[Tejas@perioimpl]

Originally Posted by HappyWheels

Reckon the outlet going to be at the rear, so it is going to be fixed with a slope in that direction or let parking slope take care of it?

And, what is the total weight of the vehicle, as of now, with a full load of fuel and 4 of your best well fed buddies? I think you did do a weighing long time back; have you rechecked it any time recently?

There will be a slight slope with a couple of washers raising the front.


Total weight with recovery equipment, full tank and 2 pax I took last time was 2620KGS. Done just after winch was fit.

Forgot to upload two pics from the last DIY.

The table with the two stools folded. Doing a rattle test now. If it rattles, I will stick a layer of thin bubble wrap to the underside of the table:



Stowed away inside. The slight lip of the L section prevents the table from sliding in the front.




EDIT:

Still experimenting with clamping options and designs. Has to be firm and secure.

You see a clamp for two pipes - another DIY is offing. Details soon.

[viXit]

Glad to know you’re all safe and the vehicle has minimal damage.
I’ve never off roaded, let alone drive more than a thousand kms in my life. Once I get a few miles under my belt I think I might try off roading a bit. Don’t know what to learn and where to start first.

Originally Posted by Tejas@perioimpl

To put it simply or to avoid confusion:

Always steer into the direction of the tilt/ perceived topple. That may help prevent it. If you steer in opposite direction, it usually guarantees a topple.

This is for offroad in off camber / side slope situations.

To counter a skid is when you turn in the same side as your rear - it is for On road / on dirt track

A topple in reverse? You’d have to turn away from the direction if you’re topping while reversing right?

[Tejas@perioimpl]

Originally Posted by viXit

I’ve never off roaded, let alone drive more than a thousand kms in my life. Once I get a few miles under my belt I think I might try off roading a bit. Don’t know what to learn and where to start first.

I have started a structured training school.

Have a look here:

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/4x4-o...ed-bhpian.html (Learn Offroad: A Distinguished offroad academy started by a Distinguished BHPian)

A topple in reverse? You’d have to turn away from the direction if you’re topping while reversing right?

Doesn't matter which direction, front or back - always turn in the same direction as the perceived topple.

[wheeledwanderer]

What brand of Awning do you have on the Pajero? I have been trying to source one for mine but it is so very expensive. I have been looking at Ironman 4x4 and ARB..any other choices??

[Tejas@perioimpl]

Originally Posted by wheeledwanderer

What brand of Awning do you have on the Pajero? I have been trying to source one for mine but it is so very expensive. I have been looking at Ironman 4x4 and ARB..any other choices??

I have the Foxwing awning from RhinoRack/OZTent. Had sourced from Australia with the roof rack. We had done a group buy for around 4 roof racks and awnings and shipped by sea so it was reasonable for us.

I had earlier bought an awning from aliexpress and it cost me landed 18K - with shipping and duty. That was a straight awning and not the 270° one like the current one.

[Tejas@perioimpl]

Originally Posted by Tejas@perioimpl

Used a regular drawer lock currently and I'm waiting for proper latches to a drive from abroad. Once they do will modify to how the lower drawer latches are.

So the locks came from Aliexpress and I updated the drawer with the proper latch type lock. Surprisingly came within 20 days and not the usual 2 months.



When I had fit my winch, I had to cut out a piece of aluminium cover to access the free spool as seen in this pic:

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attac...n-16-home.jpeg

I didn't like the cut out on the right side as seen in the pic. I had the cut out section and decided something needs to be done.

High strength neodymium magnets to the rescue.

Step 1:
Drill holes:






Step 2:

Use a rivet gun to rivet the magnets to the aluminium sheet:



Step 3:
The end of the rivet extends at the back and is not flush:



So use a blunt punch and hammer the rivet flush:



Step 4:

Voila it fit nicely on the vehicle:




The magnets are really strong and takes an effort and leverage to remove it. So not worried about it flying off with the wind.

[Tejas@perioimpl]

Yesterday at the Bandra sea link toll I noticed a sequential speedo reading! What luck!

