[coloneljasi]

Hi guys! First things first. I never thought I'd be undertaking a jeep restoration project. I've always wanted to do one, god knows I've been on t-bhp drooling at all those amazing restoration/modification jobs by some very dedicated co-members.

As much as I wanted to get an old neglected jeep and bring it back to glory, I never got round to it. It's all the more strange, because I run the service department of an authorised dealership, albeit of a german car manufacturer. I know what most of you are thinking, if I was serious about it, I'd find time, right? I agree....

Anyway, back to the main reason for posting here. A friend called me up a few weeks ago asking my opinion on getting an old 92' MM540 4WD DP and doing it up. I told him that it won't be easy but the result would definitely be worth it. To cut to the chase, I ended up offering to partially invest (what's that?) in the Jeep and do the resto as per my idea (or should I say t-bhp's?) in my city. I'd like to do up the jeep as a weekend off-roader, nothing hardcore though. Removable softtop, PS, gypsy wheels/semi-offroad tyres, roll cage and definitely a good paint job.

The old thing was towed to an acquaintance's paint shop a few days ago and that's when I saw what I'd gotten myself into. See for yourself....















We got it for next to nothing. The Jeep's been sitting in an open space for a little over 8 months. I'm told it was running normally before that and had a engine overhaul about a year ago. It doesn't have a battery and has a few parts in pieces. I haven't checked it out yet, should do sometime today.

Am I in over my head? You tell me! I know this is a bit old school for me, so I'll be getting some experienced hands to work on it. And who wouldn't love some serious inputs from the hardcore jeep experts on t-bhp?

[scphanse]

Coloneljasi,
do post pics of the engine bay. Would like to see the state of that too.
You sure seem to be going to be busy doing up the body tub. How is the state of the chassis? Please post more pics soon.
-salil

[Diesel9999]

Dear Coloneljassi

Congratulations and good luck on your restoration project. I can imagine the amount of passion and love that is required to take on such a project. I myself have undertaken the restoration of a Tata Sierra.

That thread is here http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/modifi...enovation.html

Be prepared to face some frustrating moments and budget overruns. But the effort will definitely be worth it in the end.

Will keep watching this thread. Let us all know how you are progressing.

[Ashley Nair]

Good buy, though you will need a lot of devotion to bring him back to his former glory. Somewhere in Eranakulam?

[SPIKE ARRESTOR]

Coloneljasi, luckily for you, getting trim and body parts will not be a hassle any more as they will be available off the shelf. Are you planning to get a new body shell or restore the existing one?

All the best with your restoration.

Spike

[chanu]

Welcome to Jeepers family Colonejasi, it needs a lot of courage and strong mind to get these kind of projects started. What I liked in this 540 is it's a 4 wheel drive option though as you have said it would be a weekend jeep with semi off roading capabilities and etc etc but to my opinion a Jeep is no jeep if not with a 4 wheel option even though you don't use it often.

Decide upon what do you want in this jeep, and act according to it. A jeep can be as basic it is to as techinical as you desire which also includes money definately, time and loads and loads of patience, rest and all is all yours from T-Bhp family. You are never alone when it is a matter of support in your jeep restoration you are being backed up with awesome crew of experts, hence good luck is with you, get started. All the very best.

[coloneljasi]

Originally Posted by scphanse

Coloneljasi,
do post pics of the engine bay. Would like to see the state of that too.
You sure seem to be going to be busy doing up the body tub. How is the state of the chassis? Please post more pics soon.
-salil

Will try to get some photos today. Watch this space.

Originally Posted by Diesel9999

Dear Coloneljassi

Be prepared to face some frustrating moments and budget overruns. But the effort will definitely be worth it in the end.

Will keep watching this thread. Let us all know how you are progressing.

Thank you and yes, I know that this project is going to be an uphill task. The reborn jeep will be worth it though.

Originally Posted by Ashley Nair

Somewhere in Eranakulam?

The canvas is originally from Ernakulam, so is it's part owner, but it's being prepared for some (amateurish) brushstrokes in Calicut.

Originally Posted by SPIKE ARRESTOR

Coloneljasi, luckily for you, getting trim and body parts will not be a hassle any more as they will be available off the shelf. Are you planning to get a new body shell or restore the existing one?

