Pro Color Body Shop needs no introduction. This Kerala based outfit has been in the business of modifying vehicles for a while now and we even featured them when they decided to modify a Force Gurkha into a Mercedes-Benz G Wagon in 2016. This time they are back with a Mahindra Thar modification project that they wanted to turn into something that was totally different from what anyone else did. After all, the Mahindra Thar is probably the most modified 4×4 in India and when you have an ambition to deliver something different, you must realize that going up against the 1000 brilliant modifications that already exist is a tall order.
Regardless, Pro Color Body Shop set out to do just that and the result is nothing short of amazing. After a lot of research, it was decided to convert the Mahindra Thar into a Jeep Wrangler JK and all the donor parts from the original wrangler were brought in. The challenge, however, was to perfectly fit these parts to the Thar as the Wrangler JK series is larger than a stock Thar. Having said that, Pro Color Body Shop wanted to carry out the modifications without too many structural changes and not deviate for the Thar’s original dimensions too much.
Precise drawings were created, hard board dummy panels were made and eventually the final plan was laid out on what had to be done for this epic rebuild. Pro Color Body Shop also set out with a proper work flow schedule and key rules on who they would go about the rebuild. This included the fact that they refused to use gas cutters on metal panels and only carried out the cutting work using pneumatic and rotary cutters for a better finish. Sheet bending was done using hydraulic presses and sheet bending machines as opposed to hard hammering or heating and they also decided to use very little body filler or putty for the workmanship had to show from the metal finish itself.
As they worked on the Thar, the fine blokes at Pro Color Body Shop kept a stringent eye on fitment quality in order to ensure that factory-finish look. The end result is probably the best Mahindra Thar modification we have seen and the fit and finish is really commendable.
Key work undertaken in carrying out this project includes a hard top fabricated from 18-gauge steel with double layer sheets that have foam sandwiched in between for better heat and sound insulation. The windshield frame had to be revised to match with the hard top and the front design. This required Pro Body Color Shop to redo the windshield to sit flush with the metal rather than have that conventional rubber moulding mounted look that the stock Thar comes with. The front bumper and bonnet are custom made designs however the front grille of the Thar has been replaced with an imported ‘Angry Bird’ type grille that is used on the JK series. The original bush-whacker wheel arches found on the JK series have also been employed on this modified Thar and they did need a bit of tinkering with in order to achieve that custom fit. The rear on this modified Thar gets a barn type tailgate with a reinforced structure that can carry the load of the spare wheel. This tailgate also allows the rear passengers to get in easily and access their front facing individual bucket seats.
Finishing off the exterior in the same dual tone Jeep Wrangler JK series red was a no-brainer choice for this modification task. In order to achieve that fine paint finish, the full body was primed using marine grade primer for better rust protection as well.
The cabin of this Thar has been soundproofed and vibrations have also been checked and reduced to a minimum. It gets proper floor carpeting, roof lining and a seat configuration that includes four bucket seats with armrests. The dashboard has been finished in a classy black to match the overall interior colour scheme.
Pro Body Color Shop took a little over 9 months to finish this project as they wanted to deliver a custom job that boasted of fine precision and a neat finish. To do so required them to follow a very strict schedule that included stringent quality checks at every stage of construction. The end result speaks for itself and the quality workmanship is clearly visible. The aggressive muscular looks, firecracker red paint finish and flared arches add to this vehicle’s beauty and like I said earlier, this is probably the best Thar modification we have come across till date.
How much does it cost? Well, for that you can get in touch with the Pro Body Color Shop @ 9446046002. They are located near the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Kundanoor, Cochin and are worth visiting if you intend on getting a premium custom job done.