Anyone want an Indian Jeep?

[Ace-Garageguy]

3 minutes ago, Richard Bartrop said:

So, more Jeep DNA than any current Chrysler product?

I'd say a Viper has more Jeep DNA than any current "Chrysler" product.

[Richard Bartrop]

Sorry, it's FCA now, isn't it?

[Ace-Garageguy]

1 minute ago, Richard Bartrop said:

Sorry, it's FCA now, isn't it?

I wasn't poking at that. It's just that the Viper was developed while real Jeeps were still in production, and some cross-pollination is possible, though not very likely.  

[Spex84]

I read about the Mahindra on Jalopnik a while back, really neat stuff. 

Interestingly, Jeep tried to block Mahindra from selling the things in the USA, claiming that the shape of the vehicle infringes on Jeep trade dress (flat fenders, etc etc etc). *eye roll* Maybe they should have thought of that decades ago. Cat's outta the bag now!

But if you want a highway-legal mini-SUV with 4wd, limited slip, body-on-frame construction, and no-nonsense but contemporary appearance....you want a Suzuki Jimny. I know I want one! It's the only thing that comes close to being a spiritual successor to my XJ Cherokee.  And it's under $20k new. Like a Jeep Renegade that isn't lame.

Of course, it's not available in North America. Nuts.

[Pete J.]

I grew up on a farm/ranch in Nebraska and learned to drive in a CJ-2a.  That vehicle was one of the most versatile rides we had.  We used the heck out of it.  It had a blade on the front for snow and grading. A power takeoff for running a spray pump and fence winder.  The back was large enough to throw a bucket of staples, a few fence posts, a roll of barb wire and fence stretcher in the back to fix fence.  We had a 50 gallon drum that fit in the back and used it for a in field refueling vehicle for the tractors and combine.  With 4wd it could get in and out of most places and had enough grunt with the low speed transfer case to tow just about anything.  We actually pulled a John Deere 4520 out of a mud hole with it once.   We also had a small spring tooth harrow that we used for maintenance around the yard. 

People see these as toys for rock climbing and off roading but in reality they are very useful farm and ranch tools.  The ATV people have been trying to replicate them for years and just haven't been able to pack in all the same capabilities that the originals had. 

[espo]

On ‎10‎/‎23‎/‎2018 at 10:35 AM, Pete J. said:

I grew up on a farm/ranch in Nebraska and learned to drive in a CJ-2a.  That vehicle was one of the most versatile rides we had.  We used the heck out of it.  It had a blade on the front for snow and grading. A power takeoff for running a spray pump and fence winder.  The back was large enough to throw a bucket of staples, a few fence posts, a roll of barb wire and fence stretcher in the back to fix fence.  We had a 50 gallon drum that fit in the back and used it for a in field refueling vehicle for the tractors and combine.  With 4wd it could get in and out of most places and had enough grunt with the low speed transfer case to tow just about anything.  We actually pulled a John Deere 4520 out of a mud hole with it once.   We also had a small spring tooth harrow that we used for maintenance around the yard. 

People see these as toys for rock climbing and off roading but in reality they are very useful farm and ranch tools.  The ATV people have been trying to replicate them for years and just haven't been able to pack in all the same capabilities that the originals had. 

You make a very good point about the early CJ's. After WW II many returning GIs had first hand knowledge of the capabilities of these vehicles that were created going into WW II. The manufactures and Willys in particular had capacity to build these vehicles but the original market was all but gone. They started advertising the utilitarian uses such as what you experienced growing up on a farm. I think if a vehicle could ever be referred to as a "Swiss Army Knife"  it would have to be the old flat fender Jeeps and their later versions as well. 

[landman]

On 10/19/2018 at 10:05 PM, alexis said:

Quite a bit really. Mahindra is an authorized Licensee of the Jeep Name. As Tom mentions, since the late 1940's. They have never let it lapse, and have been building them ever since.

These new ones are NOT street legal. Off Road only. I still want one.

They would make a nice alternative to some of those awkward side by side ATVs. Just mu opinion.