[RAINMAKER]

Prelude :- http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/4x4-ve...hurricane.html

After I sold the Hurricane in 2010, part of me just disappeared. My shift to Delhi and constant travel meant no Jeeping. But the quest was still on for SWB Diesel and Petrol preferably in Karnataka.

2011 - I acquired a 1996 Armada 4wd Stock vehicle. Mr. MP Sreenivasan was the one who helped me with the purchase. He had spotted in on one of his drives and then after initial repairs at Hubli it came home - Bangalore. I had planned to modify the Armada and make some additions (Air-con , change of seats) etc. to make it a comfortable vehicle.


Since I was travelling constantly my brother who is into Photography(http://www.indianaturewatch.net/view...p?tag=Varun+HB), took the Armada to my native (Ooty) and it has never come back since then. He uses the 4wd for purpose it was meant for and not for any off-road bashing. Some of the terrain where he shoots really needs a 4WD.

2012 - (October). Sidhu Saab came across a 1996 Classic at a Dealers place in Bangalore and messaged me on FB. We immediately exchanged messages / numbers and Sidhu did a quick check on the vehicle as I was in China. He sent me the below pictures and then I knew I had to have it.

The Classical Stance - I love this angle. Wish I could get a Khakhi coloured soft top for this.


The Wire Spokes .. This is the best looking Alloy which can adorn a Classic.. The wire spokes came only in the year 1996 which makes them rare among classics and even more rarer than CJ3B's


The "Christmas Lit" Dashboard - A typical feature of the Classic.


The Wheel Wall - Picture to depict the rust as well as the clean body lines.


The Rear Seat Area - To highlight the rust.. The front seats need to be rebuilt (foam et all).


Rear Swing Door Support - Dont know if these came as standard. These look like house-hold door stoppers.. Useful and cost effective..


Pint Sized Jerry Can - Never knew these cans came in these sizes. Good enough maybe for 2 - 5 litres..


The Snorkel - The bodyline of this Classic is fantastic.. The snorkel seems to have been fitted ages ago.. Looks like the owner knew what he was doing. But why such a short length? Your guess is as good as mine. Also notice the missing CLASSIC monogram.


The Soft Top Channel Area - Sidhu has been meticulous in checking areas prone for rust...this was done to give me an idea of the work and cost involved if I were to buy this classic.


The Odometer - The Classic seems to have run more than 100,000 kms... The odo is not working at the moment...


Oil in the Radiator - It was good that Sidhu even looked into this..Indication of a blown head.


Breather Pipe - If thats the right term seems to have a bend. May cause power loss, which I would discover later

[RAINMAKER]

November 24, 2012 - I went with Ganesh and we test drove the vehicle. The vehicle was a bit underpowered. Reason - Head Gasket ? Breather pipe... Checked if 4WD was working, it was and even the indicator lamp on the dashboard lit up...We made an offer of 3 Lakhs (Maximum offer) as against the 4 Lakhs expected by the owner. We walked away from the dealers place.

December 5, 2012 - Samuari puts his fantastic CJ340 for sale. I look into the the restoration thread, read all the pages.. I thought why not and checked on the price with him. The only changes I would have done to the CJ340 if I had procured it would be to change the rear CFL to leaf springs and the tub guage over a period of time.... But the Classic was constantly at the back of my mind...Reminds me of the quote - "If it's still in your mind, it is worth taking the risk" . I laid low checking out various ads for Classics, some were highly priced, some were out of town and except for one with Wire spokes (still available in Mumbai) all others were with regular alloys...

December 22, 2012 - One day after I returned from China I got a call from the dealer... "Sir owner has agreed for 3.5 Lakhs..Thats the least expected. With our comission of Rs 7000 (2% we take from the seller and buyer) and the paperwork which is about 3000 the total cost of the vehicle is 3.6 Lakhs" ..

I was leaving on December 23rd for a 9 day South Indian Trip (Ooty - Coimbatore - Rameshwaram - Coimbatore - Bangalore).. The family was with me when I got the call at 6 PM. We all went to the dealers place... Wife and kids had not seen the vehicle... They saw it and immediately their eyes lit up... I knew then for sure I had to get this.. I agreed on the price and said I would transfer the advance by Monday 24th December..

The remaining advance was paid once I returned back from the trip on 31st December. On 1st December I took delivery of the vehicle. The delaer had removed the soft top, filled in Diesel, checked the air pressure and initiated the documentation process. The following are the pictures

Without the Soft Top


Wire Spokes - The much sought after alloys. These will need to be rebuffed and rechromed. I am also trying to procure the hub caps.


Roll Over Bar and Frame - Am not sure if the canvass frame is an add-on or a standard fitment. Nevetheless it is a solid frame.


Passenger Side View


Roll Over Bar Covers - Will need to procure this zippered foam one.


Heavy Duty Pintel Hook - The RC book of this classic had a trailer endorsed in it. This is the first time I have seen such a type of Pintel hook.


Dashboard View - Few of the indicators dont work. Need to get em fixed.


Roll Cage & Rear Seat View


Pint Sized Jerry Can - Closer View


Front View of the Classic


Custom Snorkel - Never seen a snorkel mounted on the bonnet area. This seems to have been fitted ages ago.


