finally bought a (rusty)mahindra classic

Ab3d · 16th January 2010, 18:02

After years of waiting for my beloved, I have finally found her. It took me long time but now I have found my companion.

Ever since I can remember, I was crazy about jeeps. I loved the 4X4 Mahindra classic and seeing my craziness, my Dad had promised me one. Way back in 1998. Then studies happened and I moved to Canada. Came back from Canada and started my own company but during all these years, I always wished I could own my Mahindra Classic.

I wanted to buy one here but I was not sure how long I would be in India. Finally last year, I decided to start looking no matter what. A friend who runs a car finance company told me one of his friends has an old Mahindra classic. I wanted to see her and finally when I did, I couldn’t wipe the grin off my face. I felt that she was the one I was waiting for.

Yes, the seats are torn, the car is old, no horn and the steering sucks and it sounds like a truck. But today when I drove her for an hour, I felt so much peace. Forget yoga. This is my meditation.

I am planning to get new wheels, seats, new steering with a horn, decent interiors. Under the bonnet, I found out it was an original Mahindra engine and it works fine but there is a leakage in the radiator and there are issues with the silencer as well.

I talked with the mechanic and he quoted me 32,000 on the repairing charges. This does not include the new paintjob, wheels and the interiors.

Is there any additional work I should get done on this jeep? Any points I should be careful about?I would appreciate any suggestions/comments from the Jeep gurus here.

I am posting some pics of this baby.

jyobeb · 16th January 2010, 18:31

Are you sure its a Classic? Check the front brakes and see if they are disc brakes or drum.

Blue Thunder · 16th January 2010, 18:59

Is it 4x4? The pics are not very clear..i cant seem to make out either the 4WD lever or the front diff.

beejay · 16th January 2010, 19:04

This is not a Classic. Think its a CJ340. Which year? Can you post some pictures of the engine bay? The pedals are not suspended. Axle looks like 2WD

How much did you pay?

svsantosh · 16th January 2010, 19:14

Dude, Are you sure its a Classic? Please most a few pics which include the front brake system (disk/drum?), 3 pedals (suspended/floor level), under chassis, under hood. I am not sure if the Jeep is 4x4, front axle looks like 2wd.

beejay · 16th January 2010, 19:46

I guess the CJ340 was never made in 2WD.

Ashley Nair · 16th January 2010, 19:47

Friend, I too think it's not a CLASSIC but a CJ340 indiscreeetly modified by some fool. But even if it is a CJ, you have a very capable machine at hand and there is no mischief done that cannot be undone. Congratulations.

SPIKE ARRESTOR · 16th January 2010, 20:41

The CJ340 had 4 bonnet hood catches whereas the Classic had only 2, also the tell tale symbols of the Classic were more in number compared to the CJ340,i can't see the transfer case shift lever too, did classic come with a chaffscreen?

Samurai · 16th January 2010, 23:25

It is a 1989 CJ340 that has been converted to 2WD (dead axle in front). It is not a Classic, in fact a bad job in conversion to Classic imposter.

Why 1989?

That was the year CJ340 came out first. It was also the last year they were issuing old style registration plates.

crazyjeeperk · 16th January 2010, 23:40

I too doubt its a classic! did you check the RC book for its model and year of make. I would appreciate if you say the purchasing cost.

cool_dube · 17th January 2010, 00:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPIKE ARRESTOR

The CJ340 had 4 bonnet hood catches whereas the Classic had only 2, also the tell tale symbols of the Classic were more in number compared to the CJ340,i can't see the transfer case shift lever too, did classic come with a chaffscreen?

Wrong! Classic too has 4 catches. Key differentiators for a Classic (vs. CL340) are:

a. Suspended pedals
b. Disc brakes in the front
c. Unique dash

... to name a few.

harjeev · 17th January 2010, 06:43

As others has clearly mentioned It does not appear to be a M&M CLASSIC and nor its a 4x4,
If you have already done the deal then its ok, nothing can be done if you've exchanged the payments.
If not then upload more pictures of the engine bay, the underside especially the area where the front diff should be, and I too can't see either the 4x4 selector nor the suspended pedals.

QUES for the experts
Do I see full floating rear axles FFRA in the above vehicle. What came as standard in the classic and the 340???

TheARUN · 17th January 2010, 07:04

If you're getting new wheels for the vehicle, then they have to be 'steel wire' wheels that the CLASSIC came in. The dash board of the CLASSIC was very unique. Overdrive/AutoCar called it a 'Christmas Tree'

Samurai · 17th January 2010, 10:39

There is a big thread describing the difference between Classic and regular CJ340/CL340.

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/4x4-t...sic-cj340.html

Besides, there is no doubt that the Jeep in this thread is not a Classic. The Jeep has a pre-1990 registration, while the Classic came out in 1996.

4x4addict · 17th January 2010, 12:24

Whether it is a classic or not, this jeep definitely needs some love and care. The previous owners had absolutely no taste or very good taste :-)..

