The DNA has not changed, it still behaves like a 410W Gypsy does. Only it is better in every single aspect.

BHPian antihero recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

With the recent 2L price drop, the Jimny is a good contender for the next 15 years of bad-roading in the mountains.

More than the price its the constant government interference with old vehicles that is disappointing. Reusing a well-maintained old vehicle is much more environmentally friendly than an EV for that matter.

But I digress, the new Jimny is here, bought cash down in one day as they had my favourite colour available. To celebrate I took it for a 900 km trip in the mountains. Compared to the 410W here area few key observations:

• The DNA has not changed, it still behaves like a 410W does. Only it is better in every single aspect - suspension, engine, comfort... the lot.
• The biggest change is the suspension especially over rutted roads and gravel, especially the fist sized gravel so common in the mountains. The Jimny can hold its own on such trails, no more shuddering and bone rattling jerks. The suspension is a good two generations advanced from the original 410 and that alone is worth the money.
• There is transmission whine (see DNA) there is the 4wd lever shake, just not as much. Like i said improved.
• The launch price for the zeta model (rural model as i call it) should have been 9.99L. Alpha has upgrades for the urban environment like alloys, request sensor etc that has no bearing in rural areas.
• The steel wheels look excellent and are reasonably strong
• The stock tires are geared towards mileage. If you live in a city they work just fine. In the mountains not as much. Which is why I upgraded to the best I could find locally - Conti Cross contact in the "correct" size 215/75R15

Original tyres

Continental AT tyres in the right size!

The old 410W stays home. While i had the option of giving it away as exchange or to scrap it (thanks government). I think the old girl has deserves a life as a senior citizen in the estate. It will not be mollycoddled but will trudge on doing what it does best, being there when the snow hits the fan / heavy monsoons.

I have got a trickle charger just for its battery and 4 body jacks to keep it elevated.

I will also keep the thread alive because there are a lot of old tales to tell about this wonderful machine and the places it has taken me.

Maybe another thread about the Jimny from the perspective of an old Gypsy fart who has used it as a primary car for the past 10 years? Let me know if you think it will be relevant for you.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The line-up included different models like the 800, Zen, Baleno and Gypsy. There was even a Versa too.

BHPian Aditya recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

The Classic Maruti Day 2023 was held in Mumbai today.

The event was organised by some enthusiastic owners headed by BHPian BeemerBug_06:

More than 40 older vehicles from India's largest carmaker lined up at Utopia City, Worli. The list included 800s, Zens, Balenos, Gypsys and even a Versa.

Let's start with the first Maruti model introduced in India - the 800 (SS80).

You sit down low in one of these... just like a sports car:

Stock interior:

The second-gen 800 or SB308 replaced the SS80 in 1986. Most of us would have had one at some point in time:

A couple of Gypsys attended the event:

Continue reading Aditya's post about the 2023 Classic Maruti Day in Mumbai for BHPian comments, insights and more information.

The Gypsy has a proven engine and is very dependable. Besides, it runs on petrol, which makes it less noisy than diesel SUVs.

BHPian Aditya recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

In India, we have a wide variety of terrains and forests. The land is home to a number of innumerable species of animals including some of the rarest and most beautiful big cats and wild dogs among others. The number of wildlife enthusiasts in and out of the country is also growing. Whenever there is a chance, these enthusiasts pick up their cameras and make their way to a wildlife sanctuary / national park where they can watch and photograph or film their favourite animals.

Once they get to a sanctuary, there are special vehicles that will take them inside the forest. These vehicles are mostly open (with no roof) and have raised seats behind the driver so that the occupants' view is not obstructed. Here are some of the vehicles. Here are some of the vehicles that we get to see in wildlife sanctuaries.

