Leaderboard

So, Frederic got this knack for dreaming up cool adventures and he's earned titles like "Master Planner" and "Creative Genius" for it. Every season, he surprises us with new ideas, and we're lucky and grateful for adventurous souls like him who lead us with such cool combo concepts. I totally missed out on the 7 Emirates drive, but luckily, I managed to jump into the Scenic Sand and Wadi Adventure last minute. Big shoutout to @Srikumar for letting me tag along in the car and enjoy those rare moments. The turnout for the adventure was impressive, providing an excellent opportunity to reconnect with familiar faces at the expansive sabkha. That little mountain hike offered breathtaking views, reminding us of the joys of exploring on foot. Surely, Fredy, the master planner, selected the three convoy meeting points with similar intentions. Navigating through the winding mountain paths amidst natural elements was truly mesmerizing. The whole convoy waiting for the sheep crossing was the cutest part, the second one was the farm full of black sheep, lol. Despite unexpected delays prompting Fredy to shorten the drive, I found myself hoping the drive would last longer - an indication of the sheer joy experienced, a rarity in off-roading. Thank you @Frederic for your unwavering commitment, brilliance and efforts for multiple recces, and huge patience for handling multiple convoys for such a long drive.

Hi @Gary F all well thanks mate and will actually be back in the sand on Friday with @Stumpy and his new toy. Been busy getting the car back on the road and putting the toys back on. After reviewing hours of footage I have come to the conclusion that the cause was the writing was on the wrong side 😜

I got a rechargeable LED under cabinet strip pretty cheap off Amazon and put a Velcro patch on it and one to the rear top lining. It’s motion activated, and I get plenty of light in the rear end. It’s especially useful when I camp and sleep inside the cabin too.

We def need magnetic cars for offroading

It was amazing trips with beyond expectations of challenging massive Dunes in Empty Quarter Area ( LIWA- BATEEN) can be concurred with fully adrenaline and enjoying explorations new places, Thank you so much @Asif Hussain Bai, and All Lovely Team.

"BATEEN LIWA" It was one more epic drive this time. Driving through liwa dunes every winter is always a dream for me, where I get the chance to explore and learn more, and this time my plan was to pierce the proper liwa dunes and to stay on the top at highest point and drive through those stunning untouched rolling dunes. As usual going to the top is a difficult part and once you are on the top it is a real fun to drive. My favorite second lead @Santoso Marjuki you were truly amazing and i can still feel your Rubicon roaring. @Salim Akhtar i always see you having regret that you are driving a pajero 3.5ltr, i hope you will not now . @Beide Worku hats off to you, the way you control your LWB F150 is really commendable. At every sticky situation i is to worry that you will make it or no, but the moment i looked behind you were just behind us, truly amazing. @Jona best sweep, thank you for not leaving anyone behind. Once again thank you all for making this drive come true. See you soon.

