[carrot_eater]

Originally Posted by cpbopanna

7) Braking is top-class, no more hesitation and the tendency to swing/sway on hard braking is non-existent.

Hi cpbopanna

I have been waiting for the brake upgrade for quite some time now - partly because there wasn't a reliable way to get this done in Bangalore.

I was wondering if there was anything you do would differently - e.g. Use the new Thar's brake booster instead of the Scorpio's one?

Also I will try if I can get the Vacuum tank on near the booster as Mr. Dhabhar suggests.

Is there a way to get the LSPV setting right - without a reference vehicle ? or will it be a trial and error.

Finally - Are the brakes way way better or marginally so.

Thank you
Carrot

[cpbopanna]

Originally Posted by carrot_eater

Hi cpbopanna

I have been waiting for the brake upgrade for quite some time now - partly because there wasn't a reliable way to get this done in Bangalore.

I was wondering if there was anything you do would differently - e.g. Use the new Thar's brake booster instead of the Scorpio's one?

Also I will try if I can get the Vacuum tank on near the booster as Mr. Dhabhar suggests.

Is there a way to get the LSPV setting right - without a reference vehicle ? or will it be a trial and error.

Finally - Are the brakes way way better or marginally so.

Thank you
Carrot

Carrot

1. I think there is a marginal difference between the brake-booster I have fitted and the one that's fitted on the current Thar. I cannot hazard a guess as to which might be better.

2. The vacuum tank in any case needs to be the one fitted in my Jeep, if the old one is retained, it is insufficient to build up sufficient vacuum required by the new tandem booster.

3. While it is ideal to fit the larger vacuum tank on the same side as the brake booster, it is not possible to do so. The current Thars with factory-fitted air conditioners have plumbing close to the fire-wall, I wouldn't want to tamper with the plumbing!

4. The LSPV settings can be adjusted by Mr. Manjunath without a reference vehicle, he has the measurements.

5. The upgraded brakes are MUCH better than the stock ones!

[cpbopanna]

After quite sometime I decided that my rear seats needed to grow-up!

My children found the customized 2-seater to be very uncomfortable.
Prowling and searching in the Shivajinagar gujuri, I managed to purchase the rear seat of an Indica!

I wanted to retain full functionality, the entire length, split (40:60), double-foldable!

Simultaneously, I wanted to install the X cross-member between the front wind-screen frame and the targa band, which is present in the current crop of Thars.

With all the necessary materials loaded, off I went to my mechanics in Coorg.

X cross-member installation: For installing the X cross-member, the hard-top was removed and the necessary supports were gas-welded to the wind-screen frame.





Extra bracing for Targa band: Whilst this was being done, I then decided to support the targa band further at the rear, hence attached two points on the targa band to the SA roll cage.








The end result of this exercise is that the targa band has become absolutely rigid and there is NO relative motion between the doors and the B-pillar!

Installation of the Tata Indica rear seats: The previously installed modified Tavera seat was removed and the MS angles seat frame was used to fabricate the new frame.





The new frame was designed such that the seat did not rest on the wheel-wel but was raised by around 10 mm. The seat is fastened to the front of the frame with four bolts (and nuts) and this can swivel (for folding the seat).

Technically, the rear of the seat can just rest on the frame, since the back-rest is locked at either end. However, to prevent rattling, I used four bolts and nuts, with the nuts welded to the seat bottom. Whenever I want to fold the seat, I just need to unfasten the four bolts from the bottom.













The back-rest is supported indirectly by a square tube, it is an intricate design. The square tube is welded to two MS flats on either end, which in turn have been bent to follow the shape of the SA roll cage.

The MS flat is fastened to the SA roll cage using the existing seat-belt mounting points, bottom-line is that the SA roll-cage has been used as a primary support with no welds anywhere which could reduce its strength.

At either ends of the square tube, two loops made of MS have been welded, the locking mechanism in the back rest of the seat lock on to this!

Pictures of the completed rear-seat installation:














Remarks: The sitting position (height) has definitely increased compared to the previous arrangement, since the sitting surface is above the wheel well. However, the angle of the back-rest has been so-arranged to maximize head-room available at the rear. A person of height up to 5' 6" can comfortably sit at the rear, for the taller ones, the two integrated seat-belts are an absolute necessity!

Drive log:

The total distance covered during my drive to Coorg and back with some other local travel was 800 km. To check the fuel efficiency, I did not exceed 2500 rpm during the entire journey with the air-conditioner on for 90% of the time.

