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DRIVE REPORT Our morning started with a light drizzle and some clouds looming up ahead. Fortunately we were blessed with a great weather and a fantastic convoy ! @Stumpy Paj@DanielN@Hugo@[email protected]@Imran Asghar@Dinesh Kumar A@Andrei S@Pieter Potgieter@Amr Aydin@Vanessa8580 @Gurcharan Mehta Thank you so much for joining us. This was a relatively new area for me, and even though there was quite a bit of vegetation, there was a good blend of larger dunes and also some technical areas (small tight dunes) as well. Great support from @Imran Asgharand @Vanessa8580 kept us going smoothly with hardly any refusals or stucks. See you all soon in the sands again !

Source: Oilrag (Instagram)

Congratulations @Imteeaz for joining the Support Team with Carnity Offroad Club. Looking forward to seeing you growing further and helping others to learn the art of offroading in a safe environment. Please make sure your Carnity user profile is always updated with all the latest Emergency contact details. SUPPORT TEAM Pre-requisite 1) Minimum 10 any level "Carnity" drives are required after your Intermediate promotion to become eligible for the Support Team. Once you decide to join Team Carnity to excel further with your off-roading, people, and commanding skills, you will be extensively trained by the whole Team Carnity from Expert - Marshal - Crew at various stages by supporting different levels drives. Activities for Support Team Members Support different Marshals and Crew at Newbie level drives to demonstrate: Your ability and willingness to support new offroaders. Ability to gain control of commanding situations. And clear communication skills to help manage the convoy. Possible progress toward becoming an Advisor Once you have proved to be a regular Supporting Team member and have supported different trip leads on several Newbie and Fewbie drives, we will gather your periodic feedback. Based on this feedback and reviews you might receive an invitation to become a Carnity Advisor for further advancement within our community. You will also need to have completed a minimum of 10 Intermediate Level drives, and be a regular club member (minimum supporting 6 Newbie or Fewbie drives per quarter) to become eligible. Being invited to an Advisor role means we put our faith in you as a passionate club member who displays maturity and passion to carry your knowledge on to new off-roaders who are still progressing through the ranks.

DRIVE DESCRIPTION From the razor sharp ridges South of Solar Park, to the complex dunes in Faqa, through treacherous Nahel terrain, and making our way to Sweihan in Abu Dhabi. Expect a high-paced drive with minimal interruptions, so keep your laser sharp focus and bring your best game and fill up your tanks to the brim ! DRIVE DETAILS Level: Fewbie Plus and above When: 9 April'23 Sunday Meeting time: 7:00 AM - Sharp (Without any exceptions) Meeting Point: https://goo.gl/maps/5EMvadV6Wz57jpts5 Maktoum Solar Park Approximate finish time: Approx 3PM Type of Car: Any proper 4x4 with front and back tow hooks and 8-10 inches of ground clearance. What to bring along: Loads of water, snacks (for yourself), smiles, enthusiasm and willingness to learn. Mandatory off-road gears: Tire deflator, tire pressure gauge, compressor, walkie-talkie radio, off-road flag, shovel, first-aid kit and fire extinguisher. MUST READ AND COMPLY Offroad Flag Guideline Two Way Radio Guideline Off road Driving Etiquette's Emergency details for all off-roaders Off Road Driving - Roles & Responsibilities LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE This drive is limited to 10 cars only. If the RSVP is full, you can add your name to the waitlist, once anyone drops, you will be moved to the RSVP list. RSVP will close a day prior to preparing a convoy list. Latecomers will be returned back - Without any exceptions. Members without RSVP will be returned back - Without any exceptions. Please withdraw your RSVP, if you aren't joining, so your spot can be taken by others. Repeated no-show members after RSVP will have their account suspended for a month Please RSVP on below calendar

