wanted to get some info about an army spec Mahindra mm550

sabret00the · 23rd July 2007, 00:09

Guys I was looking for a ex-army open or soft-top mm540 or mm550 (built to army specs) for sometime now...was doing some research on this and came across a model called the "Mahindra Legend".Boy I got crazy about this MUV after I saw this pic..

I read on the internet that this vehicle is built to army specs on a mm550 chassis and is also a 4x4

.Well,1stly I would like to know is it available currently?2ndly does anyone own it and can he/she provide a feedback on the vehicle

.I have heard that using Mahindra vehicles is a tough job in terms of handling and maintaince - are they true about the Legend?Is the Legend peppy and powerful?Lastly,if someone owns this vehicle then please post some photographs...thanks in advance

Desert fox · 23rd July 2007, 03:10

I had read about the 'Legend' i some print media. It was a commorative vehicle to mark some occasion(50th anniversary possibly),each vehicle has Mr Keshub Mahindra's signature on it,only 50 such vehicles were manufactured and was sold only on invitation.

sabret00the · 23rd July 2007, 07:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Desert fox

I had read about the 'Legend' i some print media. It was a commorative vehicle to mark some occasion(50th anniversary possibly),each vehicle has Mr Keshub Mahindra's signature on it,only 50 such vehicles were manufactured and was sold only on invitation.

ok then I guess I'll have to build a Legend type MUV myself because the army spec mm550 is only one vehicle I like in the whole mahindra lineup till date...a mm550 can be modified into a neat looking vehicle like the legend...any idea if a ex-amry mm550's are available then one can do an engine swap on such a vehicle.If ex-army jeeps are available then how much does one cost in a good condition and how & where to find one?Can a scoprio's engine be fitted into the under-powered mm550 and how much will the conversion cost?Is this reliable?
Further,I've seen that army uses a special type of large tires with better thread design(I'm not talking about just wide tires - I mean the dia of these tires is much more than that is used by normal mahindra's) - are these tires available in the market?
This is what I always wanted to do..is it possible to increase the height of the suspension by say another 8"-10"....lastly if one is trying to modify a mm550 then are legend parts available from mahindra worshops(can anyone find this out for me)?
thanks again.

madan80 · 23rd July 2007, 10:13

there is a member ex670c who is a hardcore jeeper. he has a 540. and from my experience- its a workhorse. He can put you in touch with people in Kolkotta to help you out.

dinar · 23rd July 2007, 10:23

You may get Ex-army jeeps from people who buy them in bulk in surplus sale[auctions] conducted by the army. You will have to find if there any depos near your place where army conducts these, You'll defiantly find Ex army jeeps in Delhi [ tbhpians from there should be able to help you].
The army uses MRF tires, 16 inch wheel ,only the profile is bigger than normal[off road tires] they are available on order.
The basic M&M chassis is not suited for high power, mahindra had a petrol MM550 in2000-2001, for public use and it was scary to drive[ had a Isuzu 1.8L engine] stoping was art in this vehicle[ it had disc brakes up front] also steering, the chassis could not handle 87 bhp from that petrol engine. You have to think about this when you go about engine transplant.
8" -10" of lift in mm550......... the vehicle is small in size it'll bounce all over the place on our roads, also you'll have to increase the track by that same length to make it stable at high speeds and still it'll bounce......

1100D · 24th July 2007, 02:15

Drive down to Panagarh, you will get whole hogs of 4X4's customised on the Jeep chassis. Most Auctioned Army vehicles end up there, you can even get 4x4 stallions there. Prices? Go find out, you will come back laughing. But dont expect creature comforts.

ex670c · 24th July 2007, 10:37

Hi guys I'll try to list out a few MM540 Details

1985 MM440 - Petrol F4134 (2187cc & 75Bhp 15.5Kgm@2000)
1985 MM540DP - Diesel XDP4.9 (2112cc & 58Bhp 12.3Kgm@2000)
1993 MM540XD - Diesel XD3P (2498cc & 73 Bhp 15.5Kgm@2000)
1996 MM550XD - Diesel XD3P (2498cc & 76Bhp 15.5Kgm@2000) MILITARY
2000 MM550DP - Diesel XDP4.9 (2112cc & 62 Bhp 12.3Kgm@2000)
2000 MM ISZ - Petrol 2.0 Isuzu (2000cc & 95 Bhp 17Kgm@3000)
2006 Legend - Diesel MDI3200TC (2650cc & 68Bhp 18Kgm@1800)

This is excluding the Chassis Variations.

ex670c · 24th July 2007, 10:53

Engine - XD3P 2498cc with oil cooler 76BHP.

