[madhkris]

Congrats on your purchase Mohan and hope to see it come out great. Happy restoring!!

[ex670c]

Hi Mohan,

I think the bracket which supports the weight of dash board/firewall on the chassis have collapsed. (Triangular Bracket Above the brake master cylinder)

This is a recurring problem with the older JEEPs.

Please post more pics and check the Chassis thoroughly.

Regards,

Arka

[mohang_j]

Originally Posted by ex670c

Hi Mohan,
I think the bracket which supports the weight of dash board/firewall on the chassis have collapsed. (Triangular Bracket Above the brake master cylinder)
Arka

Thanks for the reply Arka. Will post some more pics tonight.
I will get the chassis checked at the time of restoration, may be in 2-3 weeks.

[mohang_j]

Originally Posted by ex670c

Triangular Bracket Above the brake master cylinder.
Arka

some photos of the brackets.

[The Wolf]

Congratulations Mohan...

Work your way inside out...start with the engine/gear box,chassis, diffs, steering first and then continually improve the exterior bit.

Happy restoration...it will be time consuming and demanding but thoroughly enjoyable if you prepare yourself for it well in advance

p.s: 1. Check the condition of the axles before you take it out next time.
2. As the under body seems to have weakened and given in to the elements quite a bit, try sourcing a complete tub if possible. Try to source from non-coastal zones.
3. Do not forget to factor in at least 25K in your budget computation for tyres without fail.

[mohang_j]

Originally Posted by The Wolf

Congratulations Mohan....
Happy restoration...it will be time consuming and demanding but thoroughly enjoyable if you prepare yourself for it well in advance.

Thank you. Already my one weekend is gone, many more to go.

start with the engine/gear box,chassis, diffs, steering first and then continually improve the exterior bit.

That is how i will be restoring mine. Work has been started, Wheels, axels, brakes, steering and leaf springs are being addressed now. Later Gear box, diff, fuel pump, radiator and chassis will be addressed. Engine seems to be ok. Exterior will be the last and least priority for me.

As the under body seems to have weakened and given in to the elements quite a bit, try sourcing a complete tub if possible.

Got the quote of 9K for the complete tinkering work. planning to replace complete floor area. Price seems to be ok. is there anything specific to look for while tinkering?

Do not forget to factor in at least 25K in your budget computation for tyres without fail.

Sure, have kept the virtual budget.
Some WIP pics.

[svsantosh]

For a Govt auctioned Jeep I must say it is pretty tight. It is a full paisa vasool I say. Lets drop the new tub idea, and stick to tinkering this back to shape. Even for 15K basic tinkering and painting, it is a good deal. In future, say after 3 years, put more $ and get a pucca strip down/rebuild if you start loving you machine more than today...

[mohang_j]

Originally Posted by svsantosh

Lets drop the new tub idea, and stick to tinkering this back to shape. Even for 15K basic tinkering and painting, it is a good deal. In future, say after 3 years, put more $ and get a pucca strip down/rebuild if you start loving you machine more than today...

Thanks for all your help and encouragement Santosh.I was pretty sure about not buying a tub. But was open to options. The painter / tinkerer seem to be good one. Will be ideal for our kind of requirement. Painter will visit the garrage tomorrow and quote later.

[ex670c]

Hi Mohan,

Get the vehicle in Basic running condition. (1-2 Weeks work)

i) Minimal Tinkering/Primer & Paint Touch-Up
ii) Brakes - Wheel Cylinder 2+2+1+1/ Master Cylinder/Reservoir
iii) Electrical System (Starter Motor/Alternator/Head Lights/Horn Wipers)
iv) 4WD System
a) Front Assy
b) Rear Assy
c) Gearbox/T-Case/Cross-member/Skid-plate/Spike-Arrestor.
d) Prop-Shafts Front & Rear
v) Change to the later model Paper Cartridge Air-Filter.
vi) Breather Vents on Front/Rear Diff & Gear Box & T-Case

Once you start using the JEEP frequently, them rebuild/upgrade as you see fit.