DRIVE DETAILS Very few places on Earth can rival the mesmerizing beauty of Liwa, nestled within the Rub' al Khali, the vast expanse of the Empty Quarter – the largest uninterrupted desert on the planet! Embark on a thrilling two-day adventure that promises to unveil some of the most immense sand dunes you'll ever encounter! 🐪🌄 Immerse yourself in the raw beauty of nature, far removed from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Camp beneath a blanket of stars, serenaded by the sounds of the wilderness. Share stories around a crackling campfire, bonding with fellow adventurers over shared triumphs and tales of adventure. Yet, traversing the expanses of the world's largest desert demands respect and preparation. This expedition entails a challenging off-road journey, offering breathtaking vistas at every turn. Brace yourself and your vehicle for an unforgettable test of endurance and exploration! Planning: *Meetup at 8AM in Khanoor: https://maps.app.goo.gl/rnGP9hxzHzt12Ewf7 Decimal Coordinates: 23.08584, 53.61100 * Full Day Drive, making our way towards Moreeb dune. * Set up camp around 6PM and enjoy the evening together. * Exit at Moreeb Dune the following morning around 10AM. Considering its seriousness to keep you and your vehicle safe, these strict rules will be applied to all. Maximum of one passenger allowed - No exceptions. Drive Preparation: Your car should be in 100% pristine working condition, so double or triple check everything. Full-size spare tire with a lug wrench to match your wheel nut size and its depth. For aftermarket rims - Your lug wrench also needs to match the wheel nut depth. As it's a long full-day drive, so catch up with enough sleep in advance. 5-10 liter of water per person. Snacks for breakfast, lunch, dinner and next day breakfast. Keep your car as light as possible by packing what is truly essential. Fully charged radio with spare battery and all other required off-road gears. Gas tank and jerry can should be full upon arrival. (see fuel requirement below) Last petrol station with washrooms and food is ADNOC LIWA (977): https://maps.app.goo.gl/CqSnCNUTfUwySN2Y7 Last Petrol station nearby the starting point is ADNOC KHANOOR: https://maps.app.goo.gl/oxVfp85mBCdrWF6e7 Fuel requirement for every 4x4: Full main tank and 1 additional 25l jerrycan. Drive Details Level: Fewbie Plus and above When: 2 March 2024 Starting time: 8:00 AM (SHARP - Without any exceptions) Starting Point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/rnGP9hxzHzt12Ewf7 Decimal Coordinates: 23.08584, 53.61100 You can come early and camp at the same starting point if you like. (you can head inside on the same dirt track) Last petrol station with washrooms and food is ADNOC LIWA (977): https://maps.app.goo.gl/CqSnCNUTfUwySN2Y7 Last Petrol station nearby the starting point is ADNOC KHANOOR: https://maps.app.goo.gl/oxVfp85mBCdrWF6e7 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, lunch, snacks, face mask, enthusiasm and willingness to learn. Approximate finish time: Between 10AM and 12 the next day. LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE: Limited to 10 Fewbie Plus and above drivers. 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. RSVP HERE for lead - Frederic RSVP HERE for lead - Gaurav Soni

Great to hear you’ll be back in the sand this weekend . Don’t forget never leave the keys in the car 😂. And the writing does really make the tires pop.

https://www.patrol4x4.com/threads/wiring-up-original-map-lights.176530/

Bonus points for someone to tell me how to wire the centre dome light (for short wheel base) with the front two dome lights so that when I open the door they all come on together. Its my biggest gripe (I don’t have many 😁) with the SWB Y61 is that when you open either the drivers or passengers door that only the centre dome light comes on which means the front is very dark. Also need to fit a light to the rear as well as when I open up the rear doors there is no light meaning it’s like playing Marco Polo without a torch when trying to find stuff

Oh yes there will be definitely canbus or Nissan proprietary bus system for the ECU communication around engine and dash. For the roof liner trim lights they usually hardwire this to keep things simple. But on more recent cars nowadays it’s bus systems all over the place.

@Bravoecho how are you? Will you be back on the sand soon ?

Let's compile a list of toxic or unsafe plants (fruit or shrubs) found in the UAE Desert while offroading. Desert lemon-looking plants are called Desert Squash (Citrullus colocynthis) (Handhal). https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-798/colocynth

https://www.purdue.edu/hla/sites/famine-foods/famine_food/citrullus-colocynthis/ Yes @Gaurav there is some research on rajasthani version of this plant called " tumba" to use as famine food... There is another very common plant of desert which is highly poisons called "aak".. we should be careful.. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calotropis_gigantea. @Gaurav agree not to encourage touching any unknown plant which may be toxic and ruin our experience.. Thanks