Liwa 2008 Eating together was norm (and must) - Liwa 2008 (2 day) Black Camels, somewhere in Liwa Wrangler TJ were hot cake - Pink Rock - 2006 Hot TJ were normal at Faya base - 2008 SWB - pref choice - 2008 Parking Skills - 2010 Office drive (often incomplete) - 2009 Long hair version - 2010 Jabal Jais (no road, no restriction) - 2014 Real Legend Salalah, Oman - 2010 Exploring Sweihan - 2010 Big Red - 2008 My first 4x4 - 2003 LC100 - In 2006 My Second 4X4 - 2006 Patrol - In 2008 My third 4x4 - 2004 LR Discovery Series II - 2009 My forth 4x4 - 1999 Range Rover in 2009 My sixth 4x4 - 1999 Pajero, 3.0 in 2010 My last 4x4 - 1999 Pajero, 3.5 - Since 2010 onwards

This one is from one of Ale’s midweek drives!

Looks like pics from the dinosaur age. If we see closely we might find @Gaurav🤣that's how long he has been doing offroading

Yes, if the crank area is dry and the oil pan area is wet, if cud be the pan gasket, which might have hit hard on the dune while crossing. That's a lot easier and cheaper fix.

I thoroughly enjoyed the event, thank you for orgainising.

In recent years, Dubai has been making great strides in its transition to clean energy sources. One of the most innovative projects to come out of this effort is the Molten Salt Power Plant. So, what is the Molten Salt Power Plant, and how does it work? Simply put, the Molten Salt Power Plant is a type of energy storage system that uses molten salt to store and release heat. The system consists of a large solar field, where mirrors reflect sunlight onto a central tower, heating up a mixture of molten salts in the process. The heat from the molten salts is then used to generate steam, which drives a turbine to produce electricity. What sets the Molten Salt Power Plant apart from other energy storage systems is its ability to store heat for long periods of time, allowing it to provide power even when the sun isn't shining. The molten salts used in the system have a high heat capacity, meaning they can store a large amount of heat energy in a small volume. This makes them an ideal medium for energy storage, as they can be heated and cooled repeatedly without degrading or losing efficiency. The history of the Molten Salt Power Plant in Dubai dates back to 2016 when Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) launched the fourth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park project. The project aimed to build the largest single-site solar park in the world, with a total capacity of 5,000 megawatts by 2030. The Molten Salt Power Plant was initially planned as a 100 MW energy storage system to support the solar park, but in 2020, DEWA announced plans to expand the system's capacity to 600 MW. The Molten Salt Power Plant's ability to store and release heat at scale makes it a valuable asset for meeting peak demand, reducing carbon emissions, and improving the reliability and stability of the power grid. Additionally, the system's modular design makes it easy to scale up or down as needed, allowing it to adapt to changing energy demands and technological advances. 25th March 2023: Davie Chase's magnificent Jeep Wrangler JLU Rubicon Molten Salt Power Plant vs. Photovoltaic Solar Technology: While both the Molten Salt Power Plant and photovoltaic (PV) solar technology are forms of renewable energy, they differ significantly in terms of their operation and capabilities. PV solar technology generates electricity directly from sunlight by converting it into direct current (DC) electricity through the use of photovoltaic cells. These cells are typically made from silicon and are arranged in modules that are installed on rooftops, building facades, or large solar fields. PV solar technology is highly versatile and can be used in a range of applications, from powering individual homes to large-scale utility projects. The Molten Salt Power Plant, on the other hand, uses mirrors to concentrate sunlight onto a central tower, heating up a mixture of molten salts that are used to generate electricity. The system is designed to store heat energy, making it capable of providing power even when the sun isn't shining. This makes it a valuable asset for meeting peak demand and improving grid stability, as well as reducing carbon emissions. One of the main advantages of PV solar technology is its scalability. It can be installed on a small or large scale, making it suitable for a wide range of energy needs. It also has a relatively low maintenance cost and can operate efficiently for many years. The Molten Salt Power Plant, while more complex in its design, has the advantage of being able to store energy for longer periods of time. This makes it a better option for meeting peak demand and providing a stable source of energy for the grid. 1st April 2023: Loopers Yellow Jeep The cost of PV solar technology and Molten Salt Power Plants can vary depending on a range of factors, such as location, size, and equipment costs. Generally speaking, the cost of PV solar technology has decreased significantly in recent years, making it one of the most cost-effective forms of renewable energy. The global weighted average cost of electricity generated by solar PV fell by 82% between 2010 and 2019, with the cost of utility-scale solar PV projects falling by 47% in the same period. In contrast, Molten Salt Power Plants are generally more expensive to build and operate than PV solar technology, due to the complex nature of the technology and the need for specialized equipment and materials. However, the cost of Molten Salt Power Plants is also decreasing as the technology becomes more widely adopted and economies of scale are achieved. The cost of electricity (LCOE) for a Molten Salt Power Plant in the US ranges from $0.16/kWh to $0.21/kWh, depending on the size and location of the plant. In comparison, for utility-scale PV solar projects in the US ranges from $0.03/kWh to $0.05/kWh, making it a more cost-effective option currently.

