Looking for a tipper truck to ferry sand off-road: Which one to pick?

I'd prefer a Tata 407 type tipper but the 4x4 version with tipper body is nowhere to be found.

BHPian x-o-b recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I'm looking for a small tipper truck (1.5 to 3 ton payload capacity) for ferrying sand/timber/construction material on a hilly unmetalled road (read it as off-road) and looking forward to some suggestions.

• Tata Yodha 1700 4X4 (has no tipper facility but can be added as aftermarket job perhaps)
• Tata 407 4X4 (the 4X4 version is not available in tipper version)
• Mahindra Pick-up 1.7 FB 4X4

I have zeroed in on the above vehicles but am confused on addition of the following accessories, namely:-

Differential Locks

Now, I have read here in this very forum about Auto DL (the eaton type), Manual DL(the Lamda type) and LSD (not sure about availability). I know I need a DL for sure (to get off of regular intervals of deep muck where just a 4WD isn't sufficient). I enquired the local dealerships here (in Sikkim) and most of them had no clue about what I was talking about. Where can I source these from (I can take care of installation myself)? Which type of DL is best for load carrying off-roaders? Do I need to install them on both the front and rear differentials?

4X4

I'd prefer a Tata 407 type tipper but the 4x4 version with tipper body is nowhere to be found. If I install a differential lock, would that compensate for the lack of a 4WD? Is a DL for Tata 407 available at all?

After market tipping modifications

I was planning to modify a normal (stock) flatbed vehicle into a tipper (dumper) in a body shop. The two options I was given were PTO or a battery operated hydraulic power pack (this one was easier to source). I am not sure which one to opt for (for lack of knowledge). The PTO for Mahindra seems to be non-existent. Ideally, my wishful thinking full of technical flaws I'm sure, would be to drive the tipping piston with the power steering pump (using a hydraulic changeover valve perhaps). Could anyone with experience in this matter provide some helpful pointers please.

My ideal vehicle would be this one.

Alas, I could find none anywhere (OLX, Facebook Marketplace, Team-BHP Classified). Where are these second hand small trucks listed anyways?

Sorry for the long post. Thank you

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

Your best bet would be an SML 4x4, it can probably handle most things you can throw at it and further modification will be easy. And well you can ask around in the Black Cats if they have one lying around, jokes aside you can probably buy it new or get it through army auctions, or find someone who has already bought it through it.

Here's what BHPian Apex1815 had to say on the matter:

• Ferrying Sand/Construction Material is a different application than ferrying Timber therefore Truck bodies are supposed to be different.
• To my knowledge currently no such Mini Truck is available in the Market which gives you Tipping option witihin 1.5 ~3 Ton Payload capacity.
• All you will get is a Pickup Truck for your Timber hauling application. That may not be suitable for hauling Sand/Construction material.

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

Timber for construction would not be the timber from logging trees. It would be more like scaffolding logs, and sheets that are often used for roof moulding. Hence I think a tipper will do just fine. Tippers for regular use have a body similar to regular trucks, and not the mining tippers.

OP may need to look at a vehicle rated more than 3 tonnes to be able to carry 3 tonnes of material in the terrain that has been mentioned. A Bolero FB or Yodha may not help, and the 404 may not be available in open market. However, I have seen a couple of posts on SM for 4x4 407's on sale. Very rare vehicle, though.

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.