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Nicholas Sparks As soon as a drive got posted that carried the name Liwa, I knew that there was no way back. And as soon as the signups starting rolling in with the big names of the Carnity Off-road world, i was determined to drive even for days to be a part of it. Going to bed early the night before and forcing myself to get some sleep was difficult, as I kept mentally going through my list of items to take with me in the car. My plan was to leave early, having sufficient time to stop for coffeebreaks and power naps if needed. I arrived around 06:00 at the petrol station and soon saw two gentlemen @Srikumar and @Gauravwith steamy windows rolling in. What caused the steamy windows will forever remain a mystery in the Carnity books 🤣 Soon we were joined by @Emmanuel, @Rahimdad and @Asif Hussain while the sun slowly started to rise. We headed off the nearby track and deflated, hungry for the dunes that we noticed on the horizon. @Asif Hussain carefully created a route beforehand and showed up with enough equipment to make the latest Fast and Furious movie. A few hours into the drive I became more and more amazed by the shape and formation of the dunes that were presented to us. They looked creamy, wavy, irresistible, and extremely scary at some times. When @Gaurav announced that he would do a sidey on a Dune that rightfully scared the living hell out of me from just seeing it, I knew that there was no way back and that my little blue’one would have to unleash all its ponies and more to make it in this terrain. Which it did. We all had our chance to lead, and seeing @Srikumar his smile and his reluctance to hand over his lead, brought to my mind that this little playground would be in our hearts forever. After having reached the track that leads to the road, we said goodbye to our friends Emmanuel and Asif, while the rest of us starting looking for a nice camping spot. Finding that nice spot came with its challenges: it was getting pitch dark, we were all getting tired, and soon we found ourselves in a serious tricky spot. We eventually found a nice area near the track and settled down to set up camp. Our buddy @Srikumar that we can thank for bringing the massive amount of nice firewood, left very early in the morning. I heard the double crank and him driving off but my body was still in lockdown mode. The drive back home in the morning in the presence of @Gaurav and @Rahimdad was a true blessing, to see two friends and soulmates being so in tune with each other. We stopped over at the AD car museum for a snapshot of the big Jeep and headed home tired but extremely happy. Happy that we were able to spend time with likeminded souls that understand each other without words, and happy that we all made it home safely, except for the radio rollover incident 🤣. And there we have it: the first Liwa drive of 2020, that was an unforgettable experience for me and i encourage every off-roader to put this on the top of their To-Do list. Don’t do it for the massive dunes or the lack of cellphone reception, but do it for spending time with an exceptional group of people that will get you to do things you’ve never could have imagined.

Steamy windows reminds me of titanic..movie with a great soundtrack 😆

Here is a list of all the capable and best 4x4 cars in UAE that you can get under 10,000 and 20,000 Dhs in UAE. I have been asked this question on every off-road drive, so let's build a list with collective experience and knowledge: Best 4x4 cars in 10,000 Dhs 1999 - 2004 - Nissan Pathfinder 3.3 L / 3.5 L 1997 - 2006 - Mitsubishi Pajero 3.0 L / 3.5 L / 3.8 L (SWB is better than LWB) 1991 - 2001 - Jeep Cherokee 4.0 L (Finding clean one is extremely rare) 1999 - 2004 - Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0 L / 4.7 L 1989 - 1998 - Land Rover Discovery Series I 3.9 L / 4.0L (1995 - 1998 year is better) 1998 - 2004 - Land Rover Discovery Series II 4.0 L (Average offroader) 1995 - 2002 - Land Rover Range Rover P38 4.0 L / 4.6 L Best 4x4 cars in 20,000 Dhs 1996 - 2006 - Jeep Wrangler TJ - 4.0 L 2006 - 2010 - Mitsubishi Pajero 3.5 L / 3.8 L (SWB is better than LWB) 2002 - 2009 - Chevrolet Trailblazer 4.2 L / 6.0 L 2005 - 2010 - Jeep Commander 4.7 L / 5.7 L 2005 - 2010 - Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.7 L / 5.7 L 2008 - 2009 - Nissan Xterra - 4.0 L 2006 - 2010 - Chevrolet Tahoe - 4.8 L / 5.3 L / 6.0 L 2006 - 2010 - Hummer H3 - 3.7 L 1996 - 2003 - Toyota Prado VX - 3.4 L (SWB is better than LWB) 1998 - 2004 - Land Rover Discovery Series II 4.6 L 2004 - 2009 - Land Rover Discovery 3 / LR3 4.0 L / 4.4 L 2002 - 2006 - Land Rover Range Rover L322 4.4 L 1997 - 2005 - Nissan Patrol Y61 4.5 L / 4.8 L (Finding clean one is extremely rare) 1998 - 2003 - Toyota Landcruiser 4.5 L (Might be just little over 20K range) 2006 - 2010 - Nissan Armada 5.6 L (Offroad version - Ranchos shocks, skid plate, tow hook, trimmed bumper) Please, guys, keep on suggesting more options based on your offroading experience, I will keep on updating this list DISCLAIMER: I don't intend to put the price of your ride or contest the "ballpark" value that I suggested. The used car market is subject to huge fluctuation due to demand and supply based on season and offroad 4x4 cars in UAE will always sell for a higher premium in winter (Oct-Mar). P.S. Having said that, if you have any constructive suggestion to edit the list - I will accept that. This awesome scrapper pulls the average price daily and update in single excel

