[amol4184]

Attaching some pictures of additional fastening I did over the default.
In a nutshell, we used holes that were there in the body and drilled appropriate new holes in the HT to match. All those holes were already present to hold soft top in place. I'm not sure why these guys didn't use them.

For the front portion of HT (over driver cabin) we ditched two superficial and badly designed brackets and drilled new holes just above the windshield. This looks far more secure and stronger than using the brackets provided with HT. Also, after placing the HT, those brackets didn't align perfectly.

Bonus, got replacement parking lights and painted their borders in matte black. Some ideas in the mind, this being the first step.


Holes used for soft top. We even used the same bolts.


Front fender lights with black border


Secured the front HT part with extra screws.


This bracket holds the sides of the front HT. We decided to keep them because fortunately they fit flush. I don't like the idea that both the screws are flimsy electrical type, drilled into FRP with no nut on the other side to tighten.


There was a bracket here just like side bracket, that was supposed to fit flush with the top but it didn't and left a 1cm gap. We dumped it. Additional screws over the windshield eliminated the need for that. I am sad we had to let go of the X member, I used to like it


Those additional screws to hold front part of the HT in place.



The Targa band has these screws on the top. Bimbra's design goes over it. We decided to use them. Unscrewed them and drilled holes in the HT. Used longer screws to hold all together. Please ignore the generous silicone and dust.

[amol4184]

Replaced front parking + indicator units. Bought the LED ones from Asiatic and modified their casing. Since these are LED about 80% space inside the casing is vacuum. I hated old bulky ones anyway for how they looked and how dim they were when lit up.

Attaching some pictures.

[abhikb]

Have been facing issues with the Bonnet latch located in the cabin with my Thar 700 , the latch is required to be pulled up by one person in the cabin while the other one opens the bonnet. Didnt face this issue till now, noticed it today only.

Anyone else faced this issue with their Thar CRDe and what should be the corrective action??

[N.A.GTC]

Originally Posted by abhikb

Have been facing issues with the Bonnet latch located in the cabin with my Thar 700 , the latch is required to be pulled up by one person in the cabin while the other one opens the bonnet. Didnt face this issue till now, noticed it today only.

Anyone else faced this issue with their Thar CRDe and what should be the corrective action??

Yes!
I've been facing this issue as well. Not quite sure what to do either.

[condor]

Have also posted in the Thar specific thread in the Tyres sub-forum, but posting here for better visibility

Does anyone have spare set of steel wheels ? 16" 160PCD ?

TIA

[abhikb]

Hello All,

I noticed few scratches on the propeller shaft of my 2019 CRDe, the damage doesn’t look anything more than the scratches however, CRDe experts pls advice.

[Abhishek3001]

Hey Guys,

I am planning to buy this 2016 Thar, the seller is asking 6 lakh for it.

What are some common issues I should look out for in particular?

What would be a fair price considering that is a 2016 year model with 55000 Kms on the clock and the current owner is the 3rd owner?

For reference, I could identify the following issues:

1. The soft top is damaged in multiple places, I'd probably replace it if I end up buying the car.

2. The tyres on the rear wheels and spare wheel are shot and need replacement ASAP.

3. An oil leak around the front axle

4. An oil leak somewhere around the gearbox.


Thanks,
Abhishek

[abhikb]

Originally Posted by Abhishek3001

Hey Guys,

I am planning to buy this 2016 Thar, the seller is asking 6 lakh for it.

What are some common issues I should look out for in particular?

What would be a fair price considering that is a 2016 year model with 55000 Kms on the clock and the current owner is the 3rd owner?

6 Lakhs is a bit too higher price for a 3rd owner vehicle with 5 years age. Sadly with the success of Thar 2020, old gen Thar is selling at a premium price. The outside though looks neat but it all depends on how the 3 owners have abused it.

My pointers to you shall be as follows:

1) Thar CRDe has a habit of coolant leakage, once you open the hood check for any old coolant spillage mark.
2) While driving the gear chamber will remain slightly warm, anything over and above what you term warm is bad.
3) Inspect the underbody, the silencer Pipe, propeller shaft, front and rear differentials do not have any protection so in extreme off road condition some damage could have happened.
4) Since this Thar doesn’t have a insect mesh, you will have to check the condition of the radiator and intercooler fins.
5) The rear door rattle is an inherent problem, anything within limit is alright.
6) Check for company service records if possible.
7) Since you will switch to HT there’s nothing much to check on the canvass top.
8) Rusting at all the places where the doors meet the body.

