Tata TL mods

Ignazio · 19th February 2008, 23:04

Hi all!
I'd like to share with you the little modification of my pick-up and receive suggestion and comments. In my profile is a foto of my beast...
what I have done up to now:

1_ reshaping of leaf springs.
2_ torsion bars adjust (+4 cm)
3_ new rear drums
4_ new front ventilated discs (original are solid)
5_ high pressure avionics flexible brake hoses
6_ mud tires BFGoodrich 215/75 15"
7_ manual locking front hub (AVM)
8_ reusable air filter (FINER FILTERS)
9_ roll-bar lights and antennas (VHF & CB)
10_ front swaybar removed

To be installed soon (as they are in the garage) just time that is never enough....
1_ xenon lights
2_ 12000LB electric winch
3_ new set of steel rims with ET0 (+4 cm per side circa)
4_ second 100Ah battery with battery splitter

On the to do list:
1_ longer leaf springs shackle (+3/4 cm)
2_ new 4 gas shock absorber +5 cm extension
3_ stainless steel exhaust line
4_ turbo and injection pump tuning
5_ protection side bars, gearbox and differential
6_ snorkel
7_ diff. lock (ECTED)
8_ rear swaybar disconnect system
9_ 31" or 32" tires
10_ bed containers for tools, luggage etc.
11_ extra gauges

...and something else that I forget...!

Any comments and suggestion warmely welcome!!!

Ciao

Ignazio

20th February 2008, 10:54

that is a huge list.
wonder why tata owners here in india dont go for serious performance mods.
I had my eye on the tata TL but it didnt seem value for money for the equipment provided. they give you better deals in italy dont they!
I like off roading, but am useless at technical/mechanical stuff.
some questions
1. why do you adjust the torsion bar? how does it change the on road and off road behaviour?
2.why longer leaf spring shackles?
3. you have removed the front sway bar and are planning for a rear sway bar disconnect system. why?
4.did you have trouble with the OEM brake hoses?

sorry for the newbie questions , just trying to learn.
are there any links that will give me more info about offroad suspensions?
I'm interested in basic leaf spring setups.

thanks.

Steeroid · 20th February 2008, 11:12

Thats a loooong list of things to do! I wish you all the very best and do keep us updated.

Out of interest is there any way we can get those ventilated discs, brake lines and air filter sent to India?

condor · 20th February 2008, 11:41

Ignazio, pls post pics of your truck, and of the modifications you are doing. Would love to see them. Thanks !

tsk1979 · 20th February 2008, 12:35

Post some big pics please!
Also could you post the "stock specs" of your vehicle? I presume its a 4WD with LSD?

Ignazio · 20th February 2008, 21:53

Hi all,
as you have discovered I like to talk a lot

So, sit down, have a cup of good Indian tea and read...

Answer in bold

Quote:

Originally Posted by rippergeo

that is a huge list.
wonder why tata owners here in india dont go for serious performance mods.
Me too!!!
I had my eye on the tata TL but it didnt seem value for money for the equipment provided. they give you better deals in italy dont they!
Here is good value for money... but think that in Italy is sold without anything! A pure working horse, even bull bar and roll bar are all aftermarket accessory...
I like off roading, but am useless at technical/mechanical stuff.
some questions.
Never too late to learn!
1. why do you adjust the torsion bar? how does it change the on road and off road behaviour?
The main reason is to increase GC for off road use, suspension is becoming a bit more stiff, then with higher ET rims, the car footprint is wider so is the lever acting on suspension. On the road with new rims will be still a bit stiff, but generally fine.
2.why longer leaf spring shackles?
As above, higher body GC.
3. you have removed the front sway bar and are planning for a rear sway bar disconnect system. why?
Because it increase the suspension excursion, especially on twist. On the road makes a bit more swing, but is something thet you can live with.
4.did you have trouble with the OEM brake hoses?
No, I haven't, but to increase breaking performance this is a must. Note that every kind of car will have better performance with this mod. Simply because, you do not have hoses expansion due to pressure. All the pressure you generate is going to the brakes.
sorry for the newbie questions , just trying to learn.
Happy to answer!!!
are there any links that will give me more info about offroad suspensions?
I'm interested in basic leaf spring setups.
here it is...Car Bibles : The Car Suspension Bible

thanks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steeroid

Thats a loooong list of things to do! I wish you all the very best and do keep us updated.
Thanks mate, will do for shure!

