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Trip Report. It all started for me trying to come out of area near my house, jam packed after the Tarawih prayers. This meant I was slightly delayed reaching the deflation point. Thanks to @Emmanuel who rounded up everyone and drove them from the meeting point to the deflation point. It was very relaxed as we chatted about different things before the newbie brief could take place. My special thanks to @Gaurav and @Srikumar for joining our drive. After the newbie brief and convoy numbering we were on our way. There were patches where we got some stucks and other patches which were easier to navigate through. Everybody showed great patience, good convoy discipline and kept moving towards our first goal of reaching Pink Rocks. After some easy bits we were treated to some medium sized stubborn ones and a final hurdle where we came very close to the base of Pink Rocks. We settled in a wide area to have our Suhoor. There was so much food and drinks, thanks to all for a very vast selection. After a filling Suhoor we shared some stories while others listened. During the Suhoor couple of us were treated to some shooting stars. At this point we all started packing up and moved on to the Pink Rocks where everyone played to their hearts content. 3 cars had to leave us here as the rest made way to the other side of Pink Rocks. Once we had crossed we waited shortly for Gaurav and Sri to join us. For me the true fun started here as we played in some awesome dunes. Although we did have a few stucks, but it was enjoyable to play in that area. As I saw the exit close I heard @AKR ask if we were going to exit with a request to continue for half an hour. I asked for a vote and majority were in for another 30 minutes. Once again a few stucks but still firmly touching the Big Red by now, I found a brilliant patch I could race through. Best part was the patch was still virgin and nice area to spend the last 30 minutes. But that quickly changed as some struggled to cross that area. In 2 hours we had the area churned up with very little space to move in. Being stubborn I took my stand that everyone should cross. The sun was out and sapping all our energy away. But with great support from the team and a little extra deflation we had all cleared the area and now trying to head out. From here it was an easy drive down and out to the tarmac area where we inflated and headed back home. Loved the company of excellent people around, good food and awesome team work. Thanks to all the participants, loved every moment. Until next time adios friends. Now looking forward to the Grand Iftar. See you all there.

@yogic72 since you have had a few drives with us already you should already have some idea of what kind of mods you need. Don't let others decide what you need. If you find clearance to be the problem, you need a lift kit. About 2 inch lift will be sufficient and can support bigger tires. Like @Srikumar advised you can have a garage trim the bumpers and other plastic parts to give you the extra clearance. If you want to go the more expensive way you can find metal bumpers with rubber fixtures to escape from RTA passing vows. However nobody can guarantee you that RTA will pass the car after putting metal bumpers, so @Srikumar option sounds reasonable and has worked for others. Please be more specific if you have any other concerns. There are millions of off road mods, but you should have an idea by now what bothers you so we can assist you accordingly.

This is a typical case and we all have gone through several hundred and thousands of dhs quote. My suggestion is don't touch anything in your Prado suspension if it's a daily driver, you will highly regret by firming up the ride for 1-day benefit and leaving you with a sore back for 5/6 days commute. Instead, just remove the lower lip of front bumper and/or trim them safely as much as you can and this same Prado can get you through Newbie and Fewbie level drives easy. And even to an intermediate drive, but with caution. If you have really decided to continue offroad for a long time, then spend the same money on the second car so that: You can have the best of both world (firm + soft) You will always have a backup car Your daily driver will stay clean - always Your offroad ride will be packed up ready always Maximum damage (if happen) will be the cost of an offroad car only You will be more comfortable pushing cheaper offroad ride to redline Distributing the load on two cars will extend both car life significantly

Are you planning to convert your Prado for offroad only....? As with offroad suspension, you will seriously regret the daily comfort no matter with all the switches, settings and options any suspension company advertises.

Had been to Hatta last Friday. We visited Hatta Dam area and Heritage village. Good place to explore. Their is a small park adjacent to Emirtaes NBD bank where kids can have nice time too. Hatta pool is something which need to be explored soon.

Another alternative if you really want to keep the front bumpers very close to stock, you can remove the mud guards in the front of the tyres and get a workshop to trim the bumpers in front of the tyres. Can work out to be quite cost effective as well. Prado, has quite a decent approach angle. If you intend to do more aggressive offroading then it would be advisable to go with what Gaurav has mentioned regarding the bumper along with some firmer suspensions.

For your shape Prado, there is a modified bumper available for offroad - part metal + plastic + rubber that should suffice the RTA clause of no full metal bumper. Go to tires and accessories shop near Sahara center before Troy university crossroad and many shops have ARB, TJM and ARB look-like bumpers for Prado. My price guess will be in range 1500 - 2000 dhs max depending on your bargaining skills. Choose less aggressive to retain the same looks as you are not intending this car to modify for 100% offroad and it will be your daily driver too. Basically look for a bumper that can keep similar front looks and trim the sides upwards as that's what the impact area in this shape of Prado. Also, my suggestion is to avoid bullbar as we don't hit Kangaroo's here in UAE, as it will shave a bit of weight on the nose, which is better for a long hill climbs. And for adding additional light, I highly suggest LED bar on top than the front nose, to have a better spread and saving it from nosedive impact. Get the front bumper sorted first and drive for few drives and then judge if you need firm suspensions or stock is reasonably good for your usage.

