Mahindra Major

Mahindra Major

Mahindra Major was a renamed update of the Jeep CJ3B, developed by Mahindra and Mahindra. It was first marketed in 2004. It has the altered "New Generation Chassis," which was a 115 x 60 mm steel box section rather than the 100 x 50 mm C-section used earlier. This chassis was first seen on the Armada beginning in January 1998 and gradually filtered into the rest of Mahindra's range. The Major has some other differences from the old CJ3B:

• A more powerful & fuel efficient MDI (Super) 3200 engine, with quick starting response and lower oil consumption, as opposed to the F134 engine of the CJ3B, though the F134 was quieter.
• A new inline fuel injection system for higher fuel average and lower maintenance, later a rotary type pump was used.
• Modified rear axle ratio and OEY axle lower maintenance costs.
• New vinyl seats, new steering wheel, new front apron cover, new superstructure and new canopy.
• Radial tyres for longer life, better ride and handling.
• It was made using tooling from the discontinued Mitsubishi Jeeps, and distinctive from the CJ3B based Mahindra vehicles in the following ways:
• The firewall was away from the passenger compartment
• The driver seat was lower
• The foot rests were made from pipe rather than a single stamping.
• The canvas hood side windows had a different design.
• The engines were modified International Harvester diesels, 3.5 inch bore X 4 inch stroke, with direct injection, turbocharging and a 'steel' head which did not corrode so easily as the older cast iron type. 3200 refers to the RPM, output was about 63 HP.
• Mahindra is India's biggest tractor maker, started with licensed production of International Harvester tractors.
• The picture is of a Mahindra MM550, earlier called CJ 540, and MM540 (CJ was dropped when they separated from Jeep license), engines were 62 HP Peugeot 4.88, later 74 HP Peugeot 4.90 diesels, and rarely Isuzu 1800 cc petrol sourced locally from Hindustan Motors. Vehicles sold to Iran had Mitsubishi petrol engines, and most had the Dana Spicer 5 speed gearbox, made under license by Mahindra Spicer, part of the Mahindra group. The 540 had a KIA designed 4 speed gearbox.

The Major replaced the CJ500D/CL550 models and was placed below the posher Mahindra Thar. The wheelbase is 91 in (2,300 mm) and the track is up three inches to 51 in (1,300 mm).

Production ceased on 1 October 2010, and was reported as the last flat fender jeep to go out of production in the world.