[vigneshkumar31]

Originally Posted by Ragul

Lift kit is not going to lift the height of the control arm correct? Only the height of the body above the suspension and frame is increased.

Right body lifts above frame. But the control arm will lift inboard end because of wheels pushing down at the ball joint outboard end. I have explained the process in the youtube video with CAD model of the suspension if youre interested in how the arms give more GC (channel: tripaccino)

[Ragul]

Originally Posted by vigneshkumar31

Right body lifts above frame. But the control arm will lift inboard end because of wheels pushing down at the ball joint outboard end. I have explained the process in the Youtube video with CAD model of the suspension if youre interested in how the arms give more GC (channel: tripaccino)

Yes, as a matter of fact the video popped up in my Youtube feed the same evening (google advert tracking I guess) and I watched it completely and gave a Thumbs-Up. Nice effort in the video - Many Thanks!

[Shanksta]

Originally Posted by vigneshkumar31

Installed the BLue Garage Lift Kit on my Force Gurkha. Achieved a 3" body lift and better GC below the bash plate.

Spotted your Gurkha yesterday evening in Chennai. A Gurkha is hard to miss and moreover an 'AN' registered Gurkha is even harder. I was in the Red Verna driving ahead of you all the way from Cenotaph road till IIT signal. The Gurkha looks massive in person and your truck was just standing out.

[vigneshkumar31]

Originally Posted by Shanksta

Spotted your Gurkha yesterday evening in Chennai. A Gurkha is hard to miss and moreover an 'AN' registered Gurkha is even harder. I was in the Red Verna driving ahead of you all the way from Cenotaph road till IIT signal. The Gurkha looks massive in person and your truck was just standing out.

Oh yeah. I remember the red Verna. Thanks for spotting me. Couldn't keep up with you . Ill look out for you if our paths cross again, give me a dipper next time.

[vigneshkumar31]

A nod to the Defender.

If you guys have been following the thread, then you would know that I'm a Defender nut.

Custom cut wing top chequered plates on my Django is my own way of a nod to the iconic Defender.

It's also functional to plonk tools and what not when you got your head in the bay.

[nvldvr]

Originally Posted by vigneshkumar31

A nod to the Defender.

If you guys have been following the thread, then you would know that I'm a Defender nut.

Custom cut wing top chequered plates on my Django is my own way of a nod to the iconic Defender.

It's also functional to plonk tools and what not when you got your head in the bay.

Attachment 2432386

Hi Vignesh,

Looks very good.

Can you post a full coloured pic of your Gurkha from a bit afar, showing a fuller view of this mod.

[vigneshkumar31]

Originally Posted by nvldvr

Hi Vignesh,

Looks very good.

Can you post a full coloured pic of your Gurkha from a bit afar, showing a fuller view of this mod.

Hope this helps.

[vigneshkumar31]

21 MODIFICATIONS/ UPGRADES ON MY FORCE GURKHA '21

Every modification has an implication, and I believe we trade off the pros for the cons, and live with some side effects, in return of gains, that suit our individual use cases. I constantly preach that it is crucial for the car owner to understand these side effects and weigh their options with a “whole of vehicle” approach rather than committing to certain mods just based on localised gains or aesthetics alone.

So here’s a list of ALL my mods, with their gains and side effects.

1. Maxxis Mud Terrain Upsize Tires (245/75/R16)

Gains:

• Improved Traction on mud and sand (aired down)
• More resilient against punctures on trails.
• Aspect ratio throws in more rubber for the wheel, great offroad.
• GC increase.

Side Effects:

• Wheels roll heavier tires - associated wear.
• Lower Mileage.
• Higher Road Noise.
• Minor Torque shave due to effective drive ratio change.

2. Alloy Wheels Neo Killer 16”

Gains:

• Lighter than steelies.
• OEM supply. Rare to find an aftermarket fit for the gurkha PCD 160x5

Side Effects:

• Standard alloy vs steel wheels offroad compromises robust, repairability etc.

3. Offroad Bumper

Gains:

• Protection and Strength
• Provides Winch Base
• Improved Approach Angle
• Hi-Lift Jacking Point
• Introduces Proper Recovery Points in the Front compared to low positioned stock tow-eye rod
• Higher Position of Recovery Points makes recovery from pits and slush easier.

