[headers]

Originally Posted by SPIKE ARRESTOR

Come on man, CJ3B 6-7. Why so?

Originally Posted by vinod_nookala

So its now between iconic 3B; very desirable NGCS mm550; and the Thar!!

Spikey, The 3B gets 6 or 7 only because of its SWB, its ancient design as well as its unergonomic seating position etc etc.

Remember spikey, we are also comparing a 5 decade design with a 2 decade one

Its obvious which performs better and wins.

EDIT: VN my friend: When is the THAR drag happening? I'm inquisitive on the THAR in the SLALOM/ELK/SPIKE tests

[SPIKE ARRESTOR]

Originally Posted by headers

Spikey, The 3B gets 6 or 7 only because of its SWB, its ancient design as well as its unergonomic seating position etc etc.

Remember spikey, we are also comparing a 5 decade design with a 2 decade one

Its obvious which performs better and wins.

EDIT: VN my friend: When is the THAR drag happening? I'm inquisitive on the THAR in the SLALOM/ELK/SPIKE tests

Headers, the topic of discussion here was "Pure Off-road ability" which has nothing to do with ergonomic seating positions. And dont tell me MM5?0s have an ergonomic seating position.

And design, the more i say the less it is, if you happen to see original "Willys Overland" drawings you will understand the beauty lying within them. Why do you think SWB Jeeps were referred to as "Mountain Goats" and not the 90-95" ones? Someone in the forum has rightly said SWBs are supposed to be driven off-road and not on road.

Spike

BTW- How does Spike test come to picture here?

[SPIKE ARRESTOR]

A pic from the recent Alibagh OTR, guys can you spot what is different in this vehicle?

Spike

[Jaggu]

It has doors

Engine sump is not sticking out anymore? wild guess.

[Spitfire]

It has bonnet clamps instead of the incabin lever. No side steps. And Tejas at the wheel instead of BD.

[ex670c]

Originally Posted by SPIKE ARRESTOR

A pic from the recent Alibagh OTR, guys can you spot what is different in this vehicle?

Spike

Hi Spike,

Different From What?

I can definitely see the IFS setup.

The Front Suspension is stiffer, as the Front Wheels are jumping Up.

Tyre are Stock 235-70-16 Scorpio.

No Auto-Locking Hubs

Regards,

Arka

[vinod_nookala]

It has to be NO AUTO LOCKING HUBS!!.

What suspension setup is this vehicle running? Is it soft or hard? I feel harder rear springs like on EP 1 (Marshall set sup) will give better results off road. But travel is bad.

@Arka- Harder front setup means it will not bounce too often like the Scorpio after a hard landing.

@ Spike -Scorpio's overall IFS travel is about 100 mm i suppose. Has it been changed for Thar? Is it less?

[SPIKE ARRESTOR]

Originally Posted by Jaggu

It has doors

Engine sump is not sticking out anymore? wild guess.

Originally Posted by Spitfire

It has bonnet clamps instead of the incabin lever. No side steps. And Tejas at the wheel instead of BD.

Good one Jaggu, Spitfire, LOL!

Originally Posted by ex670c

No Auto-Locking Hubs

Originally Posted by vinod_nookala

It has to be NO AUTO LOCKING HUBS!!.

There you go, SPOT ON!

Spike

[Gypsy-Boy]

Hey guys ...
One of my friends, who is a regular at Bangalore OTR's, wanted to know if the fuel cap is lockable?
In the pics posted it looks like the Bolero's plastic cap(this is not lockable)
If anyone has any close-up pics of this please do post.

[offroad_maniac]

Originally Posted by SPIKE ARRESTOR

A pic from the recent Alibagh OTR, guys can you spot what is different in this vehicle?

Spike

It looks like the suspension setting is changed up front for more GC?

Logo is missing (Company policy?)

No TC number plate???... MH01 (MUMBAI )

Font Bumper is twisted up, like a pahilwan's mustache..

& yes, its in 4WD mode!!

(BUT, its also a SA Export model. Whats the progress with Indian model?)

[genesis]

Originally Posted by SPIKE ARRESTOR

A pic from the recent Alibagh OTR, guys can you spot what is different in this vehicle?

