[JonTDawe]

Hello everyone,

My name is Jon. I posted in the Introduce Yourself section, and it was suggested that I start a thread about my new to me Mahindra MM440P.

My wife and I recently went and looked at a strange vehicle I found on Craigslist.

looking at the pictures, only 2, it is a Jeep. Looking at it in person, it's sorta a Jeep. Reading about it, makes it even more confusing.

I have learned a good bit about Mahindra built Jeeps, in the last Month, (Much of it gleaned from this fine website) but I still have a few questions.

I suppose to me, the most important of those questions is

1) How does one determine what year model it is?

It has Model and Serial numbers, but I have been unable to find an information source to decode them. The vehicle did not come with a title, I’m not sure it has ever been licensed or titled here in the states.

2) Service information, is/are there Service Manuals either to purchase or to download?

Mechanically, it is a pretty simple and straightforward machine. It seems to be predominantly Jeep, with just a few body changes, and the electrical system seems to be Mahindra.

3) Parts, is there a aftermarket parts stream for these vehicles? I have been able to find most of the engine and driveline components online, referencing either CJ3B, or CJ5. What about Body panels? Are the fenders and hood Jeep pieces, or were they subtlety changed by Mahindra?

Currently the 440 is not running. I have managed to get the ignition fire, (a Lucas 25D unit) and I purchased a new battery for it. The Carburetor was supposedly recently rebuilt. It turns over well, and seems to have compression. But will not pop or spit of anything. Removing the plugs and doing a proper compression test on it is next.

I going to include some pictures, if anyone has a specific picture request, please just ask.

Here are the numbers for the plate on the dash in front of the steering wheel.

MODEL MM-440P-4WD
CHASSIS NO PN-05539
ENGINE NO PN-05539
SERIAL NO 386861

I would appreciate any guidance the fine folks here may be able to provide.

I'm not a Jeep Guy, (although, I may become one). The wife and I recently purchased some property, and she has been after me to get a UTV, or a Gator, or something along those lines. I'm hoping to use this instead.

[.HEM]

Welcome to Team-Bhp. Happy Motoring.

Congratulations on your MM440P, it was the petrol version of the MM540, the iconic "Jeep" from the Mahindra stable. The production of the MM440P started in 1985 and did not last long as people did not prefer the petrol version. So your Jeep should be somewhere between 1985 or 1986.

[Kosfactor]

Someone has taken care of it well at some point of time, looks like they have resprayed the interior with a Line-X type material.

One place to start looking for parts is - Roxor, the first version that came to the states.

And I found this owners manual type document in Scribd, its for MM540 but I guess other than the engine , the remaining bits should be similar to this.

Link

In any case, it looks like its destined to live long and then off to the next custodian.

[JonTDawe]

Originally Posted by .HEM

Welcome to Team-Bhp. Happy Motoring.
...

Thank you for the Welcome, and for the information.

Jon

Originally Posted by Kosfactor

Someone has taken care of it well at some point of time, looks like they have resprayed the interior with a Line-X type material.
...

Yes, someone tried to protect the inside. If only they had thought as much of the outside. It has very few straight panels. I think each corner has been bumped or worse at some point. It looks like someone used it to learn how to back a trailer, both sides of the rear bumper are bashed in. The hood, I'm sure was a optional part, the "Enhanced Cooling Version" possibly, it has so many rust holes in it, one could read the service manual through it. Surprisingly, that is the only serious rust on it.

I will investigate Roxor.

Thank you for the Owners Manual Scan! That book has led a hard life.

I hope to make it run, and then putter around in the country with it.

Jon

[pandabear]

Looks pretty good considering its age. Spare parts should be easily available, worst case you will be able to find it online. The restoration should be staightforward.

[amol4184]

Couldn't be of help but I am fascinated! Seems to have correct side steering for USA. Does that mean Mahindra made RHD cars for export back then? Or how exactly this ended up in the USA. Would you be able to register and make it road legal in TX?

[JonTDawe]

amol4184,

How it got here, I have no clue. I found it on Craigslist. Took the wife on about an hour road trip to "look" at it. She decided "we" needed it. So, now it is sitting in my back yard.

Yes, it is RHD. I can only comment on "built for export", because it is here.

That is an interesting question. While actually driving in on the road is not a huge consideration of mine, I would like to figure that out. I'm searching for information to back that up. It looks street-able. It has full lights, Hi/Lo, blinkers, and flashers. It also has electric wipers. If, as HEM suggested they were only made in 85 and 86. Then it only really lacks a couple of the safety features that were on New Models. Most noticeable, are over the shoulder seat belts, Third Brake Lights, and collapsible steering column. Once I make it run, and sort out all the gremlins, then I'll worry about fighting the DMV.

Jon

[Ghosty]

I think it has the hurricane engine from Willys with side valves, you could try finding about the engine in any Willy jeep forums.

[JonTDawe]

Ghostly,

Yes, it is the Willis F-134 Hurricane engine.

Four intake valves in the head, 4 exhaust valves in the block.

Jon

[JonTDawe]

Well, some encouraging news.

Compression test results.

