[madhkris]

Originally Posted by abheekg

The final coat of paint went on the body yesterday.
I have starting dreaming about Alfa Kilo Challenge and EXAMM

regards,
Dr. A Ghosh

Hi Doc,
Hows the restoration going along?
What is the current status of the Jeep? Any updates?

[abheekg]

3 years have flown by after acquiring this Jeep and painstaking restoration using original parts sourced from various parts of the world and guidance of many senior members including UBS sir and Behram Dabhar sir have finally brought the Jeep to 99 % road worthy state. a few small niggles still remain.

During acquisition


Enumerating a brief summary of my restoration experience over the last 3 years.

The first work which was done on the vehicle immediately after acquisition was a complete overhaul of all mechanical parts. During the overhauling process most of the major components including the engine, gearbox, differentials and the 4x4 transfercase was found in top condition and did not require any major replacement of parts. The brakes were completely overhauled. The only immediate requirement was a complete body work which was attended to first much against the advise of senior members who asked me to run the jeep in the same condition for sometime.

Painting


It was in the context of this jeep that I first met UBS sir also. As I had 3 other Gypsies and other things to keep me occupied and away from my petrol Jeep, the body restoration was completed, complete wiring was changed, painted a shade of green 2k paint and the vehicle was shifted to my home where it was intended to be parked in display till I found time again for this Jeep. That was in 2010. The jeep has stood all this while at my place getting admiring glances from many people and amazement from some on learning about its petrol heart.

A lot of water has flown under the bridge and now I find myself at a stage when I am about to shift my base from Nagpur and this necessitated an urgent restart and completion of the work on this Jeep (and a probable sale of this vehicle) before I left Nagpur.

So, after 3 years we started working on the jeep around june 2013 again and the covers were removed and work was restarted. A quick check of everything revealed everything working in top condition. Due to various commitments in 2010 I could not finish the paper work of this jeep then and this was attended to. I spent approximately 10,000/- for the paperwork which included the green tax of maharashtra, insurance, and transfer fees. I learnt during the paper work that GSI, the previous owners of this Jeep had paid lifetime tax and hence I did not have to pay any tax on this vehicle. Copmpare this to my previous experience with registering a 1999 army auctioned Gypsy in 2008 in an MP RTO , when I had paid around 15,000/- as pending tax. Paperwork done I could proudly display the number of the Jeep again - MTE 3108.

Next up was upholstery and after much dillydallying I decided to retain the stock one piece front seat of the Jeep and decided to get it done up in an contrasting colour against the green body. We also decided to paint the Windshield frame in this same color.

Current status




The carburetor was changed and a new petrol tank was sourced as we discovered some rusting in the old tank. Over the last 3 years I went around many parts of the country and found many shops all around which had access to some or the other new old part for my Jeep. whenever I found something which I though I might need, I bought it and kept it for myself.











Recently while browsing at a shop selling second hand books I came across a very rare original copy of the parts catalogue of the Mahindra cj3b/cj4a Jeep.





I have already sent xerox copies of the same to many of my friends who own petrol Jeeps. After this I had a stroke of good luck and found one shop right here in Nagpur which had stocks of many parts of the cj3b/cj4a and which has been a tremendous help to me in the final restoration process. Together with this catalogue and this shop I have been able to iron out most of the pending issues on this Jeep. Among many things that I found in this shop was a new carter fuel pump (which I did not need) and a IBEX/UCAL fuel pump repair kit (which I picked up and used to overhaul my fuel pump ) . This catalogue has come very handy to me.

Rare and original carter petrol jeep fuel pump






Parts of the ucal/ibex fuel pump repair kit and fuel pump repairing in process












A very rare part which I found at this shop was the fuel pump which the proprietor said belonged to some dodge vehicle. Can anybody throw light on which vehicle this part comes from ?

Carter fuel pump of some dodge vehicle








A small problem remains with the jeep still - I am able to only start it using the choke (still not reached that state where I can start it without the choke in half a crank) and the vehicle is missing its beat (probably some problem with adjusting the timing of the engine).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slDrE...ature=youtu.be

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yb-Fj...ature=youtu.be

Carburetor without and with the slow running jet borrowed off a fiat carburetor



One quick question - what is the size of the slow running jet of the solex carburetor ?