16th January 2010, 18:02	#1
Ab3d Newbie Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Ahmedabad Posts: 11 Thanked: 0 Times	finally bought a (rusty)mahindra classic After years of waiting for my beloved, I have finally found her. It took me long time but now I have found my companion. Ever since I can remember, I was crazy about jeeps. I loved the 4X4 Mahindra classic and seeing my craziness, my Dad had promised me one. Way back in 1998. Then studies happened and I moved to Canada. Came back from Canada and started my own company but during all these years, I always wished I could own my Mahindra Classic. I wanted to buy one here but I was not sure how long I would be in India. Finally last year, I decided to start looking no matter what. A friend who runs a car finance company told me one of his friends has an old Mahindra classic. I wanted to see her and finally when I did, I couldn’t wipe the grin off my face. I felt that she was the one I was waiting for. Yes, the seats are torn, the car is old, no horn and the steering sucks and it sounds like a truck. But today when I drove her for an hour, I felt so much peace. Forget yoga. This is my meditation. I am planning to get new wheels, seats, new steering with a horn, decent interiors. Under the bonnet, I found out it was an original Mahindra engine and it works fine but there is a leakage in the radiator and there are issues with the silencer as well. I talked with the mechanic and he quoted me 32,000 on the repairing charges. This does not include the new paintjob, wheels and the interiors. Is there any additional work I should get done on this jeep? Any points I should be careful about?I would appreciate any suggestions/comments from the Jeep gurus here. I am posting some pics of this baby. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Jaggu : 16th January 2010 at 18:18. Reason: External hosting of images are not allowed, please go through Announcement section, Thanks
	() Thanks

16th January 2010, 18:31	#2
jyobeb Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Madurai Posts: 1,010 Thanked: 704 Times	Are you sure its a Classic? Check the front brakes and see if they are disc brakes or drum.
	() Thanks

16th January 2010, 18:59	#3
Blue Thunder Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Right here . Posts: 1,657 Thanked: 386 Times View My Garage	Is it 4x4? The pics are not very clear..i cant seem to make out either the 4WD lever or the front diff.
	() Thanks

16th January 2010, 19:04	#4
beejay Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: The Nilgiris Posts: 1,963 Thanked: 204 Times View My Garage	This is not a Classic. Think its a CJ340. Which year? Can you post some pictures of the engine bay? The pedals are not suspended. Axle looks like 2WD How much did you pay? Last edited by beejay : 16th January 2010 at 19:18.
	() Thanks

16th January 2010, 19:14	#5
svsantosh Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Dubai Posts: 3,996 Thanked: 6,278 Times View My Garage	Dude, Are you sure its a Classic? Please most a few pics which include the front brake system (disk/drum?), 3 pedals (suspended/floor level), under chassis, under hood. I am not sure if the Jeep is 4x4, front axle looks like 2wd.
	() Thanks

16th January 2010, 19:46	#6
beejay Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: The Nilgiris Posts: 1,963 Thanked: 204 Times View My Garage	I guess the CJ340 was never made in 2WD.
	() Thanks

16th January 2010, 19:47	#7
Ashley Nair BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Alappuzha Posts: 314 Thanked: 226 Times	Friend, I too think it's not a CLASSIC but a CJ340 indiscreeetly modified by some fool. But even if it is a CJ, you have a very capable machine at hand and there is no mischief done that cannot be undone. Congratulations.
	() Thanks

16th January 2010, 20:41	#8
SPIKE ARRESTOR Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Germany Posts: 2,854 Thanked: 1,532 Times	The CJ340 had 4 bonnet hood catches whereas the Classic had only 2, also the tell tale symbols of the Classic were more in number compared to the CJ340,i can't see the transfer case shift lever too, did classic come with a chaffscreen?
	() Thanks

16th January 2010, 23:25	#9
Samurai Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bangalore/Udupi Posts: 25,828 Thanked: 45,521 Times View My Garage	It is a 1989 CJ340 that has been converted to 2WD (dead axle in front). It is not a Classic, in fact a bad job in conversion to Classic imposter. Why 1989? That was the year CJ340 came out first. It was also the last year they were issuing old style registration plates.
	() Thanks

16th January 2010, 23:40	#10
crazyjeeperk BHPian Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Pondicherry Posts: 130 Thanked: 8 Times	I too doubt its a classic! did you check the RC book for its model and year of make. I would appreciate if you say the purchasing cost.
	() Thanks

17th January 2010, 06:43	#12
harjeev Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: New Delhi Posts: 1,899 Thanked: 292 Times View My Garage	As others has clearly mentioned It does not appear to be a M&M CLASSIC and nor its a 4x4, If you have already done the deal then its ok, nothing can be done if you've exchanged the payments. If not then upload more pictures of the engine bay, the underside especially the area where the front diff should be, and I too can't see either the 4x4 selector nor the suspended pedals. QUES for the experts Do I see full floating rear axles FFRA in the above vehicle. What came as standard in the classic and the 340???
	() Thanks

17th January 2010, 07:04	#13
TheARUN Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,374 Thanked: 958 Times View My Garage	If you're getting new wheels for the vehicle, then they have to be 'steel wire' wheels that the CLASSIC came in. The dash board of the CLASSIC was very unique. Overdrive/AutoCar called it a 'Christmas Tree'
	() Thanks

17th January 2010, 10:39	#14
Samurai Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bangalore/Udupi Posts: 25,828 Thanked: 45,521 Times View My Garage	There is a big thread describing the difference between Classic and regular CJ340/CL340. https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/4x4-t...sic-cj340.html Besides, there is no doubt that the Jeep in this thread is not a Classic. The Jeep has a pre-1990 registration, while the Classic came out in 1996.
	() Thanks

17th January 2010, 12:24	#15
4x4addict Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 4,483 Thanked: 4,531 Times View My Garage Infractions: 0/1 (5)	Whether it is a classic or not, this jeep definitely needs some love and care. The previous owners had absolutely no taste or very good taste :-)..
	() Thanks