[Sawyer]

Originally Posted by starter

Whenever i've jammed the brakes hard, i usually experience the wheels locking up.
So, at what speeds do you feel the stopping power inadequate?
Cheers,
Deepak

You are correct, I was driving fast in Mumbai two days ago and had a big time lock up of the rear wheels! I was alone in the car and with the weight transfer it is easy to lock them. And I must have been at 50/60 kmph.

So far the Yokos have done well, I think the slick and smooth concrete on some of Mumbai's elevated roads proved too much for them.

[Sawyer]

Originally Posted by starter

Roy, any time! I will be in Pune starting this Saturday for a week .
We could meet up whenever you have time.

Is it this week that we are in? I would like to see the BF Goodrich close up once. Which part of Pune are you in?

[Desmosedici]

My brakes lock up too if pressed hard at lesser speeds of 40kmph. Pumping it a couple of times helps. Mine is a 2004 model. Driving in city i dont exceed speeds of 40 - 50 unless there is a good braking distance between me and the vehicle in front and i am running yokos 215.

[Ragul]

Originally Posted by starter

Thanks a lot for sharing these pics Ankit.
Whenever you find some time, while getting it pressure washed, could you please take more pictures and share it here. Would be very helpful!

@Desmo/Jaggu/Roy: This is exactly what i was talking about. Longer piping might reduce its effectiveness, i agree with Jaggu. Any other negatives you see?

If you are planning on A/C for the gypsy check this out http://www.suzukiinfo.com/sierra/samuraiacinstall.pdf

Cheers

[starter]

OK friends, sorry for not updating the thread from quite some time.
So, here's the update about my Gypsy. It has completed 13000 clicks, has completed 3 services (1K, 5K and 10K). More than all this, he has saved my life!
So, here's how it all happened..
I stay at Banashankari 3 Stage (Bangalore South) and my office is at Whitefield, a total distance of about 30 to 35 kms.
The preferred route is via the old airport road and i usually leave my home at around 8 or 8.30.
But on this unfortunate day, due to some early meetings at office, i decided to leave home, together with wifey (she works at the same office) at 6.45AM. By the way, on this day, had gotten up early and had given Gypsy a clean wash, early in the morning.
Please have a look at the attached map for details.

I entered Lower Agaram Road, which is a one-way, by around 7.20AM and there was a Red WagonR (taxi again) tailing me. As we approached the junction where Lower Agaram Road intercepts Victoria Road, i have to take a left to Victoria Road to reach office. Before we continue, i have to let you all know that this area is an army area. It has well maintained roads and a solid 1.5 feet high median and footpath.
At this junction, as i started to take left, the Red Wagon R overtook me and hence, i moved to the left and let him space to overtake. In the meanwhile, from the other side of victoria road, was a yellow board tata sumo trying to negotiate the right hander curve at high speed (70 kmph, i guess). At the exit of the curve, the tata sumo lost control and hit the 1.5 feet median.
With the momentum it was carrying, sumo jumped over the median towards the oncoming traffic and landed straight on the wagon-r and scraped through my Gypsy's complete right end, starting from the fender. In the blink of the eye, i saw my windshield crack and glass pieces all over me and the car. In that split second, i had pushed the Gypsy as close to the foot path as possible but it din't really help.
For some seconds, i was quite dazed at all the happenings. After a couple of minutes, unlocked the seatbelts and tried to open the door and it opened with not the usual smoothness. Got out and saw the impact on the Gypsy and i was really shattered. He had taken all the impact. The only wounds i had were from the tata sumo windshield glass splinters. After lodging an FIR, drove him to Suraksha myself and left it there for repairs.
To be continued...

[karizma9292]

Oh god , dude yesterday i saw you near BDA driving your Gypsy . Man i feel real bad for you . Hope nothing major happened to you and your wife .

Yet another Maruti saves its passengers .

[MileCruncher]

Really sad to know about the accident. But thankfully you and your wife are safe and that's all that matters.

BTW do you have any pictures of the Gypsy

[starter]

Originally Posted by karizma9292

Oh god , dude yesterday i saw you near BDA driving your Gypsy . Man i feel real bad for you . Hope nothing major happened to you and your wife .