Lets have a slight different kind of challenge, deeper in the Qudra/Faqaa desert. This beautiful area, famous for its white sand, far from the Friday afternoon crowds of Badayer or Maleha, will offer a good mix of medium and technical dunes to test your car control. Plan is just to learn and enjoy. Level: Fewbie and above (strictly) When: 21 February 2020 Meeting time: 1:15 PM sharp Where: Solar Park parking GPS Coordinate: https://goo.gl/maps/W3JJRSz9W1ZKP8pb7 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 6:00 PM 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: 6:00 PM Please RSVP the below calendar event

Hi Wrangled, there would be a gap of about 1 hour between both the drives. So to answer your question, you can do both drives.

Hi Richard, Absolutely you’re most welcome to attend both drives. I guess Sri will exit at 12 or so near ADNOC in Qudra, so we will have enough time, more than enough, to reach Solar Park, even if we don’t inflate. Also, depending on Sri’s route, we might be able to exit directly at Solar Park.

Hi Emmanuel, Just a quick clarification - is the start point for this drive next to the finsih point of the Newbie drive? Question is if we can do both a Newbie and a Fewbie on the same day or not. Thanks in advance.

It might not even be the main seal- it's just possible that the tappet cover gaskets are leaking and the oil is running down the back of the engine. Sometimes the oil can seep past the mating surface between the engine and gearbox, and if it that happens the oil drips out the bottom of the bell housing which makes it look the main bearing seal is leaking. Which is bette to remove- the engine or the gearbox depends on whether or not the vehicle is a 4 by 4. Some gearboxes are absolute bitches to remove, so it really depends on the vehicle. Speaking for myself, I have often removed the engine instead of the gearbox because it is sometimes easier this way- but only if I could do it without disconnecting A/C lines.

Unfortunately I have to bail out, also when the schedule will suite me. I changed the tires and wheels. Also the offset and size. Had to remove the mud flaps, but I am still not sure if in deflated condition, I will have any rubbings in my wheel fender. Beside this, I want first to get used to the handling characteristics to avoid any disruptions.

Last time I camped inside my car. I don't remember how I got there but that's a different story. 😂

Life is art.

Tell her that you will celebrate on two days, Feb 13 and Feb 15 When I told my wife that I am not there on Feb 14th, the first question was, Who are you going out with? 😁

If i start proving.. i should fix my tent permanently there.. will try to convince and get the permission at the right moment. 😎

Time to prove, who do you love more: Sand + Liwa + Offroad + Car OR ............! Just kidding, with so many senior members unavailability this is the best date we could find.