Flip open the cover and replace the bulb with LED. It makes a big difference

Welcome to Carnity off road club Fewbie+ drive, meeting at Tawi Nizwa. Please ensure your off-road gear is as per your rank and you bring lots of enthusiasm with you as this will be a drive through great variety of terrain with a few challenges. Drive Description: Welcome to the Italian Job Drive, where we are calling out for the those who are brave , ready and willing to face all challenges of the technical terrain, soft sand and the fast pace climbs. By the end of the Drive we will prove that its all about the driver not the car, so get ready to be put to the ultimate test !! So the plan in short as per the movie GET In. GET Out. GET Even !!! "It's a very difficult job and the only way to get through it is we all work together as a team. !!!!" P.S in Our version of "the Italian Job" we leave no one behind!! Note: Be prepared!!!! This drive will need your full attention , as It will be intense , challenging and Taxing your body and mind and your 4X4. MUST READ AND COMPLY Environmental Policy Offroad Flag Guideline Two Way Radio Guideline Off road Driving Etiquette's Emergency details for all off-roaders Off Road Driving - Roles & Responsibilities DRIVE DETAILS Level: Fewbie plus and above When: 10 February 2024, Saturday Meeting time: 07:00 am - Sharp (Without any exceptions) Meeting Point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/8h8yf4zznDE4jQbJ6 Approximate finish time: 11:00 am 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, Tow Rope, 2 Shackles and fire extinguisher. LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE This drive is limited to 10 cars only. RSVP will close on Friday - 12 PM. Please withdraw your RSVP, if you find you are unable to join, so your spot can be taken by others in the waitlist. If the RSVP is full, you can add your name to the waitlist, if an RSVP attendee removes themselves, you will be moved from the waitlist to the RSVP list as an attendee. A convoy list will be sent out the day prior to the drive. Latecomers will be returned back - Without any exceptions. Members without RSVP will be returned back - Without any exceptions. Repeated no-show members after RSVP will have their account suspended for a month. PLEASE RSVP ON BELOW CALENDAR

Now you solving my other problem of the engine bay light to seeing red and black terminals at night

I don't know that, but long ago one of my friends installed a simple LED bulb in his car and brought the same 5-10 dhs LED bulb and showed me how to replace it, it was super easy and quick to make a big diff.

I was told that the TB48DE has a Nissan CANBUS which is how the MaxxECU programming can be done for certain components. But you’re the expert here so I may have been fed garbage too 😂

Super Safari has CAN BUS ? all this time I thought my car to be ancient, with the three switches (always on / off / on via door) would be done via simple wiring.

@Bravoecho, @SamyB - you need to get 2x Front Dome/Map lights, 1x Rear Dome/Map light (Second row), and 1x Trunk Dome/Map light (third row). Look for CANbus/Canbus-compatible LED lights. You can choose them in White (6500K) or warm white (3000K) color temperatures. They are easily available in car mod shops (Deira) or Dragon Mart. Canbus compatibility is key as most dome lights have three settings - Always on, Always off, On-when-door is open. For the switch lever to activate the light in these three modes, the light must be compatible to take the signal message from the CAN bus. As @Gaurav has suggested, popping off the dome of the in-ceiling lights is quite pain-free. For best results, I recommend always keeping a plastic/rubber scraper or pick so you don't accidentally damage internal parts or your roof lining with scratches and/or color transfer from the tool.

@Frederic thank you for organising this wonderful drive, myself and James had a great time, appreciate the time commitment that went into this plan. It was a great day out and I’m sure for many of us a chance to see parts of the UAE we didn’t know existed. Thanks @Vanessa8580 for leading convoy 2 it was - fun drive. Apart from the scenery the frivolousness of driving with 20 psi on the sand was a new challenge, sorry @Brette that last dune before the wadi , it was already pretty churned up by the time I attempted, I wasn’t going to let it beat me and I beat it with 4th gear in 4 lo and inflated tires making sure the sand was well aerated for you. 😂

Thanks @Prithvi Raj for adding to this list.

@Frederic looking forward to meeting you and the rest of the convoy. Anticipating an enjoyable drive with lots of learnings to take from all of you.