Spike

One more photo from the rear end of the vehicle which may be of interest.

I have no idea why I took it but while taking it, mentioned to Behram that I was taking it for the Thar thread since people here enjoy details.




I shall now retreat back to the travelogues and OTR sections

[pradipk]

Dear Behram Sir.

When is it going to be on road for normal people? I am quite new to 4X4 but regular reader of this and other related threads. Now making up my mind for THAR. Tentative dates of launch please.

Thanks,
Pradip.

[vinod_nookala]

I somehow feel that the perch point (Box) is lower on THar than even the 2wd Bolero's.

Spike please confirm


Guys who have driven Thar can you please post your experience about-

• Engine power, steering and suspension with respect to old jeeps?
• Did you guys really see the difference on climbs and rough road handling?
• How often was CAT CON was touching the ground?
• What was the lowest point that is prone to damage? IFS lower arms or CAT CON or the bumper?
• Did the ramp over angle become a hindrance? Does it really look like 15 degree?
• What you really liked about Thar?
• What you hated about Thar?
• Now that some of you have driven it, what best price can you pay for it?
• If you buy Thar then what will be your RWUP (Real world use age pattern)?

p.s- I have done some extensive OTR's but my rear add on's have never touched the ground while departure. Why is this on Thar specially when we both are running same tires and rear overhang is same visibly as a MM540?

[gsferrari]

I also heard BD telling someone that the vehicle (Thar as you call it) has been running for a few years now. It is definitely not a very reliable indicator of what the final product will look like, feel like and go like. This is the general "messaging" I got from the guys who interacted with BD. I was not one of them as I was busy with my camera and figuring my way through my first OTR.

I have posted a couple of videos of the Thar in action plus a close-up of the engine bay. Wasn't too sure how BD would take to someone peering around with a HD camera so I only posted the videos after his go-ahead.

[Tejas@perioimpl]

Originally Posted by pradipk

Dear Behram Sir.

When is it going to be on road for normal people? I am quite new to 4X4 but regular reader of this and other related threads. Now making up my mind for THAR. Tentative dates of launch please.

Thanks,
Pradip.

He also does not know. The marketing people are deciding on the price and variants currently. Be patient. Behram is dying to launch her as soon as possible. He soon as he does, he will let us know. Be assured.

Originally Posted by vinod_nookala

Guys who have driven Thar can you please post your experience about-

Engine power, steering and suspension with respect to old jeeps?

Big difference. More power. Refined delivery. Enthusiastic engine. Power steering helps in turn arounds and ruts. However, i felt that due to the power you don't get good feedback when descending in reverse and don't get an accurate idea where the tyres are pointing.

Did you guys really see the difference on climbs and rough road handling?

Rough road handling is best. The suspension eats up the terrain like no other! Again on climbs, less run up required and can do it in 3rd low which jeeps do in 2nd low and gypsy in 1st low.

How often was CAT CON was touching the ground?

Not once. But, the terrain wasn't as rocky.

What was the lowest point that is prone to damage? IFS lower arms or CAT CON or the bumper?

Didn't notice. sorry.

Did the ramp over angle become a hindrance? Does it really look like 15 degree?

No hindrance. And didn't look like 15 degrees. I thought the angle was better than the gypsy, but i could be wrong.

What you really liked about Thar?

Comfort. Power delivery. Torque. Shorter Gear throws. Clutch. Quiet. Power steering. On road handling. (all in comparison to my classic)

What you hated about Thar?

Looks (uninspiring - i've explained why earlier). Power steering feedback. Not a SWB. Bounce after going over a rock a higher speed.

Now that some of you have driven it, what best price can you pay for it?

I explained why i won't buy a Thar earlier. Thus, my opinion will be biased and therefore i won't answer this.

If you buy Thar then what will be your RWUP (Real world use age pattern)?

N/A

p.s- I have done some extensive OTR's but my rear add on's have never touched the ground while departure. Why is this on Thar specially when we both are running same tires and rear overhang is same visibly as a MM540?

According to behram, these are "jugad" bumpers and not according to spec and attached very haphazardly to make it ready for this trip. So let's wait till the proper spec one is out.
Also, all this happened in a pit where even the Gypsy overhangs bottomed out.