Is the Ashok Leyland Dost Strong truly the hype it is being made out to be?

Question

The Ashok Leyland Dost Strong is mainly suited for urban and semi-urban transportation, but some people are looking to use it in rugged off road applications. This has prompted enthusiasts and business owners to discuss and weigh how the vehicle may be modified to improve its offroad capacity, without undermining its established raison d’être as an LCV. Everything from matching all terrain tires and suspension upgrades to taller trucks and genuine 4x4 conversions through to anything in between. The debate also includes the legality and practicality of doing so, as well as the effects that this might have on the warranty and overall performance of the vehicle.

Deepak · Accepted Answer

Absolutely! I’ve been running the Dost Strong for my small business for over a year now and it’s been a complete workhorse. The capacity is impressive, and it drives like a dream, even fully laden.

Angad · Answer

Eh, I'm not entirely convinced. It's not bad, by no means, but I've had LCVs that were better in the same ballpark. The Tata Intra V30, for instance, offers similar features at a more competitive price point.

Sana · Answer

The hype is real, folks! Dost Strong’s modular design is what sets it apart from the competition. It is easy for me to switch between different body types as needed. It was like having various vehicles in a single place.

Piyush · Answer

I believe this is dependent on your particular requirements. The Dost Strong is great for urban deliveries. However, if you plan on taking longer routes or very rough terrains, you will want to pick another option.

Sachin · Answer

As a fleet manager, I would like to say that the Dost Strong has substantially cut our operational costs. It is very fuel efficient and has so far been very low maintenance.

Gaurav · Answer

It's good, but not revolutionary. In fact, the Mahindra Bolero Pikup still has a run for its money in terms of overall performance and brand reliability.

Ravi · Answer

However, the Dost Strong is still far ahead in range and time to refuel. Long haul is not there yet for electric LCVs, but they are improving.

Charan · Answer

The future is electric, there is no doubt about it. The Dost Strong, however, is better value for money at this time. In most part of India, the infrastructure for electric vehicles is just not ready.

Krishna · Answer

I’ve used both, and to be honest, the Dost Strong is my go to for my business. Electric LCVs are too expensive for me to be able to afford the downtime for charging.

Harish · Answer

The environmental impact is not to be forgotten about. Although the Dost Strong is efficient for a diesel vehicle, it cannot match the zero emissions of electric LCVs.

Rahul · Answer

The Dost Strong electric LCV is much less expensive at the outset than most electric LCVs. It’s a crucial factor for small businesses. If you can’t afford the vehicle in the first place, you can’t be green.

Shantanu · Answer

So the first thing to address, if you want to get real, is beefing up that suspension. A 2 inches lift kit would do wonders for ground clearance and not give away too much stability.

Nirati · Answer

And forget the lift kit, what the Dost Strong really needs is a good set of all terrain tires. That alone would make a huge huge difference off road.

Monika · Answer

Such tiny thinking from you guys. What if we go all out and convert it to 4x4? Any terrain that beast would be quite the thing.

Rahul · Answer

4x4 conversion? That's overkill and probably illegal. I'd look at more practi mod such as skid plates to make the undercarriage less vulnerable and snorkel to ford water.

Manish · Answer

Let’s upgrade the shock absorbers to begin with. It would not void the warranty but would improve the ride quality on rough terrain.

Vibhu · Answer

I feel like we got the wrong idea. The Dost Strong is not a Jeep; it’s an LCV. Perhaps we should concentrate on mods to increase its carrying capacity for rough rural roads rather than trying to make it into an off roader.

Rajat · Answer

I’m not sure about adding a winch to the front bumper. If you are delivering diapers and end up stuck in mud or sand during remote areas, it would be a lifesaver.

Abhishek · Answer

Oh these mods sound great but don’t forget the engine. A bit of extra power will come in handy when climbing steep inclines fully loaded.

Animesh · Answer

Absolutely! For small businesses that wish to retain control over their deliveries, the Dost Strong is perfect. Of course, app based services are convenient but they are no match for the reliability of having your own dedicated vehicle.

Nakul · Answer

I disagree. Services based on mobile apps are much more flexible. It can be scaled up or down instantly depending on demand. If you have Dost Strong, you have fixed costs whether you have deliveries or not.

Ashish · Answer

Why not both? For regular deliveries, I use my Dost Strong and then use app based services during peak times. It's the best of both worlds.

Divya · Answer

If you want to be honest, app based services are the way of the future. The Dost Strong is good, but it does not compare with the convenience and affordability of platforms such as Porter or LetsTransport.

Nimish · Answer

I feel we are missing the boat on this one. And what if Ashok Leyland partnered with these apps, and gave the Dost Strong the status of a preferred vehicle for delivery partners? It could be a game-changer.

Aditi · Answer

I have used both and I can say that the Dost Strong provides peace of mind. Driver availability and surge pricing during busy times is no worry.

Punit · Answer

Absolutely! Dost Strong’s payload capacity is perfect to carry all the kitchen equipment. Also, it is fuel efficient, which is crucial in the food business because of the lower running costs.

Bhawesh · Answer

I'm not so sure. A comfortable working space might be a bit narrow in the cargo area. It would take some serious modifications for it to be feasible as a food truck.

Raj · Answer

Why not? I know of some tremendous conversions of smaller vehicles. However, the Dost Strong may make for a great compact food truck in an urban setting, with clever design.

Saurabh · Answer

However, the main question is if it’s food safe. To run a micro farmer on the spot you'd need to make sure you do it properly in terms of insulation and temperature control and this might be tricky if you are not running the vehicle with the purpose already in mind.

Aditi · Answer

I think it's overkill. A Tata Ace being a smaller vehicle would suit the needs of a food truck as it would be more maneuverable in crowded areas where food trucks usually schools.

Saurabh · Answer

You're all missing the point. The biggest asset a food truck has is reliability, and the Dost Strong has this in spades. No one wants their kitchen to break down in the middle of a busy service!

Anika · Answer

Let's think outside the box. Would the supplies from the Dost Strong work well as a mobile prep kitchen, or storage unit, to back up a smaller food truck? Best of both worlds!

Charan · Answer

What really sets the Dost Strong apart from other food trucks is the fuel efficiency. This means there is a larger profit margin for every dish sold, because running costs are lower.

Abhinav · Answer

Last year I converted my Dost Strong into food truck, and it’s been amazing. The key is finding a good fabricator who understands the food service and vehicle requirements.

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Is the Ashok Leyland Dost Strong truly the hype it is being made out to be?

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