Can we Modify Traveller to 4WD

rhandle · 25th September 2009, 13:17

I am now fan of this. THink about the range of this vehicle with more than 200Lt diesel!

Mercedes G Entdecker Gwagen Mercedes Expeditionsfahrzeug Geländewagen off-road Safari 4x4 Gwagon Expedition Vehicle 461

drsamuelk · 27th December 2014, 10:38

Well Guys I have been thinking on the same lines. I was thinking of a 4WD truck/tempo cabin only without anything behind. I'm thinking of pushing the engine to the middle of the chassis (this way it's out of the cabin) and the long propeller shaft powers the front differential and a short propeller for the rear differential, from the transfer case. This way the engine is out of the cabin, the cabin is quiet and the vehicle is well balanced. The cabin should be extended to one and a half size to allow the drivers seats to be pushed back and a single transverse bed in the second row. The mahindra FJ/FC vans are ideal for this project. I had seen one mahindra FC 4WD van condemned in Vellore but it was not put up for auction yet, it has to complete a certain number of years before auction. The only doubt I have is how will I get the gear lever to the front in such a config. The FC van is very cramped and hot, with the engine gone rear there would be a lot of space.

drsamuelk · 27th December 2014, 10:49

The locals call the old FC vans as bubble face, Correct me if I'm wrong but they had the international and later the XDP2 engine. There are a few still running in Dhanushkodi/ Rameshwaram area in Tamil Nadu. They have become rare in the US, and are sought for a premium price. The wrangler FC made a few waves but it's still way out priced for most Americans, as an off roader without much everyday commuter application.

MHG · 27th December 2014, 22:19

Tata sells the 407 as a 4WD vehicle. On paper, it seems like the best 4WD truck to buy to modify as a camper, because it has rather well known mechanicals (being the most popular truck in India) and the engine is a 3000cc unit from a Tata Sumo and Tata 207 which is extremely well known. Typically you are looking at travelling in remote places in your camper and you need quick jugaad fixes for any trouble the vehicle may throw at you. Having a well known platform would help a lot in such a scenario.

urzdeepu · 28th December 2014, 11:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by ex670c

Hi Guys,

The MOHFW uses the 4WD Excels, there are a few running around rural Chennai too.

Pictures of one I saw in Pauri. (UK12).

Another option is to use Tata 407 4WD mechanicals.

However since the front Axle Diff is left off-set you have to procure it with the Left Drop Transfer Case.

My goodness the front overhang makes the vehicle look like the shell placed on the body of a bullock cart. Thanks for the share.

drsamuelk · 12th April 2015, 21:55

This is a 4wd -Mahindra FC van awaiting condemnation in Vellore, seeing the registration, my guesses are its should have a xdp 4.2 engine and the front 4wd axle should be a 57" track. It should be a good offroad vehicle if we get rid of the boxy carrier.

drsamuelk · 12th April 2015, 22:10

If the front cab is extended to a double cab with a bed to sleep and the carrier removed, it should be a good personal weekender (wife might kill me). Its a mans ride and it can be customized. Sadly I don't live in Vellore anymore, so this dream is beyond me. The idea of procuring a Govt owned transport vehicle from one state and transferring it to personal vehicle in another another state, is a bad one.

Zooster · 20th February 2022, 11:10

This time I was down in India was looking for a good tempo traveler to convert into something more capable in fact did buy one but used it for something else in the end, however would love to convert something like this into a fully capable Caravan to go camping with the family. I was in Costa Rica last week and saw this being used for one of my tours.. Had a chat with the owner and he told me that besides the tires everything else is how it is from the time he bought the vehicle. The tire size needed is not available easily in Costa Rica and has to be transported from the states and costs an arm and a leg so he decided to go smaller and he also does some off the beaten path tours for from time to time. its a Volkswagen Constellation truck 6x6 made specially for this side of the world..