Congratulations @Gary F for reaching the Fewbie Plus Level with Carnity Offroad Club. Looking forward to seeing you growing further and helping others to learn the art of offroading in a safe environment. Please make sure your Carnity user profile is always updated with all the latest Emergency contact details. P.S. Trip lead might deny your participation if you don't have required off-road gear. FEWBIE PLUS Drives Attended (Indicative) Minimum 10 Fewbie drives are required within last 6 months for Fewbie Plus promotion. What you'll learn Advance dune and sand reading Advance recovery techniques Rocking and crawling to make path Learn to flatten/compact soft sand patch Self recovery from crest Advance side sloping and long hill climb Advance ridge riding and criss crossing Advance control over technical dunes Slightly faster pace desert driving FULLY control and avoid fishtailing Never fight or challenge gravity Skills required Enthusiastic and positive attitude Willingness to learn and help others Extremely attentive and focused while driving Car Worthiness Any 4x4 vehicle with low range gearing Suitable approach and departure angle Bash plate and skid plate protected Off-road gear required Safety flag, tire deflator, tire pressure gauge, shovel, fire extinguisher, medical kit, radio (walkie-talkie), air compressor. Drive teamwork Manage second lead and sweep positions upon request Intuitive and proactive to support Trip Lead Observe recoveries and offer help, when needed Drive Joining Join Newbie, Fewbie and Fewbie Plus drives Forum participation Active participation on the forum Share drive experience + feedback Share drive pictures in the gallery Post trip report after the drive

Congratulations @Patrick for reaching the Fewbie Level with Carnity Offroad Club. Looking forward to seeing you growing further and helping others to learn the art of offroading in a safe environment. Please make sure your Carnity user profile is always updated with all the latest Emergency contact details. P.S. Trip lead might deny your participation if you don't have required off-road gear. FEWBIE Drives Attended (Indicative) Minimum 5 Newbie drives are required within last 3 months for Fewbie promotion. What you'll learn Basic dune and sand reading Self-recovery techniques Shoveling at right place Crawling out of difficult situations Blip Blip - Coordinate steering and gas control Basic side sloping and hill climb Basic ridge riding and criss crossing Basic control over technical dunes Slightly faster pace desert driving Ability to manage stuck/refusals with radio Learn to control and avoid fishtailing Never fight or challenge gravity Skills required Enthusiastic and positive attitude Willingness to learn and help others Presence of mind and attention to detail Car Worthiness Any 4x4 vehicle with low range gearing Suitable approach and departure angle Off-road gear required Safety flag, tire deflator, tire pressure gauge, shovel, fire extinguisher, medical kit, radio (walkie-talkie), air compressor. Drive teamwork Manage second lead and sweep positions upon request Intuitive and proactive to support Trip Lead Observe recoveries and offer help, when needed Drive Joining Join Newbie and Fewbie drives Forum participation Active participation on the forum Share drive experience + feedback Share drive pictures in the gallery Post trip report after the drive

@Gary F normal story with Jeep. Oil leaks but nothing to worry. I had faced this issue and i was informed that it was just the seal that was cracked. Also you may face water pump issue as the current JL and JT have this issues occurring. I got mine replaced twice in 3 months under warranty. Jeep is good until the warranty is there. Once warranty gets over be ready to shell out some bucks.