Out of interest is there any way we can get those ventilated discs, brake lines and air filter sent to India?
I think so, is only a matter of find a good price courier... It is a long trip!

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsk1979

Post some big pics please!
Also could you post the "stock specs" of your vehicle? I presume its a 4WD with LSD?
Will post pictures, simply I'm not home now, actually I'm 1000km away, for a businness trip... Yes it is 4wd but not LSD.
Have a look to the spec. here in Italian, sorry...Tata Club Italia

Ciao Ciao, will post picture soon, promise!

Ignazio

Ignazio · 2nd March 2008, 17:24

Hi all!
Week end has been proactive, I've installed the xenon lights kit!!!
Picture coming later...
ciao!

dinar · 3rd March 2008, 00:20

Hey you got xenons in the same old seal beam or did you get projectors??? hows the beam spread??
did you get the diff locks on the beast? is the suspension job done, the shackles increase is will lift the rear but what about front, do get lift kit for TL front end?
If your lifting the truck, get spacers for the wheels, or the vehicle will become unstable on the road [at high speeds] the track has to increase with the height.

Ignazio · 3rd March 2008, 04:40

Hi!
just replaced bulbs, a bit of extra work because i had to remove the internal bulb reflector. Then I had to fix the 2 ballast and the little interface to switch the high beam. The original bulb is H4 then to have High beam there is a little reflector that moves to lit the full projectors when on. Nice efficiency, beam spread a bit wider, I have more light and at 6000K light temperature, is very bright! Very happy!
Diff lock is not done yet... soon it will be...
Charging the torsion bar to the maximum gives you an extra +5cm, reshaping leaf springs does not get that high, that is why I want to put extra long shackle. Will do that once I've got the money for the 4 new shock absorber they are 99 euros each!!! I will not use spacers, they are not very reliable. In place I'm going with 4 rims with ET0, they will be fitted tomorrow at my tire shop, I bought them already for the purpose last November. The footprint should become 8 cm wider!

Ciao Ciaocheers:

dinar · 3rd March 2008, 11:59

99 euros for one

........man thats expensive......if the track is widening than there is no problem, cause if your using it only for off roading it was fine , you'll be using it for daily driving too right [I think so], and thats when the stability is required more [at high speed]....keep us posted of the mods and post some pic with the new mod.

19th February 2008, 23:04	#1
Ignazio BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Turin-Italy Posts: 128 Thanked: 3 Times	Tata TL mods Hi all! I'd like to share with you the little modification of my pick-up and receive suggestion and comments. In my profile is a foto of my beast... what I have done up to now: 1_ reshaping of leaf springs. 2_ torsion bars adjust (+4 cm) 3_ new rear drums 4_ new front ventilated discs (original are solid) 5_ high pressure avionics flexible brake hoses 6_ mud tires BFGoodrich 215/75 15" 7_ manual locking front hub (AVM) 8_ reusable air filter (FINER FILTERS) 9_ roll-bar lights and antennas (VHF & CB) 10_ front swaybar removed To be installed soon (as they are in the garage) just time that is never enough.... 1_ xenon lights 2_ 12000LB electric winch 3_ new set of steel rims with ET0 (+4 cm per side circa) 4_ second 100Ah battery with battery splitter On the to do list: 1_ longer leaf springs shackle (+3/4 cm) 2_ new 4 gas shock absorber +5 cm extension 3_ stainless steel exhaust line 4_ turbo and injection pump tuning 5_ protection side bars, gearbox and differential 6_ snorkel 7_ diff. lock (ECTED) 8_ rear swaybar disconnect system 9_ 31" or 32" tires 10_ bed containers for tools, luggage etc. 11_ extra gauges ...and something else that I forget...! Any comments and suggestion warmely welcome!!! Ciao Ignazio
	() Thanks

