[9] While the first 3500 vehicles were directly imported from Japan during the Sino-Indian War (these were the earlier 62-64 Nissan P60, identified by a 3-slot air vent on the windscreen, as well as 2-piece doors.

The engine used a Hitachi Carburetor, which had a higher power rating, producing 145Hp and 31.7Kgm of Torque, and the distributor was water sealed too, which allowed a high fording depth of 2.5 feet, compared the Jonga manufactured by VFJ, which inturn was based on the later 64-66 Nissan Patrol P60, identified by a 2-piece air vent on the windscreen, which the single piece doors of the 64-66 patrol were replaced with a 2-piece door, with the lower section similar to the earlier 62-64 Nissan Patrol, but instead of the pressed steel top half of the earlier doors, it used a simple round bar metal frame, and it lacked the glass too, instead replaced with a canvas cover.

The earlier Jonga still used a Hitachi carburetor and a water-sealed distributor, and therefore had a similar power rating to the Nissan Patrol.

However, as the indigenous content was increased, the distributor was replaced with a locally sourced unit which lacked the water-sealing of the earlier distributor, therefore fording depth dropped down to 17 inches, while the carburetor was replaced with a locally manufactured Solex unit, abruptly bringing down power rating from 145Hp to a mere 110Hp, and Torque to 27.5kgm.

As the Jonga's design was based on the Nissan P60 and 4W73, it made maintenance easy due to access to COTS parts.

[7] In 1996, the VFJ introduced the new 3.0L Hino diesel engine for civilian versions,[2][10] which was sourced with assistance from Ashok Leyland.

[9] In 2014, it was reported that the Advanced Material and Process Research Centre (AMPRI) was working on an aluminum-based composite material, which was used to develop a brake drum from a combination of metal, ceramic and aluminum, and for other automobile components; this was produced in partnership with the Vehicle Research and Development Establishment (VRDE).