[dr_TJ]

Originally Posted by batish

Better would be to place the LEDs below the door. Instead of tapping the cabin lamp take power directly from fuse box with 12v fuse tap. Use the negative terminal with the door jamb switch. So whenever you open that specific door only that puddle lamp would switch on. Ofcourse, irrespective of your cabin light.

Do let us know which lamps you have shortlisted for this DIY!

I have to identify the negative terminal of the door jam switch. Not done yet.
I am looking to get some waterproof led modules, but placing them under the side steps will be better I feel.
Because, with the cabin lamp is in door (middle) position, When I press the unlock button on the keyfob, the cabin light turns on, and If I connect the led modules to the cabin lamp, it will also glow.

[batish]

Originally Posted by dr_TJ

I am looking to get some waterproof led modules.

Do let me know which one you shortlist.

but placing them under the side steps will be better I feel.

AFAIK, even scorpio comes with puddle lamps for the front door. You can choose those too. Under the door, would look completely OEM and you'll not be required to clean them as often as you'd clean the underbody.

Because, with the cabin lamp is in door (middle) position, When I press the unlock button on the keyfob, the cabin light turns on, and If I connect the led modules to the cabin lamp, it will also glow.

You're right. But the issue would be both the puddle lamps would glow when you'd switch on the cabin lamp and when you switch off the cabin lamp i.e in off position, they won't glow when you unlock the car.

[nitinralli]

Originally Posted by dr_TJ

I recently installed iPH Bi-LED Projector Fog lights. These projectors have 3 color modes, 3000K, 4300K and 6000K. It was a DIY installation and will write down about the DIY process in full details soon. It required a custom mounting plate and a lot of trail and error.

Hey, When you say it has 3 color modes do you mean you can switch between all those 3 colors on the go?

[dr_TJ]

Originally Posted by nitinralli

Hey, When you say it has 3 color modes do you mean you can switch between all those 3 colors on the go?

Yes, can switch between the three color temperature modes on the go. We need to switch the fog lights Off and On quickly to cycle between the three colors

[nitinralli]

Originally Posted by dr_TJ

Yes, can switch between the three color temperature modes on the go. We need to switch the fog lights Off and On quickly to cycle between the three colors

Awsome

Whenever you get time, can you post pics of all 3 colors in action? No hurry

[dr_TJ]

Originally Posted by nitinralli

Awsome

Whenever you get time, can you post pics of all 3 colors in action? No hurry

From left to right, First is 6000K, then 4300K and lastly 3000K

[dr_TJ]

Update

So, I have made two separate DIY threads

DIY Installation of Bi-LED Projector Fog lights on my 2nd Gen Mahindra Thar

Link (DIY: Bi-LED Projector Fog lights installation on 2nd gen Mahindra Thar)

DIY Air-con vents replacement in the 2nd-Gen Mahindra Thar

Link (DIY: Air-con vents replacement in the 2nd-Gen Mahindra Thar)

[airguitar]

I have spent months thinking about buying ( and continue to ).

1. Have you been able to push the car further on longer drives ? Does your impression of drivers getting tired out still hold good or does that get better with more driving ?

2. How much of an annoyance is the sparewheel appearing on your IRVM ? Further, does it cause material difficulty when driving when you glance behind you once in a while ?

3. What are your current observed FEs on the highway?

[dr_TJ]

Originally Posted by airguitar

I have spent months thinking about buying ( and continue to ).

1. Have you been able to push the car further on longer drives ? Does your impression of drivers getting tired out still hold good or does that get better with more driving ?

2. How much of an annoyance is the sparewheel appearing on your IRVM ? Further, does it cause material difficulty when driving when you glance behind you once in a while ?

3. What are your current observed FEs on the highway?

My Thar is the only car in my garage, so I use it for my daily commute as well as weekend drives.

1. So, far, I have done just one long trip of about 500 kms, rest weekend trips are about 100-150 kms. I generally cruise at 80-90 kmph on our bumpy 2 lane highway here. Max speed I have done on my Thar is 105 kmph.
I like the adjustable lumbar support of the Thar but don't like the lack of underthigh support. This lack of underthigh support is what causes tiredness. But as advice goes for long drives, with regular breaks during the drive, Thar is manageable for mile munching. But at the end of the day, its all about the driver and his will. For example, Youtuber OggyF goes touring on his KTM RC390.

