[bigman]

Nice write up and what a great looking labrador in one of your shots

[svsantosh]

Originally Posted by svsantosh

We never got to the next toll gate...

The very 1st sign of trouble was on the very 1st flyover after Chennai on the GQ. The KANCHEEPURAM railway line flyover. The Hurricane was chugging along all the way, 80~ Kms had been covered in just under 2 hours...

Only issue till now was the semi-transparent, translucent, whatever, plastic jerry can. It used to be full ORANGEE at a moment, a few kms, around 25-30Kms down the line, it would go down to half-empty (or half-full?) She DRANK, a LOT. The 10 liter can would go down like ZAPPPP in half a hour and me and Dev would pull into a road side bunk - wherever visible and swipe a card and fill the jerry. We did not want to use the reserve fuel cans', just in case!!

So, we approached the flyover, and started the Jeep's 1st ascent. Burrp, belch... hummm...

It was a skipped heart beat from the engine, 2 from us!! We exchanged cold stares, as the hurricane continued the climb and completed it. Some misfiring I think, it never showed up again. Must be addressed during the rebuild. We continued, beyond the 80Km Kancheepuram mark... 90Km... few more bunks on the way... 1 break to stop my left ankle being crushed by my right... One to cool down the hurricane and top-up the radiator...

Beyond Kanchi, the roads are wonderful, we were making good time actually. IIRC around 11ish we were over the Palar river bridge in Arcot. We puttered across the bridge, approached a STEEP right turn exit off the bridge - then it happened.

I felt the Jeep slow down, despite the throttle being opened. Changed gears, nothing..!! Vrrroom - the engine runs, but absolutely no power to the wheels. Clutch pedal felt normal, gears changed, but no forward power...

Coasted around 50 meters - i pulled over to the left sand bank of the GQ and tried a few more gear changes. Then it hit me and Dev hard - What are we going to do... After settling down to accept the fact that the Jeep has officially died on us, we turned around and saw that we had parked right in front of a roadside garage and it had a FC parked in it - GOOD, a M&M Mech... I walked over with a faint sense of hope, mech's sign board said 'specialist in JEEPs'. I spoke to him of the issue, and he nodded in agreement that the clutch must have been overworked when I tried to start the jeep from 3rd, or revving from 1-3 direct. But I never had a clutch burn smell... well, he did go under the jeep - and tried to adjust whatever was left of the clutch cable to be adjusted. No luck.

So a quick call was made to Shibu, Siva - and agreement was that it was too risky to leave the jeep in Arcot to be rebuilt by the mechanic. Best option was to tow it to Hosur where I had a good mech.

The mechanic had a brother-in-law, who runs a M&M Jeep PicUp between Arcot and Bangy for all goods transport. A hour later he shows up and after agreeing on a price of 3,300Rs for towing till Hosur. I think it is around 220Kms and moreover he has to come back empty. It was a good deal for hiring any vehicle for 400~ kms for 3300Rs.

He said he got delayed in searching for a rope to tie the jeep. I took out the recovery kit I was carrying along. The driver looked amused and asked - were you guys so sure that you will break down beyond a point?

I replied yes, and attached the D-Shackle and Tow Rope to the 2 Jeeps and settled down in the CJ3B's driver seat for ONE HELL of a TOW-RIDE...!!

The 1st few Kms of the tow were normal, getting used to indicators, hand signals, etc etc... Once the guy got a hang of the roads, gaining confidence in my braking skills to maintain the rope tension, he started getting naughty.

Speeds crept from 40-50-60-70+, Me and Dev were thinking what the hell is wrong with this guy... but initially we were helpless. Nothing to tell that guy to slow down...

After 10~ mins, I got a hang of his driving skills, and it being a GQ, I settled down into a rhthym in-sync with the other driver. He was pretty good, would rate him a pretty sane driver by any standards, nothing risky, using indicators always, no sudden braking, etc.

After 100kms~, the roads got even more deserted between Vellore and Krishnagiri, at one point of time Dev and I were pretty sure we were hitting 100KMPH. There was absolutely no creaks, rattles what-so-ever from the CJ3B. I was pleasantly surprised.

At Krishnagiri we took the 1st break, the driver needed to freshen up. Me and Dev were hungry as hell!! In less than 3 hours of driving/towing time, we had covered 200Kms...!!