Side Effects:

• Not Road Legal, Only for offroad use.
• Airbag operation will be affected.
• Weight, concentrated front nose weighs down front IFS.
• Steering characteristics marginally affected not manifesting due to low speed and BOF manners

4.Rock Slider

Gains:

• Superior protection and slide over rocks and side break overs.
• Hi Lift jackable from side.
• Non Slip foot rail acts as sidestep.
• Upward Angle helps in sliding.
• Kick out at rear helps to pivot and kickout rear end.

Side Effects:

• Added weight (but distributed over relatively long span)
• Marginal increase in overall width beyond wheels.

5.Roof Rack

Gains:

• OEM Supply. Perfect fit.
• Versatile and flexible to pack flat overhead with raised lips for securing.
• Great for securing dirty stuff outside the cabin enclosure. Have custom mounts for jack lift and traction boards.

Side Effects:

• Adds top weight and invites further top weight in terms of luggage and gear overhead.
• Reduces garage clearance- Adds top height above snorkel head. Jerry can holder is highest point.
• OEM option is Not full length of roof. Limited capacity.
• Jerry can holder eats up flat space

6. Rear Half Ladder

Gains:

• Manageable to climb onto roof if one is athletic.
• DIfferentiates rear end from trax cousin.
• May mount some gear on it for ready reach (Older gen had a jerry can here) (I used to have traction boards here)

Side Effects:

• Obscures visibility through rear side glass slightly, especially with gear mounted.

7. Windscreen Guard.

Gains:

• Barkbusting protection for windshield.
• Has mounting point for aux lights if required.
• Narrow trails extremely effective to part branches.
• Improves Aesthetics of a blank windshield- oozes offroad cred

Side Effects:

• Blindspots especially on driver side. Earlier gen gurkha snorkel used to be huge blindspot. Presently bs6 snorkel is in line with A pillar but this windshield guard gives blindspot on certain view angles.

8. Underbody Bash Plate

Gains:

• OEM front plate is steel. decent for normal use. offroad heavy usage requires heavier protection.
• Underbody diff guard from OEM is notorious (Tax plate installed for lower paper GC and hence reduced tax slab) So needed to change and swap.
• Perfect mating to bumper contours and OEM mounting points.
• Protects radiator etc from front bash and protects underbody hits of front diff.
• Can mount a gopro inside safely for recording suspension and wheel travel.

Side Effects:
Weight in front bias.
Difficult to quickly inspect/ work underbody area.

9. Rear Diff Guard.

Gains:

• Lowest point on my Gurkha.
• Pumpkin had hit repeatedly on several occasions in rougher trails offroad.
• now my Custom made ‘taco’ style rear diff guard protects the diff.

Side Effects:

• Clearance from diff reduces rear GC slightly.
• Any Hit transfers to mounting points on live beam axle.

10.Headlight Grills

Gains:

• Stone guard
• Aesthetic nod to older Xtreme.

Side Effects:

• Mounted by drilling hex nuts into headlight housing.
• Rust and leak scares.

11. Jerry Can in Holder

Gains:

• Heavy truck low mileage, 63L tank. Limited range.
• 20 L extra fuel is godsend in remote.

Side Effects:

• Limited capacity
• Filling requires funnel and spout.
• Metal rattles on top and exposed to atmosphere Rust scares.
• Not as convenient or spacious as an additional aftermarket fitted fuel tank.

12. Reversing Camera

Gains:

• Tall truck with wide rear glass but huge blindspot at lower height.
• Required for reversing in normal times and especially on tight trails.

Side Effects:

• Mounting point is below rear bumper. Lens blinded in slush easily.

13. Tall Gear Shifter Leather Wrapped

Gains:

• Easier and shorter reach.

Side Effects:

• Not chunky hold. slender form factor
• Not visual sync with 4wd lever.

14.Hi Lift Jack with Butterfly Mount

Gains:

• Easy to use versatile and can jack up from different points

Side Effects:

• Rattle snake . Heavy kit so mounting issues.
• Dangerous recoil if not used correctly.
• Prone to rust and lockup if not maintained.

