[Mission_Safari]

Here is the article and the pics.

FOUR-WHEEL FANATICS sudhir srinivasan

BRAND JEEP

JEEP, AND ALL THINGS CONNECTED WITH IT, GIVES THEM A HIGH. MEET JEEP THRILLS, THE FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND COMMUNITY IN INDIA, BASED IN CHENNAI…

Remember that song from Kaakha Kaakha that Suriya drives a jeep in? Yeah, that jeep with an open-top… Thought it was cool? Were you, like most people, under the impression that only police officers could get such jeeps to drive in? Here is a group to brush away such notions. It is called Jeep Thrills. They love jeeps, and all things related to it. For starters, here're three notions that they have dispelled: “A Maruti Gypsy is a jeep.” Jeep Thrills: "It is not. Using that term for other SUVs (Sports Utility Vehicles) is a misnomer." “A jeep is very expensive.” Jeep Thrills: "If you're somebody that can afford to own a car, owning a jeep is not expensive at all." “Getting parts for a jeep is very difficult.” Jeep Thrills: "All the parts are available in India and easily so." Elaborating on the third point, Arkaprava Datta, 28, one of the founders of the group says, "In India, jeep is the king. You have all the parts you need and you have a variety of options to play around with too." Jeep Thrills came alive when Arkaprava Datta, Anjan Kariappa and S Srivardhan met and formed the Yahoo! Community Jeep_Thrills, back in March, 2005. "Now we have over 580 members all over India," says Anjan, 35, an animation films' specialist. To everyone in the group, this is a hobby that they hold very close to their hearts. For Srivardhan, the other founder, the fascination began when he was as young as five. Today, at 52, working as a Cargo-Sales Manager, it has been a long way indeed: "My dad worked in the Central Government and would come home in jeeps. From when I was a toddler, I have found jeeps fascinating."
The three met on the road while on their jeeps, instantly attracted by each other's vehicles. What has come out of it now is history. Jeep Thrills, in Arka's words, has two kinds of people: the restorers and the off-roaders. While the restorers are those who are more interested in buying classic, old, jeeps and rebuilding them, the off-roaders enjoy the sheer thrill of driving their jeeps, off-road. Off-roading, for the uninitiated, is a term for driving a specialised vehicle on unpaved roads, such as sand, gravel, riverbeds, mud, snow, rocks and other natural terrain.
"Off-roading is very popular among the community," says Srivardhan, the proud owner of a 1942 World War II jeep that has an attached trailer, "It tests the vehicle's endurance and makes for a thrilling adventure. It attracts many youngsters." Arka, the owner of a Nissan-4W73, goes on to discuss the technicalities: "Driving in rough terrain engages the auxiliary gearbox and the transfer case in low ratio. It is a challenge and I love it."
Jeep Thrills, the online community, has members from places even as far away as Pakistan and Australia. People that thought themselves an aberration, have now found that they really aren't and that there are hundreds of other people that love what they love. Jeeps.
In a city where a woman riding a bike makes heads turn, Vandana Menon, 37, consultant, owns a jeep and drives it too. "It presents quite a sight," she laughs and continues, "Jeep Thrills, to me, is a group of very nice people that are willing to help you with your jeep. If it weren't for them, I'd definitely not have known so much about my jeep."
The group is also environment-conscious. During its offroading expeditions that normally happen once a month, smoking in wooded areas is banned,, littering is not avoided and the group is even looking at the possibility of planting trees in barren areas. Not surprisingly, Jeep Thrills is the first of its kind in India. "In my circles, I'm called as the 'Jeep Man'," says Srivardhan with a hint of pride. "Even amidst other expensive and luxury vehicles, my jeep always grabs attention," Anjan adds. And Arka sums it up: "Jeep is my brand."

[Samurai]

How about putting names to the faces in both pics.

[Mission_Safari]

Here is an attempt to put names to faces. Sorry, didn't know all the names.

EDIT: Just realised the fonts are really small. Please zoom the pic to read the names. Sorry.

[bluestraveller]

beautiful picture Mission Safari. Do you have a similar picture with just the jeeps?

[Mission_Safari]

Originally Posted by bluestraveller

beautiful picture Mission Safari. Do you have a similar picture with just the jeeps?

Hey Bluestraveller,

That picture was taken by the press people to publish in the paper. Sorry, I don't have a pic just with the jeeps. :(

[susan3004]

There wouldn't be much problems with the vehicle in getting it ship shape. This particular piece got commisioned into Army 13 years ago from Jabalpur. Definately, good care was not awarded to this baby while in service, that is why the drab looks!

[IronWolf]

Arka, Any updates and pics on the progress?

[ex670c]

Hi Guys,

A few things have been happening on the Technical Front with the Nissan 1Ton.

1) I managed to get the Original Japanese Owners manual.

2) Spoke to the engineers with Army EME, on how to get the mechanicals in order.

3)Waiting for the 1Ton Workshop Manual.

Regards,

Arka

[condor]

Critical progress, that. Should help you get things done right.

[Hemanth]

Kudos Arka, getting a manual of a army vehicle is not a easy task. I understand that you are a very good PR gut.
BTW what is the progress with the rebuild?

[SirAlec]

Originally Posted by ex670c

Hi Guys,

A few things have been happening on the Technical Front with the Nissan 1Ton.

1) I managed to get the Original Japanese Owners manual.

2) Spoke to the engineers with Army EME, on how to get the mechanicals in order.

3)Waiting for the 1Ton Workshop Manual.

Regards,

Arka

Is there a difference between the Japs and oour VFJ model?

[ex670c]

Originally Posted by SirAlec

Is there a difference between the Japs and oour VFJ model?

The differences are
1) Electrical Equipment/system (Alternator//military lights.
2) Carburettor
3) Iginition System (Distributor/spark plugs/ignition coil)
4) The Hardtop
3) Cargo Bed.

[headers]

Originally Posted by ex670c

The differences are
1) Electrical Equipment/system (Alternator//military lights.
2) Carburettor
3) Iginition System (Distributor/spark plugs/ignition coil)
4) The Hardtop
3) Cargo Bed.

And the Japanese Language

[drpullockaran]

Originally Posted by ex670c

Hi Guys,

A few things have been happening on the Technical Front with the Nissan 1Ton.

1) I managed to get the Original Japanese Owners manual.

2) Spoke to the engineers with Army EME, on how to get the mechanicals in order.

3)Waiting for the 1Ton Workshop Manual.

Regards,

Arka

This was my school bus/truck/suv for many many years. My DAD was in the army back then and have nostalgic memories seeing this today. I remember to this day the army school truck driver telling me that it gives 2kmpl on petrol.

[SirAlec]

Originally Posted by ex670c

The differences are
1) Electrical Equipment/system (Alternator//military lights.
2) Carburettor
3) Iginition System (Distributor/spark plugs/ignition coil)
4) The Hardtop
3) Cargo Bed.

Thanks! Can you email me if its in pdf/jpg format. It was available for very cheap in Siliguri/Sukna cantonment, around 25000/- a piece but the lot was of 28 vehicle. Sukna Cant has one of the largest ASC fleet, the 'watershed wheelers'. Never thought of buying one. Now I feel of searching for one. Alll of them along with fleet of shaktiman was bought by local body builder. Now they carry sands and building material.