[shankar.balan]

Increasingly I am tending towards an online purchase of a standard AT Tread type tyre for the Gypsy.
Ive decided to go the "save money" and extract value route. Just like I did with my Falken Wildpeak Tyres for the Yeti.
PayTm did a great job of pricing and cash back and delivery and I plan to go the same route now for the Gypsy.

The choices are JK Tyre Ranger in 215/75/15 size and Goodyear Wrangler RT/S 215/75/15 Size.

Im taking the size input from the Forum but am not taking the input on the make of tyre - I know that Yoko Geo's are great and so are the Conti's, but their prices are quite high and I really don't want to spend that much at all.

Basis the route Im planning to take, I will end up saving close to 10K which I can use for other things on the Gypsy...

Considering that Im going to use the Gypsy occasionally and roughly, I think I will stay with these old brands of locally made tyres.

I shall decide finally in the coming week so as to have a fully fledged New (OLD) Gypsy by early Jan....

[shankar.balan]

So the narrowing down has resulted in Goodyear Wrangler RT/S 215/75/15.

4 tyres at 22500 odd with 25% cashback...
Which effectively pays for the 5th tyre on which I get a further 20% cashback which then effectively pays for the wheel alignment, balancing etc.

Nett result looks like a far better deal than I could have got in a physical tyre dealer place.

And Im sure everyone here will agree that the Goodyear Wrangler tyres are also quite excellent - they may not be as 'up there' in terms of brand value as Yokohamas and Contis etc but I think they are quite as good...

So thats the scene as of now then!

[shankar.balan]

So this is the deal.
I bought the 5 tyres on Paytm. Goodyear Wrangler RT/S 215/75/15.
Yes I paid Rs 28274/- for all 5.
And I have got total cashbacks from Paytm of Rs 6756+ 1652 = Rs 8408/-

So total cost is Under Rs 20K for 5 tyres.

I think this is phenomenally worth it.

Even if I have to spend Rs 2500 for fitment, alignment and balancing the total outgo is still around Rs 4473/- per tyre.

I dont think any standard tyre store could have matched such a price.

What say?

[a4anurag]

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

I dont think any standard tyre store could have matched such a price.

What say?

That is fantastic deal you have got Sir.

Hope the tyres are as fresh batch as possible. Check them at the time of delivery and all 5 must be same or in the same time frame.

[shankar.balan]

When I bought the Falkens for the Yeti they were all of the same size, type and less than 6 months from the date of manufacture.
So basis that experience I think Paytm did a good job.

[shankar.balan]

PayTm Courier delivery happened a short while ago.

GoodYear Wrangler 215/75/15 RT/S.

The tyres seem to be M+S ready. Mud and Snow.

And the maufacture date reads 1716 which means July 2016.

For the kind of deal I got, no issues at all.

[starter]

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

And the maufacture date reads 1716 which means July 2016.

Hey Shankar,
I think 1716 would mean an April manufactured tyre.
The 17 would mean the calendar week 17.
A good deal nonetheless.
Cheers,
Deepak

[shankar.balan]

Thats still fine by me I think.
The second bunch of tyres read 4716
This I guess means week 47 which means Oct/ Nov 2016 Im guessing.

Overall such a deal is hard to beat...

[cool_dube]

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

Overall such a deal is hard to beat...

Agreed. How about some pics of the Gypsy now!

[shankar.balan]

Ok CoolDube




Thats how it was when it came to me by lorry transport on 25 Nov...








This is how it looks as of today after a little bit of cosmetology and after putting on its new shoes...

Yes there is a bit of engine tuning that needs to be done and a little interior work too but I will take my time as it is a project Gypsy and I want to enjoy every moment of its rejuvenation program!

It is a lovely beast. Im enjoying the experience a lot!

[Tanmay K]

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

It is a lovely beast. Im enjoying the experience a lot!

Congratulations on the Gypsy!