[Sikkimese4x4]

Hi Tejas, love ur build and have been following u since a long time in Tbhp. I too have a 2010 Pajero which i want to start doing overland trips. I am on the lookout for a wheel spacer for the Pajero to make the wheel track distance slightly wider. May be a 30mm spacer. Would u have any idea about spacers for the Pajero in India.. .. thanks

[Tejas@perioimpl]

Originally Posted by Sikkimese4x4

Hi Tejas, love ur build and have been following u since a long time in Tbhp. I too have a 2010 Pajero which i want to start doing overland trips. I am on the lookout for a wheel spacer for the Pajero to make the wheel track distance slightly wider. May be a 30mm spacer. Would u have any idea about spacers for the Pajero in India.. .. thanksAttachment 2082809

Attachment 2082810

Sorry for the delayed reply. Just saw your post.

I would strongly advice against spacers. You are unnecessarily cantilevering forces. In fact I have half a mind to go back to stock wheel rather than the negative offset wheels. They eat up the suspension.

Having said that, I love your rims!

[Tejas@perioimpl]

Staying in Mumbai next to the sea means you are always fighting rust.

The nut bolts on the high lift jack and the brackets were rusted.

Went to American Nuts and Bolts at Lamington Road and changed to Stainless steel options.

Slowly and steadily, i'm changing every nut and bolt to SS in the car.

[ruzbehxyz]

Originally Posted by Tejas@perioimpl

Went to American Nuts and Bolts at Lamington Road and changed to Stainless steel options.

Slowly and steadily, i'm changing every nut and bolt to SS

Make sure the grade is SS 304.
You even get SS 316, but its hard to find in Mumbai.

[Tejas@perioimpl]

Originally Posted by ruzbehxyz

Make sure the grade is SS 304.
You even get SS 316, but its hard to find in Mumbai.

Thanks Ruzbeh.

If you zoom into the bolt you will see the APL marking of A2-70

That means:

A2-70 is an austenitic, acid proof stainless grade (usually 304 material – 304 or 304L) which has been cold worked to provide a minimum tensile strength of 700N/mm² (MPa)

SOURCE: https://midlandbrightsteels.co.uk/po...-steels/a2-70/

[Tejas@perioimpl]

Weekend DIY:

I had an ATV roll bar spot light/search light.

This one clamped onto the roll bar.



Need to modify it to fit the pajero and use while driving. Had to be accessible to move it while driving so a modification was required in such a way that i do not drill any additional holes in the vehicle.


First off, dig into the bits and pieces of saved stuff in the garage and came up with a nice bracket that i cut and drilled:



Then i screwed on the mounting pole from the original bracket and secured it with a thread lock.



Spray painted everything



Next was power supply. Used a big socket which comes with a snug silicone cover and mounted it to the roof rack. I had removed the roof mounted lights and used that cabling for this socket. Advantage is that i can switch off the power supply from inside so no worrying that someone charges their mobile when parked.





I was lucky that the snorkel mount bracket on the A pillar was at a perfect height. Fitted the bracket to that using the same bolts.





And the spot light is ready for night offroad or recce for camping sites at night.










Spot light is removed when not needed. Can be easily mounted on the fixed mounting pole in 10 seconds when needed.

[Tejas@perioimpl]

The automatic antenna in the PAJERO is a hindrance during offroad.
Can’t keep music on or if a call comes with music off, it auto extends.
Have broken it once and had to replace the antenna. Last week nearly snagged it again.

So disconnected the antenna and motor and fitted an internal antenna instead.

[Tejas@perioimpl]

Running an offroad school means you are offroading atleast 2 days a week for the full day! Be it during the training or while maintaining the tracks or while exploring new ones.

This means two thinks:

1. It takes a toll on the vehicle

2. I need the vehicle to be in ship shape to travel the 250km retrun journey reliably and also be reliable on the offroad track.

Therefore, there is constant maintenance on the vehicle to keep it in ship shape and to tackle issues and pro actively change parts that may soon fail.

Yesterday i changed the upper arm bushings. They did have some life in them but would rattle during offroading and didn't want to take a risk.

The official service centre has shut down and i just follow the trusted mechnic to wherever he goes. This is at JDS at Powai:



The upper arm removed and the worn out bushes:







New bushes sourced from City Motors, Opera House, Mumbai.



New bushes press fit by a turner and everything fitted back.




Having issues with Ironman Shocks> they have become too soft. Need to get them checked next by their "official mumbai dealer" who unfortunately stays very far from town.