For 6-8 passengers:

The most popular jungle safari car remains the good old Maruti Gypsy. It is small and rugged which makes it easy to maneuver on difficult terrain. It can negotiate steep climbs and descents without a problem. Being a small safari vehicle can take you into the dense forest, increasing the chances of seeing wildlife. The Gypsy has a proven engine and is very dependable. Besides, it runs on petrol, which makes it less noisy than diesel SUVs. This means it is less of a disturbance to the wildlife. Jungle safari Gypsys are designed to carry 6 passengers. This works out best if you have a small group of people.

Image source

Image source

Some national parks use Mahindra Boleros & Getaways or Tata Sumos & Xenons. These can carry up to 8 passengers. These are not as popular as the Gypsy because of their relatively noisy diesel engines and larger size.

Image source

Image source

Image source

A recent addition to the list of jungle safari vehicles is the Mahindra e-Supro. This little van can be used for up to 100 km / 4 hours. Being an EV, it is almost silent and has no tailpipe emissions. It can accommodate six passengers.

Image sources 1, 2

For 12-20 passengers:

Generally based on an SML, Eicher Canter, there are open safari vans designed to carry from 12 to 20 passengers. You sit much higher in one of these compared to an SUV which makes it easy to see wildlife amidst the distant forest. It provides better views of the national park. This vehicle is recommended for large families or groups who want to travel together instead of taking multiple smaller vehicles. These vehicles are mostly referred to as Canter safari.

Image source

Image source

Some parks also offer closed and even air-conditioned buses. These are suitable for those who have problems with heat and dust.

Image source

Boats:

Some safaris, are best experienced by boat. Kerala, Karnataka, West Bengal, Assam and Chhattisgarh are some of the states where you can travels through vast areas of forest using waterways. Motorboats of various sizes are used for these safaris.

image source

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

There is an unrivalled joy in driving about in the early morning with the roof panel open and windows down.

BHPian shankar.balan recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I've always wanted an open-top or convertible Gypsy but never managed it till now. My OEM soft top had started showing signs of age and disrepair. So I anyway had to get a new top done. After some deliberation, I went to a person called Antony in JC Road Bangalore who fabricates these. He uses the near-correct grey PVC fabric and the correct 0.8 microns clear film for the windows etc. Using templates and measurements from original Gypsy tops and the actual vehicle itself he fabricates it in a day. It costs around 13,000 - 14,000 especially since in my case there was some level of customisation needed. The openable front portion is achieved easily by simply unfastening a couple of buttons and velcro rolling the top up and securing it with two more velcro straps.

When the top is back on, there is a flap that covers the area of the opening so that water ingress is prevented.

Of course, all this is a bit fiddly and I have yet to prove the leak-proof nature of the new top but Antony comes with a good reputation in this space.

And it is true that there is an unrivalled joy in driving about in the early morning with the roof panel open and windows down. I am enjoying this long-awaited experiment and will try and use it more as the weather improves or whenever I take this Gypsy to the hills.

Here are some pictures.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

I raised the issue with the service advisor and he said, "This is the only engine oil that Maruti supplies."

BHPian raj4466 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I used to service my 2019 Gypsy at a prominent dealer of Maruti in Kottayam, Kerala. Since it was a new vehicle and under warranty, I never bothered to check the final bill. They were supposed to follow the protocol. Only after my third service, while taking delivery I noticed that the oil grade printed on the bill was 0W20.

I raised the issue with the service advisor and the response was "this is the only engine oil Maruti supplies". I showed them the recommended grade in the owner's manual and went through the MGP catalogue and gave them the part number of 5W30 grade oil. Now the response changed to "part is not in stock". I notified the issue to Maruti via their website. The dealer calls me back and offers to change the oil to 5W30. Since I was out of station I declined the offer and changed it to the recommended grade when I got time.

And in May 2023 I get service reminder calls from the dealer (they are very annoying about this) but to my surprise, the lady staff who called was aware of the previous issue and assured me that she will order all the parts required and will get back, and I can bring my vehicle in for service. She calls me and confirms that all parts except for the air filter are available, to which I respond "it's ok" and I ordered the filter from Boodmo. Due to my busy schedule, I did the service only by the end of June. And when they bring back the vehicle after service the oil grade is the same 0W20.

