[biplav]

Originally Posted by tsk1979

[center]Attachment 1075134

The transfer case still doesn't get a rudimentary protection plate. If the underbody gets splashed by water, the transfer case may malfunction:
[

Can we get some chap to DO SOMETHING about the protection to the Transfer Case... ? Like Welding, or get someone to get a cover to be screwed ON, is that possible

[ACM]

Originally Posted by biplav

Can we get some chap to DO SOMETHING about the protection to the Transfer Case... ? Like Welding, or get someone to get a cover to be screwed ON, is that possible

Rather than something mechanical it would require some thing water tight to prevent water from getting into it and the visible electrical contact points.

I believe they must already be applying some kind of Silicon to prevent water hitting it from causing a malfunction. But maybe we can give it an added coat of Silcon expecially around electrical connector joints. Mechanical parts are anyways normally not affected by water (except rusting or loss of lubrication).

[arshjeet singh]

Originally Posted by tsk1979

I do not know about the quality aspect of storme. IF its good, then it makes better sense than a pre-owned fortuner for the same price. However, only long term ownership reports can tell about quality

Thats true for most ladder on frame vehicles. A low center diff means that on trails you keep scraping. Most trails have a raised center. Scorpio is severly disadvantaged here



Yes, it should not be needed. That is the primary reason for ECU controlled axles. But I could not spot any changes in user manual. Perhaps Behram can shed more light

Strome 4x4 front axle has a mechanism called as the axle disconnect (FAD~Front Axle Disconnect); the moment selector knob is switched from 2H to 4H mode, the transfer case engages the front propeller shaft into action and simultaneously a signal is sent from the 4x4 ECU to the FAD motor which with the help of a fork, a cone & a set of spur gears, physically engages the disconnected axle shaft and the flow of torque from the propeller shaft to the differential to the axle shafts to the front wheels starts.

4H-igh to 4L-ow; the clutch pedal is to be depressed for 7 seconds (the transfer case gets a chance to say its prayers "hell ya!! Low Range coming up baby" ).

when disengaging back i.e. moving back from 4H to 2H mode (4L-4H is again clutch pedal depressed for 7 seconds) the fork is pulled back instantaneously by the FAD motor and front axle physically gets disengaged.

hence there is no need to put the vehicle in reverse.

[kaviprem]

Originally Posted by arshjeet singh

...
4H-igh to 4L-ow; the clutch pedal is to be depressed for 7 seconds (the transfer case gets a chance to say its prayers "hell ya!! Low Range coming up baby" ).

when disengaging back i.e. moving back from 4H to 2H mode (4L-4H is again clutch pedal depressed for 7 seconds) the fork is pulled back instantaneously by the FAD motor and front axle physically gets disengaged.

hence there is no need to put the vehicle in reverse.

Is the 7 seconds hold good for Safari too ? I dont remember seeing this precise number in manual nor anywhere else. Only that, we dont march the vehicle until the blinker stops and settles for 4H or 4L or none of these.

Prem.

[tsk1979]

Originally Posted by kaviprem

Is the 7 seconds hold good for Safari too ? I dont remember seeing this precise number in manual nor anywhere else. Only that, we dont march the vehicle until the blinker stops and settles for 4H or 4L or none of these.

Prem.

It usually takes 3-4 seconds max. Not seven seconds.
Only difference between old and new safari is that, due to the AXLE ECU mechanism for locking and unlocking front axle, you do not need to reverse.
In the older safari, axle lock was through a hub lock mechanism which is mechanical. So you had to drive in the opposite direction from the direction of motion in 4x4 for a few meters to unlock the hubs.

[arshjeet singh]

Very correct 7 seconds is the design cap limit. The shift from 4H to 4L happens within 7 seconds.

[Blue Thunder]

Originally Posted by arshjeet singh

Strome 4x4 front axle has a mechanism called as the axle disconnect (FAD~Front Axle Disconnect); ...

Thanks for the details, arshjeet singh !

Originally Posted by arshjeet singh

...physically engages the disconnected axle shaft .....

both axle half-shafts are disconnected/connected ?

Could you please explain a bit more about this system? I am not able to understand the benefit of this type of "disconnect".
From what you mentioned, this seems to built into the front axle housing itself, right ?

Originally Posted by arshjeet singh

...hence there is no need to put the vehicle in reverse.

In a situation where the vehicle has been driven in 4L in tough terrain (resulting in transmission stresses building-up), how would the stresses 'unwind' ?

In the typical situation, the transmission stresses could be made to "unwind" a bit by reversing the vehicle for some distance in the same 4L gear.

