Originally Posted by Ignazio (Post 717328)

Hi all,
I'd like to know the experience of others BHPians with any TATA 4x4 vehicles.
I own a 4x4 pick-up and will like to share my experience in improvements and modifications for better off road use.
What kind of aftermarket products you have for TATA in your beautiful country?

Originally Posted by Steeroid (Post 717703)

Do share your experiences, Ignazio - we're all ears. You chaps in Italy have really done some crazy stuff with Tata 4x4 vehicles including the Safari and the Pickup. Most people here are not aware of it.

Originally Posted by 4x4addict (Post 717667)

Hi Ignazio,

I own a 2-wheel drive Tata Crew cab pick up truck. For most off-road enthusiasts in India, 4x4 Jeeps are the most commonly bought vehicles for a couple of reasons. 4x4 Jeeps have been manufactured by an India company called Mahindra for a number of years under license from Jeep. There are many reasonably priced older models available and since the version sold here are fairly basic they are cheaper to buy and maintain.

Tata never actively promoted their 4x4 vehicles in the Indian market. I haven't read of any members on this forum who owns a Tata 4x4 pick up. There was one guy who had listed his 4x4 crew cab pick up for sale. That's about it.

The other thing in India is there are no suppliers that sell off-road equipment like diff lockers, under body guards, lift kits, etc. Most are fabricated locally by the off-road enthusiasts. My Tata pick up is mostl used in the farm. For my off-road use I have a jeep.

Originally Posted by Ignazio (Post 717819)

Nonetheless Tata is using axle, gear boxes and transfer cases that are originally designed in USA.
Axles are Dana Spicers, hence a relative good availability of aftermarket accessories (diff lock, etc.).

Originally Posted by Ignazio (Post 717819)

hence a relative good availability of aftermarket accessories (diff lock, etc.).

Originally Posted by BaCkSeAtDrIVeR (Post 717902)

I guess this news. Never saw this mentioned here. How do you identify?




Since Tatas are based in India, AFAICT, there is no shortage for spare parts if what you mean by "aftermarket" is replacement for stock parts.

OTOH, building "own parts" is a practise you (used to) find in users of imported commercial vehicles. About 15 years back, Ford had sold quite a few bus chassis in Kerala. 5 years later, the hapless owners were either building their own spares, or replacing components with parts from other veheciles. For example, when the engine became due for overhaul (replacement of pistons, etc), since the parts were not available, the easy way out was to replace the Ford engine with a Leyland OR Tata (depending on the owner's taste) Engine and appropriate gearbox. When components in the differential housing (eg. rack and pinion) required replacement, they would rather be welded and remachined!!!

That said, are you aware that vehicles Tatas sell outisde India are usually higher spec?? (More engine power, different and better transmission, extra safety features, etc?) For a start, have you noticed that your vehicle has more GC (you know what means by now, don't you?) than same vehicle sold in India?

Unless a particular vehicle achieves a "critical mass" component makers may not bother to build parts for that vehicle. Till then, you will be at the "mercy" of the manufacturer. (Ford car owners in India are facing this problem right now).

Originally Posted by kkr2k2 (Post 717907)

Few weeks ago called a tata dealer for trucks to enquire about the TL series instead i got information about 207!! I was really surprised that they dont have any information about TL series.

Originally Posted by Steeroid (Post 717968)

Have you put a diff lock on your truck? And have people done the same on the Elefant?

Yeah I guess you can open up a new thread in Mods and Accessories about parts available in Italy.

Originally Posted by dinar (Post 718109)

Jeep [mahindras] have Dana axles as well, the and they are dana 44 as well at the rear, front is usually a solid axle as well, not the independent set as on TATAs, but the new scorpio know as GOA in European markets is the first vehicle from mahnidra to have independent suspension 4x4, all other models are solid axles for 4x4 setups.
What exactly are you looking out for [after market parts].... cause if you are looking out for engine power increase , you'll get bigger turbos at your place itself [we have to import these], as for diff lockes you may find something for dana itself .

Originally Posted by dinar (Post 719505)

I had propane injection system made at home fitted for extra boost when needed, but the mahindra engine is quit torquey, so it was used only when overtaking on the highways, cause thats where the engine lost [no topend and only four gears].

Originally Posted by dinar (Post 719505)

My jeep had a nice suspension mod on the rear axle , I had spring out of the sierra [safari], had to do a lot off welding to the chassis for mounting of the control arm and the accommodated the spring mounts on the upper side.I had propane injection system made at home fitted for extra boost when needed, but the mahindra engine is quit torquey, so it was used only when overtaking on the highways, cause thats where the engine lost [no topend and only four gears].

Originally Posted by amtak (Post 720070)

Ignazio, could you please post pics of your Tata Vehicle.

Originally Posted by rajismine (Post 720961)

Well as far as the Axle and Differentials are concerned they are from Dana Spicer made here in Pune (10kms from the mercedes plant).

Dana Spicer in India is a collaboration between Anand Group and Dana(USA). These guys do it very well. I have see their plant and they do it quite seriously. In fact the Axles of Mercedes Benz as well are assembled in the same plant in a different section. They do make axles for Tractors as well in the same plant.
BTW, My Uncle was the COO (Chief Operating Officer ) of Dana Spicer India for many years....:)