[KSM-Vtec]

Originally Posted by Nilesh5417

But its an interesting issue. How does one avoid/reduce the smell inside the vehicle? Needs thinking. Less fuel in cans so less fumes but you probably will still end up with a vehicle smelling like its leaking. Its such a non-issue on a bike so never thought of it!

Well during my trip all i did was sealed the cans with rubber balloons and then a plastic bags and then news papers....had no problem at all.

[Sha]

Originally Posted by gsferrari

In that case what options do I have? Mount the cans on the doors? I'd really prefer to avoid keeping them inside the car.

I will be carrying 2 x 20 liter cans.

You have two option to carry fuel for ladakh trip
1)Build other fuel tank under chasis, it can be done by any body builder company. I have seen it in many LC and Patrols here in Australia and they have built around 200Lt of fuel tank under body without damaging body. In gypsy there is space behind where it can be done.
2) Remove the stepny tire and keep the tire inside, use the mould to hold 2 Jerry cams(40lt). the mould can hold 40lt of fuels, you have to design in accordingly to mould holes.

Do not carry jerry can inside, I have carried it inside and its terrible in high altitude. New gypsy can easily do in one full tank from manali to Leh.

[gsferrari]

Met up with Imran (dropping the "Bhai" because he is significantly younger than me) last evening to check out his Gypsy. 2005 model looks as good today as it might have all those years ago. Popped the boot and had a close look at the AC installation.

Israr Bhai has used the stock Subros 80cc compressor and I don't know how he managed, but he found Imran a stock bracket for installing it. The Superking blower is between the firewall and the dashboard but I don't know how he managed to squeeze it in there. Have to take a closer look today. The condensor is in front of the radiator and the mechanical fan has been replaced with an electric fan with a higher blade count. He has also used the stock vents and switchgear with the addition of an AC switch. Overall the quality of the job is superb and looks OE.

As we were discussing about the vehicle somewhere on Pali hill road, two babes showed up in a Red-Bull swift and handed out free red-bulls

After guzzling the drink that kick-started a revolution of insomnia and chain-snatching I took the Gypsy for a drive. I was, until this point, really worried if I had made the right decision buying a Gypsy because the only one I had driven was KSM's carb version. While I enjoyed the experience, I felt I needed a little more "thrust" to "cut" through Mumbai and the highways. The moment I took off in Imran's Gypsy all those doubts and concerns went away. This Gypsy goes like a stabbed samurai!! Very peppy and the free-flow can keep all of Bandra awake with the ruckus...for me it was a sonorous string quartet after the jackhammering, headbanging violence of the Yamaha MT-01. I loved it!!

The BFG tires look good and feel good to drive around. Significantly easier to steer (perhaps to reduced contact patch) and there wasn't much road-noise either (possibly because the exhaust drowns out all else). I think I will stick to my original plan and go with the BFGs for now.

The interiors are stark and in-line with what I was expecting. KSM's seats were a bit more "comfy" for my frame so I need to explore alternate seat options. Also Imran's Gypsy had the rear bench seats which prevented me from moving the driver seat back as much as I would have liked ( I am 6'3" and Imran looked about 5'11" / 6'00"). I did check out the sporty seats in his Optra and I think I am going in that direction (Recaro / Sparco type with more padding) because the thigh, waist, upper body support and bolstering offered by those seats were superb!

I have decided on a Tan-Leather interior. Once the vCool, ICE, AC and Heatlon treatment is done I am getting the dashboard, side panels, Pillars etc. covered with plush Tan-leather. The seats will be Tan leather as well. This Gypsy is going to be a NICE place to be in. Have a vision in mind...lets see how well I can execute on it.

My Gypsy should be in Vasai by now. Octroi work today/tomorrow and then 1 day at the RTO. I should have it in hand on Friday. Going to source the seats on saturday. Will also find a BFG dealer, work out a deal for the stock tires and get the BFGs fitted and balanced.

