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@Frederic @Looper agree with what you guys have said @Alphin Aloor the tank was a great addition for me on several fronts, all of which Looper has alluded to, it is most definitely quicker ,especially when filling all 4 tires at once, it is much better when using Air tools especially my air jack as you need volume of air for these, and it saves the compressor as it is not working so hard. I have yet to fit blue tooth as the financial manager at home needs some respite from all of the other purchases for my not so cheap hobby lol but I am sure it will come

There are 3 different items to consider for an ARB. ARB Twin Compressor itself (a base set up) - Having this means that you have graduated as a seasoned off-roader and is a proud display of the same. As @Frederic has already mentioned it is more convenient with regard to all the wiring etc. It is definitely built better than the dragon mart compressor. It also has a 100% duty cycle. Many use a 4-way hose to fill up all four tires simultaneously. While i bought the 4-way hose it now lives in @DP1011's jeep. A Tank - There are two options here. The ARB tank will be more expensive and alternatively you can use Via Air as well. it is approx. AED 1500-2500 additional cost. The benefit of the tank is that it reduces the time it takes to fill tires and puts slightly less pressure on the compressor. Another plus is that you can use air tool with it. I was trying to do it in car, but it's puny trunk doesn't allow it. A Bluetooth Module: I have it. I use it to set up the desired pressure on the phone and it helps to get correct pressure on all 4 tires without me having to monitor or run around to disconnect the air hose from the tire. I will recommend it for its convenience. Will cost about 1000.

The ARB onboard twin is definitely a nice setup for any offroader and takes away the hassle of using an external compressor. If you compare with your big red dragon mart compressor, i do not believe it will be faster, but you save some time in not having to setup the connections and battery clamps. Most ARB built-in models use a auto-shutoff, so it stops pumping when there is no flow. I think this is a good option to have. I have not seen anyone using the tank. Most use the ARB twin model mounted underneath the seat or in the back, without the tank.

..... THE LONG RANGE PATROLS (Continued) The LRDG vehicles were mainly two-wheel drive, chosen because they were lighter and used less fuel than four-wheel drive. They were stripped of all non-essentials, including doors, windscreens and roofs. They were fitted with a bigger radiator, a condenser system, built up leaf springs for the harsh terrain, wide, low pressure desert tires, sand mats and channels, plus map containers and a sun compass devised by Bagnold. Having recapped a bit of the LRDG's origin and organization, we'll proceed to create expectation, and a playful atmosphere for the drive, by assigning to each participant a name and a Unit that belonged to this original group of desert experts and explorers. Hence, we'll be riding as: Yours truly - Major Ralph Alger Bagnold @PETELCZYC PAJERO - luke - Major Vladimir 'Popski' Peniakoff - Demolition Team @Faraz94 - Captain Michael Crichton-Stuart, Combat Unit G @Ben Lee - Captain Edward 'Teddy' Cecil Mitford, Combat Unit W @Ahmed Wagdy - Captain P. J. D. McCraith, Combat Unit Y @Richard Franks - Captain Patrick Clayton, Combat Unit T @Bjoern - Captain Donald Gavin Steele, Support Unit R More to be discovered about the LRDG actions and paraphernalia in the next few days. Prepare yourselves to go back a few decades, and re-enact the heroic gestures of the glorious LRDG.

This is going to be fun

..... THE LONG RANGE PARTOLS The Indian Long Range Squadron or ILRS was a unit of the British Indian Army during World War II. It was formed by asking for volunteers from the 2nd Lancers, 11th Cavalry and the 18th Cavalry all part of the 3rd Indian Motor Brigade.[1] It was originally formed to patrol the borders between the Soviet Union and Persia and Afghanistan. The ILRS was trained by and performed some missions with, The Long Range Desert Group (LRDG). With this little introduction, let's welcome the newest member of the Group who will join us for the drive: @Alphin Aloor - Captain Travers John Durrant Birdwood, Combat Unit P See you on Saturday.

