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I've signed up for the Absolute Newbie and Newbie Level drive. With all the new members that joined the last couple of weeks it might be good for me to get to know them as i've been away for a while. At the same time would gladly assist in recoveries, popouts, or other. Hope that is fine.

Gentleman. Need input on car strictly for offroading. I have come across couple of pathfinder on various platforms ranging from 6k-15K manual and automatic both. Also i have seen couple of Pajero SWB old 1996-2000 models. Main Criteria is trouble free offroading!!!

don't do this to your car, it will do more bad than good to your car and wheels and rims, and eventually your pocket, if you know what i mean. a good shovel is 100 times better, and 100 times cheaper, and by shovel i mean a real shovel by the way, not that foldable spoon that @Gaurav keeps joking about.

After buying 10k ride and spending 5 -7 k for mods and overhauling, better to buy 20k Xterra, in stock condition it can outperform most of the capable 4x4.

Scratches and bends, and rubbing... Some of them they have extensions or expanded part

You mean with 500K and not 500 Dhs. lololol. @AKR bash plate was a must in your case and good you sorted it out. You should have discussed the thickness here before getting it done as 4MM is borderline OK and might bend with a hard impact. Ideal bash plate thickness should be 6-8MM at least.

It's not easy to find a decent Pajero SWB 1996-2000 models anymore. Most of them have the 3.0 6G72 engine, which in most cases will need an overhaul after doing many GCC miles. They are however easy to work on and not complicated. (SOHC). The 99 and 2000 models are called blister-fenders, because they have the wider wheel arches. Most of them will be automatic transmission. If you want a 3.5 24Valve one like @Gaurav has, then definitely you'll need to search for a needle in a haystack. And be ready to inject some cash into them to get them running properly again.

Auto Pathfinder 3.5

100 Points awarded to @LewisCocks90 for sharing the "Full Drive Video".

Just like to mention, that timing is 6:30AM and not 7:00 like previous drives.

Flying wrangler and Flying FJs and Pajero too😂

@syedyaseer worried and watchful of the Front bumper and also of the flying wrangler at the rear.... 😉

Thanks for the advise @Gaurav, i will have to get another 4mm bash plate to protect the current bash plate. Its like college all over again. 😉

Seems like a waste to spend so much money on a Jeep. BTW- what is the top speed one could reasonably expect to achieve with this monstrosity? I realize that this thing was most likely built for rock crawling and not for speed despite the two turbos, but I would be surprised if it were possible to exceed about 30 km/h with this thing without precipitating a fatal death wobble.

@Rahimdad My first drive with you all was really awesome. i felt a bug called offroad has stung me. Only issue during the drive because of which i was not able to enjoy to the fullest was getting under body hit because of unexpected jump or similar. After every steep dune(for me every dune was a challenge) i was looking on to my bumpers just to ensure it is not scratched . Also i remember someone saying during the drive. You should never take your 1 lac or above car to the desert 😁

Thanks for this heads up @G.huz I always wanted to try these out to be honest after seeing several marketing videos. However, I have spent all my life in marketing and advertising so believe too little on those videos and always shy to buy these stuff because of my single concern: Breaking or damaging flaps inside the wheel arc. Can you please explain more in detail how these can damage the wheel if the car has enough clearance?

Try to get one with lowest possible mileage..preferably less than 200k km.

@Srikumar. Thanks for quick response. Mileage noted on cars are somewhere from 170K-350K. is it OK to buy cars if they are in decent condition?

If you get either one in clean condition I would suggest to check it out. Pathfinder parts might be cheaper than the Pajero and more easily available. Also ensure that the Pathfinder is a 3.5 and not the 3.0 or 3.3 version. On these cars automatic would be preferred, unless you fancy driving a manual. Both cars should be bought for less than 10k and you need to keep approx 5k for upgrading it

Wow! Thank you very much.

Guys, please sign up anyone drives out of two posts, both are on the same day, time and place, but diff levels. Absolute Newbie and Newbie level Fewbie and Newbie + level If you have signed up for both in the calendar, please remove from anyone drive.

I would say to wait and save so you can upgrade to something better with adjustable trackbars and control arms once you are more experienced. Answering your question, the answer is simple, a 2 inch lift won't mess with the center of gravity, typically something above 3 inch would be of some concern, but even then, if it is done properly it would not cause issues. I agree with @desertdude spacers are not a good way to go I think they are just for looks but it wont really improve the drive.