I was fuming. I called the service advisor, he is unaware of any such issue, doesn't know the recommended grade for a G13B engine, my previous complaint history and he had to check if the part (Oil) was available. I was so surprised that the tele-caller staff were better informed than the service advisor.

I reached out to the CRM of the SVC and raised the issue. They again offered to replace the oil. I asked if the oil was in stock, and the reply was yes.

So even after having the part in stock, they were so careless to just pump in oil from their usual barrel in an older gen engine. Finally, they picked up the Gypsy from my home and replaced the oil. I was informed that the 5W30 oil will be costlier, but to my surprise, it was cheaper than the thinner oil. (The delay to get the updated bill and refund is another story).

So these SVCs just want newer-gen cars, simple oil change wash routine and make quick bucks. I won't be going back there again with my Gypsy.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The Gypsy EV uses a 21.7 kWh, 72 Volt battery pack that is said to offer a maximum range of 120 km.

An all-electric version of the Maruti Gypsy has been spotted testing for the first time. What's interesting about this vehicle is that it's being developed by IIT Delhi and Tadpole Projects, in collaboration with the Indian Army.

On the outside, the electric version of the Gypsy looks identical to the regular Army-spec Gypsy. The only way one could identify it as an EV is by the green license plate and the decals on the body. Around 10 cars have been converted into electric as part of a pilot project.

The Gypsy EV uses a 21.7 kWh, 72 Volt battery pack that is said to offer a maximum range of 120 km. The car can reach a top speed of 70 km/h and the battery can be recharged in around 9 hours by plugging into a 15A socket.

Source: Shantonil Nag

If it ever comes in the 2-door avatar, I'd be very tempted to pick one up at 12/13-ish lac on-road.

BHPian cool_dube recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Made a quick stopover at a nearby Nexa outlet to check the Jimny out this last Saturday. Will not post any pictures, as there are enough and more available on the internet and I am bored to death seeing the same Canary (all right, all right, Kinetic) Yellow shade all over the internet! Few observations on the Jimny, having owned a couple of Gypsy's in the past and presently owning a 2021 Thar:

• It is not grossly disproportionate but not well proportioned either. Any SWB enthusiast should easily be able to make out that it was always meant to be a 2-door and stretching it to a 4-door model was an afterthought. Certainly appears long for its width.

• Interiors are average - function over form, and for the most part, well put together. Quality of plastics was questionable, though.

• Seats are nowhere as comfortable and supportive as the Thar's. Rear ones have zero under-thigh support. Seat fabric does not look like being able to take rough usage.

• Steering and console are quite good.

• Lack of height adjustable driver's seat is a big miss.

• Tires look outright pathetic and warrant immediate change to 215s.

• Build quality is good for a Maruti product but nowhere close to the Thar's.

• I will TD one when drives begin next month. Highly skeptical of the engine performance, though.

• If I were to buy one, max I'd pay for top end AT would be 15 lac on road.

• Lastly, if it ever comes in the 2-door avatar, I'd be VERY tempted to pick one up at 12/13-ish lac on-road.

Bottom-line - it is a cute toy, an evolved Gypsy, something for the child in you to play around/tinker with! Looking for road-presence, look elsewhere.

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

I have come across some Thars around 8 lakhs which have done about 45-55000 km and registered around 5 years ago on OLX.

BHPian shreyshuilgol recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I am a 24 year old who has started his career just about two years ago. Luckily, I do not have many responsibilities at home and am planning to buy a 2nd hand car. This will be my first big buy, so all the inputs from your experience and knowledge are highly appreciated.

I have driven a sedan (Hyundai Accent 1.5) and a hatchback (Maruti Suzuki Zen) for the past 6 years. So, I am planning to go for an SUV now. I am looking for a car that can take a beating. It should preferably have 4x4. The budget is around 5-8 lakhs.