I am not going to make this one my usual "Looper Drive" where my objective is to maintain high speeds and reach the end point in a hurry and try to beat the time records, I maintain in my spreadsheet. This drive is going to be a deliberate choice not to give an adrenaline rush, there is no rush hour chaos. Instead, it will attempt to be a dopamine rush, a drive that aims to awaken a sense of joy and contentment, not by racing against time, but by savoring every moment along the way. I will compare the objectives of the drive akin to Tai Chi. Tai Chi, known for its graceful and effortless movements, teaches us the value of balance and harmony. Similarly, this drive is a chance to harmonize with the desert, to flow with the curves and bends like a serene dance. Your accelerator becomes your brush, and the dune is your canvas—painting strokes of mindfulness and peace. Join for a Dopamine Drive; a mindful expedition that promises not just to take you places, but to bring you closer to yourself.

@Sreenath G, not owning a manual Xterra I can't provide feedback on that specific car but generally speaking driving a manual in the desert, for the right type of driver, is the best. Having driven both a automatic and a manual in the desert the biggest difference from a drivers point of view is the level of concentration and anticipation you need to have. When driving a automatic whilst you still need a high degree of concentration should you be in the wrong gear you can change down instantly whereas in a manual by the time you have realised you are in the wrong gear it is too late as a manual downshift will ruin your momentum. In my experience I found that I was paying even more attention to the car in front as well as looking further down the track to anticipate what is ahead. If your idea of a drive in the desert should be fast paced and intense then a manual will definately suit you because you have never done so many gear changes in one drive as you do on a technical sand drive. Hope this helps.

I think @Davie Chasehas one. Please let me know your experience with the tank,

For academic interest and mutual learning on the imp feature of Kill Switch or Airbags Turn off button : I seek inputs from all the fellow off-roaders : ( please respond to the thread only when the answer is YES to - Do you have Kill switch / Airbags turn off button in your car? If not, and you have specific comment to educate the community members, please feel free to comment or add useful links ) Guys your contribution will help and the end result I am aiming is to have compiled list of cars which do have default Kill Switch/Airbags turn off button etc. and where to locate, plus in addition any other specifics you take care of before off-roading ( Fr eg : Jeep guys press Traction off button for 7 seconds, that helps to disable ESC ) Can you please hence in below format add with your contributions : ( If you see already your car model is replied by someone, please put a like / totally agree, so we avoid having multiple responses for same models.) Car mode : Jeep Wrangler 2021 - Rubicon kill Switch Button ( if yes, where to locate) - NO Airbags turn off button (if yes where to locate) : NO Other comments : Before every drive, Press the traction control off button for 7 seconds, which helps to turn off ESC (Electronic Stability Control ). When you engage 4L, the ESC is enabled again, so repeat the step when you shift to 4H, to turn off both Traction & ESC. Looking forward to your contributions ! As someone rightly said "Let's root for each other & watch each other grow."

Hello fellow petrol heads. in the past few months i have made a small experiment to see how fast the throttle body gets filled with gunk. initially when i opened the intake manifold it was full of oil residue and gunk accumulated around the butterfly valve ( mivec engine ) after around two months from cleaning it, i again opened the intake manifold and noticed already like 20% of gunk accumulated again . taking in to consideration that i am using a very good fully syntactic oil that is changed regularly , i started thinking of some alternative options to prevent this from this happening again . thats when the CatchCAN came to my mind . and started considering to install a CATCH CAN to my Pajero, but a lot of controversy in the articles and on YouTube when it comes to this topic. what i have reached to the following : 1. for diesel engines its very helpful and recommended., but for petrol its not clear . 2. As the mechanism of a catchCan is to slows down the oil vapor coming out of the combustion chamber eventually cooling down and precipitate, this can cause a pressure buildup in the engine which might blow up the PCV valve ( some may say this depends on the quality of the catch can). 3. you can always use intake manifold cleaners from liquimolly and others that they claim that you just spray it in while the engine is running( but do you really want all the gunk and dirt to go down your engine and the Catalytic converter ?? 4. Maybe stick to the old fashion way of cleaning the intake manifold by dismantling and cleaning it . I would like to hear from you guys if you have had any personal experience with installing a CATCH CAN on to your vehicles. Cheers ...