Dear @Lala G and @Sunil Mathew see you today at the meeting point 15:00 sharp please . please don’t be mislead by google map as it will further take you till the end of the road . Instead just make full u turn on the roundabout and then turn right as the fence is open to enter. See below please

Great to see that @EbrahimZAF! No doubt, under the expert guidance of @Gaurav you have the basics very well taken care off. See you coming weekend !

Hi Gaurav, which cover do you mean?

A drive like this is the one to remember. Thank you @Ale Vallecchi for the opportunity to get there and spend the whole day out! I loved the energy and the fact that nobody (except for myself after I jinxed it on the last kilometer of the trip) actually needed a push/pull or a dig As soon as I find some time, I'll go through footage from my camera and gopro!

Hi @Lala G still we have time till tomorrow morning 10 am then we decide minimum three cars for any drive prefer 4 lets see If number remains below the minimum will cancel

Greetings @M.Seidam its almost the day and there are no joiners. Please advice if we will be postponing or cancelling the drive. Ill look forward to more mid week drives though. 😜

Here is the much anticipated video of our drive yesterday. Some moments inspired by watching some of @Looper's videos.

Drive Report With the early sunrise, our 3 courageous convoys met up at three different locations. Since we had 30+ signups which would be a nightmare to gather at one meeting point, i decided to go for 3 different locations, but with the aim of all getting together at one point on a huge sabkha, where we could all meetup with the entire group and have some laughs and photos. Since we were all together, why not get into some action ? Upon arrival @Hani Howeedy hit a tiny tree stump that was sticking out of the sabkha and it punctured the tire in the sidewall. With the great help of many team members like @Ali-M, @Ahmed Wagdy, @Srikumarand @Gaurav, we quickly installed the spare and resumed our journey. We decided to stick together with all three convoys for part 2 as they had to follow the same track anyways. We had some good challenges and dune climbs along our way to the mountains, where donkey's were laughing at our foolishness, but nevertheless we fought through and reached Wadi sidr. As by now we encountered some delay, a few members decided to opt out for the wadi part, and made their way back to Dubai. Wadi sidr occasionally has water pools which makes for an interesting crossing. Unfortunately, yesterday the pools were tiny but nevertheless it was great fun, and we exited in Asimah (north of Masafi). The original plan was to head out towards Wadi Sena and head out into the mountains, but time was running out so i decided to go for wadi sidr only. I must thank @Srikumar and @Vanessa8580 for stepping up and leading a 2nd and 3rd convoy, which made it possible to do this adventure with a big group. Sure we had delays, stucks, and refusals, but we have lots of stories to share for years to come Thanks @Gaurav for the camaraderie and help along the drive, and for being Sri's co-pilot (Samir you are killing us!!!)....😁 @Ranjan Das@Bjoern@Brette thanks for all the great help and support throughout the drive ! Fantastic driving by all of you, and no doubt we all learned something. 20psi in the dunes is not easy, but we made it out ! You can find our photo gallery below: Newbie - Scenic Sands & Wadis - UAQ - 04 Feb 2024 - Carnity.com See you all soon again in the sands or wadis !

If you find the cabin light let’s me know as that has been on my list. Darkest cabin I’ve ever driven and makes finding stuff at night difficult

Have a look here: https://jomla.ae/ar/product-brands/miles-a-part/ Miles-a-part is a small company owned by a young Emirati. He sells Nissan Safari / Super Safari accessories. You can look on his insta page as well for more info (Milesapartuae) Ive ordered a rear backup camera from him as my Safari didn’t come with that option. The portfolio is not fantastic but at least you might find some items you like.