Front Axle - Live & Solid Axle (FullFloating) 4.88 Hypoid Gears with Discbrakes (DANA44)

Rear Axle - Live & Solid Axle (Full Floating) 4.88 Hypoid Gears with Drum Brakes with Plate Clutch LSD (DANA44)

Gear Box - KMT90 4Speed & T18 Transfer Case (2-speed Hi 1.0:1/Lo 2.46:1)

Tyres - 7.50X16 i.e 31" Tall MRF SANDGRIP/Apollo BULLET/Vikrant Sand & Highway

Ground Clearence - 260mm (10.25')

Rudra Sen · 24th July 2007, 11:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by ex670c

2000 MM ISZ - Petrol 2.0 Isuzu (2000cc & 95 Bhp 17Kgm@3000)

So are you saying that there's chance of getting the same in army disposal sale?

ex670c · 24th July 2007, 13:21

Dear Sir,
The Army opted for the Diesel version of the MM540 with the Peugeot XD3P.
The petrol variants were ordered by various govt. departments.
Primarily the Forest Dept.

Regards,

Arka

pjbiju · 24th July 2007, 14:14

The petrol variant was also aimed at Traffic Police, as a replacement option for the Gypsy. Not sure if that plan worked.

Ram · 24th July 2007, 15:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by ex670c

Engine - XD3P 2498cc with oil cooler 76BHP.

Front Axle - Live & Solid Axle (FullFloating) 4.88 Hypoid Gears with Discbrakes (DANA44)

Rear Axle - Live & Solid Axle (Full Floating) 4.88 Hypoid Gears with Drum Brakes with Plate Clutch LSD (DANA44)

Gear Box - KMT90 4Speed & T18 Transfer Case (2-speed Hi 1.0:1/Lo 2.46:1)

Tires - 7.50X16 i.e 31" Tall MRF SANDGRIP/Apollo BULLET/Vikrant Sand & Highway

Ground Clearance - 260mm (10.25')

Looking for major differences between this and my
1988 MM540XDP490 4x4.

Looks like, other than the engine there is no major difference.
Same gearbox, same transfercase, same axles, same differential ratio.

But my MM540 had a semi-floating rear hub.
Are you sure this one has a full-floating rear hub?

Ram

ex670c · 25th July 2007, 10:48

Hi Ram,
The post 2004 MM550XD are fitted with Full-Floating Rear Axles (FFRA).

All MM550XDs come with Disc Brakes and a Recirculating ball type Steering Box (Armada).

The engine makes the Difference.
More Torque and hence more BHP.

Regards,

Arka

Ram · 25th July 2007, 11:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by ex670c

All MM550XDs come with Disc Brakes and a Recirculating ball type Steering Box (Armada).

Interesting Arkaprava.
Are the disc brakes only on the front hubs
or are they on the rear hubs as well?

greatDrive · 25th July 2007, 11:17

Last year, one of my friend bought Mahindra legend with the Mahindra's Signatures.
The Jeep looks awsome. Will post the pic soon.
Cheers

23rd July 2007, 00:09	#1
sabret00the BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: YYC \| BLR \| CCU Posts: 692 Thanked: 55 Times View My Garage	wanted to get some info about an army spec Mahindra mm550 Guys I was looking for a ex-army open or soft-top mm540 or mm550 (built to army specs) for sometime now...was doing some research on this and came across a model called the "Mahindra Legend".Boy I got crazy about this MUV after I saw this pic.. I read on the internet that this vehicle is built to army specs on a mm550 chassis and is also a 4x4 .Well,1stly I would like to know is it available currently?2ndly does anyone own it and can he/she provide a feedback on the vehicle .I have heard that using Mahindra vehicles is a tough job in terms of handling and maintaince - are they true about the Legend?Is the Legend peppy and powerful?Lastly,if someone owns this vehicle then please post some photographs...thanks in advance Last edited by sabret00the : 23rd July 2007 at 00:23.
	() Thanks

23rd July 2007, 03:10	#2
Desert fox BHPian Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: bangalore Posts: 228 Thanked: Once	I had read about the 'Legend' i some print media. It was a commorative vehicle to mark some occasion(50th anniversary possibly),each vehicle has Mr Keshub Mahindra's signature on it,only 50 such vehicles were manufactured and was sold only on invitation.
	() Thanks

23rd July 2007, 10:13	#4
madan80 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Santa Clara, CA Posts: 1,360 Thanked: 80 Times View My Garage	there is a member ex670c who is a hardcore jeeper. he has a 540. and from my experience- its a workhorse. He can put you in touch with people in Kolkotta to help you out.
	() Thanks