I know how much u love me, but those images are from my father-in-law era. I can see 1984 Pajero Gen 1 and Patrol MQ (I think).

Thank you for organizing such a lovely event, @Gauravand the team 🙏You are an amazing community 🥰

Congratulations @Joseph Raju for reaching the Intermediate Level with Carnity Offroad Club. Looking forward to seeing you growing further and helping others to learn the art of offroading in a safe environment. Please make sure your Carnity user profile is always updated with all the latest Emergency contact details. P.S. Trip lead might deny your participation if you don't have required off-road gear. INTERMEDIATE Drives Attended (Indicative) Minimum 10 Fewbie Plus drives are required within last 6 months for Intermediate promotion. What you'll learn Basic GPS and navigational skills Basic tow rope and winch recoveries Extreme side sloping and long hill climb Tall dunes ridge riding and criss crossing Precise control over technical dunes Fast pace desert driving Clear radio communication skills Advance recovery skills Self recover from dune crest Soft sand recovery Pop-out fixing Skills required Adventurous and thrill seeker but in a safe manner Level headed under stressful situations Responsible, dependable and accountable Car Worthiness Capable 4x4 vehicle with low range gearing Suitable approach and departure angle High profile tires Off-road gear required Safety flag, tire deflator, tire pressure gauge, shovel, fire extinguisher, medical kit, radio (walkie-talkie), air compressor, tool kit, rated recovery rope and 2 rated shackles, GPS. Drive teamwork Manage center forward position with Trip Lead’s permission Learn/assist recoveries under Trip Lead’s supervision Re-route convoy and coordination, when needed Learn to lead small portion of Intermediate drive under Marshal supervision Drive Joining Join Newbie, Fewbie, Intermediate and Exploration drives only Forum participation Active participation on the forum Share drive experience + feedback Share drive pictures in the gallery Post trip report after the drive

Congratulations @Mahmoud Taha for reaching the Intermediate Level with Carnity Offroad Club. Looking forward to seeing you growing further and helping others to learn the art of offroading in a safe environment. Please make sure your Carnity user profile is always updated with all the latest Emergency contact details. P.S. Trip lead might deny your participation if you don't have required off-road gear. INTERMEDIATE Drives Attended (Indicative) Minimum 10 Fewbie Plus drives are required within last 6 months for Intermediate promotion. What you'll learn Basic GPS and navigational skills Basic tow rope and winch recoveries Extreme side sloping and long hill climb Tall dunes ridge riding and criss crossing Precise control over technical dunes Fast pace desert driving Clear radio communication skills Advance recovery skills Self recover from dune crest Soft sand recovery Pop-out fixing Skills required Adventurous and thrill seeker but in a safe manner Level headed under stressful situations Responsible, dependable and accountable Car Worthiness Capable 4x4 vehicle with low range gearing Suitable approach and departure angle High profile tires Off-road gear required Safety flag, tire deflator, tire pressure gauge, shovel, fire extinguisher, medical kit, radio (walkie-talkie), air compressor, tool kit, rated recovery rope and 2 rated shackles, GPS. Drive teamwork Manage center forward position with Trip Lead’s permission Learn/assist recoveries under Trip Lead’s supervision Re-route convoy and coordination, when needed Learn to lead small portion of Intermediate drive under Marshal supervision Drive Joining Join Newbie, Fewbie, Intermediate and Exploration drives only Forum participation Active participation on the forum Share drive experience + feedback Share drive pictures in the gallery Post trip report after the drive