Different ways of crossing sand dunes Throughout the Carnity Offroad briefings you might have heard the terms "straight up and straight down", "side sloping", or "criss-crossing", and these are basically different techniques that we use in desert for crossing the sand dunes. Each come with its own risks and by learning and understanding the technicalities behind them i hope we can all learn faster and get more confidence in executing them. I hope below tutorial gives a more clear understanding on the subject and we can use it for future reference. 1) Straight Up - Straight Down Carnity Offroad Level: Newbie and Fewbies Description This technique is one of the very first we learn to apply when learning offroading. The trick is to approach the dune straight up with "JUST" enough momentum to make it through, but not too much to damage bumpers or cause a jump. One should always take into account the resistance that the sand offers based on different areas, and even more on different seasons. Most sand dunes have two sides - The windward side, which is the side where the prevailing wind blows on, and can be recognized by the wavy lines of the sand. This is the side where we ride on because the sand is more compacted and firm to drive on. - The slip-face side, this the softer backside (smooth side, no lines) of the dune which is generally not recommended to climb on, but this technique can later be learned as you advance through the off-road levels (slip-face attack). How to tackle It is advisable to start off at the bottom of the dune with applying a decent amount of power, and start letting go of the gas once you have climbed 75% of the dune. By that point the momentum should carry you further, and as soon as the car front wheel touches the crest, leave the gas completely or apply a bit of gentle braking when needed, to let you slide on other side of the dune safely. In fact the perfect technique is finding that right amount of momentum that you don't even need to apply brakes on the other side. Some gentle blips of throttle can help at the top to push you over the edge, as you learn and master this first step. If you run out of momentum going upwards to cross the dune, do not worry or panic, this is called a REFUSAL. Gently reverse and slowly come back in a straight line as you have climbed up. Announce on the radio that you have a refusal. Reverse up far enough so you can take a second attempt but this time with a bit more momentum. Risk Level: Low to medium. Approaching too slow will increase refusal and might cause stuck at the crest. Approaching with excessive speed might damage the bumpers or cause a vehicle to jump. Apply gentle throttle and slowly increase after learning. Take note that every dune is different and each approach will need to be made slightly different in terms of speed. Associated Risks: If you approach the dune too fast, more likely you will cause the bumper damage because your reaction time will be reduced substantially at very high speed. 2) Side-Sloping Carnity Offroad Level: Fewbie and upwards Description This technique is very fun and addictive, but it needs to be executed with a clear mind and a good experience on the behavior of the car. That is the main reason why this technique is only used from Fewbie level onwards. It is very critical to understand how gravity works and as we always says: " DO NOT FIGHT GRAVITY ". this applies to this technique most of all. When you approach a dune that you want to side-slope on, you need to carry enough momentum to get you through. This does not necessarily mean FULL throttle, because that depends on the type of dune. As soon as your car is on an incline, it will have the natural tendency to try to come down. The more momentum you carry, the further you will get. It is extremely important that you do not fight this by going higher up the dune at that point, but to steer down in a smooth way. Braking at this point is also very dangerous. While doing side sloping try to choose smooth path as possible and avoid stepping on rock, bushes or bumps that can bounce you and disturb the whole balance and tip you off or result in dangerous fish-tailing or tire pop-out at high speed. EVERY MOVEMENT OR ACTION YOU DO WHILE SLIDE-SLOPING NEEDS TO BE DONE IN A SMOOTH WAY, SUDDEN BRAKING OR EXTREME STEERING CAN LEAD TO ROLL-OVERS. Best practice: Always visually mark the entry and exit of the dune that you wish to do side sloping on. Stick to the initial plan as far as possible and exit safely. If you are new to this, then watch and observe how others have done before and try to replicate that as much as you can. The best thing to keep in mind is to think about "HALF MOONS" What i mean with that is that you should never make 90° turns during any kinds of these activities, but make smooth half moons during approaching dunes or crossing them. Risk Level: Medium. With proper training and guidance you can eliminate the risk of a roll-over for 95%, but one should always be aware of the risks involved and take all measures possible to minimize these. Keep both hands at the steering wheel and your full attention on the view ahead. Do not get distracted ! Associated Risks: If your vehicle is lifted more than 4 inch of OEM stock height then your 4x4 center of gravity will be less, and this will increase the risk of roll-over or flip by 50%. Same goes for bouncy (non-standard/rated) suspensions. 