I will try to upload today, it takes some time to put all the videos together and upload them do to the size. I just received a higher capacity memory card so we will see your Cherokee in 4K next time. 😀

I would advise against spacers, they just raise you center of gravity without much benefit. You'll still have the same wobbly ride because suspension is the same, infant you'll be even more wobbly because now you are taller with the same stock soft suspension. Your wheel travel will not improve and you will still bottom out the suspension at the same rate as stock. My personal preference and one I've always used is using taller stiffer coils with stock shocks. This gives a good mix of on and offtoad ability. Not to stiff on the road and not too soft off road. And as a newbie/fewbie stay 2" or under. But my ost pertinent advise would be since you are still new at this. Develop your offroading skill rather than modify your tools. At 20 drives in I doubt you have maxed out the FJ, regardless of how shit I think it is, it's still a capable off roader and it probably has a lot more to give before it's actually the FJ that is holding you back

Well I thought I'd give you a heads up. There is a reason why the E90 is labeled the most unreliable BMW ever, more like a ticking time bombirs a question of not IF but when.

An enthralling offroad experience awaits for absolute newbies to self-drive their 4X4 to venture through the desert safely with offroad experts. It's time to enjoy an early morning sunrise and adrenaline dose in fresh sand dunes to challenge your senses and 4x4, with the best offroad enthusiast's. This drive is perfect for absolute newbie and newbies, of course, others are most welcome to join and support and enjoy the chilled out morning drive. This drive offers a perfect opportunity to learn offroading in a very safe and easy track to medium rolling dunes. Looking for an easy relaxing drive for everyone with plenty of opportunities to learn and grow, hill climb, and ridge riding. Newbies will have a great chance to see and learn the real fun that off-roading offers in a very safe and organized environment. When: 19 April 2019 Meeting time: 6:30 AM, the convoy will move at sharp 6:45 AM Where: ADNOC on Maliha ROad GPS Coordinate: https://goo.gl/maps/1W6B6SKNbrz Level: Absolute Newbies and Newbie and above Type of Car: Any proper 4x4 with front and back tow hooks and 10 inches of ground clearance. Plan: Drive, train and enjoy till about 11:00 AM What to bring along: Snacks - whatever you like with little extra to share, water, liquids, smiles, stories, enthusiasm and willingness to learn. Approximate finish time: 11:00 AM Please RSVP on the below calendar:

Oil Changes no, because no place, too messy and too much faff to get rid of the used oil. Not that I haven't done it, but just not worth it. Have a specific LR diagnostic tool, not very advanced but not basic like an OBD either, been very helpful. I've done ECUs, Fuseboxes, rewiring,electrical, mechanical engine and drive train, interior and body. But automatic transmissions is where I call it quits and would call a professional.

Different horses for different courses. Personally, I swear by manual transmission. I have many friends on here who swear by automatic transmission. You just need to try both and see what suits you.

Naah, don't do that strength doest multiply in metal like this that 4x2=8 Drive it for now and when this gets bad hit or deform, change it to 6/8 mm.

@Gaurav Sir i have gone thru the above article once. But yes, need to re-read it just to ensure nothing critical is missed.

It's a good decision @syedyaseer to have a separate offroad ride than your daily driver. Go through this classic post, solely made for this advice

So many good advises by all. My Pathy is the 2001 model which is the last of 3.3 litre engine., post 2002 models are 3.5 litre which is highly recommended. Automatic or manual depends on your preference, as @Srikumar said less the 200k kilometres on the odometer would be nice, but make sure they are original miles and not tampered with.

@Frederic your efforts and thoughtfulness is much appreciated. We would love to have you on either drive.

Thanks this was nice and motivating, I love doing these research and if ppl here help me enough we can build more segments like best fuel economy compact cars, best fuel ecomony sedan cars, best fuel economy luxury cars, best fuel economy suv, best fuel economy 4x4 etc.

100 Points awarded to @Frederic for this "Exceptional Post".

Guys, please sign up anyone drives out of two posts, both are on the same day, time and place, but diff levels. Absolute Newbie and Newbie level Fewbie and Newbie + level If you have signed up for both in the calendar, please remove from anyone drive.

I would join this morning desert expedition for sure !

It's low hanging fruit so to put a bashplate was a good idea. But welding it in place, not so much.

Here’s how we solved the problem

Fitting by welding. Meaning its welded in place? That doesn't sound good. What if you need to remove it to access say a lower hose pipe or when replacing a radiator etc etc.