I am the whole month on standby, but who knows, maybe the rostering gods have something good for me.

wow.. most awaited trail "Yellow Truck" see you all soon

Club Member: Joins the off road Club. Absolute Newbie: Attend and successfully complete the first "Absolute newbie" off road drive. Newbie: Number of drives 5 (1 Absolute Newbie + 5 Newbie drives) Level of drives Willingness to learn + Enthusiasm Off-road gear Flag, deflator, tire gauge, shovel, fire extinguisher, medical kit, radio. Drive teamwork Observe recovery from a safe distance and offer help when needed Drive posting/joining Join newbie or absolute newbie level of drives Forum participation Active participation on forum. Share drive experience + feedback on forum and pictures in gallery Social media sharing & inviting friends & family to join offroad club is recommended for faster upgrades at all levels. Fewbie: Number of drives 10 (16 Newbie + Fewbie drives) Level of drives Willingness to learn + Enthusiasm + Basic dune reading Off-road gear Flag, deflator, tire gauge, shovel, fire extinguisher, medical kit, radio, compressor. Drive teamwork Observe recovery from a safe distance and offer help when needed Drive posting/joining Join newbie and fewbie level of drives only Forum participation Active participation on forum. Share drive experience + feedback on forum and pictures in gallery Social media sharing & inviting friends & family to join offroad club is recommended for faster upgrades at all levels. Intermediate: Number of drives 10 (26 Newbie + Fewbie + Intermediate drives) Level of drives Willingness to learn + Enthusiasm + Basic dune & sand reading Off-road gear Flag, deflator, tire gauge, shovel, fire extinguisher, medical kit, radio, compressor, tool kit, rated recovery rope and 2 shackles. Drive teamwork Help in recoveries under Marshal / Crew supervision Drive posting/joining Join newbie, fewbie & intermediate level of drives only Forum participation Active participation on forum. Share drive experience + feedback on forum and pictures in gallery + drive and route suggestions Social media sharing & inviting friends & family to join offroad club is recommended for faster upgrades at all levels. Advance: Number of drives 10 (36 Newbie + Fewbie + Intermediate drives) Level of drives Willingness to learn + Enthusiasm + Basic dune & sand reading + map reading & basic navigational skills Off-road gear Flag, deflator, tire gauge, shovel, fire extinguisher, medical kit, radio, compressor, tool kit, rated recovery rope and 2 shackles, floor jack, jack board & GPS Drive teamwork Actively participate in recoveries + drive in the second lead Drive posting/joining Join any drive and lead fewbie & intermediate drives under Marshal / Crew supervision Forum participation Share experience + feedback on forum and pictures in gallery + drive and route suggestions + post trip report + share route + track and waypoints Social media sharing & inviting friends & family to join offroad club is recommended for faster upgrades at all levels. Expert: Number of drives 10 (46 Newbie + Fewbie + Intermediate drives) Level of drives Willingness to learn + Enthusiasm + Basic dune & sand reading + map reading & basic navigational skills + strategic convoy driving Off-road gear Flag, deflator, tire gauge, shovel, fire extinguisher, medical kit, radio, compressor, tool kit, rated recovery rope and 2 shackles, floor jack, jack board & GPS trackback Drive teamwork Capable of diverting the convoy to safe spot + part of sweep team Drive posting/joining Join any drive and lead fewbie & intermediate drives with Marshal / Crew permission Forum participation Share experience + feedback on forum and pictures in gallery + drive and route suggestions + post trip report + share route + track and waypoints + Help Marshal / Crew for alternate routing + marking safe exit Social media sharing & inviting friends & family to join offroad club is recommended for faster upgrades at all levels. Marshal: Number of drives 60+ drives and Committee Decision Level of drives All of the above + Routing and leading in known terrain Off-road gear Flag, deflator, tire gauge, shovel, fire extinguisher, medical kit, radio, compressor, tool kit, rated recovery rope and 2 shackles, floor jack, jack board & GPS trackback + recovery and repair material Drive teamwork Supervise all of the above + drive and convoy coordination Drive posting/joining Post drive on Carnity and share it on Carnity social media Forum participation Post trip report + share route + track and waypoints Social media sharing & inviting friends & family to join offroad club is recommended for faster upgrades at all levels. Crew: Number of drives 80+ drives and Committee Decision Level of drives Routing and leading in unknown terrain for exploration drives Off-road gear All of the above Drive teamwork All of the above + coordinate with Marshal on route, convoy, numbering, etc. Drive posting/joining Post drive on Carnity and share it on Carnity social media Forum participation Post trip report + share route + track and waypoints Social media sharing & inviting friends & family to join offroad club is recommended for faster upgrades at all levels.

I don't know if you were joking or not, but do you guys go desert driving during the summer?