3) Criss-Crossing Carnity Offroad Level: Fewbie and upwards Description Criss-crossing is the art of riding the ridge of the dune and crossing over to the other side. Also here it is vital to understand that the approach towards the ridge, as well as the crossing over needs to be done in a smooth, half moon way. So basically you approach the dune along the length, you can stay on the ridge for as long as you want, but don't lose momentum at this point, or you will be crested lengthwise in the exact middle. Now the trick is to choose the right point at which you cross towards the other side. This feels scary at the beginning, but soon you will get the hang of it, and cross ridges without panicking at all. Make the criss-cross movement again in a half-moon method as seen below. Below picture shows the right and wrong way to criss-cross a dune. On the left side you will see that the approach is smooth and as soon as you cross over to the other side you gently steer down. Braking at this point is again very dangerous. In the right-side scenario, the angle of approach is very sharp, and during higher speeds this can result in a roll-over. EVERY MOVEMENT OR ACTION YOU DO WHILE CRISS-CROSSING NEEDS TO BE DONE IN A SMOOTH WAY, SUDDEN BRAKING OR EXTREME STEERING CAN LEAD TO ROLL-OVERS. Risk Level: Medium. With proper training and guidance you can eliminate the risk of a roll-over for 95%, but one should always be aware of the risks involved and take all measures possible to minimize these. Keep both hands at the steering wheel and your full attention on the view ahead. Do not get distracted ! Associated Risks: If your vehicle is lifted more then 4 inch of OEM stock height, then your 4x4 center of gravity will be less and this will increase the risk of roll-over or flip by 50%. Same goes for bouncy (non-standard/rated) suspensions. 4) Hill Climbing While this technique is not immediately necessary to cross dunes, climbing a mighty big dune will bring some fun and adrenaline in the equation. At first, you might feel intimidated and not sure if your car can handle this. With the right techniques at hand you can at least make a safe attempt and see how far you can get. This technique can be practiced from Newbie level onwards on small hills, and later you will learn to approach taller dunes from Fewbie level and up. Again it is extremely important to make a smooth "half-moon" circle at the top. If you run out of momentum and come to a standstill, DO NOT attempt to make a turn, but put your car in 4LO, and slowly reverse down the dune while keeping your wheels straight. The low gearing will help you in keeping that slow pace. As you begin to learn this, it's always advisable to make a smaller U-Turn to learn how your car reacts and how your mind reacts when you take the first turn on top of dune. This needs to be done with confidence and without any doubt or fear, so that you don't brake on top and do the complete U-Turn without braking and in a very smooth manner. Practicing on small U-Turn will build your confidence and after 5-10 small U-Turn attempt you can try higher and higher by understanding your vehicle dynamics and limitations. Risk Level: Medium. With proper training and guidance you can eliminate the risk of a roll-over for 95%, but one should always be aware of the risks involved and take all measures possible to minimize these. Keep both hands at the steering wheel and your full attention on the view ahead. Do not get distracted ! Associated Risks: If your vehicle is lifted more than 4 inch above OEM stock height, then your 4x4 center of gravity will be less and this will increase the risk of roll-over or flip by 50%. Same goes for bouncy (non-standard/rated) suspensions. Safety of all offroad enthusiasts is the most important thing. This is an extreme hobby that brings confidence, thrills, and people together as a family. We can only do whatever we can to make all safety instructions clear and concise but in end it's up to the offroader behavior to understand all risk and associated risk involve and enjoy safely. Open for any questions or comments !

Well done @Frederic for taking so much time to share this great off-road knowledge. Very well explained and documented with perfect diagrams and videos. Only thing I like to add for all new offroaders, learn and follow above instructions to the max but never fight the gravity. If you had a bad feeling for any side sloping, criss crossing attempt, exit safely and make another attempt rather than fighting the gravity. Small deviation of track can also cause lot of difficulty and push the car to the soft patch, in that case simply accept the defeat and exit down without fighting with mother nature. Even experienced offroader do have refusal and repeat without any hesitation, that's the real fun and challenge of offroading.