We entered a pretty shabby eatery on the road side, with a few wooden stools and benches, dark as hell, filled with the stench of burnt firewood, but the only place where we could get food...!! and ate the official dish of every TamilNadu/Kerala roadside eatery- The Parotta. Let me explain a Parotta in simple terms - It is maida flour mixed with lots of oil, and rolled out like a Roti and cooked over a hot granite stone with lots more oil. Eaten along with some gravy of some leftover nonveg dish...which somehow tasted nice... very nice. Me and Dev got adventerous (of course - we went to pickup a Jeep) and ordered 2 - Kotthu Parotta's. Now, a KP is nothing but 2 P's - shredded by the soft hands of the Parotta Master AKA Chef... After shredding by hand, it is laid out on the hot granite again, and a small crevice is made in the center to accomodate 2 Egg contents + the very same 'gravy' that is served on the plantain leaf along with the P. Then the Master - As every chef is lovingly called in TN - takes a steel tumbler with a sharp edge, not the curvy-edged ones - and holds it upside down, and starts attacking, buchering, chopping,you name it - the P+Gravy with fierce strength - end result is a melody which has to heard not read - and the KP of course.

Why all this writeup for one of the most common dish in TN - the bill of course. In my College days, 3-4 guys would eat similar to what we ate, hand around, have a few tea + Ciggys', pay a 50Rs Gandhi Note and get something in change and walk back home happily... "Madam, whats the bill" - "#$%#$Sixty sier" - I hand out a hundred, and wait for change. She does the same - "I said ONE Sixty" - Me and Dev exchanged the same look when the Jeep Coasted to the Road Side Sand banking..!!!

[trammway]

Originally Posted by svsantosh

We entered a pretty shabby eatery on the road side, with a few wooden stools and benches, dark as hell, filled with the stench of burnt firewood, but the only place where we could get food...!! and ate the official dish of every TamilNadu/Kerala roadside eatery- The Parotta. Let me explain a Parotta in simple terms - It is maida flour mixed with lots of oil, and rolled out like a Roti and cooked over a hot granite stone with lots more oil. Eaten along with some gravy of some leftover nonveg dish...which somehow tasted nice... very nice. Me and Dev got adventerous (of course - we went to pickup a Jeep) and ordered 2 - Kotthu Parotta's. Now, a KP is nothing but 2 P's - shredded by the soft hands of the Parotta Master AKA Chef... After shredding by hand, it is laid out on the hot granite again, and a small crevice is made in the center to accomodate 2 Egg contents + the very same 'gravy' that is served on the plantain leaf along with the P. Then the Master - As every chef is lovingly called in TN - takes a steel tumbler with a sharp edge, not the curvy-edged ones - and holds it upside down, and starts attacking, buchering, chopping,you name it - the P+Gravy with fierce strength - end result is a melody which has to heard not read - and the KP of course.

Why all this writeup for one of the most common dish in TN - the bill of course. In my College days, 3-4 guys would eat similar to what we ate, hand around, have a few tea + Ciggys', pay a 50Rs Gandhi Note and get something in change and walk back home happily... "Madam, whats the bill" - "#$%#$Sixty sier" - I hand out a hundred, and wait for change. She does the same - "I said ONE Sixty" - Me and Dev exchanged the same look when the Jeep Coasted to the Road Side Sand banking..!!!

Hmmm this is the best among all the narration. The chewy delicious country side feast with the smell of burnt wood.. man I'm now gearing up for one such drive again.

[svsantosh]

Originally Posted by trammway

I'm now gearing up for one such drive again

Count me in... holding can, or any other challenge - I am OK.

[r_nairtvm]

Originally Posted by svsantosh

2 - Kotthu Parotta's. Now, a KP is nothing but 2 P's - shredded by the soft hands of the Parotta Master AKA Chef... After shredding by hand, it is laid out on the hot granite again, and a small crevice is made in the center to accomodate 2 Egg contents + the very same 'gravy' that is served on the plantain leaf along with the P. Then the Master - As every chef is lovingly called in TN - takes a steel tumbler with a sharp edge, not the curvy-edged ones - and holds it upside down, and starts attacking, buchering, chopping,you name it - the P+Gravy with fierce strength - end result is a melody which has to heard not read - and the KP of course.

Hi Santhosh,

I really liked you istyle of writing.

Your description of the KP - I can't say anything as I have enough water in my mouth to sail a super tanker at least.

If wishes could teleport some one, I would be now sitting either in the Nagercoil Azad or the Trivandrum Azad, who arguably makes the best KP in southern part of Kerala and the KK Dist of TN (at least)

Best Regards & Drive/Ride Safe

Ram

[JeepCaptain]

Originally Posted by svsantosh

The very 1st sign of trouble was on the very 1st flyover after Chennai on the GQ.
Why all this writeup for one of the most common dish in TN - the bill of course. In my College days, 3-4 guys would eat similar to what we ate, hand around, have a few tea + Ciggys', pay a 50Rs Gandhi Note and get something in change and walk back home happily... "Madam, whats the bill" - "#$%#$Sixty sier" - I hand out a hundred, and wait for change. She does the same - "I said ONE Sixty" - Me and Dev exchanged the same look when the Jeep Coasted to the Road Side Sand banking..!!!

svsantosh & Devdath, I am happy to know that you guys had fun even with a complete breakdown in the middle. Love the way you write.

