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Trip Report - what a bag of mixed feeling starting up for the drive. It’s almost 2 months since my previous drive and being locked down in the house with only time out for grocery shopping or a hospital visit. Either ways there was so much nervous energy and the first block in my path was the Bidayer area being completely dug up. As I reached close to our meeting point the area was all dug up and I had to go back to the bridge and come again to the right spot. My second attempt was successful and it was a pleasure to see everybody reach on time and deflating. as I started to deflate there were a few quick hellos exercised with caution for the respect of rules set for Social distancing. This set my mind to some peace, but it was hot. In normal situations we are more into night drives which are cooler. As we finished deflating the voice of @Gaurav bhai carried instructions for the drive and lots of reassurance. With that we were handed our convoy position for the drive. it was @Desert Dweller first time as sweep, did she manage to impress, read on to find out. As expected the sand was soft, but for many who started driving in the winters when sand was hard had an experience of the softer sands which had baked all day under the sun, @Gaurav bhai tried to lower the level and we would have a great quick run, but as soon as we would encounter a soft medium dune we would eventually get a stuck or a refusal. With every stuck and refusal we were challenged and it came with a lesson for all of us, by now my excitement was in total positive note and I had no doubt observing such a civilised crowd to follow each and every instruction as told. just towards the end of the drive and thankfully close to the fence @Denizzalbayrak car started heating up. The we decision was for me to lead out everybody with @Desert Dweller as my sweep, while @Gaurav and @Xaf would help @Denizzalbayrak with his dilemma. As we rode through the track to the Tawi Nizwa shops we were lucky to see an Oryx. After a few quick clicks we were on our way out. I was again pleasantly surprised to see everybody parked at a safe distance following the rules set to combat the Current situation. As we inflated we saw @Gaurav bhai and @Xaf ride out and join us for inflation. The Chevy Trail blazer was missing and as I later found out was fur to time constraints. As I headed out and back home, I had to break my fast on my way, lucky for me, my wife had packed some goodies for me. All in all a wonderful drive with law abiding citizens and long awaited comeback for me. I would like to thank you all for a warm welcome back, specially the weather. Around 6 pm while inflating a realisation crept in as to how we have to go back home at the cooler time e we hen we should be starting the drive practically. And no I have not forgotten, I was keeping one eye on our @Desert Dweller and she did an awesome job at sweeping. Well done, amazing to see you learn and grow, looking forward to one of our First Lady Marshal in Carnity if she’s not the first girl there. i have posted my pictures in the Gallery so enjoy.

That looks like engine mounts 🤨

Speedex is a good place to buy several items (kinetic rope, soft shakes, deflators, pressure gauges, shovel and flag). You may find the same at Ace, but perhaps more expensive. For compressor, radio and pneumatic jacks Dragon Mart.

Thanks Srikumar and all the participants to this morning drive! It has been a challenging yet very enjoyable drive, heat put some additional strain to our cars, but we fully enjoyed it. Disappointing from my side the struggle to climb up pinck rock, while it was quite straightforward last time round... anyway, looking forward to the next drive! Some pictures added to the gallery!

This was the best drive so far, thanks @Gaurav and @Frederic , really enjoyed the drive and looking forward to see such long drives. Indeed required lot of patience and understanding when team members makes mistake and @Gaurav and @Frederic did show lot of maturity and patience. Attached few photos for fun..Hope you will enjoy.

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

Hello Being a newbie in this club, would you please advice good sources to purchase Off Road accessories, like flag, flag mounts, tyre deflator etc.

Today, I wanted to clean my air filter and found this big crack on the upper part of the pipe... Do you think I can just wrap it with some strong duct tape and drive at low rpm until I get the part replaced ? Any clue about why this happened ?

Dear Guys, My sincere thanks to the whole convoy under the leadership of @Srikumar, for helping me out on being stuck. Another lesson and experience learned. In my observation, the moment the HOT OIL message shows out from the dashboard, the engine became weaker and that was probably the reason i got stuck. Thanks for advice of installing a cooling fan at the front of my radiator. Can anyone recommend good shop that can do the job? Thanks everyone it was a very enjoyable drive!

That’s exactly what I did...

It will be a good idea to change your engine mounts before changing the pipe or you might have a second casualty.

Alibaba.com maybe ?

The front bumper guard is more to protect the front side of your bumper, while bash plates are made to protect the bottom underneath. In the desert I don’t see the value of having a front bumper guard. Bash plates will definitely help to protect you.

Is it ok to use front Bumper guard instead of front bash plates. Please advise.

@Tero Vallas this is an Intermediate and above level. kindly sign out from this drive. We will post new drives for next week from Sunday onwards.

Thanks Srikumar for a great drive this morning !

A crude video as well below . Cheers QudraMay2020.mp4

Most welcome.

Haha - still waiting for confirmation. Morning ride was tough with lots of refusals / over-heating. And my second bumper took a bump (that is what they are there for right?).

I envy you 😉

Hi @Gaurav, I had a drive this morning already, but if there is nobody else on the waiting list that can make it, the I am happy to take Chaitanya’s place?

I have to pull out of today's drive as something urgent has come up and unfortunately I will be unable to attend. Hope to see you all next week. Thanks

Check engine mounts as first culprit to doubt that why it happen. For emergency repair Go down, remove that neck with screw driver and put cloth inside the suction tube that goes inside the manifold. Use super glue generously on inside the crack surface. Use araldite (two paste to mix) easily available in groceries too. Use that on top of cracked surface and let it dry for 2 hours. Then use a breathable strong clothe, like the crepe bandage and wrap on whole neck. Then cover whole neck with strong masking/duct/aluminium tape. Then put several cable ties on each ring. Install back and it would be good for long time even with 6k rpm but still get this neck change as soon as market open after eid holidays.

You think like a criminal! Lol Ironically these were they exact same cars used in the famous wafi mall heist. I know the old time residents will remember that clearly. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.emirates247.com/news/emirates/wafi-mall-dh14-7-million-heist-pink-panther-in-dubai-court-2016-06-12-1.632783%3fot=ot.AMPPageLayout

That was my choice too. Same engine as a Lamborghini but subtle enough styling that it blends in with the crowd. 4wd for traction and amazing cornering, you don’t waste any time drifting around corners and just get where you need to go. And a big boot to stash all those bags of dollars.