.

Attachment 1069161

Very professionally done engine transplant. Looks like OE fitment.

I have a questions though, what are the advantages of DI that made you go for it. I have never driven a DI jeep in good condition but below are the disadvantages which would make it an absolute no for me.

1. Much higher noise and vibration
2. Heavier than XD3P
3. Less rev happy than XD3P
4. Lower rev range than XD3P
5. Much higher initial investment than XD3P
6. Road side fitment vs factory fitment. Reliability issues
7. THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER STREET LEGAL!! EVEN THE THIRD PART INSURANCE WONT HOLD!!

Out of above 7 is the biggest turn off for me. The engine transplant may be OK for a offroad only vehicle but I guess your vehicle will see a fair share of on road driving with your family. For a slight increase in torque is it justifiable? Really intrigued by your move.

cheers
vishwas

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by vishwaschettri

1. Much higher noise and vibration
2. Heavier than XD3P
3. Less rev happy than XD3P
4. Lower rev range than XD3P
5. Much higher initial investment than XD3P

A XD3P with a dubious history is a ticking timebomb and rebuild cost was near to the cost of a DI engine.

Originally Posted by vishwaschettri

6. Road side fitment vs factory fitment. Reliability issues

A 15 year old Jeep is hardly factory fitment. The engine had been worked on multiple times before.

Originally Posted by vishwaschettri

7. THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER STREET LEGAL!!

By law a busted engine should be replaced with the same engine. If the old engine is discontinued, it should be replaced by the current engine offered for that vehicle. When GTO lost his XDP, he had to buy XD3P, which was the next available engine. What is the current engine offered by Mahindra for MM550 if one wants to buy brand new? Obviously, it is the DI engine. I can't afford to buy brand new engine, so I got a used one.

If you want to go by the legal definition, even changing to a different size tyre will make your vehicle illegal. Even adding auxiliary lights is illegal. Changing brakes in Thar to make it reliable using Behram's method is also illegal.

Originally Posted by vishwaschettri

EVEN THE THIRD PART INSURANCE WONT HOLD!!

What about cars with non-OE tyres or non-OE anything. How does it work for Dabwali jeeps that run on Toyota Engine? Don't they have third party insurance?