Cyl 1 125 psi
Cyl 2 115 psi
Cyl 3 115 psi
Cyl 4 120 psi

So, I believe we now have all four things needed to run.

I’m going to check ignition timing at TDC next.

Jon

[Formula1]

So you're not a Jeep guy, wanting a farm vehicle, and decided to not even look at the vehicle M&M specifically made for such customers (Roxor), and instead bought something that's probably gonna be a lifelong headache because it looked strange.

I'd have done the same.

Anyway, there's a forum somewhere on the interwebs for the Roxor. When it was launched, there was immense interest in part swapping/importing of all kinds of jeeps. Some of the members should be experts by now on what goes where.

[JonTDawe]

Originally Posted by Formula1

So you're not a Jeep guy, wanting a farm vehicle, and decided to not even look at the vehicle M&M specifically made for such customers (Roxor), and instead bought something that's probably gonna be a lifelong headache because it looked strange.

I'd have done the same.

Yes, Sir!

I'm a sucker for something strange and different.
Looking at it, I'm not sure how much of it can really be a headache.

Unless it has a major mechanical problem that has yet to reveal itself yet.

Jon

[Shubhendra]

Originally Posted by JonTDawe

Hello everyone,

My name is Jon. I posted in the Introduce Yourself section, and it was suggested that I start a thread about my new to me Mahindra MM440P.

Hi Jon,
Welcome to team bhp. this particular model was a limited period offering in India.
Engine: engine used is the same hurricane engine used in CJ3B in US hence parts shouldn't be a problem.
Transmission: If I am not wrong, it's a 4 speed gearbox with double lever transfer case (one for 2wd <-> 4wd) and another for High<->Low. All the bearings and many gears should be available in US. Similar to CJ3Bs, you can't shift to low gear until you move the transmission to 4wd. However, there is a pin which controls this mechanism, and if removed, you can move to low gear without moving to 4wd.
Differentials: in most certainty, the crown pinion ratio is similar to CJ3B (5.88) and the differentials as well. parts should be easily available in US.
Brakes: brake drums should be bigger than CJ3B but brake shoes can be repaired with the riveting of new liners on top.
Electricals: wiring etc, can be repaired as well as meters. front and rear lights of older CJ5 can be used.

If you can't find any particular part for this Jeep, please let me know and I can source it from India.

Regards,
Shubhendra

[JonTDawe]

Shubhendra,

Thank you so much for the information. I'm adding it to my file.

So far I have found nothing to suggest any of the information you offered is incorrect.

What I really hope to figure out, is how to use the numbers I have, to determine the year model.

MODEL MM-440P-4WD
CHASSIS NO PN-05539
ENGINE NO PN-05539
SERIAL NO 386861

The information I have gathered suggests that the MM440, was phased out in 88/89, due to new governmental standards. I'm unsure if they were safety, economy, or emissions based.

I'm wondering if the location of the fuel filler, on the right read quarter instead of on the back of the vehicle offers any clue? I've looked at lots of pictures, it seems to me, that most of them are on the back.

Also, does anyone know what vehicle the Steering column came out of? It has a Mitsubishi key.

Thanks,

Jon

[JonTDawe]

Hello everyone,

A little bit of an update. Let's start with the Manual Blue Duck showed, I found it online and downloaded and printed a copy, it has already made that decision worthwhile.

Now, for the good with the 440. I made it run, took the carb apart (Rochester B, with manual choke), and put a kit in it. it still has no accelerator pump! I've had it apart twice more, have not been able to determine why the accelerator pump does not function. Took the distributor (Lucas 25D4), bench tested it, cleaned it, set the points, and put it back in. acquired a good hot battery, and after much fiddling, got it started, and running pretty good. it doesn't get hot, has good oil pressure, and doesn't smoke.

The bad, It won't move! With it running; I pushed the clutch down, put it in gear, let the clutch out, Nothing! checked the transfer case, made sure it was in gear, and in high, Nothing! Shifted to Low, Nothing! No noise, no shuddering. Finally I took my foot off the clutch completely, then proceeded to shift into all of the gears and all of the ranges, Nothing! I crawled under it, looking for a way to inspect the clutch. Doesn't look like that is possible. I inspected the clutch cylinder, looks good, is not leaking. But it is very tight against the clutch lever.

looking at diagrams, and reading online, I discovered there is a vent cover on the top of the bellhousing. So, off comes the floor pan inspection cover. Then the vent cover on top of the bellhousing. Okay, I can see the pressure plate, but nothing else. I reach over and press the pedal, the pressure plate moves.

So, with the pressure plate moving, that tells me that the Clutch Master Cylinder is working, and the Clutch Cylinder is working. It does not tell me if the clutch plate is wore excessively. However there is no sign of that in the bellhousing, on the pressure plate, or inside of the inspection/vent cover. No dust, no pieces of clutch of fibers.

I'm hoping that some of you here, that are familiar with the 440P and the KMT90 can offer some ideas or suggestions.

Reading online, and again referencing diagrams, I found out that the Old jeeps had an occasional issue with the nut on the end of the transmission output shaft loosening and the gear sliding far enough that it no longer engages with the transfer case input gear. thus the vehicle will run, but not move.

Thank you for your time reading this.



Jon