Everyone who sees N. Balaji's jeep thinks it is a MUTT (Multi Utility Tactical Truck made by Ford for the American Army). They are not at fault, because it is a 1983 CJ-3B that has been modified to pass off as a MUTT.
Converting an Indian military-disposed CJ-3B that has been stripped of all warfare-related accessories into a MUTT is the same as equipping a hatchback with the features of an unrelated sedan.
Balaji has been selling pre-owned four-wheelers for two decades and has on his finger tips a directory of automobile shops that sell parts of exotic, out-of-production vehicles. But nothing he knew prepared him for the conversion project in 2004, the year he got the CJ-3B as a result of an Army disposal. He plunged into the project, with only a scale model of a M151A2 and information gleaned from the Internet to guide him.
Unexpectedly, it took four long years to complete it. K. Ganesh of Pollachi, the tinkerer employed for the job, could not accept any other work for a long time on account of this project. “He comes from a lineage of goldsmiths and this job required great attention to detail, an essential aspect of intricate jewellery designing,” says Balaji. Many of the parts unique to the M151A2 were fabricated.
Three bonnets went down the drain, while attempting to chisel the folds on the sides, characteristic of this MUTT model. The grille had to have horizontal slats, in contrast to the vertical ones sported by a CJ-3B. Replicating a profusion of features that make a M151A2 was difficult, but that was nothing compared to the unexpected mechanical problems that had to be tackled.
For greater power, Balaji had installed the 2.1 litre Peugeot engine and when it was time for the hand-crafted machine to be pulled by the powerful engine, the wheels were not turning properly. “The tyres were hitting the chassis,” says Balaji. Introducing spacers was an option, but he didn't go for it, fearing wobbling. He solved the problem ably by choosing to install front and rear axles of a Mahindra Armada.
While Ganesh impressed Balaji with his effort to study the scale-model and photos, downloaded from the Internet, and craft the monkey and map-reading lamps to perfection, mechanic Damodaran charmed him with the ingenuity he displayed while making the extreme mechanical changes.
“Just as many people work behind the scenes to give a hero a stunning makeover, these men have patiently worked on the look and the character of this jeep,” says Balaji.
Interestingly, the CJ3B with its permanent MUTT makeover is headed for tinsel glory. “It is the hero's constant companion in an upcoming film. It is so pervasive that the crew call it the second hero,” says the proud architect of the machine.