I have come across some Thars around 8 lakhs which have done about 45-55000 kms and registered around 5 years ago (around 2017-2018) on OLX.

I have also come across a dealer in Hyderabad who deals in ex-military vehicles. He is offering a gypsy with validity until 2037. The vehicle has done 70000kms and the engine is completely refurbished (no re bore done). The cost of the gypsy with a bigger radiator, power steering, steel rims, AC and a hard top is 6 lakhs.

Although I am actively wanting to get into exploring some tougher to reach locations, my usage is more on the highway. So, I am leaning towards the Thars.

The car will be used by me and my friends mainly. We are not looking for a fast car right now (Maybe a 1.8 TSI or 2.0 TDI later). Cabin sound and vibrations are not an issue for us. We want a car that can be repaired and maintained easily and can take a beating.

Please let me know your advice. Other than Thar and Gypsy if you have any other recommendation, please let me know those as well. Open to all suggestions.

Thank you for your response in advance.

Here's what GTO had to say on the matter:

Good choice in your young days, I must say . I was also driving a Jeep in my early twenties and it became a drug for life.

First off, read this thread entirely.

Between the two, go for the used Thar. Reasons: It's easier to live with, has better ride quality (Gypsy is too bumpy), has a bigger cabin, diesel FE, factory-fitted AC and is more adept at highway cruising. Not that the 1st-gen Thar excels in any of these areas, but it is superior to the Gypsy. The Gypsy is a 40-year old model that is too basic to live with. Don't be lured by old 4x4s with rebuilt engines and aftermarket power steering / AC. They require way too much time & money to run.

The best 2 days of ownership with such old rebuilt 4x4s = the day you buy it, and the day you sell it.

Here's what BHPian condor had to say on the matter:

Either way, these are best for 2 people. In the Thar if you put in two more front facing seats at the back, then absolutely no space at the rear for bags.

Gypsy is a bit better in this way. Why I say this is: the length in the Gyspy behind the front seats upto the rear door is better than the Thar.

These are some small reasons, but like GTO said, the Thar will be better in terms of ride and being a newer vehicle. Gypsy has it's uses, though.

Another option for you can be a Scorpio 4x4 which will be much bigger and good enough for 4-5 people plus space for you bags when you travel.

Here's what BHPian Samba had to say on the matter:

Go for a 2015 onward manufactured BS4 Thar.

Reasons-

The CRDe is a gem of an engine and it's much more modern compared to the old 1.3L MPFI in the Gypsy.

From 2015 Thar came with MLD, Gypsy won't have a MLD or differential locks. MLD can be pretty useful in tricky situations.

Getting spares for a Thar will be easier. Plus Mahindra service centers are pretty well versed on servicing a Thar than what Maruti is on servicing a Gypsy. You will get the spares more easily for a Thar. For the Gypsy, you have to be more dependent on a good FNG who can source original MGP parts for your car.

On the highways you can maintain a much better cruising speed on a Thar than a Gypsy.

The ride quality of the Thar is less bumpy, compared to the Gypsy.

On the reliability part, both are reliable.

On the off-roading part both has it's own pros and cons. The Thar being a more powerful diesel, you can crawl better than a Gypsy on steep rocky inclines, while the Gypsy being light, can tackle some terrains better than the Thar. In sub zero temperatures, Gypsy being a petrol will be much easier to live with, than a diesel Thar. But on driving on deep snow Thar will have an advantage due to it's weight.

This will be a long comparison. In nutshell both are excellent off-road vehicles.

Thar comes with a factory fitted AC and power steering, while the Gypsy doesn't. There will be a difference in reliability when an aftermarket fitment will be compared to factory fitment.

As this will be your first 4x4 and you are going to gain experience with this car, the Thar will be more suitable for you. It will be more easier to live with.

For an experienced person who knows both the vehicles like the palm of their hands, can pick anyone.

