[DKG]

Originally Posted by Furebo

could you post snaps of all the small mods you have done till now. Changing the door lock knob, Glove box clip etc

Will do. Will be out of town for a fortnight, will do so when I am back

Originally Posted by anandpadhye

An aluminium/steel frame inside but covered by the same old soft top on the outside. Will address the security concerns at the same time maintaining the beauty of the Jeep. No had-top comes close to the soft-top when it comes to looks.

completely !! Increasingly I now feel I must not meddle with the basic character of this car. I like it as it is, just need to mod it selectively to suit my particular needs.

The solid black steel wheels look perfect. I liked the idea of skipping the wheel caps. Why do you want to go the alloy way?

Its very interesting you commented about this because this is my dilemma. I actually feel if I were to focus on pure functionality the steel rims are perfect. Even aesthetically.

The car came with a set of wheel caps and I thought instead of letting them sit in my garage why not try something and I had them painted matt black and installed.

Now they change the look of the Jeep and it starts to look more "finished" It loses that raw steel rim look and gets a more dressy but smart look. Now if you were to take this to the next level then a matt black alloy would be the ultimate in terms of aesthetic appeal. They would look awesome.

BUT

The steel rims exposed have a very unique and traditionally rugged charm of their own, possibly because we always saw Jeeps without wheel covers and historically the legendary Jeep never had wheel covers or alloys. Its only with the later Wranglers that alloys came in.

So its a bit like a pendulum swing. Either I leave the rims raw and exposed or install alloys and complete the "finished" look !!

[Guderian]

Originally Posted by DKG

completely !! Increasingly I now feel I must not meddle with the basic character of this car. I like it as it is, just need to mod it selectively to suit my particular needs.

Hi DKG,
Out of curiousity wanted to check - if at all you were to go in for the aluminium hardtop with the softtop on top - what would be the hardtop arrangement/portion for the space above the tail gate as such ? Or would you replace the tailgate for a full fledged door ?

[DKG]

Originally Posted by Guderian

Hi DKG,
Out of curiousity wanted to check - if at all you were to go in for the aluminium hardtop with the softtop on top - what would be the hardtop arrangement/portion for the space above the tail gate as such ? Or would you replace the tailgate for a full fledged door ?

You can retain the soft top design by having the aluminium panel hinge at the top on a panel that goes across. So it opens upward (which is how the soft top opens anyway). You can install the Maruti style tailgate dampers/stays so that the lid holds up when you open. When shut not only will the panel lock but on the outside you can pull the zip down on both sides to further seal from water. The soft top can attach to the panel with velcro

The essence of this design of aluminium panels with soft top over is you don't need to fuss with water sealing. Simple panels that screw into the frame is all you need. Where you have the windows you can rivet acrylic sheets. On the outside you again have the existing plastic of the softtop. Being aluminium it will barely add weight while remaining strong.

[Guderian]

Originally Posted by DKG

The essence of this design of aluminium panels with soft top over is you don't need to fuss with water sealing.

Thanks DKG.
That seems extremely neat the way you describe it.
The only issue I foresee is the creaks and groans of the panels after a period time. But then a small price for the security within and the comfort of the AC.

Looks as though I might yet look at the Thar sometime down the line. The familiar itch is begining to surface again !

[DKG]

Originally Posted by Guderian

The only issue I foresee is the creaks and groans of the panels after a period time.

The way I see it when you screw the panels into the metal frame it will increase the rigidity of the structure which in turn may actually inhibit creaks. Any reason why you feel this will actually cause creaks?

Looks as though I might yet look at the Thar sometime down the line. The familiar itch is begining to surface again !

With a Fortuner and the Thar you will be invincible !!

[Guderian]

Originally Posted by DKG

1. The way I see it when you screw the panels into the metal frame it will increase the rigidity of the structure which in turn may actually inhibit creaks. Any reason why you feel this will actually cause creaks?



2. With a Fortuner and the Thar you will be invincible !!

Hi DKG,

1. After a period of running, in some of the vehicles, I have noticed aluminium panels developing a little play around the drill holes as a result of the drill holes widening a wee bit ever so often. This happens even if you neatly pack them with rubber stoppers and screw/bolt the panels on. My current organisation has specialised vehicles with alu panels which run into the 'groaning/creaking' issues.

Agree with you on the rigidity overall.

2. Me and my impractical desires !

[iron]

I am late. Congratulations to you.
I have a few queries
1) With the AC being absent how do you get over the issue of cabin fogging during monsoon.?
2) How is the M&M ASC with service , repairs & spares?
3) Can you please post some high resolution HD pics so that they may grace my desktop as wallpapers. The color is just lovely. Need to convince folks at home as well.
4) Can 6 footer with a Big frame drive the thar comfortably for long hours.?
Thanks.

[slalom]

The black chrome painted wheels .
I hope he has done it in Mumbai .

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/tyre-a...ml#post2450269

[RGK]

Congratulations DKG. I think you are obsessed with your new lovely Thar & its engine.
Wonderful colour and looks gorgeous.

I feel it is better to push M&M for the installation of AC asap. You may start feeling the absence of it after the monsoon is over.

As rightly pointed out M&M should have done the rear side seats better and comfortable.

Happy Motoring.

[DHABHAR.BEHRAM]

Originally Posted by Guderian

Hi DKG,
Out of curiousity wanted to check - if at all you were to go in for the aluminium hardtop with the softtop on top - what would be the hardtop arrangement/portion for the space above the tail gate as such ? Or would you replace the tailgate for a full fledged door ?

Dear Deepak / Guderian - this can be done very easily, all you ned is a press brake fellow willing to supply parts that you want. There are many vendors in Satpur / Ambad (Nasik industrial area), you can finish the whole thing in one day and start business from next morning, especially as you are not looking at "production considerations". .