The average mileage obtained was a respectable 11.25 kmpl. Says a lot about the Race Chip Pro - II!

Finally - a rear-view of the Jeep CRD during a pit-stop, on my return to Bangalore

[carrot_eater]

Originally Posted by cpbopanna

I wanted to install the X cross-member between the front wind-screen frame and the targa band, which is present in the current crop of Thars.

With the SA Roll over cage in place already - Did this X-cross member help.

Also did you buy this X member from Mahindra ASS or got one fabricated?

BTW you probably have the most modified Thar out there !

Cheers
Carrot

[cpbopanna]

Originally Posted by carrot_eater

With the SA Roll over cage in place already - Did this X-cross member help.

Also did you buy this X member from Mahindra ASS or got one fabricated?

BTW you probably have the most modified Thar out there !

Cheers
Carrot

Yes Carrot, the X cross-bar adds value to the SA roll bar.
In fact, you would have noticed that I have fastened the Targa band at an additional point to the SA roll bar.

The body structure is now rock-solid.

Only on very rough roads, a slight relative motion is seen between the Italian hard top and the body...it is by design, not by accident, to provide sufficient flexure to the hard top.

The X cross-bar is a Mahindra Genuine part.
However, the attachment above the front wind-screen needs to be fabricated.

The modifications are not yet complete.......

[cpbopanna]

My Jeep & I



After a nice long drive in the city!
The ideal vehicle to counter the bullies on the road

[cpbopanna]

The last day with my Dad's 20 year old MM 540





I hope the new buyer has as much pleasure as my family has had with our Jeep!

[sjcherian]

Originally Posted by cpbopanna

The last day with my Dad's 20 year old MM 540

Attachment 1223954

Attachment 1223955

I hope the new buyer has as much pleasure as my family has had with our Jeep!

The 20 year 540 old still looks really good with all the TLC that has been poured into it. Hoping to see a photo of you with the Thar 20 years from now :-).

[cpbopanna]

Originally Posted by sjcherian

The 20 year 540 old still looks really good with all the TLC that has been poured into it. Hoping to see a photo of you with the Thar 20 years from now :-).

Thank you very much for your thoughts Sushil!

I too hope that I am able to retain my Thar for 20 years with the same loving care that my father bestowed upon his Jeep!

[ku69rd]

Originally Posted by cpbopanna

I hope the new buyer has as much pleasure as my family has had with our Jeep!

Whoops, what was the reason to sell the car? How much did she go for? She really looks cool and am sure with your careful eye she has been restored to surpass the original glory she came out from the factory.

[cpbopanna]

Originally Posted by ku69rd

Whoops, what was the reason to sell the car? How much did she go for? She really looks cool and am sure with your careful eye she has been restored to surpass the original glory she came out from the factory.

Hi ku69rd

I have an SX4 and a Thar. This 540 came to me after my father passed away last year. Yes, it was fully restored to the OEM condition, with my Thar donating the soft-top, the seats. Brand new Gypsy discs and tyres, installation of power steering, body fully removed, tinkered, re-painted, all mechanicals overhauled!

Yes, it was better than how we bought it 20 years ago!
It did not make sense for me to retain three vehicles in the current state of economy.

Regarding the selling price, please PM me your guesstimate. I shall respond!

Cheers!

[methecupid]

Does anyone know a 'go-to-guy' in Mumbai for mechanical and electrical changes to the Thar, any help is deeply appreciated?

[Dry Ice]

Originally Posted by methecupid

Does anyone know a 'go-to-guy' in Mumbai for mechanical and electrical changes to the Thar, any help is deeply appreciated?

I have seen some great modded jeeps/gypsys coming out of Allen's garage. His handle here is Xtreme Power. Quite a few threads that feature him/his workshop. Head over to the 4x4 section and have a look.

One of the initial ones - http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/4x4-ve...mps-gypsy.html

This particular Gypsy had also participated in a Nat Geo show IIRC.

[preetham.hs]

Hi Bopanna,

Could you please help me order the Italian Hard top?

I am not able to find any details online for ordering.
I still cannot PM you due to my status. I can be reached on preetham.hs@gmail.com and 9900049171.

Thanks and regards,
Preetham

[Drlmtukkar]

Please give me Mr Manjunath's contact no for the brake upgrade. Also would love to have those wiper blades please tell the size n make of the blades on your thar.