[Stolidus500]

Originally Posted by Ace F355

I was fastest in SUV category in SS1, and 2nd fastest in SS2 and SS3, a couple of seconds behind a Type 2 Fortuner transplanted with a V8 engine. The V8 Fortuner didn't finish this stage and Thar(s) performed much better here.

V8 Fortuner sounds really interesting, can you share some info about the mods like what engine used? Thanks.

[Ace F355]

This particular Fortuner had 1UZ-FE, 4.0 Litre Naturally Aspirated V8; mated to stock manual transmission with upgraded clutch. Considering the engine bay size, I think other bigger block V8 don't fit.

[Stolidus500]

Originally Posted by Ace F355

This particular Fortuner had 1UZ-FE, 4.0 Litre Naturally Aspirated V8; mated to stock manual transmission with upgraded clutch. Considering the engine bay size, I think other bigger block V8 don't fit.

Any modifications to chassis or engine bay to fit the 4.0 or it was a straight drop in?
Thanks

[Ace F355]

No idea on that. I guess it wouldn't be a straight drop-in.

[Ace F355]

As promised, sharing some pics we received from the event organizers.

Some Action Shots of Lal Ghoda...
















Awesome driving by .anshuman... His Thar wracked havoc on time card and finished just behind Polaris, by no means an easy task...





Kabir tearing through dunes in his Polaris RZR...



Fortuner V8 that was doing very good along with Lal Ghoda in SUV category...





Auroshish from our group in his old Thar...

[yatesh.92]

Originally Posted by Ace F355

Since my last post where I had put the advert in TBHP Classifieds (link) and OLX, I had received many queries for it. Not serious ones though. and truth be told, since the time I made up my mind to sell it and started discussing it comprehensively in my close circle, I also realized that I may not have an immediate replacement of Endeavour in form of Jeep.

A couple of reasons -

• There is a serious lack of practical BOF 4WD SUVs in India, and Endeavour seems to be pinnacle of it. Once I let it go, I don't see any 7 seater SUV filling its shoes.
• The next best thing, a Fortuner, is a) gone too expensive and b) feels like a downgrade from Endeavour. Hilux and V Cross are good pickups but not suitable for my usage. Same goes for Thar, which is brilliant but not a replacement for the Ford.
• Jeep Rubicon, while one of the best 4WD vehicles to hit our country, is a true-blue 4x4 and I still need a 7 seater at home since the family is grown now. Hence if I get the Jeep, I will still be out in the market for a 7 seater (SUV or MPV). Not to mention, the stories from known people owning a Rubicon, haven't been confidence inspiring.
• My car is 6+ years now and still has 4 years left in NCR. On top of it, its registered outside NCR and hence the DL registration plate pressure isn't on me.

Truth be told, I temporarily developed cold feet about the sale. Anyway, the vehicle is in ship-shape and I am not fore-seeing any major expenses anytime soon. So now I have decided that while the adverts will remain online - I will continue to use my vehicle in the meanwhile. Until a serious buyer turns up, will take the final decision then.

If your budget permits, I'd say the only capable vehicle that can replace Lal Ghoda would be the Defender 130 D300. The 3.0 L inline 6 diesel (296 bhp/650 nm) should have enough grunt to conquer almost any off-road terrain and also be comfortable with 7 passengers+luggage when doing long haul trips. BOF will be the only miss here. LC300 was another capable+reliable option but Indian model only available as a 5 seater. Wonder what Toyota were thinking .

Another option if you are on a tighter budget but can manage 2 vehicles, then it would be best to get a Thar 4*4 and modify it as per your needs for off roading use. For long haul trips with family, Innova hycross should be a good option.

[Ace F355]

Originally Posted by yatesh.92

If your budget permits, I'd say the only capable vehicle that can replace Lal Ghoda would be the Defender 130 D300. The 3.0 L inline 6 diesel (296 bhp/650 nm) should have enough grunt to conquer almost any off-road terrain and also be comfortable with 7 passengers+luggage when doing long haul trips. BOF will be the only miss here. LC300 was another capable+reliable option but Indian model only available as a 5 seater. Wonder what Toyota were thinking .

Another option if you are on a tighter budget but can manage 2 vehicles, then it would be best to get a Thar 4*4 and modify it as per your needs for off roading use. For long haul trips with family, Innova hycross should be a good option.

Hi Yatesh, thanks for your thoughts. I wish I had the budget for a L663 Defender, forget the LC300! Hence, my assertion in my previous post about Endeavour being the pinnacle of practical BOF SUVs in India.

Once you move beyond this bracket, it actually becomes very difficult to use the available vehicles like the way I do. Cars like G Class (350d, not the ludicrous G63!), Land Cruiser, Defender and likes. Forget these, I am told the waiting periods for spares for Rubicon are insane here, and that is coming from horse's mouth i.e. people who own and use them as intended. Any offroad related bruises hurt a lot on these vehicles, and these premium vehicles have insane wait period for spare availability, which plays like a fly in the ointment for users like me.

I don't mind paying authorised service centres for additional maintenance, but I can't wait for months for parts to arrive.

Case in point, a dear friend's L663 Defender was with us in Jaisalmer and had AC related problems in desert. Guess how long it took JLR to sort out the issues? 4 months!!! The waiting time was so long that he managed to get Rhino 4x4 offroad bumper from Australia in the meanwhile and managed to put some 15k kms on his ScorpioN.

Sweet result for 4 months wait period though! The car is back now, and is made even better offroad.


The hard reality is, that I will have to scan even harder for a true replacement for Lal Ghoda and I am actually thinking about revamping my garage for it. Once the Endeavour goes, it is possible that I might let the Honda Jazz also go and replace these with a Thar D MT 4WD, or Jimny MT 4WD and pick up a pre-owned Crysta 2.8 Z (Hycross is too expensive to be honest) to meet family requirements. I need to sit down and decide on these as life progresses.

[Dr.AD]

A great thread with fantastic pictures! Your off-roading stories are truly amazing. It is always inspirational to read your posts and your updates. I am not an off-roader myself but I can still imagine the joy and the adventure that you experience in such events. It is always nice to see someone pushing the vehicle to its true potential in whatever category the vehicles excels in, and your thread is a great example of that! Thanks for sharing these regular updates and photos.

Your "Lal Ghoda" is legendary and this is the best looking Endeavour I have seen (in pictures).

Originally Posted by Ace F355

A quick click I managed to get, realizing the setting sun was making a perfect background.
Attachment 2428843

This is a fantastic photo! I really loved it.

[Ace F355]

Originally Posted by Dr.AD

A great thread with fantastic pictures! Your off-roading stories are truly amazing. It is always inspirational to read your posts and your updates. I am not an off-roader myself but I can still imagine the joy and the adventure that you experience in such events. It is always nice to see someone pushing the vehicle to its true potential in whatever category the vehicles excels in, and your thread is a great example of that! Thanks for sharing these regular updates and photos.

Your "Lal Ghoda" is legendary and this is the best looking Endeavour I have seen (in pictures).


This is a fantastic photo! I really loved it.

Thank you Doc for your kind words. The car is great no doubt, I log in not that frequently now a days, hence there are enough pics and stories to share once in a while. Glad that you are enjoying these

[Rajain]

Awesome work over the years Ace F 355. An Endeavor is an absolutely gem of a SUV and you have used it like the way it was built to be used.

A pre worshipped 3.2 Endeavor was added to my garage 2 years ago and man what a lovely piece of machinery it is.

Fair winds, following seas and God speed

Cheers
Rajain