@DP1011Wow...that's a relief...I just want to stay alfoat like you guys...all my previous rides I used to see the jeep guys stay float like as it's highway in the desert for them amd I was so jealous...I didn't take a ride last week and we went to wadi and damaged my stock tyres and I was like done let's gets the best available... you're the one who introduced me to this club and i am gratefull....

@Looper just for the information I changed my stock tyres to bfgoodrich ko2. So i guess i can stay afloat a little better and not break the flow of the dance..all of you are with jeep and me with montero sport I will try to keep up and not to loose the nice momentum....

I want this to get expanded into a live roll playing adventure when we pit two long range patrol units against each other in getting to different waypoints first without detecting each other 😎

I have two ARB dual head compressors, one with tank, one without. 2.5 times difference in time.

Agree with all of above. Reliability and safety is prime in my eyes for off-roading.

@Looper That description about the ride is perfect. I added myself in the waitlist, hope you can let me join this gentle and harmonious dance in the desert.

I have the golden camel(dragon mart) onboard in my X. Faster, cheaper and apparently not reliable (not my exp).Does the job for me! Ensure you have a circuit breaker so as to not fry the other electronics in the car. ARB - expensive but reliable, a bit slower compared to double camel. Comes with warranty. Air tank helps with air tools, especially when changing a flat tyre. Bluetooth module seems to be an overkill. But this comes from the guy who deflates by screwing out the core (rather than buying quick deflator valves) In this hobby, there is no limit for mods and upgrades. We stop when the wallet runs dry or when the passion dies out or most importantly, when common sense kicks in and reminds us whats actually required.

Having said that, my neighbor sold his truck yesterday which had a twin-ARB mounted inside, and he removed it. If anyone is interested in this one (perhaps used less than 10times), send me a message on 0 5 6 5 0 4 2 6 3 2 I think he will be open for a good deal.

I declare you my new Yogi. I hope someone will return from leave and join us. It’s been more than 2 months for me without a drive…