Originally Posted by trammway

.. man I'm now gearing up for one such drive again.

trammway, When?? Where?? I guess with your FJ62 rite? Do you need a driver or navigator? you know my number right??

Originally Posted by svsantosh

Count me in... holding can, or any other challenge - I am OK.

Count me in too.

Originally Posted by r_nairtvm

Hi Santhosh,
I really liked you istyle of writing.Your description of the KP - I can't say anything as I have enough water in my mouth to sail a super tanker at least. If wishes could teleport some one, I would be now sitting either in the Nagercoil Azad or the Trivandrum Azad, who arguably makes the best KP in southern part of Kerala and the KK Dist of TN (at least)
Best Regards & Drive/Ride Safe
Ram

r_nairtvm , Same here. Description of KP and highway eateries took me back to my college days where we always had amazing food from the eateries (read Dhabas & Highway restaurants) on NH7 in an around Hosur & Bangalore.

[leadf00t]

That an intersting writeup. I hoooked to this Travelogue... O i mean Restoration thread.

Go on Santhosh and Dev. COngrats on your new acquisition JEEP Captain.

[svsantosh]

Originally Posted by JeepCaptain

svsantosh & Devdath, I am happy to know that you guys had fun even with a complete breakdown in the middle. Love the way you write.

Thx Shibu... We had fun only because we were sure of the ending - had it been some different place at night time, I am sure we would have spooked out...!!

Count me in too.

Hey not fair, you need to experience the petrol can thingy once in a while...

...Description of KP and highway eateries took me back to my college days where we always had amazing food from the eateries (read Dhabas & Highway restaurants) on NH7 in an around Hosur & Bangalore.

Well, next time you come around hosur/adhiyamaan to eat KP/P, please pay in Riyals/dinars, Trust me...!!

--------Contd...----------

The Post lunch drive was pretty much the same, since the krishnagiri-hosur stretch consists of lot more climbs/decends, we took it slow and coasted into the town at a sedate speed. Mechanic nearly asked me 'do i look like a scrap dealer', I convinced him to checkup the gearbox since it was busted, and after a few days it was back on the road and now safely parked for its next drive... (fingers crossed, I am ready to relive this day)

[r_nairtvm]

Shibu,

This thread/post may be of interest to you

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/vintag...tage-cars.html

I am reposting a picture from that post/thread for your ready referance (since this is for the benefit of a fellow BHPian, I hope the original posted wouldn't mid this being reposted)

Best Regards & Drive/Ride Safe

Ram

[joshguy]

Originally Posted by r_nairtvm

Shibu,

This thread/post may be of interest to you

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/vintag...tage-cars.html

I am reposting a picture from that post/thread for your ready referance (since this is for the benefit of a fellow BHPian, I hope the original posted wouldn't mid this being reposted)

Best Regards & Drive/Ride Safe

Ram

Am shocked to see those jeeps/Willy's status

There are so many jeepers in KL ,they could have auctioned it and why is the govt killing them

[shivred]

I know this car, it was in the highways dept building next to anna university, where it was laid to rust

[trammway]

Originally Posted by shivred

I know this car, it was in the highways dept building next to anna university, where it was laid to rust

Sorry, but you are referring to this cj3b's sibling.

As this particular 3b was actioned from tiruvannamalai (i have atleast known to this jeep existance for over 15years) and ever since the action i was the owner of this jeep and parked either in velachery or madaveli @ my mechanic's place.

[svsantosh]

Originally Posted by svsantosh

....and now safely parked for its next drive... (fingers crossed, I am ready to relive this day)

Next drive did happen, but was towed in the better interest of safety, into bangalore. Now parked safely, for the drive/tow into Kerala in the coming up weeks...

Shibu - wonderful meeting up with you for the 1st time...

[ex670c]

Hi Santosh,

What was the reason for not starting? Could you crank the engine, the engine would fire but the Gears would not engage or the vehicle would not move forward?

Did you check the T-Case Main Shaft Gear Nut?

Also while Flat towing did you disconnect the prop-shafts and were you actively steering the JEEP on the way back?

Regards,

Arka

[svsantosh]

Originally Posted by ex670c

Hi Santosh,

What was the reason for not starting? Could you crank the engine, the engine would fire but the Gears would not engage or the vehicle would not move forward?

Did you check the T-Case Main Shaft Gear Nut?

Also while Flat towing did you disconnect the prop-shafts and were you actively steering the JEEP on the way back?

Arka, nothing major wrong with the jeep, just the battery went dead after nearly 2 months in idle state. It was a lorry/tractor battery anyways. And by the pics condition, and papers still in transit, we decided to tow it. Didnt even try to jump start it. Shibu me and Swastik went down with a intent of towing it, also took the auto-tow bar along.

PS - I did tow from Arcot - hosur with the prop shaft on, and i was at the wheel and brake while the other Jeep was towing, anything wrong i did Arka?