My AC plans:

Had a long discussion with Mr. Sripadh in Mahim who is the AC specialist for all Sai svc. vehicles. He took a close look at Imran's install and immediately recognized Israr bhai's work and he holds him in high regard. He pointed out that removing the mechanical fan and installing an electric fan can reduce the load on the engine by 2-3% during idle conditions. While this is a small amount, combined with using the Subros 80cc - the effect can help alleviate the "bogging" sensation while getting out of the blocks with the AC switched on. When I drove Imran's Gypsy the car didn't feel significantly different with AC on/off and launched well from standstill even though the ECU fast-idle had not been done.

Instead of a Subros 80cc compressor, Sripadh and I are going for the Maruti Swift variable stroke Sanden 7 series 6 piston compressor. We are installing a Superking blower with the original 2600rpm motors. We are also doing a complete Heatlon treatment which I will couple with an acoustic damping layer around the vehicle.

The variable compressor adjusts the piston stroke as per the cooling efficiency. At startup the pistons are in full-stroke and as the set temperature is attained in the cabin, the piston stroke keeps reducing to maintain the temperature. Sripadh recommends this over the Subros because 80cc will not be enough to cool the cabin during peak summer and stop-go traffic. Imran confirmed that at a recent OTR, although cool air was coming out of the vents, the cabin itself wasn't getting cooler (note that he has a soft-top).

We will also install the electric radiator fan.

We did a lot of brainstorming about my heating requirements. We even looked up a manufacturer in Bangkok who makes a blower with heater and evaporator coils built in (Formula). This would be ideal for my requirements. Sripadh is checking with them today if they have it in production and can ship. Failing this, Sripadh is installing the pipelines to route the coolant into the cabin and installing a small blower under the front passenger seat. He said this would be better than having hot air blasting out the AC vents. He will also leave the final coolant taps disconnected until I need the heater function. Install them before I go to Leh and switch back to OE after I return. I thought this would be the best way to proceed and after spending almost 1.5 hours with him this evening, I am sure he knows his stuff.

All in all an eventful day where I got to drive a nice MPFI Gypsy to get a taste for things to come...and I can sleep peacefully knowing that my AC install is in good hands and covered by the magical warranty

More to come...

[Zorro4X4]

Hey Gsferrari,

Please put up pics of the A/C installation (whenever you do it). Also a step by step installation too would help.

Regards
Zorro4X4

[gsferrari]

Originally Posted by Zorro4X4

Please put up pics of the A/C installation (whenever you do it). Also a step by step installation too would help.

Sure thing Zorro.

Met Mr.Sripadh again today and we jointly went and met Imran to check out his AC installation. Got some ideas on how to proceed and the key is to NOT rush things. I expect to be using the car without AC for a week or so until Mr.Sripadh is absolutely ready with the brackets and other bits and pieces.

We contemplated a few interesting ideas:

1. Using a scroll compressor (like the ones used on Toyotas)

2. Installing the condensor and fan on the left side of the engine bay (in place of the windscreen water and the jack. Cutting slats in the bonnet and installing a scoop over it for RAM air effect. This also lets the radiator breathe normally. I personally LOVE this idea...seems to alleviate most of the issues Gypsy owners are facing with their AC installs.

3. We are first going to try the stock blower and maybe try and upgrade the motors in this. The reason for this is I want to try and retain the HVAC and windshield de-fogger circuits. Also if the Army is using Gypsies then they must be using heater coils as well. If I can straight-fit this into my Gypsy then all I need to do is install the cooling coil as well and I will have hot AND cold. Purrrrfect!!

So there are some permutations and combinations to play around with here. I'm not rushing it because I want a solution that works for me and hopefully, if it is a first for Gypsy owners, I want to document it for repeatability so everybody wins!

[Desmosedici]

thats a good thought GS, i am now eagerly waiting to see how your installation goes.