As an expat owner of a Prado what type of modifications are allowed to be carried out for off road use. I am specially intreseted in finding out about front bumper protection as that is a continous issue for me. Hopefully this season I can drive with some peace of mind.

@Gaurav are there any particular recommendation for suspension for a Prado

There was a time when Interior, Exterior and Performance where top on the list. Reliability was not an issue as it would always be a new car so would dispose it off before the problems would kick-in. Today, if you give me a reliable car that gets me from A to B at minimum cost, I would be happy. Other points don't matter to me.

As long as it takes you from a to b without being disintegrated on the way I am happy....

Yup, it's white goods. Going from going point A to point B. But then again Nissan has gone out of their way to make it super ugly and boring. Previous rental was a Yaris and compared to the Sunny it was a Rolls Royce. Took many inter Emirates lomg journeys on that and even at 120-140 it felt stable.

I have a sunny at work. It’s the most boring car ever. I jump in it to scoot across al quoz to buy parts. The radio works and the AC works. I want to say bad stuff about it but it’s basic a to b transport and it does it well. Once you pass 80, it’s like taking your life in your hands. The car goes left, right, wherever, this is why I don’t drive it far. I took it on SZR and I thought I was going to die.

If you’re ever in Ireland I will show you my 205. I put in a 2.1 TD from a 406, injector pump from a BX with the governor removed, turbo from a v6 espace, huge injector nozzles, xantia gearbox. Scary thing to drive. Pushing 250 bhp in a 750kg car. If I ever go home I plan to put nitrous in it.

I thought long about this but couldn’t find a real logic to all the cars I’ve owned and driven. All had their own pros and cons. A few highlights: * Smart Fortwo: was a fantastic little preppy car. Very little comfort but felt like driving a go kart. Sold when kids came along. * Lancia Delta: wanted something that stood out of the regular hatchbacks and was not disappointed. * BMW 318TDs touring. Was slow but sooo damn reliable and everything was just in the right place. Drove it into the ground. * Peugeot 205: was my first car and absolutely adored it. Overheated the breaks and it rained inside but this car was soo much fun. i have the tendency to go out and look for a car A and coming home with a car Z ! Sometimes the moment just grabs me and I am overcome and star struck by some cars. It’s like they choose me 🤪

Performance for me. But some of the cars I build for customers are pure style, form over function. Totally unusable in every day situations. In my old age, I love reliable cars. Just step into it and drive. But I still have that thing in me that wants to do burnouts and 10 second quarter miles. “I live my live a quarter mile at a time”

Which one I should consider or prefer over each other 2008 Prado VX (V6) vs 2008 FJ Crusier for below three main usage: Daily driveComfortable long drives (Occasionally)Sand and Mountain drives (Once a month)

Thank you for your offer @Gaurav but my friend is a desert virgin so I want to keep him close to me and take care of him

At the Toyota service center they are 5k

Thanks for the response @Gaurav. @Rahimdad my issue as you have rightly pointed out is the clearance and thanks for the suggestion for starting with a lift kit

I would continue to use the Prado for off-roading and daily use. So what basic modification I will need to do for off-roading.. I am still clueless ..When I visited the Titan garage in Ras al khor, I was given a quote of 25k whilst Icon garage in Al quoz asked me to just put a lift kit. So I am really unsure 😐 and would like an opinion from the expert

I would like to have a car thats Reliable and that Performs well. Something that will keep me away from the Garage and will get by just regular Oil Change and Service.

Cost-effectiveness looks reliability, price and practicality of the car are what should be seen. the fuel economy should also a good point to be considered as fuel prices now a day is very unpredictable.

I used to own a Hyundai Accent and thought I could pretty much do anything including venturing out into areas meant to be explored by 4x4s...The outcome was getting stuck badly and getting pulled out by the local Qatari boys in the days I used to live in Qatar. So I guess it depends on what you want to achieve with your car. Reliability and performance...obviously 🙄 in the right conditions

