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Hi Vijay - Yes - its stock 5.38. And the tyre is 215/15/75. I like the ratio - its superb in OTR condition.

This is some very new information to me... Thanks. Can you pls guess (I am not sure if you can calculate the exact) the speed for best FE for my Jeep.. I have XD3P engine with 31 inch tall tyres and 4.27 diff ratio.

Hi Naren, its a simple calculation based on the peak torque rpm and the powertrain gear ratios. i guess you have retained KMT 90. a comfortable cruising at 70kmph would be the speed for the best FE for your JEEP.

Thanks Star_Aqua. Before somebody else point it out about the aerodynamics, I would like to mention that I know that it is not the only max RPM range for torque which effect the FE but saveral other factors also.

Yes Naren, I agree with you.
I think you did not get what I meant in my previous posts. I am not talking about how to convert a jeep into a super car or what modifications(other than powertrain) needs to be done for gaining max FE. I was just trying to convey what should be the cruising speed for a JEEP to gain the max FE with its current dynamics. Just a driving tips. And i did mention "comfortable cruising at 70kmph" which i meant the engine feeling comfort to drive the vehicle at that speed and not the driver. :)

Now i know why your tractor goes slow and slow:Frustrati.

Hey krishna please let me know if your problem is solved after your mech cleans it. Also where is your mechanic situated? All these months I got my jeep repaired in Coorg but now iam in bangalore and find good jeep mechanics hard to come by.

Built a Jeep for my son today, check it out here: https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/shift...eep-build.html

For almost a year now, I have been looking to improve the reliability of the silent bush shackle system. I first realised the danger in Munnar, when my notice was drawn to the shackle nut on the morning of MGE. It was just about fall off.:eek:

Later when I discussed with the Mahindra workshop about making this fall-proof, they used two nuts tighened against eachother to secure it. When I asked whether grease type shackle can be used, I was told that is not an option. So I learnt live with it.

However, when I switched over to CF leafs, the same silent bush shackle system created further complication. The shackle was holding the leaf too tight resisting the free movement of the CF leaf.



The first reply got when I posted this problem was from star_aqua.

Anyway, there was no point going back to Mahindra workshop since I knew they had ruled out the possibility.

After thinking over various possibilities, I finally decided to consult a local master mechanic as suggested by Udupi BHPian Sachin Karkera. After that, this happens:

I am reposting all this history here because I wanted to share the clear improvement of grease type shackle over the silent bush type.

Next four shots are taken via mobile phone, the last two using P&S. So pardon the quality.

Check this baby out... it is lightyears ahead of the older design.



The bolt is hallow to hold the grease. The grease nipple will cover these holes.



You can see the hole on the left that will enable the grease to flow out and lubricate the shackle cylinder. The hole on the right will accept a pin that will ensure that the nut won't fall out.



The shackle plate is grooved, this will let you adjust the distance between two shackle plate to enable the leaf to move smoothly, even when the outside nuts are fully tightened.



Here is the installed shot of grease type shackle. Now the CF leaf can move smoothly. The shackle kit also came with metal washers for both sides.



The shackle on the front.



The price of grease type shackle kit which includes washers and nipples, is just Rs.276 only. So I replaced all four shackles, now the Jeep has 8 more grease nipples.

Now this is making me wonder. Why is Mahindra not making these available for Jeeps through their workshops? Why are they still using silent bush over grease type?

This was a good and needed Mod. congrats - How is the CFL ride now?

PS - Do you already have Greased type pin at the other 4 end's of the leafs? That would make it 12 nipples for the Leaves alone.

Sharath I just replaced all the springs on my CJ3B with a new set. When I enquired if I should stick with the grease system vis-a-vis the silent block bush there was a unanimous vote for the grease system on grounds of freer movement. So I too opted for a new grease system shackle set as was there originally

Hi,

I do have a query. Can this be bought locally or needs to be custom made? And if custom made, can this be further enhanced to produce a shackle lift?

Firoz

It can be bought in any auto-parts shop. Shackle lift is bad for the stability of the vehicle, better to avoid it.

From my experience of maintaining some commercial vehicles - just one answer - these vehicles go to the street side (literally) greaser. You cannot miss them at the lorry parking places. They will be standing besides their usually 20 liter grease gun / barells. If these guys miss out on greasing even one nipple, you can look forward to spending a huge sum on replacing that part very shortly.

Edit:- IIRC, there is a bush, which goes into the main leaf; does Rs. 276 includes the bush? The bush is gun metal or brass?

I haven't done much driving after it. But the master mechanic who took it for trial said it has very little jump at the back compared to other Jeeps.

Yeah, those have grease type pin right from the factory.

The Jeeps already have lot of grease nipples, so 8 more shouldn't be an issues. Besides, these will be the most visible/accessible ones and can be replaced cheaply.


The first photo shows the bush, looks like brass going by the color. Yes, it is part of the kit. The Rs.276/- kit consisted of 2 shackle plates, 2 bolts, 2 nuts, 2 brass bushes, 2 washers, 2 nipples, and 2 pins to hold the nuts.