2. Spare wheel occupying the IRVM view is not an issue. We get use to it and work around it. I have added blind spot convex mirror on my ORVMs to help with the rearwards visibility. If someone still finds it to be an issue, we can install a 70mai dash camera which acts like a IRVM with live feed from it's rear camera.

3. Fuel economy figure hovers around 11-12 kmpl for me so far.

[airguitar]

Originally Posted by dr_TJ

My Thar is the only car in my garage, so I use it for my daily commute as well as weekend drives.

THank you sir. The comfort on longish drives is what is holding me back from the purchase - I'm still a fence-sitter.

[sammyboy]

Originally Posted by airguitar

THank you sir. The comfort on longish drives is what is holding me back from the purchase - I'm still a fence-sitter.

There are others who have done much more but I have done 600 km trips twice and 300 at a stretch quite a few times as well. Lack of Underthigh support was something I felt a couple of times yes, but i realised that if I change my posture and sit straighter it helped quite a lot. I don't feel it anymore but yes it could be an issue for some. I am 5'8" so longer legged folks will surely face it.
Cruise control works flawlessly and if you stay in the 90-100 range, it purrs away quietly.
Other than that, i find the Thar brilliant (yes it has its flaws too), and I have been a sedan guy since 2005

Oh and i have a petrol so let's not even talk about FE ��

[dr_TJ]

So, this weekend, I decided to do some functional mods on my Thar.
Firstly, I was using an old Yi dash camera which was having boot loop issue. So decided on getting a dual channel dash camera setup this time around. Went with the 70mai A500s Plus+ dual channel dash camera. Bought it directly from Nexdigitron website at Rs 9799 + Rs 849 for CPL Filter.

I didn't have a long enough micro usb cable for the Yi dash cam (Original cable was left in my now sold Celerio) so the power cable was running from the Camera to the usb port (I got dual usb ports on my Thar, thanks to Mahindra's cost cutting, new 2022 Thar gets single USB port) across the windshield and dashboard.
With the new dual channel setup, I can properly route the wires and do a clean installation.
Thankfully, Thar is super DIY friendly. The rubber seals, plastic panels, carpeting etc can be easily removed with pry tools and that too in a short amount of time.


70mai A500s main unit mounted on the windshield


Rear camera mounted on the rear windshield as seen from the IRVM


Routed the wire from the upper windshield plastic panel (Need to remove 4 philips head screws holding the sunshade in place) towards the left upper door trim, had to pull out the door rubber beading

Wire now runs through the B-Pillar plastic trim and below the rear fixed window glass carpeting

And finally the wire is passed through the channel available between the Hardtop and metal border around the rear windshield frame

Another side Mod that was done were Footwell lights and Puddle lamps under the doors which switches ON when I open the door.

I will be removing few rubber seals and plastic trims anyway to route the wire for the rear dash camera unit, so took this opportunity to tap the door open power wire from the Dome light to power few led strips on the footwell and under the door to act as puddle lamps.
Placing the led strips below the door helps in the dark. Not only does it illuminates the ground or lack of ground below, but also illuminates the foot steps.
Positive wire for the circuit was from the door open power wire of the dome light. Negative/Ground is from a bolt screwed into a metal surface in the Passenger footwell. I have also added a 5A in-line fuse to the new circuit.


Driver side

Passenger Side

[dr_TJ]

With the temperatures starting to rise and the lack of covered/shaded parking at work, I have added these Magnetic Sunshades on my Thar.
Two front shades are held in place with Magnets and are equipped with zippers. Where as the rear shades are just held in place without magnets. So far so good.

Set of 4 sunshades at Rs 695. Looking at all the other options in Amazon, I was sceptical about these shades at this price point but I am mighty impressed with these. Absolute value for money compared to other options at around Rs 2000.

[ph03n!x]

Originally Posted by dr_TJ

...I have added these Magnetic Sunshades on my Thar.
...

Is this too from Amazon? If so, link please!

[batish]

Originally Posted by dr_TJ

With the temperatures starting to rise and the lack of covered/shaded parking at work, I have added these Magnetic Sunshades on my Thar.
Two front shades are held in place with Magnets and are equipped with zippers. Where as the rear shades are just held in place without magnets. So far so good.

Attachment 2280203

Hey hey.. There's a problem with these magnetic shades, saying this from experience. Since the magnet touches door frame, it will strip your door paint. Better option would be to use without magnet and insulate the perimeter of these shades with a cotton tape or anything which reduces the friction.

Or just fit and forget it, but I don't think that's possible as these can be challaned.