The only issue is in perfectly guiding the vendor on what is needed. These people will blindly follow what is told to them, they cannot conceptualize, design and develop.

Best regards,

Behram Dhabhar

Best regards,

Behram Dhabhar

[carrot_eater]

Originally Posted by Ronnie Zach

I am not very particular about an AC in the Thar if it is going to make the price go up steeply but I strongly feel it should come with a steering lock at least:-)

The Thar Crde does come with a steering lock - When I read this - I assumed that the Thar did not even come with a steering lock then I checked - though it might not have the additional turn of the key - but when you remove the key the steering does get locked.

[Ronnie Zach]

Originally Posted by carrot_eater

The Thar Crde does come with a steering lock - When I read this - I assumed that the Thar did not even come with a steering lock then I checked - though it might not have the additional turn of the key - but when you remove the key the steering does get locked.

Thanks for pointing out the misleading statement. When the security issues of the Thar cropped up ,the impression that I gathered was it did not have a steering lock like the Classic .My apologies to everyone for the gaffe --will corroborate such stuff, before airing them in the future.
Off topic but there was an article in today's Hindu about Jaipal Reddy the Union Minister for petroleum having stated that the union Govt is planning to bring about 'dual pricing of Diesel"meaning that they are considering or studying about the feasibility of hiking diesel prices for private car owners, sparing vehicles in the transportation and agricultural sector. Another point reported was the"Decontrolling" of diesel prices,which was mooted by Pranab Mukherjee. Ref The Hindu dated 5th Aug 2011 P 13.For all of us prospective and actual Thar owners,it might be of interest to note. Have a nice day.

[DHABHAR.BEHRAM]

Originally Posted by Ronnie Zach

Thanks for pointing out the misleading statement. When the security issues of the Thar cropped up ,the impression that I gathered was it did not have a steering lock like the Classic .My apologies to everyone for the gaffe -- will corroborate such stuff, before airing them in the future.

Dear Ronnie Zach - "security system" is a mandatory CMVR requirement. Steering lock is a controlled component which meets this CMVR as it is stated for current vehicles. The old CL340 sold in the domestic market from 1990 to 1995 did not have a steering lock. The CL340 classic had a steering lock which was imported from Europe into Nasik and fitted on the cars as these cars were also sold in Europe and had to meet the European regulations of that time which was around 1997. Some of these cars (LHD) went into Gulf countries and had the collapsible steering column also.

Dear all - I am once again clarifying that Thar CRDe is an "M1" (passenger car) category vehicle and meets the most stringent CMVR of this category as applicable in India as on date. "M1" registration enables you to get a private registration / white number plate. This includes front passenger head impact test also, that's why you have a rubber strip above the instrument panel. The properties of the rubber control the graph which determines CMVR compliance.

There is another category called the "N1" category where the CMVR is not so stringent (no head impact test et al) but it would not have qualified the vehicle for the white number plate. It would have qualified for a yellow number plate (commercial / taxi).

WOULD YOU HAVE BOUGHT A THAR CRDe WITH A YELLOW NUMBER PLATE? I would love to get your comments. .

Best regards,

Behram Dhabhar

[Ronnie Zach]

Originally Posted by DHABHAR.BEHRAM

Dear Ronnie Zach - "security system" is a mandatory CMVR requirement. Steering lock is a controlled component which meets this CMVR as it is stated for current vehicles. The old CL340 sold in the domestic market from 1990 to 1995 did not have a steering lock. The CL340 classic had a steering lock which was imported from Europe into Nasik and fitted on the cars as these cars were also sold in Europe and had to meet the European regulations of that time which was around 1997. Some of these cars (LHD) went into Gulf countries and had the collapsible steering column also.

Dear all - I am once again clarifying that Thar CRDe is an "M1" (passenger car) category vehicle and meets the most stringent CMVR of this category as applicable in India as on date. "M1" registration enables you to get a private registration / white number plate. This includes front passenger head impact test also, that's why you have a rubber strip above the instrument panel. The properties of the rubber control the graph which determines CMVR compliance.

There is another category called the "N1" category where the CMVR is not so stringent (no head impact test et al) but it would not have qualified the vehicle for the white number plate. It would have qualified for a yellow number plate (commercial / taxi).

WOULD YOU HAVE BOUGHT A THAR CRDe WITH A YELLOW NUMBER PLATE? I would love to get your comments. .

Best regards,

Behram Dhabhar

Dear Mr Behram,
Thanks for the clarification.I have only the highest regard for the Classic 340 which I had the pleasure to drive for around 10 years(picture attached).If another cut Chassis jeep like the classic 340 were available with a better engine I would have begged, borrowed or stolen to acquire one.I also acknowledge that the Thar CRDe,which you were largely responsible for developing, is the only vehicle which comes anywhere close to it or surpasses it in performance.As I am not overtly concerned about luxuries such as AC,power steering,a smooth ride etc,which are adequately provided by my swift ,I have booked the Thar DI 4wd which is rugged and without frills-albeit with a lower differential ratio forced upon by govt regulations and with other issues like a lower clearance compared with the Thar CRDe- which I guess can be corrected later.I am not being naive, sentimental or condescending when I say that I am grateful to M&M for not shelving a product like the old and trusted JEEP which has over generations repeatedly proved its mettle and arguably been responsible for propelling the company to fame and its present enviable position globally, (much before the advent of the Scorpios and the Xylos) even though it may not make sense from a business point of view,for the company.Take care and all the best in all your future projects and endeavours.

[Rajith]

Congratulations DKG. Your Machine is with wonderful choice of colour and looks gorgeous. I think you could have waited a little more for AC & IMMOBILISER fitted version to release.