Cool Jeeps You Can't Have - Mahindra of India

[utherjorge]

Assuming that you want to stay with a Jeep Chassis, I'm confident you are correct.

EDIT: with that wheelbase, you are either spot on or a bit smaller and bigger than some solid Toyota choices. This does not, of course, include engine compartment layout, track, and so on. A 1999 Toyota 4runner, for instance, is just about spot on. The track is two inches wider, so an inch on either side. Others are close as well.

 

[jscherb]

The Rakshak Plus is a newer version of the above based on the Bolero:

 

[jscherb]

An MM550 outfitted for Army recon service:

And one outfitted for patrol service:

 

[pith helmet]

An MM550 outfitted for Army recon service:

And one outfitted for patrol service:

I need this last one for wild pig hunting out here.

 

[jscherb]

I need this last one for wild pig hunting out here.

Well in this country you could start with a Roxor, which is basically the same vehicle as the MM550, add some military paint and details, maybe source some Mahindra MM/Thar doors from India, add some military surplus gear and you'd almost be there.

Tomorrow I'll show you some Indian military surplus MM550's that were for sale last year.

 

[billiebob]

An MM550 outfitted for Army recon service:

And one outfitted for patrol service:

cool paint on the wheels, must be a reason

 

[billiebob]

These military versions remind me of Egypts J8 armoured version. Years ago they had video of it under attack. I guess for security reasons it is off the internet but it was spectacular watching it under attack.

 

[jscherb]

Military surplus MM550s can be found in India as newer vehicles replace MM550s. These were for sale at the equivalent about $1400 USD.

 

[jscherb]

Mahindra offers these light armored vehicles to military buyers.

The ALSV (Armored Light Specialist Vehicle) was unveiled in 2020. The vehicle can carry 4 members and comes with ballistic protection, high-travel independent suspension, front and rear lockable differentials, a self-recovery winch and a central tyre inflation system. Its powered by a 3.2L, 6-cylinder diesel engine.

Based on the Scorpio, the Marksman is an armored people carrier which comes equipped with a machine gun mount and night vision cameras. The vehicle can seat 6 people.

This one is not a Mahidra - the Windy 505 is the India army's first patented fast-attack vehicle built by the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME).

 

[jscherb]

A field ambulance based on the PikUp.

Imagine turning one of these into a camper.

 

[tyler.armijo]

A field ambulance based on the PikUp.

Imagine turning one of these into a camper.

That would be perfect for a couple. I feel like we drew the short straw here in the u.s. as far as this kind of stuff goes


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jscherb]

We stayed at a hotel in Bikaner in 2018 that had a pair of ex-Indian Army CJ3B's on display in the forecourt:

The data plate from one of them - you'll see it's a 1981 (!) CJ-3b:

Soft top details - roll-up windows!

Something to do the next time you're in Bikaner... Bikaner, in northern Rajasthan is the location of the National Research Center on Camel (https://nrccamel.icar.gov.in/). It's an interesting place, a visit there will teach you a lot about the various breeds. Camels are used in many ways in Rajasthan, I took this photo in the museum at the research center:

I don't believe camels are still used to pull school buses, but there are some remote areas of Rajasthan where I suppose it could still be happening.

After a tour of the museum and a look at the many varieties of camel they have there for research and breeding, a quick stop at the snack window got me a nice cold drink:

Camel milk is very high in fat - very rich.

Drving through the desert between Bikaner and Jodhpur, I spotted these:

There was no sign of ownership on them, and the nearest civilization was quite a ways away, so they may be wild.

As long as I'm on the subject of camels... do you recognize the camel jockey in the lower right of this photo?

This photo was taken at the Kumbalgarh Fort in southern Rajasthan, I couldn't resist taking a camel for a spin.

 

[wanderernomad]

The split windscreen jeep is a RCL Gun jeep. There used to be a barrel protruding from the gap and primarily used as an anti tank weapon.

 

[jscherb]

An older (probably 80's or possibly early 90's) brochure for military buyers.

 

[jscherb]

This one has a bit of a military theme but it's civilian, probably an MM550.

The orange sticker on the side says "Rajputana Classic Jeeps" which is a Jeep club in Rajasthan: https://www.facebook.com/Clubrajputanaclassicjeeps/