[harjeev]

Hi Guys,
I think that this should be final update on this thread
Many of you must have read form my signature, I've finally sold the RANGER to another 4x4 enthusiast.
The exchange took place in the 1st week of February 2010. The vehicle was then driven to Mumbai from Delhi and reached its destination safe and sound in 2 & 1/2 days. The new owner is happy with the vehicle and I've requested him to keep giving me updates and whenever he does I will keep updating this thread.

I also take this opportunity to thank all my fellow Team-Bhpians who have always stood by me and given me the correct advise whenever I was in doubt or in any dilemma.

[DHABHAR.BEHRAM]

Dear Harjeev - as the vehicle is now in Mumbai, I'll try to see it and help. Please call me or PM me your friend's contact details.

Best regards,

Behram Dhabhar

[davids4x4mm550]

Originally Posted by harjeev

Hi Guys,
I think that this should be final update on this thread
Many of you must have read form my signature, I've finally sold the RANGER to another 4x4 enthusiast.
The exchange took place in the 1st week of February 2010. The vehicle was then driven to Mumbai from Delhi and reached its destination safe and sound in 2 & 1/2 days. The new owner is happy with the vehicle and I've requested him to keep giving me updates and whenever he does I will keep updating this thread.

I also take this opportunity to thank all my fellow Team-Bhpians who have always stood by me and given me the correct advise whenever I was in doubt or in any dilemma.

Where in bombay is this lucky guy ? Would love to chk out the Jeep

[harjeev]

Hey Guys,
Its been a long time since I even checked this thread as the vehicle was sold my me in January 2010. There was no reason too, as there was nothing to update.
So when I receive an email from the new owner about the vehicle that I build with so much enthusiasm and harwork, the first thing that came to my mind is to share it with the community that I owe so much too. Yes guys I am referring to teambhp.
So without any further delay ot talk I am enclosing the email that I received from the owner along with the pictures.

Thanks a lot to the new owner for sharing these pictures and giving me permission to share it with the community.
Cheers

To give you a brief update of what happened last year, I had first a few
things done that needed attention ;

• Steering fixed
• Shock absorbers changed
• Brake pads changed
• New Bosch horn
• New safety belts installed
• Hand brake installed
• New rubber seals for windows
• Window washer installed
• New Apollo spare tyre
• Spare tyre fixed at the rear
• Battery switch installed
• Radio/CD and 4 speakers installed
• Cigarette lighter front and rear installed
• Also, I had all light and indicator switches moved to the dashboard and the gear lever position changed to have more leg room.
• In parallel the registration was changed to Bombay MH1 plates. That was not easy but all papers are clear and clean now.

Beginning of September 2010, I brought the jeep to the official Mahindra workshop
here in Bombay for repainting, engine overhaul etc.
They told they need 7-8 weeks to do the job.
At the end the car was ready on December 31st, after 17 weeks !!!
During that time I had to go the workshop twice a week to make sure they do
the work properly.

The work done at Mahindra:

• Completely disassemble the jeep
• Stripping and repainting in Sahara White Matte
• Changing all rubber seals, washers, rubber pads, etc.
• Engine overhaul
• Gear box overhaul
• Transmission overhaul
• Differential overhaul
• Clutch overhaul
• Injection pump overhaul
• Frame and wheel alignment
• New head and rear lights
• New electric wiring
• New water/fire proof canvas top
• New seat upholstery front and rear
• New side window lifters and handles
• New steering wheel
• New door stoppers
• New engine insulation
• Complete undercoating
• New door panels

So basically it is a new car now.
In the first week of January I went with my oldest son to Goa and back. It was a 2.000 km trip mainly on small and narrow side roads and the jeep did a very good job.
Of course a few things were not done right at Mahindra.
They forgot the overhaul of the injection pump, the door lock on the driver side dropped down after 200 km but was fixed in a Mahindra workshop on the way, the hand brake was not adjusted correctly, one of the head lights suddenly stopped working, the hazard light switch was not connected and a few minor other things. Now the car is back at Mahindra and will be ready next week.

Still, about XXXX.xx rupees later, I have to say it is a great jeep. For the money I spent on the jeep altogether, I could have bought the new Mahindra Thar, but it won't be the same.
Best wishes from Bombay,
XXXXX

[Kandisa]

Harjeev, nice to see the thread coming alive after a long time. And i must say, the jeep looks better in its present shade . Looks like the new owner also has been showing the same level of enthusiasm and passion for the Jeep as you did earlier. No doubt its in good hands.

...For the money I spent on the jeep altogether, I could have bought the new Mahindra Thar, but it won't be the same..

How true. The bonding and attachment to a restored vehicle is always different compared to a brand new counterpart.

[desertfox]

Originally Posted by vinod_nookala

The reason why he could do it again and again was the underfoot conditions were hard enough that he did it again and again without getting stuck. Further, check with him, he must be having problems with alternator and starter motor in future. If this was a clayey water then problem aggrevates. If his breathers are not tall, water would have gone inside the differentials for sure, ditto with gear box. Since snorkel was fitted only thing uneffected would have been air filter!