Hatta Pools, Dam, Mountain, Kayak, Weather, Location, Photos, Videos, Reviews and Feedback from the travellers who have visited before. Hatta Dam was built in 1990, is the ideal place to visit if you want to spend time away from the hustle and bustle of Dubai. There are many off-roading trails around the place for 4x4 lovers. The entire place is a playing field for people like us, while our friends and family relax by the water. The lake offers various fun activities - an incredible way to escape the heat. Hatta dam often surprises tourists with its stark contrast with the expectation of UAE. People come here to unwind from their urban lives and get in touch with the quiet serenity of nature. The views from a kayak in the middle of the lake are unbelievable. You can see the mountains in front of you, standing tall and steep, with the greenish blue of the water under you and the deep azure of the sky above. Kayak rentals are priced for all-day rentals, so you can explore every nook and corner of the lake. This area is a Mountain Conservation Reserve. It offers serene landscapes and picture-perfect scenery and is hardly an hour and a half’s drive from Dubai. Many wealthy people made Hatta their summer home. The weather here is quite temperate - neither hot nor humid nor dry - a great relief from the city and the desert. You can drive right up to all the great viewing spots, and click pictures or just enjoy the calm scenery. The place has some of the best landscapes in the UAE. Whether you’re looking for adventure or quiet calm, Hatta Dubai delivers both. Hatta Mountain Hatta Pools Hatta Dam Hatta Kayak Hatta Hiking Hatta Wadi Hub by Meeras How to reach From Dubai, take Ras Al Khor Road (E44). Use exit 24 to get on Emirates Road (E611). Take the exit toward Sharjah-Kalba Road and go on this road for about 60km. Then take the ramp toward Kalba and go for another 26km. Get back on E44 and take the roundabout exit toward Hatta. From here it will only take ten minutes to reach the hatta dam by following the road signs. Hatta Dam: https://goo.gl/maps/Na9T3ztZLv33qc458 24°47'03.2"N 56°06'49.9"E 24.784217, 56.113866 Hatta Kayak: https://goo.gl/maps/utuQdiC5yb2BnDBk8 24°47'04.6"N 56°06'45.0"E 24.784600, 56.112497 Hatta Camping: https://goo.gl/maps/Cxj8xR8WTvam2GEs9 24°47'04.6"N 56°06'59.6"E 24.784597, 56.116554 Hatta Mosque: https://goo.gl/maps/1rBeRyjTkwDN1cVBA 24°47'16.1"N 56°06'51.3"E 24.787802, 56.114241 Hatta Heritage Village: https://goo.gl/maps/oAXRqpeNbTyuwCVX7 24°47'46.7"N 56°07'06.6"E 24.796309, 56.118507 Hatta Hiking: https://goo.gl/maps/aPaYgYjkXP8Q3mkH8 24°47'14.5"N 56°06'59.3"E 24.787360, 56.116457 Hatta Lake / Mountain Conservation Area: https://goo.gl/maps/hhpGKyoUMG3tqvtS6 24°47'43.0"N 56°06'31.9"E 24.795265, 56.108870 Hatta Wadi Hub by Meeras: https://goo.gl/maps/JqVvCnqfdeHP1PL86 24°48'51.5"N 56°09'36.6"E 24.814316, 56.160155 Things to do There is a lot of fun stuff to do in Hatta Dubai - kayaking, mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing, archery, and paddle-boarding. You can get floating donuts and tandem-bike boats which look like something built for a Top Gear special. Various pools have formed around the reservoir. You can drive right up to these places if you have an SUV, to get some nice pictures and take a dip. Check out the Hatta Fort Hotel, which was designed with a retro-theme by Ajai Saran. This was renovated in 2017. This is a popular spot for many roads and offroad enthusiast to lay over or start their drives. Nearby is the Hatta Heritage Village where you can get a look at traditional UAE in one of the oldest Arab villages in the emirate. In the village, you can go to the two 18th century watchtowers, Bait Al Wali, and the Juma mosque (Mosque for Friday Prayer). A palm tree farm is located nearby in the Al Sharia site. Here you can witness the historical underground irrigation systems called the falaj. Falaj was how Emiratis survived in this area and farmed vegetables and grains for their sustenance. You can always ask the locals or other travellers for instructions. The scenic route from the hotel up to the dam is littered with overlooks where you can park and hike to the less-photographed regions of the mountain. The dam only fills up after heavy rain. In the summer you can drive right up to the wall and watch the scenery from the vantage point. An SUV will be better for this. Many people drive around the dam and take pictures near the water. Some people just drive around to the Omani border, because this place offers a good opportunity to drive off-road. Timing Kayak timings are from 8:00 am to 6:30 pm. Early morning is the best time to go for a hike since it is cooler and the air has more moisture. This way you’ll also avoid the crowds of tourists that visit this place year-round. Prices For boating activities, a single kayak or single water bike costs AED 60 for a day. If you want a guided tour of the lake, it costs AED 600 to rent a tour boat for 11 people for 25 minutes. If you take a Hatta tour, the cheapest is for AED 165, going up to AED 475 for full-day tours. An adventure tour can cost you AED 510. Precautions It is important to note that swimming is not allowed in the Hatta lake. If you go after the rains, be prepared to do some mud-plugging, and make sure you have a 4WD SUV with an experienced driver. Otherwise, the road to the dam is paved, but off-road offers the best sights and experiences, and you can easily reach the less crowded parts of the lake.