Congratulations @FERNANDO SYRIO for reaching the Fewbie Level with Carnity Offroad Club. Looking forward to seeing you growing further and helping others to learn the art of offroading in a safe environment. Please make sure your Carnity user profile is always updated with all the latest Emergency contact details. P.S. Trip lead might deny your participation if you don't have required off-road gear. FEWBIE Drives Attended (Indicative) Minimum 5 Newbie drives are required within last 3 months for Fewbie promotion. What you'll learn Basic dune and sand reading Self-recovery techniques Shoveling at right place Crawling out of difficult situations Blip Blip - Coordinate steering and gas control Basic side sloping and hill climb Basic ridge riding and criss crossing Basic control over technical dunes Slightly faster pace desert driving Ability to manage stuck/refusals with radio Learn to control and avoid fishtailing Never fight or challenge gravity Skills required Enthusiastic and positive attitude Willingness to learn and help others Presence of mind and attention to detail Car Worthiness Any 4x4 vehicle with low range gearing Suitable approach and departure angle Off-road gear required Safety flag, tire deflator, tire pressure gauge, shovel, fire extinguisher, medical kit, radio (walkie-talkie), air compressor. Drive teamwork Manage second lead and sweep positions upon request Intuitive and proactive to support Trip Lead Observe recoveries and offer help, when needed Drive Joining Join Newbie and Fewbie drives Forum participation Active participation on the forum Share drive experience + feedback Share drive pictures in the gallery Post trip report after the drive

Dear Sand Sailors Weather is still pretty awesome and what could be a better way to celebrate the Easter weekend then exploring the beautiful dunes of Sweihan in search for some hidden Easter eggs (play areas). So let’s join in for a fun, adrenaline pumping, high speed adventure at Sweihan. DRIVE DETAILS Level: Intermediate and above When: 8th April'23, Saturday Meeting time: 6:00 AM - Sharp (Without any exceptions) MeetingPoint: https://maps.app.goo.gl/pNyskmokem8hL2ef8?g_st=iw Approximate finish time: 10:30AM Type of Car: Any proper 4x4 with front and back tow hooks and 8-10 inches of ground clearance. What to bring along: Loads of water, snacks (for yourself), smiles, enthusiasm and willingness to learn. Mandatory off-road gears: Tire deflator, tire pressure gauge, compressor, walkie-talkie radio, off-road flag, shovel, first-aid kit and fire extinguisher. MUST READ AND COMPLY Offroad Flag Guideline Two Way Radio Guideline Off road Driving Etiquette's Emergency details for all off-roaders Off Road Driving - Roles & Responsibilities LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE This drive is limited to 10 cars only. If the RSVP is full, you can add your name to the waitlist, once anyone drops, you will be moved to the RSVP list. RSVP will close a day prior to preparing a convoy list. Latecomers will be returned back - Without any exceptions. Members without RSVP will be returned back - Without any exceptions. Please withdraw your RSVP, if you aren't joining, so your spot can be taken by others. Repeated no-show members after RSVP will have their account suspended for a month Please RSVP on below calendar

I'd be interested to find out why it has different bolts. It could suggest a previous repair and that the oil pan has been off before, bolts broken and not replaced properly. . . . . . .

Fantastic and well Done @Imteeaz Congratulations & Welcome to the club and looking forward to seeing you soon !

Great news @Imteeaz ! Welcome to support team ! Wish you lots of growth and shovel duties

Congratulations @Imteeaz welcome to the support team great addition to the team. Look forward to driving with you 😀

Congrats @Gary F enjoy the promotion, will see you soon in the desert… and at home😂

Look for another one, u don't wanna buy lemon and start on wrong foot. Engine mount broken tells an offroad use or very rough road usage tbh. Same for engine oil leak can point in 10 other directions, if it was minor he would have fixed it before selling it, this alone could be huge deal breaker.

