[rosewarrior_101]

The tata xenon XT 8s the passenger variant of the xenon truck. It comes fitted with the 2.2L dicor engine as the old safari.
I use it primarily for trips similar to what you use it for. I have three German shepherd dogs that love to travel in the back, and I have a dual platform bike rack, imported from USA, through Amazon that I had mounted to the rear just over the rear bumper.
In the folded down condition, 8t is lower than the level of the open tailboard.

I think, I do some fu in the loading process. My reply seems to have vanished. Anyways loading the pics again....

Hi vivoverland, (did I get the name correct, my auto correct does weird things).


If you have some legal idea? Could you tell me if there is a provision to register the trailers too? I hope, the traffic police don't get after me...

[VivOverland]

Fab pictures of a well customized truck, I must say. Those Germans must love the drive!

You definitely can get a trailer registered (in fact you must) before you drive it on public roads. It will get a registration number and needs to meet local RTO regulations. Any tractor / trailer manufacturer should be able to help you with the process. If you take it off road I seriously recommend an offroad hitch, the regular stuff will jack-knife at the first obstacle. Worth importing or carrying it back from overseas.

Originally Posted by rosewarrior_101

Hey my reply along with the pics has vanished. Does it go for moderation after I post it?

Yes it does get moderated at the newbie stage. Emerge from your chrysalis and the mods will permit solo flight

[VivOverland]

Originally Posted by VivOverland

Fab pictures of a well customized truck, I must say. Those Germans must love the drive!

You definitely can get a trailer registered (in fact you must) before you drive it on public roads. It will get a registration number and needs to meet local RTO regulations. Any tractor / trailer manufacturer should be able to help you with the process. If you take it off road I seriously recommend an offroad hitch, the regular stuff will jack-knife at the first obstacle. Worth importing or carrying it back from overseas.



Yes it does get moderated at the newbie stage. Emerge from your chrysalis and the mods will permit solo flight

Originally Posted by rosewarrior_101

If you have some legal idea? Could you tell me if there is a provision to register the trailers too? I hope, the traffic police don't get after me...

This thread has details.

[VivOverland]

Getting this thread back on track - after a delightful journey

Fitted my first set of (off road) lights. The market has many options, which can broadly be classified as
1) Halogens / xenons - cheaper, draw more power for same wattage, decent life, high heat.
2) LED bar - expensive, most efficient power to watt ratio, long lived, almost no heat.
3) HID lights - also expensive, moderate power to watt ratio, warm up period before light takes effect, low heat.

There is decent variety available in India, though I would recommend buying the best international brands abroad - with the exception of Hella, I will clarify this further later. Choosing the best lighting system for your car can be quite confusing at first, but with a little research you can pick up tips and decide what's best. Don't make the ricer mistake of just plonking the largest LED bar you can find, on top of your windscreen and bump up 2-4 halogens or HIDs up front. Looks great, but that's a lot of screws to tighten - not much fun if you don't use them as intended! First take time to reflect on your own drive cycle, then work on customizing your lights to these needs. If you primarily drive on road, then there is little use investing in (and drilling for) high mounted lights with a wide throw. Focus (pun intended) on the road ahead and for heavens sake, invest in safe lights that help you but not at others' expense. With great power, comes great responsibility.

Disclaimer: I am no expert, just an amateur bhakt of googlebaba. Industry experts please feel free to short circuit any explanations from the thread, if found incorrect.

This handy chart from www.fourwheeler.com was found useful.


My search led me to Hella. Realized along the way that these lights are manufactured in India; which gives us the advantage of international quality lights at a very reasonable price. Warranty etc is good to have, as a decent set of lights would cost you INR 5,000 for a pair, onwards. There are cheaper options in the market, including LEDs from highly suspect manufacturers. You can even buy lights off Amazon, and good luck installing them (quite easy once you know how).

What led me to this decision? Knowing that I still have lots to learn, and this is the early stage of my overlanding, and my four wheeling journey - I decided to take this project as a learning experience. Test out some basic lighting, so I know better how that helps me in the real world. Should the lights not be as advertised, can always use them as work lights at camp. With this experience, will hopefully be able to arrive at the correct combination for my rig. VivOverland knows, it is the journey that gives him joy, the destination is just the halfway point

Some of my readers would remember the mounting points on my new BAT roll bar. I know purists prefer not to use this term (this isn't really a safety accessory), but it just rolls off the tongue easier. Anyway, you can read about that project earlier in this thread. Here's what they looked like before the install.


