[SirAlec]

Until now people may have figured out that there is something in me that makes me chase TATAs. And not ashamed of the fact that I have been a fanboy for life of TATA, Maruti and Land Rovers in particular. Each of these vehicles had a major impact on my life and family once in a while.

Now getting back to the point, This TATA is part of the now still infant India's NDRF. That is National Disaster Response Force which was formed in 2005 to handle natural or any other kind of disasters. This force contains roughly 10,000 personnel from CRPF, ITBP, BSF and CISF, Yup the same guys that checks our bags at Airport and Delhi Metro. Previously they were issued used vehicle from Indian Army, that changed recently when they started getting brand new vehicle right from manufacturer. The fleet mostly includes 4x4 trucks and Sumos.

About TATA 1212 TC 4x4.
Until I saw this today I never thought this model ever existed. I mean a 4x4 with just a 120hp engine. I mean when did Tata thought of reviving the iconic 12xx series that changed its fate for good in Indian CV segment.
Maybe this is just a 15000 litres capacity bowser they thought a 120 hp cummins will do the job efficiently. Even the Gearbox is 6 speeder (front side reverse) from old version.

The engine is Turbo Charged obviously to meet emission norms. It has a simple 4x4 selector. DIff lock is missing, that is common in 713 that is used by indian army. It does have a PTO unit at the back. Tyres were 9.00x20 NDMS offroad tyres bolted with 8 bolts.


Couldn't drive it for obvious reason, I wish i could. Next time will use a source high up to do the same. The driver was a very kind soft spoken Mallu who drove Trucks and School bus in Allepy for 11 years before joining CRPF and finally NDRF. He was assigned here and was part of training program involving Rock Climbing here in our town.

Enjoy.

What a beauty.




Young chap at the left is the proud driver of this beauty.


Like I said in my other posts I preferred the round Yenkey meters, They were classics and very well build. These Minda ones are....Well! kind of just there.


Engine Off, on the key itself. so are the Head Lamp on/off. That is so wrong.


Now mandatory, Head Lamp leveler, PTO switch, And Retarder.


Gear Lever, 5 front 1 Rev. This is classic old school TATA sequence.


4x4 and 4x2 selector. Mechanical selector is so much practical.


Rear Diff is taken right from TATA's largest seller 1612.




Front Diff

[SirAlec]

Some More Images

Gear Box


4x4 selector lever protruding.


Mid Diff


Air Dryer


Meaty 9.00x20 MRF NDMS




Modest 120 liter fuel tank with guard rail.

Thanks for reading

[julupani]

@SirAlec

How old is this truck?? Must be atleast 2years old. This model is definitely not in production since the last year. Newer variants of these are still on offer though, including a 1616 4x4.

The gearbox actually makes me think that it is much much older. These are really archaic gearboxes, though they were still in use till about a few years ago.

[SPIKE ARRESTOR]

Sir Alec, thanks for sharing, nice to see a 4x4 Tata truck.

Originally Posted by SirAlec

The driver was a very kind soft spoken Mallu who drove Trucks and School bus in Allepy for 11 years before joining CRPF and finally NDRF.

You just cannot get rid of Mallus when it comes to 4x4's

Spike

[fx45]

very nice description. There are some Ancient ex-army 1210D 4x4 trucks still in use in some parts by various two-truck companies.

[SirAlec]

Originally Posted by julupani

@SirAlec

How old is this truck?? Must be atleast 2years old. This model is definitely not in production since the last year. Newer variants of these are still on offer though, including a 1616 4x4.

The gearbox actually makes me think that it is much much older. These are really archaic gearboxes, though they were still in use till about a few years ago.

this is a 5 months old truck. its run only 4000kms

Originally Posted by SPIKE ARRESTOR

Sir Alec, thanks for sharing, nice to see a 4x4 Tata truck.

You just cannot get rid of Mallus when it comes to 4x4's

Spike

You're welcome. Glad you enjoyed it.

Originally Posted by fx45

very nice description. There are some Ancient ex-army 1210D 4x4 trucks still in use in some parts by various two-truck companies.

You bet! mostly that are seen on road are Recovery Vehicle based on 1210D.

[condor]

@Sir Alec, thanks again

What's that Air Dryer used for ? And any idea how does it function ?

[IronWolf]

What a pristine condition monster. I sure would like to see this fella doing Rock climbing.

SirAlec, if you spot it doing what its made for.. please share those snaps.

Those are some big NDMS tires.

[julupani]

Just 5months old!!!! I thought the GB400 was only being used for export models and not in India.

@condor

The Air Distribution and Drying unit is a unit that does the job of de-humidifying, ie removal of excess moisture, from the air circulating in the braking circuit as well as distributing the air from the master air tank to the brake chambers for all the wheels as and when required.

A dehumidifier works basically by cooling down the air, which decreases the saturation vapor pressure, ie the maximum amount of water vapor that can be carried by air. This causes the excess water to condense out. Many different mechanisms may be used to cool down the air. The air-conditioner as it serves the same purpose of cooling down air is also a dehumidifier, which is why many air-conditioners, especially ones operating for long hours use humidifying units to maintain decent amount of humidity.

[condor]

@Julupani, thanks.

But isnt the air in that tank (and that used in air brakes) compressed ?

[MileCruncher]

Thanks Sir Alec for sharing the pictures!

I'm surprised that the front doesn't have lockable diff's as that's one major criteria for 4X4 for the armed forces. Also the wiper seems to be operated by a switch and not a stalk which is also so wrong!

Cheers

[julupani]

Yes, but that just changes the amount of cooling that needs to be done. It is easier to do it at higher pressure like in this unit compared to lower pressure like in an air-conditioners.

[SPIKE ARRESTOR]

Originally Posted by MileCruncher

Thanks Sir Alec for sharing the pictures!

I'm surprised that the front doesn't have lockable diff's as that's one major criteria for 4X4 for the armed forces. Also the wiper seems to be operated by a switch and not a stalk which is also so wrong!

Cheers

MC, army requirements clearly specify Traction control (Lockers) for rear axle only. Do you have any other concrete info for front axles?

Spike

[MileCruncher]

Originally Posted by SPIKE ARRESTOR

MC, army requirements clearly specify Traction control (Lockers) for rear axle only. Do you have any other concrete info for front axles?

Spike

I say this because we used to sell Swaraj Mazda 4X4 to armed and paramilitary forces which were used for Water Tanker, troop carriers and ambulances. And these vehicles had MLD on the front axle because of specific requirement from them. I remember the TATA 407 4X4 also used to have MLD's in the front.

So am surprised. But then it could be that HCV are not required to have MLD but only L/MCVs.

[tsk1979]

But this is not an Army truck. It comes under Police. From the color and logo it seems to be a CRPF truck. their requirements are different from the Army.