Morning Newbie Desert Drive - Fayah - Abu Dhabi - 5 Oct 2024

[Gaurav]

3 hours ago, ALEX 0171 said:

At any rate, and after a lot of advise I did the 4.5" in the end and with hindsight I'm glad I went for it. I've seen a lot of other jeeps with even 3" lifts or below struggle considerably when cresting.

Skills have no match to mods.

By the way, with stock vs. any lift, you still have the same true ground clearance, as only the body gets lift and not the chassis. So technically, people who are cresting at stock height will also get crests with 2-3-4-6 inches of lift if they don't learn how to cross the dune with a mix of art and science.

How to cross dune with zero lift:

1. Approach the dune with fluid momentum and leave the gas when the side view mirror reaches the crest.
   • Area ahead of side view mirror, dashboard and steering holds 70% weight of your car.
   • When you gracefully transfer 70% weight of your car to the other side of the dune, you will never get stuck.
2. Let gravity pull you to the other side gracefully until you have a clear view of what is down below.
   • Do not interfere with gravity by proactive braking to avoid getting stuck.
3. Apply the brake according to the drop on the other side.

1+3 = Art + 2 = Science.

[DP1011]

4 hours ago, Gaurav said:

Skills have no match to mods.

By the way, with stock vs. any lift, you still have the same true ground clearance, as only the body gets lift and not the chassis. So technically, people who are cresting at stock height will also get crests with 2-3-4-6 inches of lift if they don't learn how to cross the dune with a mix of art and science.

How to cross dune with zero lift:

1. Approach the dune with fluid momentum and leave the gas when the side view mirror reaches the crest.
   • Area ahead of side view mirror, dashboard and steering holds 70% weight of your car.
   • When you gracefully transfer 70% weight of your car to the other side of the dune, you will never get stuck.
2. Let gravity pull you to the other side gracefully until you have a clear view of what is down below.
   • Do not interfere with gravity by proactive braking to avoid getting stuck.
3. Apply the brake according to the drop on the other side.

1+3 = Art + 2 = Science.

@Gaurav - Before joining Carnity and during first few drives,  I was always an Art student, and now I can call myself a Science student, with Art background, lol  - all with No mods so far ! - So cant agree more to what you mentioned above - Having learnt it hard way myself, when Cresting was my unchosen passion in initial days 

[ALEX 0171]

1 hour ago, Gaurav said:

Skills have no match to mods.

By the way, with stock vs. any lift, you still have the same true ground clearance, as only the body gets lift and not the chassis. So technically, people who are cresting at stock height will also get crests with 2-3-4-6 inches of lift if they don't learn how to cross the dune with a mix of art and science.

How to cross dune with zero lift:

1. Approach the dune with fluid momentum and leave the gas when the side view mirror reaches the crest.
   • Area ahead of side view mirror, dashboard and steering holds 70% weight of your car.
   • When you gracefully transfer 70% weight of your car to the other side of the dune, you will never get stuck.
2. Let gravity pull you to the other side gracefully until you have a clear view of what is down below.
   • Do not interfere with gravity by proactive braking to avoid getting stuck.
3. Apply the brake according to the drop on the other side.

1+3 = Art + 2 = Science.

On 1-3, I am very much looking forward to learn the dark arts & sciences of crest and switching 🤓
And you're right of course, in an ideal situation where you're just switching sides on a crest a lift kit shouldn't make too much of a difference since the diffs clearance are likely to be your limiting factor.

Technically speaking though (the engineer in me apologizes) a lift kit does lift the whole chassis, not just the body, and with it up goes the engine, exhaust, transmission etc, in other words all that bolt to the chassis (hence why the COG moves substantially with any lift kit like you rightly mentioned before). And although the axles haven't moved, the approach, departure and break-over angles have increased because of the extra chassis clearance. So if you're a newbie like me and haven't done things "just right" the first attempt, that extra break over angle may bail you out that split second later, or if you decide to stay on the crest for longer and experience dips and bumps along the crest, that extra clearance in the middle will make things a little less sticky (which is what I was referring to). 

Can't wait to make little crests with you guys this weekend and talk physics in the sand like our ancient ancestors! 😅

 

[ChrisW]

4 hours ago, ALEX 0171 said:

On 1-3, I am very much looking forward to learn the dark arts & sciences of crest and switching 🤓
And you're right of course, in an ideal situation where you're just switching sides on a crest a lift kit shouldn't make too much of a difference since the diffs clearance are likely to be your limiting factor.

Technically speaking though (the engineer in me apologizes) a lift kit does lift the whole chassis, not just the body, and with it up goes the engine, exhaust, transmission etc, in other words all that bolt to the chassis (hence why the COG moves substantially with any lift kit like you rightly mentioned before). And although the axles haven't moved, the approach, departure and break-over angles have increased because of the extra chassis clearance. So if you're a newbie like me and haven't done things "just right" the first attempt, that extra break over angle may bail you out that split second later, or if you decide to stay on the crest for longer and experience dips and bumps along the crest, that extra clearance in the middle will make things a little less sticky (which is what I was referring to). 

