JONGA - A tribute to Indian army's favourite SUV

In Asia, after the World War II, Japan was in ruins. Roads were badly destroyed and the government was in need of special vehicles. The Japanese government in the late 1940's offered a contract for a Jeep type vehicle for the military, police and fire workers. Engineers at DAT Company in Tokyo worked to fill the need of the government.

 

The first design came about in 1949-1950 and was the 4W60 model.  By mid 1950 the designed and tested model was named Patrol. Nissan saw the need in civilian use in Japan for a vehicle of this type and also around the world. The decision was made to produce the Patrol for civilian use. These early Patrols were mainly used by police, fire and military in Japan. In 1951 the first Patrols were exported outside Japan.

 

Shortly after, in 1960s, Indian Army showed an interest in 2 vehicles from the Nissan stable, they were the Nissan Patrol P60 & the Nissan 4W73.The first production units were completed at Vehicle Factory Jabalpur (VFJ) around 1969. VFJ was sanctioned in 1965 for the production of three non-fighting vehicles for the Indian military: the 3 ton Shaktiman truck from MAN (Germany), the 4W73 (1 ton Carrier) and quarter ton Nissan Patrol.

 

Interestingly, both the vehicles from Nissan stable were fitted with the same engines and lots of parts in common.

JEEP - Faithful as a Dog, Strong as a Mule, Agile as a Goat.

The Nissan P60 was affectionately christened as Jabalpur Ordnance aNd Guncarriage Assembly hence JONGA

Jonga was powered by a six-cylinder 3956cc in-line petrol engine developing 110bhp at 3200rpm. Maximum torque was 26.9kgm at 1200rpm. It had a three-speed gearbox with two-speed shift-on-the-fly 4wd transfer case & a power take off. Some reconnaissance Jongas were equipped with PTO Winches.

 

Specifications :-

 

Manufacturer : Vehicle Factory, Jabalpur.

Engine : 6 Cylinder, 3956cc in-line, petrol engine developing 110 HP @ 3200 RPM.

Max Torque : 26.9 mkg @ 1200 RPM.

Air Cleaner : Oil Bath with cyclonic pre-cleaner.

Clutch : Single plate dry friction type, diameter 280mm

Gear Box : Synchromesh with 3F + 1R.

Transfer Case : Two speed.

Front Axle : Fully floating, driven with birfield joints.
Rear Axle : Semi-floating, tubular with banjo housing differential.
Steering : Worm and Roller.
Brakes : Hydraulic.
Parking Brake : Contracting type on transmission.
Tyre Size : 7.00 x 16 x 6 Ply MRF NDMS
Gradeability : 30º
Min Turning Circle : 10.6 meter
Ground Clearance : 222mm
Payload Capacity : 250 kg

JEEP - Faithful as a Dog, Strong as a Mule, Agile as a Goat.

JONGA was also considered 'Monster on the Move' (link).

Honesty is not a Spare Wheel that you pull out when in trouble. It's a Steering Wheel that keeps you on the right path throughout the life's journey.

Very nice write-up, Sabareesh. Had heard a little about Jonga but had no technical details. Any clue on pricing front? Do we get it new? Does retail happen?



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During the late 90s, VFJ came up with the 4 litre HINO Diesel engine for JONGA. Close to 100 - 150 JONGAs were sold to Civilians. You will be surprised that VFJ never produced the demands of Army's 12,000 vehicles per year. Ironical thing was that even after spending a whopping amount of 24 Crores for revamping the production line, the production fell short of 2,000 vehicles to 8,000 instead of 10,000.

The production of JONGA was stopped in 1999, Mahindra 550 with the XDP engine was brought to service along with the trusty 1.3 Litre Maruti Gypsy King. The JONGA still lives in the bylanes of Mayapuri JEEP markets. Most of the Auctioned JONGAs end up reaching there. The transfercases are removed, they are cut and elongated to various lengths to serve as passenger carriers in the remote areas of Rajasthan & Darjeeling. I managed to fetch some pics from the net, will share them with everyone.


An Ex-army JONGA saved from Scrapyard by an enthusiast


A faithful mule serving its owner




JEEP - Faithful as a Dog, Strong as a Mule, Agile as a Goat.

Here are some more




JEEP - Faithful as a Dog, Strong as a Mule, Agile as a Goat.

In this newpaper cutting, a JONGA is shown carrying the RCL gun




JEEP - Faithful as a Dog, Strong as a Mule, Agile as a Goat.

Hey my friend has one of thsi JONGA! and here is the snap of his Jonga!!



Sri

Wow. Jonga is pretty cool. Any American Muscle lover like be will certainly fall for this one as well. ;)



I tried this and I had understeer, I tried that and I had oversteer, at the end of the corner I just ran out of talent!

 

Sri, Its the same pic that  I posted. It would be great if you can send me some more details and get some more pics from him. I would love to see the interiors. Please get some information from your friend for benefit of all

 

1. Whats the year of manufacture ???

2. Does this have 4 Speed Gearbox or 5 Speeder ??

3. Is the PTO provided in this version ???

4. From where does your friend manage to fetch spares for his JONGA ???

 

JEEP - Faithful as a Dog, Strong as a Mule, Agile as a Goat.