My above mentioned points are after driving both the vehicles on & off the road and by taking inputs from their respective owners & by keeping an eye on both these cars for a long time! Hope this helps!

Now keep drooling till you bring any of these beauties home!

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Well as BHPians, we do have an appetite for customisations, may it be our real cars or scale models.

BHPian ArTigor recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Here are some plastic 1:36 Gypsy modified by me, these are the local super cheap Shinsei made, which otherwise look worthless but some customization completely changes the perspective.

This is the original model which I have worked upon:

This blue one is inspired by the various safari vehicles, additions include a rollover frame, front crash guard, ladder at the rear, hella lamps, registration number, ORVM, Wheel arch trim, and some detailing like color to the turn indicators, window beading highlights etc.

The next yellow one is inspired by the rally-spec Gypsy, with body graphics, hella roof-mounted lamps, rollover frame, ORVM, Wheel arch trim, Flatbed at the rear, removal of rear seats, Apron on the B pillar, detailing touchups all around.

This black one is inspired by the armed forces. I have a memory of seeing a black Gypsy which had the armed forces registration number. This piece was originally a blue Gypsy, so I spray painted it in black, interiors are painted in red, red and purple stripes are added on the body and minor detailing here and there.

Here are pics with all three models in action.

Well as BHPians, we do have an appetite for customizations, may it be our real ride or our scale models.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The Mahindra Thar's CRDe engine & tyre combo made the entire trail seem effortless & reflected on how technology had advanced.

BHPian Fateh Salim recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Leonardo da Vinci did not have a formal education. He was solely self-taught. It was to that profound awareness of life's totality and essence that led him to realize and proclaim that "simplicity is the ultimate sophistication". Likewise, On Veteran's Day in November 1940, Willys-Overland handed a simple prototype "Quad" to the US Army. Incredibly, this straightforward design was completed in under 75 days and the rest is history. Soldiers’ hearts were scorched by their spirit and moulded in the crucible of battle. They formed strong emotional bonds with this machine. They may go by new names now, but they have the same DNA at their core.

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication

(Photo source: toledocitypaper.com)

Any kid who grew up with a jeep is certain to have a thousand tales to tell. One of them is this.

One morning, there was a lot going on. Unlike my undergraduate days, when waking up on time was just like squeezing water from a stone, there were a plethora of things to wake me up that day. The aroma of biryani, the droom-droom DI engine warming up outside my bedroom window, my brother rummaging through the closet in search of his favourite outdoor jacket, and my cat purring beside me as usual.

We assisted mom with packing the biryani, and once the boxes were put in a crate, we tied it and slid it between the roll cage and the seat. We went over our checklist one last time and then set off on our short excursion.

We departed for the expedition after handing over online class duties to Carbon the cat. Yes, we keep an eye on him to make sure he isn't living on the dole.

Our crew for the day comprised of five machines: Three CJ-3Bees, a Thar, and a darling little Gypsy. We planned to meet up with the rest of the gang at Doddabetta. It is the tallest peak in the Nilgiri Mountains, standing at 8,652 feet. The mountaintop is also reachable by road (9kms from Ooty town), making it a popular but over-exploited tourist attraction.

Ooty - Doddabetta

For a long time, this particular peak has been my genuine companion. In grade eight, all I had was a heavy Hercules rodeo cycle. I'm proud to say that at just thirteen years of age, I had a hankering to ride up this majestic mountain.

Before I get into further details about the trip, let me say this. As archaic as these jeeps might look, most of them here have a modern twist, adding to the intrigue. The beginning of the trail was fairly mellow. We expected the early start to be time-consuming, difficult and rough, but lo and behold, there was a blanket of freshly laid tar.

Fresh Tar-Thar combo.

Isn't it true that both these machines are adored by the Indian army? It's a rare pleasure to see them together in the same frame.

(Photo source: Internet)

Swaying trees, rumbling leaves, soothing breeze.