Want to do a AC setup for my 2004 as well. My dad has now started to take a liking to the gypsy and wants an AC at the earliest.

[gsferrari]

My Gypsy has reached the stockyard in Vasai. Octroi will be paid today and it will go to the RTO tomorrow for registration. Number will come the next day and they will fit the plates and bring it into Mumbai to the dealership. Once this is done they will do a PDI and then handover the vehicle.

It will not be possible to get the vehicle this week so I told them to deliver it to me on Tuesday (Gudi Padwa) which is a good day to buy vehicles/machines etc. It is also a holiday for me so I can get some of the mods done as well (BFG and Interior lighting etc.).

Due to this delay in delivery, the AC installation is going to take longer. I am ok with it though - nothing good ever came from rushing stuff. Let them take their time.


This is a good opportunity for me to go do a PDI of my own before they register it in my name. This way I can point out scratches etc. and reject the vehicle if the condition is not acceptable to me.

Hmmm...

[Sawyer]

Originally Posted by gsferrari

This is a good opportunity for me to go do a PDI of my own before they register it in my name. This way I can point out scratches etc. and reject the vehicle if the condition is not acceptable to me.

Hmmm...

The nice thing about the Gypsy is that it is one car where one can touch up scratches at home, with a little bit of white paint - I know, I did it to mine a few months ago, for the Gypsy, a small scratch on the rear seemed a silly thing to reject the car for. Now if the engine was to be missing.....
I read about your AC posts, are you very sure that installing it does not void the warranty? I believe it does. Best be sure.

[gsferrari]

Dealer-Installed AC doesn't void the warranty and Mr.Sripadh is the guy who fits all Sai Service aftermarket ACs. Typically ANY modification voids warranty but MUL doesn't enforce this when it is a dealer fitted accessory.

Cannot manage without AC anyway so screw the warranty...

[Sawyer]

The last I heard, Sai or any Maruti dealer had stopped doing aftermarket AC for the Gypsy under Maruti instructions. I would be interested in knowing if this has changed - will Sai be billing you on their invoice for this?
And if I was in Mumbai, I would think the way you do too! In Pune, I will not be using the car for the few months when the daytime heat is bad.

[ladak.imran]

Guru,
What are you planning to do for the cabin lighting?

[harjeev]

Originally Posted by ladak.imran

Guru,
What are you planning to do for the cabin lighting?

Immran
If you are referring to the lack of the roof light inside the cabin then one option you can consider is the map reading light from HELLA. They have great throw of light and cost about 1k give or take a couple of 100 bucks and can be moved in any direction!!!

[gsferrari]

Originally Posted by ladak.imran

Guru,
What are you planning to do for the cabin lighting?

The Alto has a nice RVM with a cabin light at the base. This is one option. I am actually a big fan of the no frills approach to the Gypsy because there is so much room for customization!

Originally Posted by harjeev

Immran
If you are referring to the lack of the roof light inside the cabin then one option you can consider is the map reading light from HELLA. They have great throw of light and cost about 1k give or take a couple of 100 bucks and can be moved in any direction!!!

Thanks Harjeev - will check it out.



UPDATE:

Today has been the day of the Gypsy. Got a confirmation from Sai that my Gypsy was at the stockyard and Octroi procedures would be taking place today. I thought it would be good to run there and check it out so I did...got there at 5:15pm and met the VERY helpful staff at the Vasai stockyard. They brought my Gypsy out to the front and it was quite an emotional experience for me to see my baby coming towards me...so emotional that I interrupted an in-progress recording thinking that I was just starting one (on my flip camera) and when I pressed the button to stop it, I actually started it again. Therefore I had no video of the car coming towards me for the first time and instead I had a nice shot of my footwear

Anyway Che' was there for me to touch and see and believe, finally, that I was now the owner of a brand new 2010 Gypsy. Checked the vehicle from top to bottom and noted a few interesting changes.