Aye Aye Major 🫡 Looking forward 😎

In the UAE, we have a myriad of terrains to choose from when it comes to desert driving. For many new members who might be asking themselves what the differences actually are, I wanted to compile the most known areas we drive in, and give some information about the area and what you can expect when you join a drive with us in that area. We will be focusing on the sand driving. Northern Emirates (UAQ and RAK) Umm Al Quwain and Ras Al Khaimah have some very nice areas that we often explore, with plenty of vegetation, wildlife, and the mountains are never far away. On these drives, the emphasis is more on exploration than on the typical dune bashing. Scenic Score: 95% Excitement Score: 70% Versatility Score: 95% Fossil Rock - Faya - Sharjah From the moment you drive on the Sharjah - Kalba road, you'll see the majestic Fossil Rock mountain on the right hand side. It has got its name due to the ancient fossils that you can find on the rocks, and the surrounding red dunes are a delight to drive. Usually starting from Batayeh-Faya road, the dunes gradually go from small and bushy until you reach the nice open areas with "The Long Lady" as one of the most popular dunes to showcase and practice your sidesloping skills. The cherry on top is the climb on Fossil Rock itself which provides an amazing scenic view on the area and Mleiha town below. A must for every beginner level driver ! To even up the challenge you can take on the nice bowls behind Fossil Rock, or head out to Faya which is also called "The Saddle". Scenic Score: 90% Excitement Score: 70% Versatility Score: 90% Pink Rock - Big Red - Sharjah Nearby Fossil Rock, you will find Pink Rock, which got its name from the pinkish hue the rocks have. This very popular off-road area is known for the smooth gentle dunes at the start that gradually move to challenging bowls nearby the base of Pink Rock. Climbing Pink Rock is the ideal challenge for beginners and provides a fantastic view as well. From Pink Rock you can head out to Big Red which will up the challenge and entice every level of off-roader. The Big Red area is an off-roader hotspot during the season. Scenic Score: 80% Excitement Score: 70% Versatility Score: 75% Bidayer / Area 53 / Schuwaib - Sharjah This area is not for the faint of heart, and the big dunes will demand you to keep momentum at all times, while the massive hills such as Iftar Bowl and Super Bowl are ultimate play areas one can find in Sharjah. This area tends to be extremely busy during the offroad season. Scenic Score: 60% Excitement Score: 80% Versatility Score: 65% Margham / Lahbab - Dubai A little less known area, but very versatile with nice technical areas, playable bowls, and overall a terrain where any level offroader can practice and hone their skills without encountering too many cross tracks. Scenic Score: 70% Excitement Score: 70% Versatility Score: 75% Murquab - Lisaili - Faqa - Dubai This area is located on the Dubai-Al Ain road and offers so much. From technical terrain, to the arboretum in Faqa, long range dunes in both Faqa and some areas of Lisaili, and the most amazing creamy dunes below the Maktoum Solar Park which we have now called "Little Sweihan". This area never disappoints and there is a reason we have it on our weekly drives schedules ! Scenic Score: 85% Excitement Score: 80% Versatility Score: 95% Al Qudra - Dubai Al Qudra has become one of the most well known Offroad areas in Dubai, mainly due to the close vicinity to the city, but also because of its versatility, nearby facilities (Last Exit, Love Lakes), and the wildlife than can be spotted while off-roading (gazelles, oryx). This area stretches out to Murquab in the East via Al Hathmah area, on to Faqa going South below the Solar Park, and up to the Bab al Shams resort in the West. Scenic Score: 85% Excitement Score: 75% Versatility Score: 95% Sweihan - Abu Dhabi / Al Ain The Sweihan area in Abu Dhabi has to be experienced, and the proximity to Dubai brings lots of Dubai residents to Sweihan to explore the massive long range dunes and versatile area that has something in store for every off-roader. Sweihan never disappoints and the Nagrah area which alternates between monstrous dunes and deserted sabkhas will leave you hungry for more every single time. Scenic Score: 80% Excitement Score: 90% Versatility Score: 95% Al Khatim - Abu Dhabi A very popular and versatile offroader destination for Abu Dhabi residents with exhilarating dunes and technical areas that will challenge any offroader. Scenic Score: 80% Excitement Score: 90% Versatility Score: 80% Wagan / Umm Al Oash / Bu Tais - Abu Dhabi / Al Ain In search for monstruous dunes where momentum and pace are critical and where your vehicle will be pushed to its limit ? You have come to the right place as this area is spoiled with massive dunes, alternated by long flat sabkhas where you can get your bearings back before heading in again, and again ! Scenic Score: 95% Excitement Score: 100% Versatility Score: 80% Liwa Madinat Zayed - Abu Dhabi The Madinat Zayed area is famous for its Yellow Water Truck, which was left behind many years back, but no-one really knows how it got there. This area is consisting of massive dunes, and you can easily scale the level up or down in this area based on the convoy you bring there. From this place onwards and further down south into Liwa Crescent you will feel like you are on a different planet. Scenic Score: 90% Excitement Score: 100% Versatility Score: 90% Liwa Crescent - Abu Dhabi Seeing LIWA for the first time will leave you astonished, baffled, and beyond comprehension. From Himeem in the East, to Khanoor in the West, this whole area is filled with some of the biggest dunes on this planet, massive slipfaces that will make you shiver when descending, and extremely technical dunes that will require your utmost focus. This area is unforgettable and every off-roader should have this on his bucket list ! Scenic Score: 100% Excitement Score: 100% Versatility Score: 100%