The path became a little hilly as it transitioned from tea gardens to tree plantations, necessitating a 4h gear choice to drive comfortably.

It had rained cats and dogs the previous night, leaving some sections mushy and dampening the grass.

When you get in the driving seat and see nothing but the sky in the first person is when you realize how steep the gradient is.

With the growth in visitor intake and the number of people settling in the mountains here, I'm afraid that Ooty's natural beauty is in jeopardy. A few hills, for example, were occupied even on the outskirts of the town. But, let's be upbeat, it’s probably just a nazar ka teeka for the pictures below.

Looking down into the valley reminds me of how insignificant we are in this universe; we are only a speck of dust. Aren’t we?

As I lay on the grass, the scars and scrapes on the MM550 narrated a few past military adventures and recollections.

Yeah, right! Nothing of that sort happened. I was just holding the flashlight for Dad as he deselected the jammed 4WD shifter from below the vehicle.

Although the gaur threat had previously been restricted to the hills, things have begun to escalate as they have started to stray into town limits. The gaurs I see in town and in the estates are in better form than the ones I see in the forests, which is likely owing to the fact that they gorge themselves on the harvest every night and then retreat to the jungles to rest during the day.

Bighorn tyres? Nice

You will be disappointed if you secretly want your Thar to struggle through the trail. The Thar is like Sharma Ji ka beta (The real definition of "perfection" as per Indian parents). The CRDe engine and tyre combo made the entire trail seem effortless. The Thar reflected on how technology had advanced. You might argue that it's the same MM540 with a more powerful engine and improved suspension. But, boy, what a difference that makes!

The jeeps then drove around aimlessly for a while. Everyone climbed into somebody else's vehicle to see how it differed from theirs. Following that, everyone's thoughts turned to new upgrades and component replacement ideas. One needed new tyres, while another wanted a new steering box, then a winch, then a snorkel, and the list kept going on. That's when we were pleasantly interrupted by the latecomer, the green CJ.

As I write my travelogue, I'm starting to think it's more about the jeeps than the journey itself, but isn't that expected/accepted in a forum like this? I'll be doing myself injustice if I don't mention a handful of the jeeps. Hence a small detour.

I have a soft spot in my heart for the green jeep. If you ask me, this jeep wasn't even rolled off the production line. My father used to put together whatever component he could get from various scrap markets in Mysore, Mettupalayam and Bangalore and like a jigsaw puzzle he turned it into a complete jeep. He did all the tinkering, painting, and detailing himself. It was a two-year endeavour, which seemed like an eternity to me as a small child. If you're wondering whether my father works as a mechanic, the answer is no; he's a mechanic at heart and a farmer by profession. We build jeeps, come rain or shine!

That's me in the jeep (2008)

My father's favourite child, no no.. not the one sitting inside. I'm talking about the jeep. Photo taken days after the Palar Challenge (2006).

Palar Challenge (2014)

(Photo Source: Team-BHP)

A day in my dad's life. (2014)

Many people have asked me why we don't drive the 4WD Scorpio on such occasions and instead just use it as a workhorse. Well, it's a good off-roader, especially on trails like these, but it lacks the fun element that older jeeps provide. It's enormous in comparison to these short-chassis jeeps. Also, the Yokohama AT tyres battle in mushy grass areas, which I believe is due to the weight of the entire vehicle.

The jeeps shine in one particular department – “Engine Swaps”. You get to do so much with them, eventually forming a really deep relationship with the machine. Everything is finally something to ponder and grin about. The days when you go looking for a certain engine that someone recommended, the days when you run behind the mechanics to speed up the engine swap process, and the days when you whine about why you got the engine swapped in the very first place and what a disaster it has turned out to be. In our instance, the Mercedes OM616, which was the cause of my father's greying hair; otherwise, he is still a teenager.

Continue reading Fateh Salim's off-road expedition experience for BHPian comments, insights and more information.