Thanks to everyone's support. I finally got front lower and upper arms changed and front side momentary shake is totally gone. @Zed I changed the complete arms not only bushing. This is because my mechanic did bushing through machine press for another Prado some months ago but it lasted only for 2-3 months. I think this has to do with the required amount of pressure for removing old and installing new bushing; and this varies depending on the bushing. So, the safest way forward was to replace the whole arms instead. I might try to replace bushing on the rear control and support arms (I saw there are 4 arms in rear - 2 on each side); but I am not sure where in Sharjah or Dubai is the right place to get it done or even its bushing comes separate or not? I read that LC200 rear suspension parts are same as that of LC100.

Setup done, almost there, max we could do with gushing wind

Hey Gary, was about to say maybe pan gasket, it’s a common issue so it’s very likely

From pics it seems the crank seal is leaking and it will only leak when the engine is running. If it's reached the dripping stage, you shouldn't drive and get it checked and changed at the earliest.

Congratulations @Imteeaz!!!

Congratulations @Imteeaz for making it official now!

Thank you all for the wishes, looking forward to the new level and if I can find the ultimate crest for the Gladiator

Congratulations @FERNANDO SYRIO on your promotion, well done!

Congratulations @Joseph Raju ! Enjoy the adrenaline and even more of learning experience !

Congratulations @Gary F well deserved and am sure you will love the new level !

Congratulations @Mahmoud Taha Enjoy the new Level 😀

Hi Hisham, should be Sunday 9 not Wednesday 9 probably? Cheers

Update + Next queries for the pros: So I went for a comprehensive test, we found a few issues: Rear diff mounting bushes broken/cracks EGR packing rubber/leak Engine mount broken Engine Wall cover packing (leak, I think) Transmission shift to D didn't go through and both N-D lit up in the dash oil leak (engine) According to the mechanic, most of these are normal issues except the oil leak. He suggested me to get a compression test before closing the deal because it could be a deal breaker or the price should be reduced. What do you guys suggest my next step should be? Is this a deal breaker, should I look for other cars? @Gaurav @GauravSoni @Frederic Edit1: We floored it multiple times on the 1st gear and the shifting didn't happen before 6K RPM Fun fact: the mechanic also recommended getting the xterra, pathfinder or the FJ LOOL feelsbadman

Thanks so much for the advices! @Gaurav, @Frederic & @GauravSoni!! Given everything I a sticking to the Pajero- Sorry to pathfinders and the X.. I just can't seem to like the look, I'll go with the energy that @GauravSoni has! I test drove a 2012 3.8 Pajero yesterday and its 1st owner very well maintained car at 220K kms and the price is at 30 and still negotiable. First things first, I floored the car on D and it didn't upshift before hitting 6K RPM (Side note: the poor dude literally held on to everything he could and I saw his life flash right in front of him, he asked me to slow down and after a few moments said: I never knew it can make this sound). Anyways, Should I also re-check it in triptonic and floor it on the 1st gear?? In addition to that, I tried the car at 4H and 2H and felt extra engine noise at 4H when ever the revs were around 2-3K RPM like some extra friction. Slight alignment issue and the infamous steering vibration on braking at 100+ km/h. Other than that everything was fantastic. So far I really think its a great deal plus he will get the timing belt changed and a regular service done before we close the deal, (last was done at 120K kms). Let me know if you guys see any red flags? Plus please recommend a trusted garage for a detailed inspection before I move forward. I also would like to know what are some things I really need to get checked at the garage? All advice and tips are more than welcome! Thanks again!!

The answer is simple: Pathfinder r51! The 7 seater Xterra. Rarely you will find a Pathfinder offroad abused, and it's cheaper than Xterra most of the time 😃

Thanks for great info @Looper on most curious subject on Dubai offroad drives. It's really an engineering marvel. Please add the close up pics too above, if you still have them.

Nice initiative @Frederic.. are these pics the reflection of Curious Case of Frederic. You looked older decades back