I dont see how the FAD allows omission of this step. The transmission stresses continue to remain in the system, and would probably act on the spur gears which you mentioned; the long-term effect would possibly be "difficulty in disengaging/engaging the spur gears, causing them to break ???"

[tsk1979]

Originally Posted by Blue Thunder

From what you mentioned, this seems to built into the front axle housing itself, right ?

Yes , the mechanism is made by Dana-Spicer India and sits within the AXLE housing.

In a situation where the vehicle has been driven in 4L in tough terrain (resulting in transmission stresses building-up), how would the stresses 'unwind' ?

What stress? When you drive normally with axle disengaged, everything is okay
The moment the front axle ceases to be be driven, there is no stress. Instead of the axle being driven by engine, now the prop shaft is free, and wheels are turning on their own, unpowered. Only rear wheels are powered.

[roadjourno]

Any reports of guys taken S.Storme 4x4 to the mecca of offroading -> Leh Circuit?

[arshjeet singh]

this type of axle disconnect mechanism let goes the use/need of putting free wheeling hubs; which tend to get damaged because of their protruding-out-of-the-rim-boundary construction.

You get the advantage of lesser drag in 4X2/2WD mode Plus you don't have to worry about the Free Wheeling hubs getting damaged.

best regards

[JayPrashanth]

Tata Motors has launched the "Explorer Edition" variant of the Safari Storme SUV. The new variant of the SUV gets a range of additional features, and prices start at 10.86 lakh rupees, ex-showroom Delhi. The Explorer Edition variant was showcased at Tata Motors's HORIZONEXT strategy unveil event, held a couple of months ago.



The new variant's arrival, weeks ahead of the Indian festive season, seems like a move by Tata Motors to build buzz around the Safari Storme, an SUV that hasn't managed to gnaw into the sales of the top sellers such as the Mahindra XUV500 crossover and the top end variants of the Scorpio SUV.



Mechanically, the SUV retains the 2.2 liter DICOR turbo diesel engine. This 4 cylinder motor outputs a peak power of 140 Bhp and a peak torque of 320 Nm. The SUV gets a 5 speed manual gearbox as standard, and can be specified with 4x2 and 4X4 options. Four wheel drive models of the Safari Storme get an electronic shift-on-the-fly module that allows the driver of the SUV to toggle between 4x2 and 4x4 modes on the move.



Featuring a body-on-ladder construction, the Tata Safari Storme comes with a ground clearance of 200 mm. The Safari Storme Explorer Edition SUV gets the following new features,

• Explorer Front Nudge Guard
• Explorer Edition signature decals
• 2-DIN Touch Screen Infotainment System – hands-free and phonebook operations
• On-Screen provision for Reverse Parking Assist
• Navigation Device
• New chrome garnish for the projector headlamps and tail lamps
• Explorer Edition Door Visors
• New Art Leather seat covers
• Other Outdoor Gear Options – Cycle Carrier, Cargo Basket, Roof-Mounted Canopy

Notably, these features form a part of a kit known as the "Explorer Edition". Any variant of the Safari Storme can be specified with the Explorer Edition kit. The kit, bought as a part of the accessory list, costs 57,000 rupees. The kit will be made available at Tata dealerships, for addition to the Safari Storme.

[Parm]

Well TATA took their time after displaying it in the Autoexpo 2012.

Never the less, TATA should offer more than just cosmetic changes to the vehicle.

The rear cargo carrier/cage is pretty popular in the middle east. Lots of KSA vehicles could be seen with those one.

Here are few photos from my side.

[S5157]

Is Explorer Edition another variant like LX, EX and VX. As per the Launch report it is available in 4x2 and 4x4 variants. Any idea what will be the ex-showroom cost of 4x4 Explorer edition? Will it be cheaper than a VX 4x4?

[narayan]

Originally Posted by S5157

Is Explorer Edition another variant like LX, EX and VX. As per the Launch report it is available in 4x2 and 4x4 variants. Any idea what will be the ex-showroom cost of 4x4 Explorer edition? Will it be cheaper than a VX 4x4?

If I am not mistaken, the explorer edition can be ordered under the Lx/Ex/Vx/Vx 4X4 versions

from the pricing, its around the regular ex showroom + the accessory price

[tsk1979]

Originally Posted by narayan

If I am not mistaken, the explorer edition can be ordered under the Lx/Ex/Vx/Vx 4X4 versions

from the pricing, its around the regular ex showroom + the accessory price

LX 4x4?? Thats weird! Tata does not produce any LX 4x4!