Great place to unwind on a weekend with family and friends

Dear carnity family. Thanks again for the wonderful suhoor drive. It was an amazing night, early morning and morning drive. The most beautiful about carnity not only the off-roading exprience but as well the family feelings and the unlimited support. 👏🌹

Indeed. My wife is singing the praises of persil washing soap now. She made me spend extra for fabric conditioner. Sunny is a horrible car but it’s perfect for going to one place to another locally. Im not going to stick export plates on a 1,000 hp build jeep just to go buy milk.

Yup, even my washing machine is more interesting.

I don't. I like all the bells and whistles. Like my new rental only thing powered in the front two windows. The rears one are hand cranked! Imagine that hand cranked Windows in 2019!!!!! Blech!!!

Comfort, luxury and style and in that order. I really don't give a damn about the rest. Having said that new ride, just got delivered today is a Nissan Sunny with only 65kms on the clock. Total opposite of comfort, luxury and style. But hey its a rental and a free car is a free car!

I dont fancy complicated cars so ease of use is actually my only conern 2 maybe resale has to be good

Ask them to reply on email as discussed, or write back with the advisor name saying as discussed this is what we agree upon, if they don't reply means they agree to your terms and conditions. But @Gaurav bhai is right, you should have everything in written.

Hi boys, good morning. I love Prado too, I sat in it once for offroad wadi trip in my friend's Prado and it was super cool AC and comfy ride made awesome fun on that drive.

Prado has been chosen by so many people is for a reason and not only rat race. I think Prado is perfect balance of adequate luxury, performance accompanied with reasonable off-road capabilities. It's just that previous shape was well priced in range of 120's than the new shape that shot-up to 160's upward. If you can afford, go with Prado you will enjoy it daily.

FJC is much better option in terms of all round performance with reasonable comfort level. Prado is too common and quickly generalize as one type of people (can't say here). So stay away from rat race and go for FJC.

Prado, all the way unless and until you really go full throttle sand bashing too aggressively than I will suggest FJC. However Prado checks all boxes than half box for extreme sand. FJC is checking that half box, but will take away daily comfort, long drive comfort, poor visibility on hard shoulders and inch more expensive of fuel due to more responsive chip tuning loaded by Toyota.

Oh I see. For me it wouldn't be a problem as my 5k run takes almost 6 months. All my past possessions used to get 2 services a year. I'm planning to get this major service of 80k to be done at AF service center.

@yogic72 mirza bhai. Please share your experiences in terms of service cost of Prado.

BMW street sharjah is the best place to find auto spare parts nearby. I have been there few times when car parts guys in dubai unable to get me some cosmetics part, love it. The drive from dubai is hardly 15-20 mins if you pick a non-office hour sharjah traffic. Most shops opened till 8 pm - 9 pm so u can even visit late at night, when regular traffic snarl are over.

Trust me, they might take a day or two but they have to respond. Verbal communication has ZERO value when dealing with car dealers here in UAE. I have asked Al Tayer service advisor to print me a service history of my recently owned Range Rover and his response was "Sir it's not allowed". I was like Im the new owner and I have all the right to know what has happened to the car with the previous owner who showed me dealer stamps in the service booklet without any details. "Sir it's company policy" Wrote an email and, got a response in less than a day time with the full-service history breakdown.

Noted Jeh. Thanks

32psi should be fine. Don’t worry about your spare tyre. The rubber might degrade a bit over time but if covered properly it will last longer.

HI!!! can someone tell me where can I find good and reasonable accessories for my 2018 Prado. I mostly looking covers and stuff to protect my interior and dashboard.

Nice topic ! i think you’ve covered 95% of them, maybe except for a few rare models such as Isuzu Trooper which I was looking for a while back. But like you say, finding the good condition rare ones cost money and lots of luck and efforts. How would a Hilux or L200 manage ? Probably somewhat underpowered and in need of some extra clearance? VW Touareg 2005 is also going pretty cheap. No idea how it would go in the dunes.

Last year there was one fortuner 2.7 with us. It was doing well. It wasn't have enough power to climb faya but normal off road driving it is good enough.

If you cannot or don't want to do it yourself with a saw blade, then you can go to any denting painting shop and ask them to trim it with grinder more professionally, just mask the area as skumar mentioned.

Damn didnt even know Prados were riding on air suspension. Atleast not the GCC veraion Ive seen here. $800 dont seem too much for a dealer job. Dunno about Saudi, but here you can have just the airbag replaced for around 500dhs.

Honest answer: NO, but at the same time it isn't bad and sluggish as many other bigger 4x4. Being short and light you can still do decent sand off road, however best is 4.0 L for off road (unbeatable).