23rd July 2007, 10:23	#5
dinar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: goa Posts: 1,066 Thanked: 57 Times	You may get Ex-army jeeps from people who buy them in bulk in surplus sale[auctions] conducted by the army. You will have to find if there any depos near your place where army conducts these, You'll defiantly find Ex army jeeps in Delhi [ tbhpians from there should be able to help you]. The army uses MRF tires, 16 inch wheel ,only the profile is bigger than normal[off road tires] they are available on order. The basic M&M chassis is not suited for high power, mahindra had a petrol MM550 in2000-2001, for public use and it was scary to drive[ had a Isuzu 1.8L engine] stoping was art in this vehicle[ it had disc brakes up front] also steering, the chassis could not handle 87 bhp from that petrol engine. You have to think about this when you go about engine transplant. 8" -10" of lift in mm550......... the vehicle is small in size it'll bounce all over the place on our roads, also you'll have to increase the track by that same length to make it stable at high speeds and still it'll bounce......
	() Thanks

24th July 2007, 02:15	#6
1100D Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Calcutta Posts: 4,390 Thanked: 4,096 Times View My Garage	Drive down to Panagarh, you will get whole hogs of 4X4's customised on the Jeep chassis. Most Auctioned Army vehicles end up there, you can even get 4x4 stallions there. Prices? Go find out, you will come back laughing. But dont expect creature comforts.
	() Thanks

24th July 2007, 10:37	#7
ex670c Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Chennai Posts: 2,470 Thanked: 1,939 Times View My Garage	Hi guys I'll try to list out a few MM540 Details 1985 MM440 - Petrol F4134 (2187cc & 75Bhp 15.5Kgm@2000) 1985 MM540DP - Diesel XDP4.9 (2112cc & 58Bhp 12.3Kgm@2000) 1993 MM540XD - Diesel XD3P (2498cc & 73 Bhp 15.5Kgm@2000) 1996 MM550XD - Diesel XD3P (2498cc & 76Bhp 15.5Kgm@2000) MILITARY 2000 MM550DP - Diesel XDP4.9 (2112cc & 62 Bhp 12.3Kgm@2000) 2000 MM ISZ - Petrol 2.0 Isuzu (2000cc & 95 Bhp 17Kgm@3000) 2006 Legend - Diesel MDI3200TC (2650cc & 68Bhp 18Kgm@1800) This is excluding the Chassis Variations.
	() Thanks

24th July 2007, 10:53	#8
ex670c Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Chennai Posts: 2,470 Thanked: 1,939 Times View My Garage	Mm550xd - Military Engine - XD3P 2498cc with oil cooler 76BHP. Front Axle - Live & Solid Axle (FullFloating) 4.88 Hypoid Gears with Discbrakes (DANA44) Rear Axle - Live & Solid Axle (Full Floating) 4.88 Hypoid Gears with Drum Brakes with Plate Clutch LSD (DANA44) Gear Box - KMT90 4Speed & T18 Transfer Case (2-speed Hi 1.0:1/Lo 2.46:1) Tyres - 7.50X16 i.e 31" Tall MRF SANDGRIP/Apollo BULLET/Vikrant Sand & Highway Ground Clearence - 260mm (10.25') Last edited by ex670c : 24th July 2007 at 10:57. Reason: addl. info
	() Thanks

24th July 2007, 13:21	#10
ex670c Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Chennai Posts: 2,470 Thanked: 1,939 Times View My Garage	Army MM550XD Dear Sir, The Army opted for the Diesel version of the MM540 with the Peugeot XD3P. The petrol variants were ordered by various govt. departments. Primarily the Forest Dept. Regards, Arka
	() Thanks

24th July 2007, 14:14	#11
pjbiju Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Pune Posts: 1,357 Thanked: 1,092 Times	The petrol variant was also aimed at Traffic Police, as a replacement option for the Gypsy. Not sure if that plan worked.
	() Thanks

25th July 2007, 10:48	#13
ex670c Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Chennai Posts: 2,470 Thanked: 1,939 Times View My Garage	Army MM550XD Hi Ram, The post 2004 MM550XD are fitted with Full-Floating Rear Axles (FFRA). All MM550XDs come with Disc Brakes and a Recirculating ball type Steering Box (Armada). The engine makes the Difference. More Torque and hence more BHP. Regards, Arka
	() Thanks

25th July 2007, 11:17	#15
greatDrive BHPian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 547 Thanked: 7 Times	Last year, one of my friend bought Mahindra legend with the Mahindra's Signatures. The Jeep looks awsome. Will post the pic soon. Cheers
	() Thanks