All the best.

[Abhishek3001]

Originally Posted by abhikb

6 Lakhs is a bit too higher price for a 3rd owner vehicle with 5 years age.

That's what I thought, but there hasn't been another one up for sale around here for months. I've made an offer of 5 Lakhs.

Originally Posted by abhikb

1) Thar CRDe has a habit of coolant leakage, once you open the hood check for any old coolant spillage mark.

I had checked under the hood, no issues there.

Originally Posted by abhikb

2) While driving the gear chamber will remain slightly warm, anything over and above what you term warm is bad.

I'll take another test drive and check.

Originally Posted by abhikb

3) Inspect the underbody, the silencer Pipe, propeller shaft, front and rear differentials do not have any protection so in extreme off road condition some damage could have happened.
6) Check for company service records if possible.
4) Since this Thar doesn’t have a insect mesh, you will have to check the condition of the radiator and intercooler fins.

I am planning to take it to the local Mahindra dealer and get a mechanical inspection done.

Originally Posted by abhikb

7) Since you will switch to HT there’s nothing much to check on the canvass top.

No, I want to keep the soft top. I'll probably replace it with Armoro's soft top with openable windows.

Thanks

[abhikb]

Hello fellow bhpians and Thar CRDe lovers,

It’s been close to 2 years and 25 thousand Kms with my Thar 700, no doubt it’s been an enjoyable experience till now, at no point of time I regret my buying decision and plan to keep it for a long time.

As many would be aware, the low end torque of Thar CRDe is pathetic especially below 1800 rpm, it is due to several reasons right from BS4 emission norms to CMVR to cost cutting etc etc. It may not be much of a botheration for those who drive with a heavy or medium foot on the accelerator since the needle will hover around 1800 rpm, but for people like me who keep a light foot while driving the slow low end makes the Thar a slow goat. After going through various threads on the forums, I have found the below after market alternatives being used by many to address the issue:

1) ECU remapping
2) Tuning box/piggy back chips
3) EGR blanking
4) Catalytic converter blanking
5) Plonking a larger intercooler (don’t know how a larger intercooler helps in low end torque).

Any pointers with regard to the above will be helpful, somehow I feel EGR blanking and catalytic converter removal more suitable. Experts please advice.

[cpbopanna]

Originally Posted by abhikb

Hello fellow bhpians and Thar CRDe lovers,

It’s been close to 2 years and 25 thousand Kms with my Thar 700, no doubt it’s been an enjoyable experience till now, at no point of time I regret my buying decision and plan to keep it for a long time.

As many would be aware, the low end torque of Thar CRDe is pathetic especially below 1800 rpm, it is due to several reasons right from BS4 emission norms to CMVR to cost cutting etc etc. It may not be much of a botheration for those who drive with a heavy or medium foot on the accelerator since the needle will hover around 1800 rpm, but for people like me who keep a light foot while driving the slow low end makes the Thar a slow goat. After going through various threads on the forums, I have found the below after market alternatives being used by many to address the issue:

1) ECU remapping
2) Tuning box/piggy back chips
3) EGR blanking
4) Catalytic converter blanking
5) Plonking a larger intercooler (don’t know how a larger intercooler helps in low end torque).

Any pointers with regard to the above will be helpful, somehow I feel EGR blanking and catalytic converter removal more suitable. Experts please advice.

I suggest that you do not make any mechanical changes (3, 4 or 5) - all components need to function as per design!

I have used a Race Chip Pro 2, piggy-backing on the original ECU, power is around 130 bph, torque 330 Nm, and the engine pulls flawlessly from 1,500 rpm all the way up!
Unfortunately the Race Chip is not available anymore, but I understand that the Indian equivalents do a fairly good job!

[DragonHawk]

Thar guru`s, need your suggestion here.