My choice of lights, to overcome my aux light virginity - Hella 500 (2x) and Hella 500FF (2x). There is plenty of coverage (pun intended) of these lights in other threads - like this one. Suffice to say, the 500s make a good pair of regular lights. This is how Hella describes them -

HELLA 500 Halogen Driving Lamp Kit

Ideal for:
• Rural, night driving
• Off-road activity

Features:
• Light-weight design
• Impact-resistant reinforced ABS housing
• Aluminum vapor-coated reflector
• Change the look of any HELLA 500 lamp with our Color Shieldz Protective Films available in Yellow, Smoke, or Blue shades.
• Bonded glass lens

Specifications:
• Voltage: 12V
• Beam Pattern: Driving
• Light Source: H3 12V/55W Bulb
• Power Consumption: 55W
• Housing Material: ABS
• Optics: Lens / Reflector
• Lens Material: Glass
• Connection: Wire Leads
• Bracket: Zinc Coated Steel
• Approval: ECE

Mounting:
• Upright

Technology:
• Halogen
• Parabolic Reflector

Single Lamp Includes:
• (2) Lamp
• (2) Halogen Bulb
• Universal Mounting Hardware
• Step-by-Step Mounting Instructions

The 500FF is identical, except for the patented 'free form' technology, which basically means you get a brighter reflective surface (helps to disperse light) and a clear glass lens. Note that both the 500s use glass lenses, and come standard with stone covers (required when mounted on the front bumper).

This is what the lights look like.
Hella 500

Hella 500FF


Unboxed


Entrusted this project to the dependable team at JMD Isuzu. More expensive than open market, but reliable and with warranty and full service support. I had booked several accessories from here - Carryboy roller lid, bed liner, wheels and tyres, side steps, reverse camera.
Disclaimer- I have no affiliation with this organization, except as a customer.

Step 1
Assemble components. Basic kit required for the job:
1) Wiring harness
2) Relays
3) Piano switches
4) Hella kits
5) Tools
6) Brackets and bolts
7) Wire sleeve
8) Lots and lots of insulation tape

As mentioned earlier, I had planned for mounting points in the roll bar, so I did not need an additional cross bar.

A typical wiring plan looks like this.


Quality material, and high ampere rated wire is necessary from the POV of long term use and dependability. Halogens draw a lot of power from the battery, so a relay is advisable. Also will be handy when adding more light or electrical accessories in the future. Some installers skip this step (relays), and the user will probably only realize months later when having to replace a battery / alternator / wiring harness.


Step 2
Check mounting options. It is important that your mounts give you enough play, to adjust your lighting as necessary. Not much point having great lights, that point to the sky... This ain't no rolling matinee show thank you very much! In my case, we had to try a few options, as the stock bolts (from the Hellas) weren't tall enough. We tried 3 alternatives before finding one that I was ok with. It was important to me that the stone covers fit, as these are not highway lights. Indian law is rather vague, and I could find no mention in the MVA - but capped lights should be fine. I can just uncap them when I air down on the trail.

If at first you don't succeed, try...

Then, try again...

Till you get it right


Step 3
Assemble and run your wiring. For an amateur this would be Step 1, and there are many 'how to' videos on YouTube. I was blessed to be working with an expert, so this was a smooth process.

You can see the relays assembled here.


Running the cable from the truck bed into the cabin (we just used the same channel as the tail light wiring).

Along the floor (next to the rear bench)

Along the floor (next to the passenger seat)

Into the engine bay

And into the drivers side (for the piano switches)


As can be seen, this is a simple job - but one that touches quite a few systems across the vehicle. You definitely want to entrust this to someone who knows your car model well. I felt supremely confident watching these guys tear out panels so expertly. They knew the pressure points, thread points and reassembly so well. A quack electrician would have probably damaged my precious Emma.

At last, we could see the lights mounted and all working fine.

Some alignment still required. OCD patients please look away. I suffer too, in silence.

View from the front


Will get some day and night time shots together soon. I'm learning how to take pictures of lights in action, haven't done this before!

[Turbanator]

Till you get it right

You may have got the throw right but this should come lose soon, this is a not correct way, get a spacer made, minimum as wide as the width of the light bracket if not more. You can also use Loctite thread sealant to ensure it does not come loose later.

Hope you are not going to use these lights on Roads and these are for Off-Road usage only.

[VivOverland]

Originally Posted by Turbanator

get a spacer made, minimum as wide as the width of the light bracket if not more.

Thanks, why is this not ideal and will come loose? This is nearly identical (except for height) to the Hella bolt and nuts provided with the set. Appreciate if you can share a picture of the spacer you have suggested.

Originally Posted by Turbanator

Hope you are not going to use these lights on Roads and these are for Off-Road usage only.