After bashplates, infotainment and some lights on my y61, i'm moving to the next step in my modification journey - an onboard compressor. I actually have no issues with my dragon mart golden camel - using it for ~3 years now and it pumps faster than most petrol pumps. However, an onboard arb twin seems like a more integrated and cleaner solution long-term. I would like some advice on the benefits of having a tank connected to the compressor. is it faster? do you always leave it on? air on demand? where to position the tank and the compressor? Thanks

I had decent stock tyres, that i drove with ( Mud terrain tyres) but when i changed it to BFG KO2, Its totally a different experience both Off road and On road! Do I say more? even the lead @Looper is with same BFG! I will let you react with "totally agree" reaction on Sunday 9.35am! 😎😁

@DP1011 did I waste my money?? Will it not help?? I am sorry but i am just new and dont know the technical details much...hope you can calrify..

Car mode: Jeep wrangler 2018 sport kill switch button : no airbags turn off button : no other comment: in my jeep and like many others the owners manual suggests not to turn off airbags when off-roading because we don’t have side airbags (2023-2024 models might have to turn them off tho)

. Car mode : pajero 3.8 lwb - 2020 kill Switch Button ( if yes, where to locate) - yes below steering wheel Airbags turn off button (if yes where to locate) : NO Other comment the stock kill switch doesn't kill ABS (only disableS ASC) which is super annoying and needs to be reapplied after engine restart. installed custom switch in a gang panel to disable the ASC - ABS - TRACTION. stays off between engine restarts.

Imagine it as similar to setting tire pressure on the fuel station air pump. It periodically checks the pressure in the tire and stops when reached. You set the pressure on the control device using your phone which is connected via Bluetooth hence the name Bluetooth module. It’s an additional control module attached to the ARB twin pump. You don’t need TPMS of the car for controlling pressure. To answer the other question, yes for the first part - it automatically shutdown when there is no airflow. Which is the case with the twin pump without air tank as well. However the best practice would be to swich it off. The connection is 99% air tight. That 1% will keep the pump active unnecessarily.

lol Dont get hung up on Liwa, really. As you need a ride that you can enjoy 12 months rather than once a year. Liwa is not a big deal depending on which level drive you join, we have seen all size and shapes of cars doing liwa every year.

@Davie Chasedoes the compressor shut off automatically when the tank fills up and the output is closed? This theoretically means that you can leave the compressor turned on all the time right? @Looper does this work with a TPMS inside the tyre?

Came across the following discussion: https://www.cruzetalk.com/threads/chevy-cruze-turns-off-while-driving.8869/page-2 one of the comments: “Two things to look into: the negative battery cable. It's a known issue in the Gen 1. The other one is the ignition relay. Cheap part ($8?), easy to change(in the fuse box) One person here found that was the problem in his car.”

Good topic @Simon D I briefly researched this catch can in past and then forgot. Just asked the same to Pajero guru's in diff country club, will update here and looking fwd to learn more too.

When car switches off, does it display any error messages on dashboard? Does it happen in stop and go traffic? With AC or without AC too? Is car regularly services? If not first doubt goes to spark plugs, faulty ICV, weak battery/alternator along with 10 other parts. Best is to get fully diagnose with OBD adapter when it switches off and which see fault code it register, so you can exactly pin-point the root cause.

@Cristian & @Ignacio Quindós we will have a drive as long as we have a minimum of 3-member convoy.

Pure poetry @Looper Is this happening even if we are only 2 or is TBC?

ABOUT THE LONG RANGE PATROLS The unit, initially known as the No.1 Long Range Patrol Unit (LRP), was founded on 3 July 1940. Bagnold wanted men who were energetic, innovative, self-reliant, physically and mentally tough, and able to live and fight in seclusion in the Libyan desert. The Long Range Patrol comprised a 15-man headquarters with Bagnold in command. Initially there were three sub-units: 'R' Patrol commanded by Captain Donald Gavin Steele, 'T' Patrol commanded by Captain Patrick Clayton and 'W' Patrol commanded by Captain Edward 'Teddy' Cecil Mitford. 'T' and 'W' Patrols were combat units while 'R' Patrol was intended to be a support unit. In November 1940 it was expanded to six Patrols: 'T', 'W' and 'R' Patrols were joined by 'G', 'S' and 'Y' Patrols. in December 1941 the group was joined by the Indian Long Range Squadron. The Indian Squadron was organized with the first two patrols originally known as 'J' (Jats) and 'R' (Rajput) Patrols. In October 1942 two further Indian patrols were formed: 'M' (Muslim) and 'S' (Sikh) Patrols. A Demolition Squadron, nicknamed "Popski's Private Army" and commanded by Major Vladimir 'Popski' Peniakoff, was briefly attached to the LRDG beginning in December 1942. .........

