The Phantom Of City Sadar Road

[hsumbal1]

Long Distance Update

I was just on the phone with Nikku and Imran Ustaads. A great deal of the discussion focused on steering geometry, traction bars, steering stabilizers, and the like.

In my eagerness to get things set up just right, I think I MAY have been guilty of jumping the gun somewhat. Thankfully, though, the duo of Ustaads talked better sense into me, by insisting that we wait until the Phantom gets a bit of a road / off-road trial. That way, only THOSE modifications will be carried out, which are REALLY required...rather than spending time and money on a PERCEIVED need, which may NOT be needed, after all.

Logical advice!

Hit and Trial is the name of the game in Pakistan.

[fouadhafeez]

Hit and Trial is the name of the game in Pakistan.

You're right. At best, you can visualise / conceptualise what you want and then make plans in anticipation. On the other hand, sourcing of parts, availability of trained experts, and a general lack of awareness on so many modifications that might be required, dictate how our rebuilds progress.

Thus far, I've been fairly lucky with the Phantom. But then, that has largely been due to the quality of the rebuild team...plus the fact that the exacting, difficult, laborious work pertaining to mechanicals, suspension, steering, and propulsion has only JUST begun.

Let's just hope that my luck holds out for a while longer!

[fouadhafeez]

As of 15 minutes ago...

...the Phantom lives!

[fouadhafeez]

I've just gotten off the phone with Irfan (my driver), who's been overseeing the work on the cars in my forced absence from Pindi between the weekends.

According to him, the first start was actually anti-climactic...because they were expecting that the engine (which is, after all, a second-hand one) would require some coaxing before it started. However, the first crank of the key,and it fired to life!

Irfan was even more excited than me, when he told me about this. The engine apparently purrs at low revs, and REALLY generates some decibels at higher revs. The gear is slick and engages beautifully. Understandably, he didn't drive it around too much, but as a trial, he did nudge it against a road partition (divider) near City Sadar Road, over which the machine climbed effortlessly. In THIRD gear, from a standstill!

Apparently, those 7:37 diffs are doing a great job.

So is the steering, which (according to Irfan) "turns with a single finger"...although the steering DOES need to be fixed slightly, since (as yet), the "cut" is somewhat inequal.

Pick is "der aala", and the drive is "bilkul makhan ki tarah". The throttle response rivals "petrol waali gaadiyaan". All of which are Irfan's superlatives...not mine!

Now, I realise that in his exuberance, Irfan MAY be going somewhat over the top with his accolades. This is something I'm going to have to verify for myself over the weekend, Insha Allah.

It's a nice feeling to cross milestones, though!

[Saaduk]

Congrats sirjee. Looks like a dream come true for all of us enthusiasts even though it's not my ride I'm Actually very excited and happy about it :). One thing I'll like to mention is that even though you may have spent a hell lot of money on the phantom which for sure made it look apart, the amazing point is that you have done it way too quickly. Best wishes.

[fouadhafeez]

Congrats sirjee. Looks like a dream come true for all of us enthusiasts even though it's not my ride I'm Actually very excited and happy about it :). One thing I'll like to mention is that even though you may have spent a hell lot of money on the phantom which for sure made it look apart, the amazing point is that you have done it way too quickly. Best wishes.

Thank you, brother

Perhaps the congratulations are just a teeny bit premature...because I sense there's going to be a LOT of stuff still to continue. There's going to be loads and loads of tests and trials and sorting out niggling little problems that are bound to crop up. The "final" denting is STILL to be completed. The interior has hardly STARTED, yet. And then, the paint job is a PITA of a totally different kind, altogether!

Like I was saying earlier, though...it's a good feeling that the fruits of labour (and money) are finally becoming visible. Credit must go to the rebuild team for having worked tirelessly on the project, thus far. And as always, the advice and opinion, and good wishes of friends (romans, and countrymen alike) have been instrumental in getting to even THIS mile-marker, with relatively no problems, within a reasonably short period of time.

Cheers, Saad.

Thanks again!

[hsumbal1]

I've just gotten off the phone with Irfan (my driver), who's been overseeing the work on the cars in my forced absence from Pindi during the weekends.

According to him, the first start was actually anti-climactic...because they were expecting that the engine (which is, after all, a second-hand one) would require some coaxing before it started. However, the first crank of the key,and it fired to life!