1. There is an aluminium heat-shield over the headers
2. The intake system looks different from Imran's Gypsy. Perhaps mine is already modded for BS-IV ??
3. They have installed stepping boards on both sides of the vehicle. These look like an afterthought and totally detract from the look of the vehicle. They will be the first victims of the modding process.
4. There is a glove-box lever for opening the boot-lid. This lever actuated a cable-driven latch in the boot that pops the lid open. Haven't seen this on other Gypsies that I have checked out so far.
5. There is a headlight angle adjusting switch with 5 positions. 2 up, 1 mid and 2 down. Haven't seen this on other Gypsies.

I have taken HD videos on my Flip camera of the vehicle. I'll upload and post these tomorrow morning.



From a RTO standpoint, a contact from HVKumar, KSM and Sriku was called to assist with getting the registration and number done on the same day (tomorrow). He has guaranteed me this...which will allow me to take delivery tomorrow evening from Sai at Lower Parel. While this is potentially reason for me to celebrate, I have noted that my track-record with rush-jobs is dismal. I usually end up waiting longer than I normally would have thanks to my g**nd masti

Anyway - I will update here if I take delivery tomorrow and as usual, there will be plenty of HD videos for the vicarious Gypsy lover to download and save for repeated viewing.

Top top it all off, later in the evening as I headed to a restaurant with a friend, I saw someone doing puja for a brand new white soft-top Gypsy. I immediately pulled over and stepped out to say hello. Apparently this person (Mandeep or Manpreet Singh) is a regular at the OTRs and knows Doc (Red Classic) and even Imran. I spent some time, participated in the Puja and ate some tasty prasaad before proceeding from there. Best of luck to you...whoever you are

[Amar82]

Originally Posted by gsferrari

Anyway Che' was there for me to touch and see and believe, finally, that I was now the owner of a brand new 2010 Gypsy. Checked the vehicle from top to bottom and noted a few interesting changes.

1. There is an aluminium heat-shield over the headers.
It was there even in my old 1999 model King.
2. The intake system looks different from Imran's Gypsy. Perhaps mine is already modded for BS-IV ??
I am attaching the pic of intake for MPFI, let me know if yours in different
3. They have installed stepping boards on both sides of the vehicle. These look like an afterthought and totally detract from the look of the vehicle. They will be the first victims of the modding process.
4. There is a glove-box lever for opening the boot-lid. This lever actuated a cable-driven latch in the boot that pops the lid open. Haven't seen this on other Gypsies that I have checked out so far.
In know 1999 model gypsy, there is a latch in glove box to open bonnet.

5. There is a headlight angle adjusting switch with 5 positions. 2 up, 1 mid and 2 down. Haven't seen this on other Gypsies.

This is a new feature i guess that i haven't seen before.

I have taken HD videos on my Flip camera of the vehicle. I'll upload and post these tomorrow morning.



Anyway - I will update here if I take delivery tomorrow and as usual, there will be plenty of HD videos for the vicarious Gypsy lover to download and save for repeated viewing.

Top top it all off, later in the evening as I headed to a restaurant with a friend, I saw someone doing puja for a brand new white soft-top Gypsy. I immediately pulled over and stepped out to say hello. Apparently this person (Mandeep or Manpreet Singh) is a regular at the OTRs and knows Doc (Red Classic) and even Imran. I spent some time, participated in the Puja and ate some tasty prasaad before proceeding from there. Best of luck to you...whoever you are

Waiting for the pics of your gypsy.

[Ardy]

Originally Posted by gsferrari

3. They have installed stepping boards on both sides of the vehicle. These look like an afterthought and totally detract from the look of the vehicle. They will be the first victims of the modding process.

Great going my friend. Congratulations once again. I can imagine you having sleepless nights

With regards to the stepping boards, they are standard fittings on a hard top Gypsy for easy access to rear benches from the front doors. The front passenger seats should be collapsible for the same reason.

Cheers,