15.Traction Boards with Butterfly Mount

Gains:

• Easy solution to traction on loose surfaces.
• Can bridge small gaps and crevices.
• Superb option for sand recovery.

Side Effects:

• Needs special mount for easy reach and stowage. Large planks prone to wind buffeting if not secured right.

16.Wing Top Chequer Plate

Gains:

• Aesthetic nod to the ol’Defender
• Drop Tools and gear while working under the hood.
• Can stand on it to access roof from front.

Side Effects:

• Black plates gets heated up like a hot plate.

17.Radio Setup

Gains:

• Easiest communication on trails with convoy.
• Simple setup. Not CB. Works on PTT Motorola Set.
• No wiring hassle.

Side Effects:

• Limited range.
• Battery drains too quickly.

18.Knee Pads:

Gains:

• Perfect cushion for long drives.

Side Effects:

• Angle of knee fixed.
• Prone to adhesive getting ripped off

19. Custom name plates

Gains:

• Aesthetics
• Personalisation

20. Michelin Floor Mats

Gains:

• Non skid.
• Easy to remove and clean unlike stock mats which are buttoned down.

Side Effects:

• Needs care for pedals clearance.
• Generic model.Not perfect fit

21. Sloped Rear step

Gains:

• Before - When parallel to ground - Always hits at steep departures
• Now inclined upwards. Better departure angle.

Side Effects:

• Higher and odd slope difficult to climb for rear entry

.

UPCOMING MODS

• 270 Degree WrapAround Batwing Awning
• 12000LB Winch
• Full Suspension Upgrade

Ive compiled a video explaining all the mods in detail:-

https://youtu.be/DDZteVNGrt8

[TheGearBox]

I spotted a similarly done Gurkha at Goa airport on Wednesday night. Since your location is mentioned as Goa, I thought it might have been yours. But that one had a GA number.
One thing that caught my attention: that 4x4x4 badge. What does the extra x4 signify?

[vigneshkumar31]

I would like to cover it up saying that it indicates the ability to lock both axles using the manual mechanical diff locks in addition to low range ��.

(But It’s actually just childish branding by the company to show that it can traverse all four types of terrain in all seasons��. )

[rakesh_r]

Excellent stuff Vignesh, any plans to up the power, something like the piggy back ECU?

[yuvmudapa]

Originally Posted by TheGearBox

One thing that caught my attention: that 4x4x4 badge. What does the extra x4 signify?

If I'm not mistaken the extra x4 stands for the three locking differentials.

[vigneshkumar31]

Originally Posted by yuvmudapa

If I'm not mistaken the extra x4 stands for the three locking differentials.

Thats probably my cover-campaign which has reached you yuvmudapa As I said, its just childish marketing for 4 seasons and terrain.

Quoting from source:-

The official name is Force Gurkha E.O.V. 4x4x4. In English that means Extreme Off-road Vehicle and the three 4s stand for a vehicle that has four-wheel drive and can take on four seasons and four kinds of terrain; silly name, but does it live up to it

Originally Posted by rakesh_r

Excellent stuff Vignesh, any plans to up the power, something like the piggy back ECU?

Presently protocols have not been released yet to read the Delphi ECU that runs in the Gurkha. Once they are available, I do plan to soup it up a bit. A bigger turbo later perhaps. The present one is too tiny!

The piggyback is a single channel fuel regulator (Dieseltronic) which Im not personally subscribed to. So will wait for a proper remap to be released.

[yuvmudapa]

Originally Posted by vigneshkumar31

Thats probably my cover-campaign which has reached you yuvmudapa As I said, its just childish marketing for 4 seasons and terrain.

I really did think it was that! My friend asked me what the extra 4 was for a while back and I told him it stands for 3 locking differentials! Might have to tell him the truth now

[vigneshkumar31]

Originally Posted by yuvmudapa

I really did think it was that! My friend asked me what the extra 4 was for a while back and I told him it stands for 3 locking differentials! Might have to tell him the truth now

That means my campaign has been a success and it has reached your neighbourhood

P.S: To add a note:- the Gurkha has only two locking diffs on on each axle. It doesn't have a centre diff.