Regards,

Arka

PS - Collect ALL THE old/used parts/Bearings/Nuts/Bolt/Brackets etc, etc and keep them as Off-Road Emergency Spares.

[svsantosh]

Originally Posted by ex670c

ii) Brakes - Wheel Cylinder 2+2+1+1/ Master Cylinder/Reservoir

Arka, this 1988 model came with a 1+1+1+1 setup. I know it is better for the 2+2 setup, what things should one change for this. All I know of is the brake carrier plate and 1 extra cylinder, what else should be added/removed?

[mohang_j]

Originally Posted by ex670c

Get the vehicle in Basic running condition. Collect ALL THE old/used parts/Bearings/Nuts/Bolt/Brackets etc, etc and keep them as Off-Road Emergency Spares.

I have funds only for the basic work. Will collect all used parts, already informed the mechanic about it.

Minimal Tinkering/Primer & Paint Touch-Up.

Tub below and behind the driver seat is rusted. Its just 2k difference to replace the complete floor area. Will get a very simple paint job done just to protect the body.

Brakes - Wheel Cylinder 2+2+1+1/ Master Cylinder/Reservoir

Please explain in detail. I have no idea what is 2+2+1+1.

Electrical System (Starter Motor/Alternator/Head Lights/Horn Wipers)

Head light, horn and wipers are working. Will get the Starter motor and alternator serviced.

4WD System, Front Assy, Rear Assy, Gearbox/T-Case/Cross-member/Skid-plate/Spike-Arrestor, Prop-Shafts Front & Rear Breather Vents on Front/Rear Diff & Gear Box & T-Case

They are being addressed and will clear the breather vents.

Change to the later model Paper Cartridge Air-Filter.

Will be replaced.

[svsantosh]

A bad pic of how a 540 will look on gypsy RIMS (comes only in 15"). This was a 205 tiny tyre. A 235 will look slightly better, thou not like a 31"...

[kingvikz]

Hi Mohan Sir,

Can you PM your mechanic's address? And maybe the costs you incurred on the jeep?
My '96 MM540 needs a paint-tinker job and I'm on a tight budget. My usual mechanic is quoting 40K+ for painting+tinkering+possiblities of rewiring. (He says underbody rust requires tub to be taken off, runner board rust needs to be taken care and the floor panels - driver & passenger needs a metal sheet to be wielded)

Thought I'll take a 2nd maybe 3rd opinion as well..

Regards

Vikram

[mohang_j]

Originally Posted by kingvikz

Hi Mohan Sir,

Can you PM your mechanic's address? And maybe the costs you incurred on the jeep?

Vikram,
I am getting the work done in Hosur with the help of a good friend. If the distance is ok and you have time to spend in hosur, then i can share the mechanic / tinker and painter's details. I will recommend the tinker for budget but the neat job. If you are looking at modifying the jeep mechanically or aesthetically Hosur may not be the good place. Let me know your thoughts.

[kingvikz]

Originally Posted by mohang_j

Vikram,
I am getting the work done in Hosur with the help of a good friend. If the distance is ok and you have time to spend in hosur, then i can share the mechanic / tinker and painter's details. I will recommend the tinker for budget but the neat job.

I'm afraid time is not on my side right now. Few family issues to tackle. Also, I will be richer by few thousands only in May (bonus time )

No modifications. I love my jeep just the way it is. It needs a new coat of paint, tinkering of the rusted parts (floor panels, runner boards) and maybe a headlight grill. My issue is my mechanic is insisting that the tub will have to be taken off for the underbody tinkering as there seems to be quite a bit of rust, (he bent over and plucked out a piece of rusted metal ). His price quote is beyond my pocket. Few other mechanics want to see the jeep first and Im planning to drive it to all the garages on one weekend and get few quotations.

If all doors seem shut, then it will be hosur and I'll contact you for the details. Thanks for all the help.

This is my jeep.

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/4x4-ve...ml#post2174608