Irfan was even more excited than me, when he told me about this. The engine apparently purrs at low revs, and REALLY generates some decibels at higher revs. The gear is slick and engages beautifully. Understandably, he didn't drive it around too much, but as a trial, he did nudge it against a road partition (divider) near City Sadar Road, over which the machine climbed effortlessly. In THIRD gear, from a standstill!

Apparently, those 7:37 diffs are doing a great job.

So is the steering, which (according to Irfan) "turns with a single finger"...although the steering DOES need to be fixed slightly, since (as yet), the "cut" is somewhat inequal.

Pick is "der aala", and the drive is "bilkul makhan ki tarah". The throttle response rivals "petrol waali gaadiyaan". All of which are Irfan's superlatives...not mine!

Now, I realise that in his exuberance, Irfan MAY be going somewhat over the top with his accolades. This is something I'm going to have to verify for myself over the weekend, Insha Allah.

It's a nice feeling to cross milestones, though!

Your driver Irfan is a lucky man....the update is mouth watering

[fouadhafeez]

Your driver Irfan is a lucky man....the update is mouth watering

You're absolutely right about Irfan. I envy his job! LOL

[DeeDee]

Mubarak on first crank... its time to celebrate the phases of project Punga... and sweet is due on you... in case you are absent from the project, please tell someone to keep sharing sweet on you behalf seriously

[fouadhafeez]

You're absolutely right, Boss...Mithai to banti hai!

Inshallah, I'll be present at City Sadar Road with a tokra on Saturday!

[fouadhafeez]

Another quick update: we've got the shocks fitted onto the beast. The shock absorbers are Rancho RS5000s (front and rear) which (according to Irfan) look absolutely smashing, and fit like a charm. Also, a temporary exhaust has also been bolted onto the engine, so that the Phantom sounds somewhat civilized now.

As advised by Akif Janjua sahib, we aren't putting on the steering dampers just yet. Those will come on, only once we get everything with the steering perfectly sorted out. And that too, only if needed.

On another happy note...the Phantom is going to be home over the weekend for test and trial. I have the feeling I MAY end up doing nasty things to it!

[fouadhafeez]

By Allah's grace, the Phantom spent its first night at home, after I'd thrashed it about some, yesterday.

The detailed de-briefing about performance, trouble areas, problems and required improvements will follow...but for now, here're some pictures of the beast, OUTSIDE of the confines of City Sadar Road!

[fouadhafeez]

[fouadhafeez]

[fouadhafeez]

[nn]

Looking good!

What sort of tyre pressures do you have or should be kept in these monsters!

[fouadhafeez]

And...a short clip of the 1HZ firing up...

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rsp6Qk1LmkE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[fouadhafeez]

Looking good!

What sort of tyre pressures do you have or should be kept in these monsters!

Thanks for the good wishes, boss.

According to what I've read off the 'Net, Super Swampers of this size, should maintain the following tyre pressures:-

Extreme Off-Roading (Mud, Sand, Rock): 0-5 PSI (with a beadlock)
"Normal" Off-Roading: 5-20 PSI (beadlock may be required for lower pressures)
Tarmac Use: >20 PSI

[nn]

To me the cranking required to start the engine seemed rather prolonged, once started the engine sounded lovely though!

Any plans for bead locks, otherwise I feel keeping tyre pressure 15psi + would be necessary, as filling up these monsters with ordinary portable pumps would be impossible if it ever does deflate during offroading. Would be worth enquiring what sort of tyre pressures ordinary tractors here use for their rear tyres during normal use?

[noman8ff]

Many many congratulations sir, it sounds great.

And, "AIK AZAAD MULK KAY AZAAD SHEHRI KI HESIAT SE HAM SAB KO APNI KHWAHISHAAT KA IZHAAR KARNA CHAHIYE". "SIR AAP KI GAARI KO DEKH DEKH KAY AANKHAIN KHARAAB HO GAI HAIN, KYA KABHI ISS MAIN BETHNAY KA BHI MAUQA MILAY GA"? If yes, than please i am going to be the first one to sit on the co driver's seat with you. I really want to see myself on top of the world.

Guys, lets make a list, off course with the permission of the owner
1. Noman Hadi
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