I intend to iron out the few remaining issues and use this jeep as my daily driver for the reaming days that I am in these parts. I will continue updating my experiences.

best regards,
Dr. A Ghosh
+918805788633

[abheekg]

Its been over 4 overs that I have acquired this jeep and restored it. Over the last few years this became a dependable workhorse for me. Here's a photo story of the fun that I have had with this jeep (code named Airavat) over the last few years.

Due to recent acquisitions and parking space issues this workhorse has to sadly leave my garage.

[FINTAIL]

Originally Posted by abheekg

Its been over 4 overs that I have acquired this jeep and restored it. Over the last few years this became a dependable workhorse for me. Here's a photo story of the fun that I have had with this jeep (code named Airavat) over the last few years.

I really had no idea, that you lived quite close to our place. Pardon the pic- Indeed, it is quite spooky.

"Look ma, no jeep!"

The plates seem to be suspended mid-air, no?

[abheekg]

Hi
Its good bumping into you. Why don't we connect one of these days. Pl check your pm.

regards
AG

Originally Posted by FINTAIL

I really had no idea, that you lived quite close to our place. Pardon the pic- Indeed, it is quite spooky.

"Look ma, no jeep!"

The plates seem to be suspended mid-air, no?

Attachment 1306612

[FINTAIL]

Originally Posted by abheekg

Hi
Its good bumping into you. Why don't we connect one of these days. Pl check your pm.

regards
AG

Again-

Please check your PM.

[JitendraK78]

Hi Doctor,

Waiting for your updates on the recent activities related to Airawat.

Also look forward to meet you soon when Airawat is ready to run.

Regards,
Jitendra K

[FINTAIL]

Originally Posted by JitendraK78

Hi Doctor,

Waiting for your updates on the recent activities related to Airawat.

Also look forward to meet you soon when Airawat is ready to run.

Regards,
Jitendra K

Originally Posted by abheekg

Hi


regards
AG

Hi.

I've been informed that the Jeep has been sold.

Was a good Jeep, nevertheless; was one of the best preserved specimens of Hurricane powered Willys Jeeps I've ever seen.

Cheerio!

[JitendraK78]

Originally Posted by FINTAIL

Hi.

I've been informed that the Jeep has been sold.

Was a good Jeep, nevertheless; was one of the best preserved specimens of Hurricane powered Willys Jeeps I've ever seen.

Cheerio!

Finally the jeep reached Pune last week. It was fun driving it down from Nagpur to Pune.

No problems observed except occasional idling issue. Look forward to Abheek's detailed travelogue before we start to work on the jeep in Pune.

[Ravi Kapur]

Dear Dr Ghosh,
Please share current photos after restoration. I assume it would have been done and the vehicle still with you and that you are still enjoying the ownership experience of this lovely vehicle.
Regards,
Ravi Kapur

[JitendraK78]

Originally Posted by Ravi Kapur

Dear Dr Ghosh,
Please share current photos after restoration. I assume it would have been done and the vehicle still with you and that you are still enjoying the ownership experience of this lovely vehicle.
Regards,
Ravi Kapur

Hello Mr. Kapur,

The Jeep is currently in Pune (since 2016 when we drove down from Nagpur to Pune) and is on sale on 'As is where is' basis.

It needs some minor maintenance to make it running.

We had planned a restoration after getting it to Pune but due to shortage of time we could not do it.

[abheekg]

The current owner of the Jeep Bhupendra Karandikar from Pune informed me recently that Airavat (Cj4a) has been restored again in Pune thanks to support of excellent petrol Jeep mechanics.

This Jeep seems to be ready again for the next 50 years

https://youtube.com/watch?v=59EE9k2henk?feature=share

I am happy about this update.
Although I am not very active on the forum these days but I would love your views and updates via WhatsApp.

I a full time Travelling doctor & managing director of GroWill Foundation now.

Ciao.

Dr Abheek Ghosh
https://wa.me/message/EFWI7X2FBAOOP1

Originally Posted by JitendraK78

The Jeep is currently in Pune (since 2016 when we drove down from Nagpur to Pune) and is on sale on 'as is where is' basis
It needs some minor maintenance to make it running.
We had planned a restoration after getting it to Pune but due to shortage of time we could not do it.

[for_cars1]

Can't help admiring the design of the Willys where the entire engine bay is well above the bumper away just as it should be for an offroader, unlike the current design where the radiator is hanging well below the bumper vulnerable to impact on offroad conditions.

[abheekg]

Very interesting observation sir.