I have shortlisted a 2017 Thar CRDe 2nd owner with 59000 in odo, for which owner is quoting 8.65 lakhs. I am yet to inspect the vehicle but just by looking at the photos, this one looks to be clean and owner has done some tasteful mods like rally bumper with led fog lamp, reverse camera, forward facing rear seats, alloy wheels, hard Top, reverse camera, power windows etc. Overall even vehicles looks good, IMO 8.65 is bit on higher side and want your thoughts on it.

Even though I am not new to Jeeps and with last one being 1974 Willys which I had to sell in 2006. Jeep bug has bite me again and have been on lookout for a Thar for quite sometime now. Thanks to lockdown, got some spare time to kill, so during my casual search on the web, I found this piece and luckily owner belongs to the same place as mine. So I want your opinion regarding price and apart from usual nuances of Thar which I need be vary about, if there is anything I need to check during my inspection.

Here are some of the pics for your reference.

[PrideRed]

Originally Posted by DragonHawk

Thar guru`s, need your suggestion here.

I have shortlisted a 2017 Thar CRDe 2nd owner with 59000 in odo, for which owner is quoting 8.65 lakhs. Overall even vehicles looks good, IMO 8.65 is bit on higher side. So I want your opinion regarding price and apart from usual nuances of Thar which I need be vary about, if there is anything I need to check during my inspection.

8.65 is definitely on higher side even with mods. Car is 4 years old with 60K on ODO, which to me is on higher side for Thar. Quote is higher by a lakh to me. That said with COVID, it's seller's market in used car space. Most of the popular cars are being quoted premium. Look out for AC, power steering, tires, other than mechanicals. If these are good, you can stretch upto 8.

[abhikb]

Originally Posted by cpbopanna

I suggest that you do not make any mechanical changes (3, 4 or 5) - all components need to function as per design!

I have used a Race Chip Pro 2, piggy-backing on the original ECU, power is around 130 bph, torque 330 Nm, and the engine pulls flawlessly from 1,500 rpm all the way up!
Unfortunately the Race Chip is not available anymore, but I understand that the Indian equivalents do a fairly good job!

Hello Bopannaji,

I did went through your experience with the Race chip on your Thar ownership thread, whatever you have mentioned on the thread about the behavior of your Thar in city driving after race chip, same thing I am also looking for.

I am in touch with few vendors for tuning boxes, but I am not finding them much convincing at this stage. Let’s see what shapes up, race chip would have certainly been the best option but as of now I am banging my head after different options that are available in the market.

Hello Dragonhawk:

The quoted price is certainly on the higher side, moreover I am observing that since the success of Thar 2020, old CRDe models are also selling at a premium price in used car market across the country. Try and see how much you can negotiate.

My pointers to you shall be as follows:

1) Thar CRDe has a habit of coolant leakage, once you open the hood check for any old coolant spillage mark.
2) While driving the gear chamber will remain slightly warm, anything over and above what you term warm is bad.
3) Inspect the underbody, the silencer Pipe, propeller shaft, front and rear differentials do not have any protection so in extreme off road condition some damage could have happened.
4) Eventhough this Thar has a insect mesh, you will have to check the condition of the radiator and intercooler fins.
5) The rear door rattle is an inherent problem, anything within limit is alright.
6) Check for company service records if possible.
7) Since it has got HT which looks like FRP one, rattles, squeaks and leakages are common after a period of usage.
8) Rusting at all the places where the doors meet the body.

All the best !!!

[amol4184]

Originally Posted by DragonHawk

Thar guru`s, need your suggestion here.

I have shortlisted a 2017 Thar CRDe 2nd owner with 59000 in odo, for which owner is quoting 8.65 lakhs. I am yet to inspect the vehicle but just by looking at the photos, this one looks to be clean and owner has done some tasteful mods like rally bumper with led fog lamp, reverse camera, forward facing rear seats, alloy wheels, hard Top, reverse camera, power windows etc. Overall even vehicles looks good, IMO 8.65 is bit on higher side and want your thoughts on it.

Jeep looks good. Can you find out which hard top is it? The rear windows are unusually small and don't seem like any model from popular HT makers. I would look for leaks during monsoon and rattles/vibrations at specific speeds. Not impossible to fix but those leaks/sounds can be frustrating.

Regardless, 8.65 is a lot. The tyres look worn out but that could be because of the camera angle. Is it a first owner car?