Covered this in line 2 of my post. And again in the middle mentioning they are capped on road. And highlighted how we should be considerate of other drivers. No, these are off road lights

[Turbanator]

why is this not ideal and will come loose

Simple, contact surface of the bracket should rest completely on the mount, I don't have a picture but you can get something fabricated easily or buy different mounts. No matter, how much you tighten this, it should come lose in few days surely, you can wait and update here perhaps your experience, have done many such mods in good old days

Edit - Try something like this since you need to get Lights at Height for a proper throw, there will be many options, just google.

https://www.carid.com/rigid-industri...379309837.html

[VivOverland]

Originally Posted by Turbanator

Simple, contact surface of the bracket should rest completely on the mount, I don't have a picture but you can get something fabricated easily or buy different mounts. No matter, how much you tighten this, it should come lose in few days surely, you can wait and update here perhaps your experience, have done many such mods in good old days

Edit - Try something like this since you need to get Lights at Height for a proper throw, there will be many options, just google.

https://www.carid.com/rigid-industri...379309837.html

Thank you very much Turbanator, looks like you've saved me a lot of trouble! Will find something and update the thread. Thinking of loose nuts, now OCD is kicking in, can feel my scalp tingling when I drive

[VivOverland]

Some daytime shots of the light setup.
Location is a lake side playground near Mumbai.





Haven't tested them off road at night, yet.

[VivOverland]

Originally Posted by Turbanator

No matter, how much you tighten this, it should come lose in few days surely, you can wait and update here perhaps your experience

Update: Have completed over 800kms across Mumbai, Pune, Alibag, Nashik, both highway and off-road. Still tight and no sign of loosening yet, thankfully!

[theREDcamero]

Hello Sir,

Congrats on your priced possession and yes, that is some fine writing. I have had a thought to get this as my next ride when we went to Wagamon heights resort a few months back. The ease with which this truck got through the off-roading bits was very impressive and the interior space adequate. The mileage was the thing which broke the deal for me. But this sure has some presence. Sharing the picture of a beautifully-thought-out v-cross that i came across recently near my place, full credits to the owner and the brains behind these,please excuse the picture quality.

[rosewarrior_101]

Originally Posted by theREDcamero

Hello Sir,

Congrats on your priced possession and yes, that is some fine writing. I have had a thought to get this as my next ride when we went to Wagamon heights resort a few months back. The ease with which this truck got through the off-roading bits was very impressive and the interior space adequate. The mileage was the thing which broke the deal for me. But this sure has some presence. Sharing the picture of a beautifully-thought-out v-cross that i came across recently near my place, full credits to the owner and the brains behind these,please excuse the picture quality.

Hi Red, Could you tell me where this lift job was done ?? I have been trying to get an opinion for my xenon XT for some time and have been searching for someone who did this kind of job.
regards
Rosewarrior

[VivOverland]

Added this new product to Emma's repertoire. The kids needed to get a good sleep especially on the 4 nap journeys, like the Mumbai to Goa stretch.

After a bit of research, hit on this product, available on Amazon. It's called the Stvin Travel Bed, and there are quite a few like it available on the market. Chose this because of the positive reviews, and it also comes with its' own pump and repair kit.

The box


Unboxed


I don't read Chinese.



The puncture kit


Inflation - stage 1


Close up of the airbag to support the gap between seats


The finished product


Overall, this thing works as advertised. The kids absolutely love it, and really look forward to the longer journeys now. The pump fills it quickly, and is also useful when filling our Intex inflatable boat. The mattress also doubles up as a small sofa at camp, when turned upside down.

[Trojan]

Originally Posted by VivOverland

Added this new product to Emma's repertoire. The kids needed to get a good sleep especially on the 4 nap journeys, like the Mumbai to Goa stretch.

After a bit of research, hit on this product, available on Amazon. It's called the Stvin Travel Bed, and there are quite a few like it available on the market. Chose this because of the positive reviews, and it also comes with its' own pump and repair kit.

Wow, this is really great, a few months back we were also on the lookout for something similar, but unlike you am not a very good google disciple and did not find anything.
So what we did was take the measurements of the seat dimensions albeit a bit exaggerated and got in touch with the neighbourhood gaadiwala to make one for us.
The gap - yes the gap was one of the pain points which we sorted out by tucking in 2 cabin bags between the seats (we have an Aria and 2 kids) so we pretty much carry our world along with us.
This also helps my wife to get some much needed back rest on our +1200kms runs.

Q -
Can the product support adults too?
How is the overall quality of the material, does it feel durable enough or prone to damage/puncture?


Thanks Viv, really enjoy reading about Emma.

p.s. I was in a similar boat (again) on lights, settled for Osram HIDs on the stock projectors.

Cheers!
Trojan

[VivOverland]

Originally Posted by Trojan

Q -
Can the product support adults too?
How is the overall quality of the material, does it feel durable enough or prone to damage/puncture?

Hi Trojan, i'm sure this is a typical overlander need, we all address it somehow! Your gaadiwala setup will probably be more durable TBH. The inflatable mattress can comfortably take 1 adult.

For others who may ask, it isn't a twin bed though. That's a whole other discussion, which can be read here