Looks great. Will you have to get it re-registered in Karnataka/BLR? I've heard cops there tend to be strict about road-tax rules.

[shankar.balan]

I ve managed to put a nice brass lock on, to prevent rogues and scoundrels from whacking my spare tyre.

Ive masked that lock in tape etc to prevent it from scratching the newly white painted rim.

Couple of queries - I need a new tank for the windshield wiper fluid and water - the lid of the one on the Gypsy is gone.

Also, can the Gypsy King spare wheel cover fit on these 215/75/15 radials which I ve put on the vehicle now?

The right side rear suspension leaf springs seem to be sagging - need to get them re tensioned.

Any input on changing the seatbelts? Any other car's seat belts likely to fit?

Thinking of putting in new art leather seat covers - there are only the front seats. Ive chucked out the rear seat completely so it is a large loading bay now.

Ordered some new floor mats (Michelin) and a Dicky/ Boot space mat as well, just to line the floor.

Also, I need to do quite a bit of work still, including an engine service etc.

And Yes, I will be getting it re registered as soon as the NOC reaches me, in the coming week or in early Jan 2017.

Anyway it is a slow process, this rejuvenation...

[shankar.balan]

Need advice because it looks like the right rear side of the Gypsy is canted over much more than the left side.

Please see pics. The angle of the pic illustrates the problem better.

This has been the case from the day I got it. I tried getting the leaf springs re tensioned and re mounted when we changed all the suspension bushes a week ago but to no avail.

Am going to now attempt recambering of leaf springs and if required through the annealing process and also check the shocks. When I go over some types of bumps or speed breakers, there seems to be a clanging sound from the right rear suspension. Almost to show that there is no shock absorption whatsoever.

This vehicle is not going to be excessively loaded and is not a load carrier. Ive even removed all the stuff from the rear and made it one large empty space.

If at all I do anything with that space, it will be to take my dogs out for a ride, nothing else. I don't envisage passengers in the Gypsy hence I removed the rather tatty forward facing rear passenger seat too.

I ve already changed all the suspension bushes.

Any other ideas?

[Raul258]

Why not go for a second hand leaf spring set and a new shock absorber? You won't need to worry about anything if u get a good leaf set.

[cool_dube]

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

This is how it looks as of today after a little bit of cosmetology and after putting on its new shoes

The Gypsy looks awesome! Congratulations Shankar. Can't wait to see it in flesh.

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

Couple of queries - I need a new tank for the windshield wiper fluid and water - the lid of the one on the Gypsy is gone.

You can order it through any MASS or go to an MGP shop and get it. Might not be readily available, though, and you will have to wait for a week or two.

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

Also, can the Gypsy King spare wheel cover fit on these 215/75/15 radials which I ve put on the vehicle now?

Nope!

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

The right side rear suspension leaf springs seem to be sagging - need to get them re tensioned.

That is a standard fare with the Gypsy as well as any leaf spring based Jeep. Quite straightforward to fix - get the set re-cambered or get a new one, if worn out.

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

Any input on changing the seatbelts? Any other car's seat belts likely to fit?

Omni's should be a straight fit.

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

Thinking of putting in new art leather seat covers - there are only the front seats. Ive chucked out the rear seat completely so it is a large loading bay now.

Are the OE covers completely gone?

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

Ordered some new floor mats (Michelin) and a Dicky/ Boot space mat as well, just to line the floor.

Great. I lined mine with 3M mats all over, since my intended usage is different than yours.

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

Also, I need to do quite a bit of work still, including an engine service etc.

Where are you planning to get it done? MASS?

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

And Yes, I will be getting it re registered as soon as the NOC reaches me, in the coming week or in early Jan 2017

Better go via an agent. It is a bloody pain getting it done yourself.

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

Need advice because it looks like the right rear side of the Gypsy is canted over much more than the left side.

Answered above. Re-tension won't help. Go for a complete re-camber or replacement.