25th September 2009, 13:17	#61
rhandle BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ghaziabad Posts: 549 Thanked: 117 Times	I am now fan of this. THink about the range of this vehicle with more than 200Lt diesel! Mercedes G Entdecker Gwagen Mercedes Expeditionsfahrzeug Geländewagen off-road Safari 4x4 Gwagon Expedition Vehicle 461
	() Thanks

27th December 2014, 10:38	#62
drsamuelk BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: vellore Posts: 88 Thanked: 45 Times	Re: Can we Modify Traveller to 4WD Well Guys I have been thinking on the same lines. I was thinking of a 4WD truck/tempo cabin only without anything behind. I'm thinking of pushing the engine to the middle of the chassis (this way it's out of the cabin) and the long propeller shaft powers the front differential and a short propeller for the rear differential, from the transfer case. This way the engine is out of the cabin, the cabin is quiet and the vehicle is well balanced. The cabin should be extended to one and a half size to allow the drivers seats to be pushed back and a single transverse bed in the second row. The mahindra FJ/FC vans are ideal for this project. I had seen one mahindra FC 4WD van condemned in Vellore but it was not put up for auction yet, it has to complete a certain number of years before auction. The only doubt I have is how will I get the gear lever to the front in such a config. The FC van is very cramped and hot, with the engine gone rear there would be a lot of space.
	() Thanks

27th December 2014, 10:49	#63
drsamuelk BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: vellore Posts: 88 Thanked: 45 Times	Re: Can we Modify Traveller to 4WD The locals call the old FC vans as bubble face, Correct me if I'm wrong but they had the international and later the XDP2 engine. There are a few still running in Dhanushkodi/ Rameshwaram area in Tamil Nadu. They have become rare in the US, and are sought for a premium price. The wrangler FC made a few waves but it's still way out priced for most Americans, as an off roader without much everyday commuter application.
	() Thanks

27th December 2014, 22:19	#64
MHG BHPian Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: McLeod Ganj Posts: 342 Thanked: 294 Times	Re: Can we Modify Traveller to 4WD Tata sells the 407 as a 4WD vehicle. On paper, it seems like the best 4WD truck to buy to modify as a camper, because it has rather well known mechanicals (being the most popular truck in India) and the engine is a 3000cc unit from a Tata Sumo and Tata 207 which is extremely well known. Typically you are looking at travelling in remote places in your camper and you need quick jugaad fixes for any trouble the vehicle may throw at you. Having a well known platform would help a lot in such a scenario.
	() Thanks

12th April 2015, 21:55	#66
drsamuelk BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: vellore Posts: 88 Thanked: 45 Times	This is a 4wd -Mahindra FC van awaiting condemnation in Vellore, seeing the registration, my guesses are its should have a xdp 4.2 engine and the front 4wd axle should be a 57" track. It should be a good offroad vehicle if we get rid of the boxy carrier. Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

12th April 2015, 22:10	#67
drsamuelk BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: vellore Posts: 88 Thanked: 45 Times	If the front cab is extended to a double cab with a bed to sleep and the carrier removed, it should be a good personal weekender (wife might kill me). Its a mans ride and it can be customized. Sadly I don't live in Vellore anymore, so this dream is beyond me. The idea of procuring a Govt owned transport vehicle from one state and transferring it to personal vehicle in another another state, is a bad one.
	() Thanks

20th February 2022, 11:10	#68
Zooster BHPian Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: Mumbai Posts: 32 Thanked: 32 Times	Re: Can we Modify Traveller to 4WD This time I was down in India was looking for a good tempo traveler to convert into something more capable in fact did buy one but used it for something else in the end, however would love to convert something like this into a fully capable Caravan to go camping with the family. I was in Costa Rica last week and saw this being used for one of my tours.. Had a chat with the owner and he told me that besides the tires everything else is how it is from the time he bought the vehicle. The tire size needed is not available easily in Costa Rica and has to be transported from the states and costs an arm and a leg so he decided to go smaller and he also does some off the beaten path tours for from time to time. its a Volkswagen Constellation truck 6x6 made specially for this side of the world..
	() Thanks