Same here

I have signed up for both drives. I am ok to be in either one as the Leads decide

Try explaining that to RTA when registering the color of your car 🤣🤣

If you buy few Pajeros in different colors might be cheaper than putting that on one Pajero....such things could be breaking the bank...

Nice montage !

A Must Refuelling Can in all off roading cars.

Let me introduce myself first. My name is Rahimdad and I have been on the off-road scene now for over 10 years. I am registered with EMSF (Emirates Motor Sports Federation) and I have marshaled many events including the Gulf News Fun Drive, Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, Dubai Desert Challenge and the Dubai Desert Moto X events. Now that you know me a bit better, lets find out what are modifications, basically modifications are any changes made to your vehicle which change the characteristics of the vehicle from its original built. There are power modifications, which change the power and torque ratio of your stock vehicle, some of these can be done without detection while others are visible and illegal in UAE. The ride height of the vehicle can be modified, and where some people prefer to lower their rides as a sports modification, the off-road community looks at increasing the height of the 4x4 for better clearance. Than there are visual modifications which change the look of your vehicle, this can be achieved through some body kits, spoilers or something as simple as stickers. So with all my experience what would I recommend for off-road modifications. many a times I have seen people who get interested in off-roading and want to experience it first hand. First things first you need a 4x4 which would serve your purpose, so you ask a few experienced drivers and they give you a few models to choose from. Than they start asking for mods for their chosen vehicle and they would go for the mods ending up spending a small fortune. Than they would venture out to the desert with a group who would guide him through the terrain. They would either feel that the small fortune they have spent in making their ride does not perform well as it is getting stuck or its not quite the sport for them. Guess what, this small fortune they have spent is a complete waste, as now they do not want to pursue the sport for one reason or the other and they would never get back the money spent to built the vehicle, which means a total loss. I have never made any power mods and never felt the need to upgrade the power of any of my off-road vehicles due to my style of driving. As I have not made any power mods I am not the best person to comment on this either. For small power gains which would not be noticeable and would not get you in trouble with the law, you can install platinum plugs with high performance wire set. Another small gain from changing the stock filter to an after market one with similar look and feel as your original air filter (cone filters are against the law, although sold in a few shops). Changing the exhaust pipe give you moderate gains, but a nice sound to your car added with a cone filter (straight pipes are also not allowed as cat back system is important). he main gains would come when you change the header and reprogram your vehicle (also not allowed in UAE). This is for information purpose from my understanding and I have never made any power mods and I will not recommend it to anyone. The lesser engine power you have, the more scope you have of learning and the better you can perform with a higher spec vehicle. I feel a lift is important for some of the vehicles, specially the newer ones, but you cannot make any mods on a new car without losing warranty. Trading Enterprise, Jeep are the only one who void only the warranty for the suspension if you make any mods through them and loads their system with the warranty of the company that you are using to change the suspension system. There are many ways to lift a vehicle, mostly through aftermarket suspension kits which come with a warranty of their own. in my case I had lifted my Jeep Commander 5.7 Hemi with Coil Spring Spacers which were the only option, this gave me 2 inch more of clearance and the ability to put in slightly bigger tires. On my Land Rover Discovery i did not lift it at all, since I really liked the feel of the original soft suspensions and I found a way to manage my Discovery without having any major issues. For my pathfinder I have just gone to one of the Sharjah suspension shops and got it done really cheap by just changing the springs to slightly harder and about 2 inches bigger than the original springs. With bigger tires I have managed enough height to give me a peace of mind in any terrain. With my Pathfinder I do feel that there is slight issue with the tire rubbing on full turns, but I try to manage it without further mods. I have never tried to change the looks of my car, and it is also something which is not allowed by the laws in UAE, even stickers are not allowed and at the time of passing they can fail you car for a simple sticker. This is just a short write up to make people aware that you do not need to mod your car before bringing it out to the desert, only make the mods you feel necessary when you are serious about the sport. Don't think that overly modified vehicles will give you knowledge on how to treat a terrain and navigate through it. I will end with one of my friend's example, he had a Pajero 3.8 liter 2008 model and the only modification he ever made was a steel plate on the rear of his vehicle to protect the rear bumper, this was a bolt on application that could be removed at the time of passing. He has manged all terrains with us and is very capable with minimum modification. Everybody, please feel free to comment and add to this thread, or start a new thread on this section if you feel you have something new to add.