@Harjeev- I see the jeep has been sold as updated in classified section! Did you sell it? Anyway must have been a well thought decision

Saw this only today - who says that this vehicle has extra ordinary fording capabilities, Laxman was attempting a wade through this water a dozen times. He was lucky. Its me on the Jeep in the Red T shirt. He ensured everyone in the group has a ride or two in his Jeep wading through the water.

He had a snorkel fitted rather low on the hood, and some kind of a pipe connected to the exaust, tied on the rod next to the tailgate.

After the dozen sucessful attempts the vehicle had packed up completely and had to be towed back.

[Chanderjeet]

This has been a wonderful 2 day reading marathon for me. Thanks for all the info shared. I'm heading out to Mayapuri in the morning to start my search for the elusive 550.

Mucho gracias !

[Chanderjeet]

This has been a very interesting and information 2 day marathon read for me. I am glad to have spend this much time to know what I can expect if I take the path you took. I am starting my search for the elusive mm550 tomorrow at mayapuri, hoping to work my way towards owning a daily commuter and a weekend offroader.

Mucho gracias !!

[drdoms]

Hi everybody,
I had been down south a couple of days ago scouting for an MM 550 XD3P.
This is what I have got with the specs by the sellers who have purchased it from an army auction in North India (Jammu). They buy from the auctions, register in their name and then transfer after sale to prospective clients with the work done as per their requirements. Do give your opinion if the quotes are worth the price and also suggest alternatives where I can buy an MM550 XD3P NGCS preferably after year 2005. It would also be great if any other MM vehicle is suggested which comes close to meeting these specs-

1, MM550 xd3p-NGCS (2006 model) -4wd-5+1GB-New army wheels - tyres(7.5 x 16) fully
restored mechanically-body shell restored-New battery and new electricals -
4.5 lakhs

OR

2. MM550 xd3p-non NGCS (2001-2002 model)-4wd-4+1GB-New army wheels - tyres(7.5 x 16) fully restored mechanically-body shell restored-New battery and new electricals -
3 Lakhs

Other accessories:
3,AC+dashboard = 40,000
4,Power steering(restored Benz box) = 30,000
5,Painting-Metallic-As per your color choice - 40,000
6,Upholstery as per selected color-DAsh board wood finish- cabin lights-
Full floor mats - engine room packing - passenger grabs etc - 30,000Rs
7,FRP hard top - 70,000Rs
8,Bolero bucket seats with arm rest at front - 15,000
9,Console box - 6000
10,Army type febder flares - 4,000Rs
11,Rock slider - 7,500RS
12,All light grills - 250Rs/Pc
13,Insect mesh - 1000Rs
14,Remote locking-W/o siren - 4,500

The total cost crosses 7 lakhs (if you take registration, insurance and road tax into account) which is beyond what I expected but I welcome all opinions on the costing. Looking forward to some quick and frank replies!

[Rajith]

Originally Posted by drdoms

Hi everybody,
1, MM550 xd3p-NGCS (2006 model) -4wd-5+1GB-New army wheels - tyres(7.5 x 16) fully
restored mechanically-body shell restored-New battery and new electricals -
4.5 lakhs

OR

2. MM550 xd3p-non NGCS (2001-2002 model)-4wd-4+1GB-New army wheels - tyres(7.5 x 16) fully restored mechanically-body shell restored-New battery and new electricals -
3 Lakhs

The total cost crosses 7 lakhs (if you take registration, insurance and road tax into account) which is beyond what I expected but I welcome all opinions on the costing. Looking forward to some quick and frank replies!

sir,

Please run away from these deals and buy THAR crde or DI for value for money and peace of mind or buy an old good MM540/CL - 4wd

and enjoy/reclaim life, call what ever you feel !..

I will quote a decent NGCS - max 2.0L and Non NCGS - 1.2L, non restored and non regd version.

[drdoms]

Originally Posted by Rajith

sir,

Please run away from these deals and buy THAR crde or DI for value for money and peace of mind or buy an old good MM540/CL - 4wd

and enjoy/reclaim life, call what ever you feel !..

I will quote a decent NGCS - max 2.0L and Non NCGS - 1.2L, non restored and non regd version.

Thanks a lot Rajith for the quick reply and advice. Looking forward to responses from other BHPians as well.

[desertfox]

If you wish to buy this vehicle then I do have a 2000 Model MM 550 fully restored in 2012, brand new Sand Gripper tyres, newly restored engine, suspension, electricals, new paint driven only 500 Km since restoration.

Price Rs. 325,000 for full restoration ( on actual cost basis )
Rs. 35,000 for registration and tax ( Uttarkhand registerd )

Total Rs. 360,000 take it from Gurgaon any time, I am selling it.