Team-BHP - Solidifying the Mahindra Thar

- - Solidifying the Mahindra Thar - Solid Axle Conversion (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/4x4-vehicles/200552-solidifying-mahindra-thar-solid-axle-conversion-2.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by .anshuman (Post 4441405)

AVR, excellent conversion and very well documented in the thread.

Another modification I highly recommend for the Thar is switch to selectable locker at rear instead of the MLD. MLD is very good addition as OE equipment but for advanced offroading, it isn't predictable and sometimes you have to induce wheelspin to lock it.

MLD can be dangerous in sub zero temperatures, if the wheel encounters sudden wheel spin due to Icy patch, the MLD activates with a jerk and it does flick the tail out. Happened with us multiple times during our January Spiti drive.

Sorry but forgot to mention. We moved from Eaton at the rear to Selectable Lockers sent by Viji. I totally agree with you on the auto-lockers. Ability to choose when to engage is very important.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samurai (Post 4440404)

The improvement in offroad capability is obvious. What is the compromise on on-road behavior? Has the handling or ride comfort suffered as a result of this mod?

The on-road behavior is fairly good. The Thar to begin with wasn't a benchmark for comfort but it has worked fairly well so far. It's stiffer but not uncomfortable nor throwing one around.
The RTC steering damper has made the steering setup very smooth. That's something worth exploring if one has PS.

Cheers,
Adi

Super conversion and thanks for a detailed thread. I too have a 2014 Thar and this thread is enticing. I spend a lot of time in Chennai for office work and have taken my Thar there a couple of times. I can plan for this conversion provided I can save up enough. Will it cause any inconvenience if I were to request for the cost of conversion to just the solid axles?

Wonderful project and excellently executed. I've been tracking this project on other social media groups where the test videos were uploaded time to time.

I own a 2011 Thar and I'm planning to get selectable lockers shortly. One question I immediately had in mind was "Why not go for coilsprings in the front as well?" Is it technically feasible? Please PM me the price of the FSA conversion with leafsprings.

This project cost approximately as per the breakdown below:

1) Front SFA conversion including leafs, shocks was ~72k. Additionally we sourced the axles and power steering box etc.
2) Rear coil-spring was about 100k plus shocks.

For more accurate estimates would make sense to connect with Arka (ex670c) on the forum.

@sharc_biker, The front coil-springs option is also feasible and something Arka can potentially do but honestly I can't remember a reason why we didn't consider it. Potentially budget could be one but not a deal breaker at that.

Hope this helps
Cheers,
Adi

Quote:

Originally Posted by sharc_biker (Post 4447322)

I own a 2011 Thar and I'm planning to get selectable lockers shortly. One question I immediately had in mind was "Why not go for coilsprings in the front as well?" Is it technically feasible? Please PM me the price of the FSA conversion with leafsprings.

Hi Sharc,

The front 5 link Coil Spring conversion is quite possible.

But for best results I would recommend a coil over strut in the front. This jacks up the cost of conversion significantly.

Why not coil springs for the Front Suspension

1) Not enough choice of springs (Rate/Length)
2) Stand Alone coil springs have large OD which takes away a lot of space on the front axle.
3) With Coil Springs there is very little space to install and orient the Shock Absorbers.

Regards,

Arka

Quote:

Originally Posted by ex670c (Post 4453157)

Hi Arka,
Is there anyway to source TLC like underslung radius arms and panhard rods for coil conversion ? interested for my MM550 NGCS and Gypsy King MPFI. Tried to source the same of a Jimny from UAE but to no avail. Saw the Nissan 1 Ton conversion in Punjab with a similar setup. Your thoughts ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ex670c (Post 4759236)

Hi Dieselhead,

You can try using Radius Arms from Pajero Rear.

Regards

Arka

Thanks Arka. Do you suggest both for front and rear of mm550 ? Guess would be too heavy for Gypsy though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieselhead (Post 4759664)

Thanks Arka. Do you suggest both for front and rear of mm550 ? Guess would be too heavy for Gypsy though.

Hi Dieselhead,

You can try it for the MM550 and the gypsy.

For gypsy you can try the Versa Rear setup.
Regards

Arka

Quote:

Originally Posted by ex670c (Post 4761668)

Hi Dieselhead,

You can try it for the MM550 and the gypsy.

For gypsy you can try the Versa Rear setup.
Regards

Arka

I was looking at the Eeco's though same as Versa(not seen on Versa). Good for rear but would not be suitable for the front as its side located not under slung. So good for rear trailing arm.