![]() | #1561 | ||
Team-BHP Support ![]() ![]() | ![]()
When something is engineered to specification, multiple modifications can be done simultaneously and can be integrated in the end. This is how engineers operate, this is how I operate in my profession life. But the modifications to my Jeep is hardly engineering. I want something done, but I am not sure about the right way to do it. After all, I am not an qualified automobile/mechanical engineer who can understand all the issues involved. So I end up trying one thing at a time. For example, I wanted to install couple of D-Shackle eyelets on my Jeep front bumper which can be used to tow my Jeep. The eyelets were designed by an mechanical engineer (Suresh Stephan) who understood the stress factors involved. So that is a real engineered piece. But the mounting of it was another factor. How do I know whether the bumper is strong enough? I don't know. So, I asked the mechanic to use a L bracket from the inside of the front bumper, and mount the eyelets on the one arm of the L, while the other arm is bolted to the chassis. This is just guess-work and not engineering. But the mechanic felt it may not be enough, so he suggested connecting a C-section from inside and then bolt it to the chassis., basically one long U bracket instead of two L brackets. It is again guess-work, but a guess-work by a more experienced guesser. So I agreed, and at no time I assumed it was engineering. Only the eyelets and the earlier winch mount designed and made by Suresh Stephan are examples of engineering, for he could exactly design it for a required load rating. ![]() ![]() I have designed many huge/complex architectures which is no different than designing a car. Even car designers mostly design cars in front of a computer monitor sitting in an AC room. Quote:
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Arka, do we really need this kind of sarcasm to have a rational discussion? | ||
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![]() | #1562 |
Senior - BHPian ![]() | ![]() The Nano is a classic example of how a marketing directive of cost drove the entire engineering team to deliver a product to that requirement. BTW the mechanic does that too. If you want things cheap he will fit used or counterfeit parts ![]() Last edited by DKG : 10th May 2010 at 13:29. |
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![]() | #1563 | |
BHPian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: coorg/bangalore
Posts: 419
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![]() | #1564 |
Team-BHP Support ![]() ![]() | ![]() |
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![]() | #1565 | |
Senior - BHPian ![]() Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Dharamsala
Posts: 2,021
Thanked: 1,360 Times
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I think the polarities created here in this thread between the passion of a mechanic and the precision of an engineer are a bit artificial. If you read Behram's posts carefully, several of them, then I think you will see that he has a fire in his belly about his work, even if you do not like everything about his end product. I worked for a short time as a test driver for Dana corporation. Dana is an international corp. that makes many drive train and 4x4 parts used by M&M and other companies. When things broke unexpectedly sometimes a high ranking engineer would show up at the test site and dive under the vehicle with wrench and flashlight and work hand in hand with the techncians (level one mechanics). They would come up hours later with their good clothes ruined, covered with gease and dirt. These guys would miss their supper, abandon their families and forego watching the big game on TV because they were fascinated and intrigued with their work. I, in turn, was fascinated and intrigued by their absolute dedication to their job. I agree with off-road-maniac and 4x4addict. All this rancor over the Thar is misplaced or at least, futile. It's a done deal. Let us wait and watch and see what develops. | |
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![]() | #1566 | |
Senior - BHPian ![]() Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Germany
Posts: 2,850
Thanked: 1,497 Times
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![]() | #1567 | ||
BHPian ![]() | ![]() Quote:
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But it's a whole different thing to say "Why can't you guys just live with what we are trying to sell over here?" I somehow can't seem to digest this thought process. | ||
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![]() | #1568 |
BHPian ![]() Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ghaziabad
Posts: 549
Thanked: 117 Times
| ![]() I have driven thar, and to me it felt it would be at par with all the old jeeps behind whether off-road or on-road. Personally I do not have all the technical knowledge and neither I intend to gain. I would like to have a vehicle which would just pamper me and not turn me in to mechanic. Also that vehicle should be able to keep me with all my technical friends and off-road it should be able to keep pace with them. I do not think a manufacturer can keep everyone happy. I believe most of the buyers would be people like me - who want to drive and still do not want to get their hands dirty. A line production will always remain for masses. If some one wants more purpose built and customized vehicle they would need to shell money for that. I guess even Mahindra's customization department should be able to help. BTW I just saw FJ Icon website. Where they are making Icon upward of $100K and your good old 3B upward of $70K. |
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![]() | #1569 |
BHPian ![]() Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bangalore
Posts: 59
Thanked: 28 Times
| ![]() Just wanted to add my two bits here. Sad to see many of the stalwarts cribbing that the manufacturer has not taken everything they said as gold. Here's something to think about: Offroaders everywhere would agree that every terrain is different, and calls for different requirements from the vehicle. Are we so blinkered that we believe that M&M should launch a region-specific variant based on our backyard offroading? Why would M&M bring out a vehicle suitable for rock-crawling alone, when India herself offers desert terrain, snow, and so many other kinds. Even the Jeep Wrangler, the Toyota Landcruiser, and the FJ Cruiser technically can be seen as soft-roaders until they are modified by owners based on personal preference and most-often-tackled Either ways, whether the Thar sees the light of day or not, there is always the possibility for people to buy used or army-decommissioned 540/550's and customise to their heart's content. |
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![]() | #1570 |
Team-BHP Support ![]() ![]() | ![]() Guys, this discussion is getting unnecessarily heated, and there still isn't even a Thar in the showrooms YET! I'm going to temporarily close this thread, and reopen - hopefully - with a full fledged test report sometime in the future. |
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![]() | #1571 |
BHPian ![]() | ![]() Came across this article in the Hindu Business Line today. It says that the Thar will be launched in a month or so. They expect to sell about 5000 Thars a year and their main target will be the North-east, Rajasthan and Kerala in the space provided by the limited production of the Gypsy. The Hindu Business Line : M&M to drive into niche SUV segment with ‘Thar' I searched all Thar threads to post this but all of them have been closed by Mods. Please merge it if any of them have been left open. I couldnt find any. |
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![]() | #1572 |
Team-BHP Support ![]() ![]() | ![]() Note from Mod : The Thar's full test & review has been uploaded at this link. Thread closed. Please continue the discussion over on the review thread. Last edited by GTO : 5th January 2011 at 18:42. Reason: Adding link to Thar review |
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