Yet another Maruti saves its passengers .

Thanks Sugan. Sorry, i din't spot you.
Nothing happened to us at all, Gypsy saved us.

@AB: Nope buddy, was in no mood to take pictures of Gypsy.
But i did take some pictures of the accident site for the cops.


Cheers,
Deepak

[starter]

The works manager at the body shop has been very helpful throughout. The right fenders (front and rear), right fender flares (front and rear) and right door were all replaced with new. Inspite of such extensive body-work, my Gypsy was delivered to me in 2 weeks.
So guys, every single part is available and there is no problem with procuring spares for Gypsy. It took one week to get all the body panels from Delhi.
On the next day of delivery, the whole family was off to Pune in the Gypsy. A 3000 kms and 9 days on/off road trip to Pune and back and not a single glitch. We were off, exploring some trails in the area of Mahabaleshwar, Bhima Shankar, Triambak, Malshej, Tamhini, Sinhaghad etc.,. At the end of it, the only issue i had were some door rattles and nothing else!
Some pictures..







The drive back from Pune to Bangalore, we did this in one stretch in about 15 hours including stops. My Gypsy could do a 130kmph top speed but i have to admit, the road was a very mild descent. But it can really do 100kmph all day!
After this trip, we have been doing some frequent jungle trails near Kanakapura, next to Cauvery river.
Just last week, we were off to Ooty and were exploring some trails near Avalanchi. Here's a picture of the lake there




So, essentially, my Gypsy has recovered completely from the crash and is doing absolutely fine! Thanks to everybody.

Another 2000 kms and it shall be off for its fourth service.
(Touch wood) Still runs like new, runs like a dream..
Here's how it looks now.. (took these pictures yesterday at the office parking place)








So, that's about it for now.
Cheers,
Deepak

[Jaggu]

Starter someday i will write my gypsy report, till then i will sooth my soul reading yours! Wishing you lakhs of kms of trouble free Gypsing and she looks gorgeous as ever!

[mtnrajdeep]

Hi starter

nice to know that you came out safe from the accident. When did this happen by the way??

[starter]

Originally Posted by Jaggu

Starter someday i will write my gypsy report, till then i will sooth my soul reading yours! Wishing you lakhs of kms of trouble free Gypsing and she looks gorgeous as ever!

Thanks a ton Jaggu! It shall soon get itself Swastikized
I shall definitely wish that you get to write it very soon!
Till then, you can always drive mine

Originally Posted by mtnrajdeep

Hi starter

nice to know that you came out safe from the accident. When did this happen by the way??

Hey Rajdeep,
This happened a couple of months back.
At the very end of 2.6
(For others, Rajdeep is my colleague)

Cheers,
Deepak

[Sawyer]

Sorry to read about your troubles, but great job keeping your Gypsy in such good shape.
Attached are recent pics of mine with the latest addition to the family, she loves the car! Perfect for dogs, I don't have to worry about what the interiors will look like after a drive with her in it.
I have done 12k and have absolutely zero issues. The engine runs sweetly now, and all I have done is to change over to 215 Yokos, the Hellas in front are from day 1, and a louder horn. Blast to drive in Pune traffic as well as in Mumbai, and weekends of course, in the hills around.

[Sawyer]

And of course the other "modification" is to get rid of all the "carpets" in the car. I just use transparent rubber floor mats. I found the OE stuff gets wet, smells, the dampness may induce floor pan rust, and this way, the car is a lot easier to keep clean. Just remove the bungs in the floor pans and hose it down! And in its own way, the bare white body paint goes well with the character of the car.
This car is a keeper, no need to upgrade every 4-5 years. Good to know that all parts remain available from Maruti, long may that remain so.
Question - what kind of lights have you put in near the windshield, and do they work well for you? I find that I need my Hellas just occasionally and they do the job very well at those times.

[Ragul]

Originally Posted by starter

Attachment 479202

So, that's about it for now.
Cheers,
Deepak

Hi Deepak

Glad to hear the gypsy has recovered from the crash. Guess as much as one is a good driver or careful, one can never protect oneself from other peoples mistakes.

What is that seating you have put in your Gypsy? I am looking at a seat upgrade too and this looks good!

Thanks