I'd like to restore what's left of the original body shell. Let's see how it goes.

Originally Posted by chanu

Welcome to Jeepers family Colonejasi, it needs a lot of courage and strong mind to get these kind of projects started. What I liked in this 540 is it's a 4 wheel drive option though as you have said it would be a weekend jeep with semi off roading capabilities and etc etc but to my opinion a Jeep is no jeep if not with a 4 wheel option even though you don't use it often.

Yeah, that was the only thing that I insisted on when I took on the project. It had to be a 4WD. Well said. It ain't a Jeep if ain't a four by four.

I've gone through umpteen restoration threads and the kind of support that we t-bhpians tend to provide our co-members is amazing, to say the least. With all your help, I'm sure that the old timer will transform into an strong off-roader in a few months time.

[coloneljasi]

A very feeble attempt at getting some engine bay snaps. Apologies for the poor quality....







The front drive shafts have been taken off by the previous owner, something that is commonly done to save on fuel(Err...why buy a 4X4 in the first place?). I'll try to get the shafts from him. I wanted to get some photos of the chassis, but for that I need to get the Jeep on a ramp or a lift. That's a problem at the moment as it's still a non-runner.

I'm getting an new 80Ah battery retrofitted tomorrow, so hopefully the Jeep will be up & about by this time. Fingers crossed!

[Jaggu]

Congratz! You should not have much problems in getting this one into shape especially at the state of reg. I always admire people who get into ground up restoration, they are the real hero's!

Do keep us updated and all the very best!

[coloneljasi]

It's been one long year since I had the MM540 towed to Calicut. Without getting into the infinite reasons for delaying the restoration work, I'm glad to say that the work is finally underway.

Though the restoration never happened over the past year, the vehicle has already been towed to it's third workshop. The first one closed down and the second one couldn't get around to repairing an old work horse like this jeep.

It's now gone to a jeep restoration specialist in rural Calicut. The body has already been taken off and unfortunately will need a new tub. Thanks to a full year under the sun and rain.

I'm yet to see it as it is now, but am in the process of finalising the way it should look when completed. Like I said before, there will be no fancy modifications to the basic structure...

[fazalaliadil]

Coloneljasi,

Congratulations! Now you are not only in a Jeep but also a restoration club.

It is a good, long and comprehensive job that needs to be done on this one, you will fondly remember the build stages, effort and value it more when its over.

Since you are planning to build it ground up, plan your budget because it never works. Go with a plan on what you want the end result to be, this works.

Hope you have good denters, painters and mechanics in our place, a lot depends on what they can do and most of the transformation depends on them and not what you can spend. There are many members who can guide you through should you need help.

Wishing you the best and looking forward to seeing the final outcome.
Regards,

[lugnut]

This brings back fond memories of my restore!

[Gratuitous advice follows ] - start simple and take your time with the restore - all the very best!

A side observation - she has a collapsible shutter above the tailgate ? this must be one for the intriguing mods for sure - What did the erstwhile owner have to say about this ?

[svsantosh]

Originally Posted by Jaggu

I always admire people who get into ground up restoration, they are the real hero's

Originally Posted by fazalaliadil

Congratulations! Now you are not only in a Jeep but also a restoration club

I guess the difference is between men and crazy lunatic men! - who go crazy lengths to ensure their own lives become hell, sleep goes for a toss, pockets go empty, phone book last 20 calls are only to mech/tinker/painter/sparesshop/arka/spike and so on...

All the best with the restoration

[DHABHAR.BEHRAM]

Originally Posted by svsantosh

I guess the difference is between men and crazy lunatic men! - who go crazy lengths to ensure their own lives become hell, sleep goes for a toss, pockets go empty, phone book last 20 calls are only to mech/tinker/painter/spares shop/arka/spike and so on. All the best with the restoration

Dear Santosh - Good one I say, but that's what makes us what we are, isn't it. In my opinion, the whole thing is worth it (Thar included)! Maybe I should also buy a Jeep and restore it.

Best regards,

Behram Dhabhar

[svsantosh]

Sir, I am pretty sure you will. Once you retire, and look at a thar in your garage, you will think one day 'what started all this?' - and go in search of a CJ class jeep... Totally worth it. Crazy but a rare breed!