[Trueintrepid]

Originally Posted by cpbopanna

I wonder what the effect of the budget is on the new Thar prices! I understand that there is a hike in Excise Duty on vehicles with ground clearance more than 170 mm!

Expect the Thar to reach 7.2 or 7.3 ex. show. easily

And with the upgrades (read engine and interiors), it will probably, near about, reach the Duster's mark.

Honestly, I'll think twice if I have to take my Thar to OTRs. I would still prefer a rehashed 550s or CJs.

[cpbopanna]

Here are some juicy pictures of the Jeep Wrangler, at a dealership in Zurich. Just ordered for a pair of Wrangler rear lights for my Jeep, after the redesign of the rear bumpers, my vehicle shall be more Jeep than Thar! :-)

[Batfreak]

Amazing thread! Must say that the car in itself is every bit a very capable and solid machine. Keep the thread updated just like you have been doing. Do post pictures of the transformation. Hriday Parivartan, indeed.

[cpbopanna]

Thar to Jeep Wrangler - the transformation
Work-in-progress, the pictures speak for themselves!

[cpbopanna]

Originally Posted by cpbopanna

Thar to Jeep Wrangler - the transformation
Work-in-progress, the pictures speak for themselves!

1. No seats readily available to fit exactly between the rear wheel wells, hence cut the existing front 2 seater Tavera seat and extended it to fit the gap exactly and comfortably.

2. Initially decided to junk the original rear bumperettes of the Thar, as has between advocated by Behram Dhabar a couple of times. Fortunately, changed my mind. I have redesigned the original bumperettes to sit flush with the rear chassis member, the original number-plate with light is now in the middle, very similar to the current Jeep Wrangler!

3. Replaced the MM540 derieved tail lamps with original 97 model Jeep Wrangler tail lamps which I bought in Switzerland, fixed them flush with the body and removed the circular projections at the rear corners (OEM for fixing the soft top)

The Jeep Wrangler look is almost complete! Once I get the rear body-shell and bumperettes painted, all that remains to be affixed at the rear left-hand corner is the original Jeep monogram, in chrome!

[cpbopanna]

The 'pre-final' Jeep Wrangler



Small changes to the original design change the character of the Jeep drastically!

[renoy]

Looking good Chief! Could you let me know how you have refixed the original rear bumpers. Also I wanted to know whether water tends to enter the jeep through the rear door during rains or when you wash the jeep.

[cpbopanna]

Originally Posted by renoy

Looking good Chief! Could you let me know how you have refixed the original rear bumpers. Also I wanted to know whether water tends to enter the jeep through the rear door during rains or when you wash the jeep.

In the OE fitment, there is a clamp which attaches the bumperette to the chassis member. I have removed that. Further, to make the bumperette flush with the body, grooves have been made on the top and bottom surfaces to accommodate the 'body bush' and the towing loop and the top and bottom respectively. On the RHS, the bottom of the bumperette has also been cut to allow the silencer to be unobstructed. THe bumperettes have then been bolted on directly to the chassis member!

Water tends to enter the Jeep through the rear door and front doors since they are NOT water-tight! The hard-top is fine though!

[harshavardhan]

WOW... That's a neat little modification which has enhanced the look of the Thar by Eons. Wonder why MM Guys did not pursue this line of thought.

Rather than providing that Fixed Step in the OEM Thar, MM could have positioned the Rear number plate the way it is done here. The rear entry step could have been provided as a collapsable / flexi like the ones found in some Gypsy models.

Well done, Bopanna.

[n.devdath]

Originally Posted by cpbopanna

Water tends to enter the Jeep through the rear door and front doors since they are NOT water-tight! The hard-top is fine though!

This is bad news in spite you purchasing the most expensive HT for the vehicle. Does water also get in when you drive through rain? When it rains, it pours in Coorg and this could create a problem.

[cpbopanna]

Originally Posted by n.devdath

This is bad news in spite you purchasing the most expensive HT for the vehicle. Does water also get in when you drive through rain? When it rains, it pours in Coorg and this could create a problem.

Devdath

The leakage is not from the Hard-top, its water-tight!
The rubber beading in the doors are not of sound material, I am experimenting with alternatives, will keep you posted!

Regards,

[renoy]

Also could you confirm whether the rear door of the hard top has a locking mechansim or it just locks after closing the tailgate? Is there any rattling from the rear door of the hard top when driving on bad roads?

[cpbopanna]

Originally Posted by renoy

Also could you confirm whether the rear door of the hard top has a locking mechansim or it just locks after closing the tailgate? Is there any rattling from the rear door of the hard top when driving on bad roads?

The rear door of the hard top is held in position by the tail gate. Initially there used to be a slight rattle of the hard top's rear door, but after I padded the inside of the Jeep's door, the noises have disappeared!

[cpbopanna]

R & T Autocatalyst Kottayam makes a clone of the Italian Hard Top. Here is the link.. https://www.facebook.com/RTAutoCatalyst

Enjoy!

Said to cost around Rs. 90K

[renoy]

Originally Posted by cpbopanna

The rear door of the hard top is held in position by the tail gate. Initially there used to be a slight rattle of the hard top's rear door, but after I padded the inside of the Jeep's door, the noises have disappeared!

Did you do padding for the tailgate? Can you put some pictures please.