Engine Bay View - Whats different here ? Look closely....


Engine Bay - Another View


Data Plate - Mounted inside the engine bay compartment and not on the dashboard as in other older Mahindras.


Winch Area - Soon....


Underbody View from Front - Am not sure if the stabilizer shock was standard or an after market fitment.


Steering Rod


Engine Bay - Front View - Notice the "chocked" breather pipe..


Ammo Box - Ammo box on the passenger side fender. Notice missing indicators.


Seat Belts - The whole unit needs to be replaced.


Rear View


Wife and Second One - Ready for their first ride.


Family Ride - Looks like this will be a common sight on weekends once the vehicle is ready...


My Pocket Rockets - A 96 Classic and 2008 Palio Stile 1.6.. This is where I handed over the vehicle to Ganesh for repairs


Ganesh and Me - Family friend, mechanic down to earth.. Ganesh will maintain this also ..

[PAVAN KADAM]

Thats an awesome buy, The classic has a Cult following.

What more do you need.. , Short wheel base, Able 4 WD, Diesel engine, Spoke wheels. Enjoy your drive, you will surely make more of them jealous here with this machine

[RAINMAKER]

The following are the immediate action items, though the vehicle has been in running condition..

1) Head Gasket Replacement (there is oil in the radiator)
2) Changing of all fluids
3) Thorough check of 4WD / Hubs / Brakes / Suspension /

I will need to replace the following. Need help in procuring original parts for the below.

1) Soft Top
2) Seat Belt Unit
3) Zippered foam covering for the rear roll cage
4) Classic Monograms

Also how does the Yoko Geolanders perform off-road? What would be the ideal tyre for the classic.

[Jaggu]

Congratz this is a really sweet buy! Yup needs a lil bit of TLC and then it would be purring like a cat.

Seat belts and Zipper foam should be easy, seat belt units can be fitted from other vehicles. M800 ones with auto tensioner are about 1300 bucks, the whole kit.

Geo landers are great tyres for slushy terrain, they have soft sidewall so rocks and tree stumps you need to be careful. But one of the best you can have, for a balanced on and off road performance.

[mahmood]

Congratulation's on a prized and enviable Classic. The soft top and the monograms are available at Atlas motors-Mumbai. I got mine from there too. The hood is a perfect original fit but the zippers need a second stich to make them longlasting. He also has the aluminum frame.

[RAINMAKER]

So I stick to the Yoko Geos ?

Also need

5) Locks - Steering wheel, gear lever
6) Front indicators...
7) Indicator & wiper stalks .. Dont know if these can be fitted individually or the whole unit needs to be replaced?
8) Wire spokes needs to be rebuffed and chrome plated
9) Diff Guards
10) Windshield wiper unit

[Samurai]

Congrats Vivek. Superb buy! Finding a good Classic these days is harder than finding a needle in a hay stack.

[Tejas@perioimpl]

Congrats Vivek! She looks to be in good condition. Classic parts are available in Mumbai. Do let me know if you need anything.

[RAINMAKER]

Originally Posted by Samurai

Congrats Vivek. Superb buy! Finding a good Classic these days is harder than finding a needle in a hay stack.

Thanks Samurai. Honestly I feel the Classic with Wire Spokes is even rarer than the CJ3B's.

[Shubhendra]

Originally Posted by RAINMAKER

So I stick to the Yoko Geos ?

Also need

5) Locks - Steering wheel, gear lever
6) Front indicators...
7) Indicator & wiper stalks .. Dont know if these can be fitted individually or the whole unit needs to be replaced?
8) Wire spokes needs to be rebuffed and chrome plated
9) Diff Guards
10) Windshield wiper unit

Dear Vivek Ji,
Congratulations. above mentioned parts parts (highlighted) can be procured from Atlas Motors (Mumbai). will PM you his contact details.
Indicators are a single unit, thus needs to be replaced as whole. One suggestion check current shock absorbers and if possible change to new shock absorbers, they hardly cost 1800 rs for set of four.
We have small community of Classic owners on FB, might be useful to you be part of that.
and FYI, MM Classic is now much less in numbers in comparison with CJ3B, GPW, CJ-6 etc as these vintage jeeps were imported in multiple of ten thousands, whereas classic is sold within 10,000 number range.

Regards,
Shubhendra Singh

[RAINMAKER]

Wonder if someone has a hard copy / soft copy of the service manual.

[Shubhendra]

Originally Posted by RAINMAKER

Wonder if someone has a hard copy / soft copy of the service manual.

One of my friend has it, i need to scan/photocopy it. Will do it soon ( although i am thinking of it from last 1 year )

Shubhendra

[RAINMAKER]

Originally Posted by Tejas@perioimpl

Congrats Vivek! She looks to be in good condition. Classic parts are available in Mumbai. Do let me know if you need anything.

Tejas, have sent you the list, whenever you get the time ...

Originally Posted by Shubhendra

One of my friend has it, i need to scan/photocopy it. Will do it soon ( although i am thinking of it from last 1 year )

Shubhendra

No time like the present. Hope you do it before this month ends.

[RAINMAKER]

Question for all the purists..Some mods - to do or not to do.

1) Semi Floating Rear - Keep it stock or switch to Full Floating ?
2) LSD for the rear
3) Overdrive