Thanks buddy. Congrats to you too. 👍

If it's a manual Jeep chances are pretty high it's already been offroaded, because they are either way very few in numbers. I agree with Fred that if you intend on buying a Wrangler the Pentastar engine is what you should be looking at. Also, please do check up, the earlier Pentastar engines did have some issues which were then rectified in the later models. Alternatively if you are lucky to find an old TJ with a 5 speed gearbox.

the 2009 has the 3.8 engine which was not bad but the later model (2012 onwards I think )3.6 Pentastar engine is the one you really want. (200hp vs 280hp).

One of my favorite topics...a Manual gearbox. Firstly, I love the feel of a manual gearbox especially while driving on the sand. No overheating issues, no upshifting issues and if you are reasonably careful they will outlast an automatic transmission any day. As Fred said, however much your experience of driving manual on the road is, off-road is very different. You will definitely burn your clutch in the initial phase. How many clutch sets you go through depends on how fast you learn not to ride the clutch. I prefer the vehicle to stall 10 times rather than ride the clutch once. But before you jump into a manual Xterra, I would check the following: 1. What are the gear ratios of the manual Xterra vs the automatic version. In some cars like the XJ the manual gearbox has a superior first gear ratio than in the automatic, letting you drive at high speeds on 1st gear. 2. If these gearboxes are not common, what would you do when one fails? Are they places (in US or a scrappy) where you can find a replacement. After struggling with quite a few bad scrapyard and rebuilt gearboxes over the past 2-3 years, last year I finally was able to source a new gearbox from the US. Costed a bomb, but I am glad I took the call. Some points that you ought to consider before buying a Manual Xterra.

Hey @Sreenath G Of course you can drive a manual gearbox in the dunes. I even prefer it over automatic. For an Xterra it's definitely rare, and probably lots of fun, @Anoop Nair, @Srikumar, myself, and few others drive manual gearboxes. The advantages: 1. No automatic upshifting. You and only you decide which gear you want to drive in. 2. Less weight in comparison with an auto gearbox which will mean better performance and less delay (no torque converter). Disadvantages: 1. Little bit more difficult to learn and you will probably burn 1-2 clutches by the time you get fully used to it.

It was a wonderful morning and I personally enjoyed every bit of the drive despite of the scorching heat towards the last hour of the drive with temperatures climbing very fast beyond 48 degrees. @Davie Chase you already blew up the curve mate 😂 a natural lead with fantastic lines and balanced level for everyone to enjoy, learn, and grow some muscles too 💪 The whole convoy did very well overall and I liked the teaming spirit.. everyone rolling up their sleeves to support when needed Congratulations @Haneef Thayyil for completing your first Fewbie drive. You had the biggest share of stucks and refusals plus a pop out today so thanks for giving us the chance to practice all techniques 😂😂.. Jokes aside, you did very well and I could notice after each one how more confident you become, better in following instructions, and getting the art of taming the mighty power of your beast to work for you..always remember STEERING is your best friend. @Alphin Aloor very well done overall.. I was jumping from joy watching you self recover at that soft spot.. a role model .. BRAVO. everyone else drove very well and I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did. @Benjamin great support throughout the drive.. your presence and coolness in every situation assessing, guiding, and executing different recovery techniques is highly commendable.. keep it up my friend. can’t wait to have the pleasure of driving with all of you again!