Well! I took the jeep to chikmaglur yesterday to my estate. It was an amazing drive. I tackled the badly battered charmady section with only the 3rd and 4th gear. Was an excellent road for a trial with huge crater like potholes. The jeep performed very well. Gave me almost an average of 14 km/pl. Was pretty happy. Earlier I used to drive my Wagon R there and BOY!!! It really used to take a beating. The jeep took everything I gave it on the road I was surprised to see other vehicles like the trax and suv's fall behind me. It was like zip and zap on the landslide road. Kick A**s performance. And strangely I did not even feel tired even after I completed 400 KMS back and forth .
The jeep can easily touch an average speed of 105 kms. I could not take it further than that, as the roads did not permit it.
After I landed at my estate, It was time for a 2x2 drive
. I started at a very badly battered, slushy muddy road inside the estate. At one time i though I got stuck. I Prayed to god. grabbed the gear put it on first and pumped the gas. I got jeep out of the slush completely. Next, I had to tackle a steep mountain like area where before my estate jeep which is a "4x4" hardly climbed up without a cinch.Naturally was a 4x4. So then I took the 2x2 drive over the steep terrain. Was a bit doubtful it would cover the range but Yes it did. Although it did not perform like a 4x4 I could make it to the top. and then from there it was again a straight muddy/slushy path. Which I did not have any problem with except for a few wheel spins. Surprisingly the jeep has an amazing torque I guess its because its a 2x2 (I suppose)?. Unlike my estate jeep which is a 4x4, 3 gear DI engine.
But I had already informed our estate tractor operator to get ready in case I get stuck with my MM540. But I could cover the whole estate area normally as I would.
OK.. Now that will give you a fair glimpse of a 2x2 handling the terrain. But yes it might not be as efficient as a 4x4 on off roads. But it did wonders on the road back to Mangalore. The bucket seats saved my day and I felt no cramps on my legs.
I have to work on a few things before I take it back to my estate again or anywhere else.
1) Put a coolant and a water reservoir.
2) Remove the NDMS tyres (Brand new) and go for some nice alloy wheels with probably BFgoodrich tires.
3) Get nice rubber mats for the floor with a custom made carpet.
Are there any ready made carpets available or should I get one made?
4) Get the soft top out and get one made, to make it a convertible.
5) Put in a nicely made roll cage.
6) The front windshield is a bit leaky during rains, So I need to change the rubber beading as well.
7) Get a set of Hella fog lamps on it.
8) And lastly, see if I can convert it into a 4x4. As I use it daily now. I would like to know if its feasible? will there be a drop in mileage?