20th February 2008, 10:54	#2
rippergeo Posts: n/a	that is a huge list. wonder why tata owners here in india dont go for serious performance mods. I had my eye on the tata TL but it didnt seem value for money for the equipment provided. they give you better deals in italy dont they! I like off roading, but am useless at technical/mechanical stuff. some questions 1. why do you adjust the torsion bar? how does it change the on road and off road behaviour? 2.why longer leaf spring shackles? 3. you have removed the front sway bar and are planning for a rear sway bar disconnect system. why? 4.did you have trouble with the OEM brake hoses? sorry for the newbie questions , just trying to learn. are there any links that will give me more info about offroad suspensions? I'm interested in basic leaf spring setups. thanks.
	() Thanks

20th February 2008, 11:12	#3
Steeroid Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: N.A Posts: 7,046 Thanked: 2,751 Times	Thats a loooong list of things to do! I wish you all the very best and do keep us updated. Out of interest is there any way we can get those ventilated discs, brake lines and air filter sent to India?
	() Thanks

20th February 2008, 11:41	#4
condor Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Speed-brkr City Posts: 15,864 Thanked: 16,018 Times View My Garage	Ignazio, pls post pics of your truck, and of the modifications you are doing. Would love to see them. Thanks !
	() Thanks

20th February 2008, 12:35	#5
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,717 Thanked: 22,825 Times View My Garage	Post some big pics please! Also could you post the "stock specs" of your vehicle? I presume its a 4WD with LSD?
	() Thanks

2nd March 2008, 17:24	#7
Ignazio BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Turin-Italy Posts: 128 Thanked: 3 Times	Hi all! Week end has been proactive, I've installed the xenon lights kit!!! Picture coming later... ciao!
	() Thanks

3rd March 2008, 00:20	#8
dinar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: goa Posts: 1,066 Thanked: 57 Times	Hey you got xenons in the same old seal beam or did you get projectors??? hows the beam spread?? did you get the diff locks on the beast? is the suspension job done, the shackles increase is will lift the rear but what about front, do get lift kit for TL front end? If your lifting the truck, get spacers for the wheels, or the vehicle will become unstable on the road [at high speeds] the track has to increase with the height.
	() Thanks

3rd March 2008, 04:40	#9
Ignazio BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Turin-Italy Posts: 128 Thanked: 3 Times	Hi! just replaced bulbs, a bit of extra work because i had to remove the internal bulb reflector. Then I had to fix the 2 ballast and the little interface to switch the high beam. The original bulb is H4 then to have High beam there is a little reflector that moves to lit the full projectors when on. Nice efficiency, beam spread a bit wider, I have more light and at 6000K light temperature, is very bright! Very happy! Diff lock is not done yet... soon it will be... Charging the torsion bar to the maximum gives you an extra +5cm, reshaping leaf springs does not get that high, that is why I want to put extra long shackle. Will do that once I've got the money for the 4 new shock absorber they are 99 euros each!!! I will not use spacers, they are not very reliable. In place I'm going with 4 rims with ET0, they will be fitted tomorrow at my tire shop, I bought them already for the purpose last November. The footprint should become 8 cm wider! Ciao Ciaocheers:
	() Thanks

3rd March 2008, 11:59	#10
dinar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: goa Posts: 1,066 Thanked: 57 Times	99 euros for one........man thats expensive......if the track is widening than there is no problem, cause if your using it only for off roading it was fine , you'll be using it for daily driving too right [I think so], and thats when the stability is required more [at high speed]....keep us posted of the mods and post some pic with the new mod.
	() Thanks