Can't wait to make little crests with you guys this weekend and talk physics in the sand like our ancient ancestors! 😅

 

Degree in aerospace engineering and an early career test flying modified aircraft here - I can tell you that one of the glories of off-roading with Carnity is that I’ve never had a moment to think about anything other than what I can see through the window, feel through the seat, and hear from the engine. And sometimes, on a really good day…I’ll remember a wise word or two from our experienced leads. I’ve always ran out of talent before the car ran out of capability. 
 

You’ll have a cracking time, and my advice would be to not overthink it!

Edited October 3, 2024 by ChrisW

[Davie Smooth_Operator]

Dear Desert Wanderers the RSVP is now closed for this drive, @Ishak, @ALEX 0171, @Andreas Riis, @Jose Luis Campos, @Hetal, @Emanuel, @Sam_, @Yurybel, @Arvindraj, @Abhishek Chikara, @Andrei S and @Mehmet Volga, 

• Please read the pre-drive information below:
  • Be ready at the meeting point by 6:30am (or before) with tires deflated and flag up.
  • Please ensure your programable radio is on, fully charged and set to Channel 4 (446,081).
  • For first timers, please complete all of the mandatory readings and watch the video in the main drive post before arriving at the meeting point for this drive.
  • A full pre drive briefing for the drivers will be conducted on the sand before we start moving your full attention will be required. 
  • Please ensure everything in the car is tied down and there are no moving objects, please ensure that you are using cargo straps and not bungy type restraints to tie your gear down.
  • Please check all car fluids (Oil, Coolant, Brake Fluid, etc),
  • Tow hooks are essential front and rear and ensure no hanging parts below the chassis.
  • Please ensure you come with a full tank of fuel (as near to full as possible).
  • Ensure you have all the necessary gear for this drive level especially your tire deflator, pressure gauge, compressor, safety flag and radio. (NO FLAG or RADIO = NO DRIVE)
• Meeting Point:   https://maps.app.goo.gl/acreM77zLxB2MRu76
• Convoy Order will be: 

Edited October 4, 2024 by Davie Chase

[Zubail]

15 hours ago, ChrisW said:

Degree in aerospace engineering and an early career test flying modified aircraft here - I can tell you that one of the glories of off-roading with Carnity is that I’ve never had a moment to think about anything other than what I can see through the window, feel through the seat, and hear from the engine. And sometimes, on a really good day…I’ll remember a wise word or two from our experienced leads. I’ve always ran out of talent before the car ran out of capability. 
 

You’ll have a cracking time, and my advice would be to not overthink it!

1000000% 

[Gaurav]

20 hours ago, DP1011 said:

Having learnt it hard way myself, when Cresting was my unchosen passion in initial days 

We all learned the same way, I still remember my first two years learning with trial and error, where error superseded always.

16 hours ago, ChrisW said:

I can tell you that one of the glories of off-roading with Carnity is that I’ve never had a moment to think about anything other than what I can see through the window, feel through the seat, and hear from the engine.

Thanks @ChrisW for such a bold statement, this means a lot to the whole Carnity team 🙏

[Davie Smooth_Operator]

Agree @Gaurav great insight from @ChrisW and we are still learning today, the beauty of this sport/hobby is it is always throwing up great learnings no matter how little or how much you think you know 😀

[Davie Smooth_Operator]

Dear Desert Wanderers, @Ishak, @ALEX 0171, @Andreas Riis, @Jose Luis Campos, @Hetal, @Emanuel, @Sam_, @Yurybel, @Arvindraj, @Abhishek Chikara, @Andrei S and @Mehmet Volga

Firstly, thank you for all showing up on time this allows us to get the briefing done and get away as early as possible to give us as much time in the sand as possible.

I have shared some pictures of today's drive in the Gallery.

I hope you all enjoyed the drive as much as I did and more importantly all had at least one learning experience, I am always learning as I drive with different people in different areas of the desert. Al Fayah is one of my favorite spots i must admit so it was a great pleasure for me to lead you through the thrills and unique beauty that it has to offer.

You all drove exceptionally well, we did start off with a few refusals as we hit some of the softer patches and we got to grips with driving in softer sand, which is an art form all of its own. We then meandered to the desert fox inhabited rock formation (which is not actually rock but this description sounds best), where we had a photo opportunity, unfortunately we did not see any foxes today but there was evidence of activity in the area. we then continued on our way to the exit where we encountered a straight up and over that gave us our first Stucks of the day, the three shovelers grim (picture in the gallery) worked well to get most of them out until reverting to a little mechanical help for the last one, i think we were all pretty tired by that time :). we then sped across the last piece of desert to our exit poin.

It was great to meet some new team members and see some old faces. 

A big shout out to the three musketeers that supported the drive today, @Ishak in S/L position, handling my instructions with precision and professionalism, keeping the right gap so you could react to my shouts of don't follow, weel done and great job. @Emanuel in the CF position, i hope not a baptism of fire on only your second support drive, you were extremely busy today but handled everything we the convoy could throw at you so well done and fantastic job supporting all the team members. And lasty but not at all least, @Mehmet Volga great job sweeping us today my friend, and fantastic prowess with the shovel, i was impressed by your shoveling skills I must admit  seriously though, great support from all three of you I could not have managed without you so thanks again.

Have a great weekend one and all and hope to see you all in the sand on one of my drives again very soon   

 

 

[Yury.bel]

Tks for today's drive. It was good and fun time. My 2nd drive and front bumper gets worse so next week changing to proper one)))