Maruti Suzuki Gypsy - Queries

[shankar.balan]

Originally Posted by speedmiester

We used to use wide duct tape on our rally Gypsies to seal off the vents. This was essential as driving through puddles would cause the muddy water to splash on to the windscreen as well as the cabin.

How wide was the tape used?
I can see 1.88 inches wide Gorilla Duct Tape and 2.88 inches too - very expensive on Amazon. But seemingly well worth it.
Let me know what to buy and I ll probably use this method rather than a metal or plastic plate over the vent.

[speedmiester]

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

How wide was the tape used?
I can see 1.88 inches wide Gorilla Duct Tape and 2.88 inches too - very expensive on Amazon. But seemingly well worth it.
Let me know what to buy and I ll probably use this method rather than a metal or plastic plate over the vent.

I am not sure what we used to use, it's been quite a few years since I am out of the motorsport scene.
Ideally any good tape should suffice.

[Sawyer]

Originally Posted by Jaggu

Wont be of much use, its not the drain issue alone, the opening is badly designed that water will trickle in no matter what. Best is to seal that off at the earliest. Even a simple sticker would help and have seen it work.

I agree. I have used simple 3M cello tape from the time I bought the new car. A couple of layers. Every monsoon, I just add new, fresh layers and by now I don't know or care how many layers there are! But this simple fix works.
The only way to get ventilation in the car is to open the windows. Not needed in an AC car of course. In either case, the opening on top serves no purpose other than being a junk trap.

[Jaggu]

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

What sort of sticker Jaggu?
Like one of those higher quality vinyl type faux carbon fibre designs?

It was some tyre branding sticker Later replaced with chequered aluminium plate with sealant uunderneath​.

Originally Posted by speedmiester

We used to use wide duct tape on our rally Gypsies to seal off the vents.

Originally Posted by Sawyer

I agree. I have used simple 3M cello tape from the time I bought the new car.

Or a layer or two of 3M wrap should also work.

[shankar.balan]

This is what I ve finally gotten done now. Completely sealed off the vent with a welded metal plate. A permanent solution as per the advice of Mr Nagaraj, the Gypsy Racing driver who runs a specialist Gypsy garage in my neighbourhood.
He is re conditioning my Gypsy, changing its hardtop and de- rusting it too wherever evident.

[rkbharat]

Need help on my Gypsy.

1, Please suggest the source of a sturdier soft top, which fits tight and does not bog down with rain water. The one I have right now is very shobby.

2. What is the best way to get a basic music system fitted, any suggestion.

3. the rear door is rattling quite badly, with tyre on it, I have Yoko Geo AT, how to fix that rattle

Note : I recently bought a army auction Gypsy ang got it rehauled

[Raul258]

[quote=rkbharat;4179257]Need help on my Gypsy.

2. What is
the best way to get a basic music system fitted, any suggestion.

A basic head unit and two speakers in the front would be ok. I have installed a JVC HU and Pioneer speakers in the rear inside those wooden boxes.

3. the rear door is rattling quite badly, with tyre on it, I have Yoko Geo AT, how to fix that rattle

I am having the same problem. For now, I have placed a thick cardboard at the top of the door. This has reduced the rattling almost by 80%. For a permanent fix, I'm planning to stick a thick rubber pad on the door so that the rattles can be completely stopped.

[shankar.balan]

Originally Posted by rkbharat

Need help on my Gypsy

3. the rear door is rattling quite badly, with tyre on it, I have Yoko Geo AT, how to fix that rattle

Note : I recently bought a army auction Gypsy ang got it rehauled

Rear door rattle.
1. Buy the rear door beading of the Maruti Van.
2. Fix it all along the rear door rim/ lip on the body of the Gypsy not the rear door itself. It is a straight fix.
3. On all the inner door lip / rim areas (on the rear door itself) affix rubber strip/ beading and/ or strips of thermocool. This serves to both insulate as well as dampen the touchpoints so less rattling.
4. Remove that silly black cable which acts as a restraint when the tailgate is opened. Change it to a better quality restraint by way of two thick canvas strips. This is a good fix and a far more secure restraint.
5. Make sure when the tyre is mounted on the rear metal door portion, that there are a couple of pieces of rubber sheet inserted in between the tyre surface and the rear door surfaces - both on the metal door and on the FRP top. This further dampens rattles.

[shankar.balan]

The front vent near the bonnet.
Sealed completely with a piece of metal and being painted over shortly.
This is probably the only permanent fix for the water leakage as I am given to understand.

[Raul258]

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

The front vent near the bonnet.
Sealed completely with a piece of metal and being painted over shortly.
Attachment 1628859

That's a job well done. I'm also trying to find out a way to close that vent. Since i've just painted my gypsy, i would be going for one of those tapes.
This would also eliminate/considerably reduce the dust creeping inside the vehicle.

[Jaggu]

Originally Posted by rkbharat

1, Please suggest the source of a sturdier soft top, which fits tight and does not bog down with rain water. The one I have right now is very shobby.

Find upholstery guy who does soft top for jeeps, use Thar type canvas which is thicker and give it a dual layer inside with foam pack in between and rexin sheet below. This will give it rigidity plus good insulation and deadening.

2. What is the best way to get a basic music system fitted, any suggestion.

Head unit with speakers in front door, or speakers in enclosure behind front seats.

3. the rear door is rattling quite badly, with tyre on it, I have Yoko Geo AT, how to fix that rattle

Option 1 replace the hinges and beading.

Option 2 add aftermarket spare carrier bumper to ease the load off the door. Downside is cost and pain of opening two doors technically to access the rear.

[shankar.balan]

Originally Posted by Raul258

That's a job well done. I'm also trying to find out a way to close that vent. Since i've just painted my gypsy, i would be going for one of those tapes.

This would also eliminate/considerably reduce the dust creeping inside the vehicle.

So here is how it looks as of an hour back.
The rusted bits are all redone, primed and now painted over.
Whats required now is a liberal application of sealant and the rest of the work as well that needs to be done.
I m given to understand that the vehicle will be ready by tomorrow.

[shankar.balan]

Yoo Hoo!
My dear new (old) Gypsy after the recent round of TLC.

[rkbharat]

Originally Posted by Jaggu

Find upholstery guy who does soft top for jeeps, use Thar type canvas which is thicker and give it a dual layer inside with foam pack in between and rexin sheet below. This will give it rigidity plus good insulation and deadening.



Head unit with speakers in front door, or speakers in enclosure behind front seats.



Option 1 replace the hinges and beading.

Option 2 add aftermarket spare carrier bumper to ease the load off the door. Downside is cost and pain of opening two doors technically to access the rear.

Thanks Jaggu,

Eventually I got the hardtop for it, soft-top was difficult to handle with camera gears in the car.

Got the music system installed, pretty basic one, but sufficient for me :P

Will look for the carrier bumper, sound a much better and long term solution

[shankar.balan]

Post the TLC and a little bit of stickering etc. Quietly parked outside the house under my favourite little trees.