Gaurav

More than good or bad vs cheap or pricey, ask your friend to deal with the workshop/mechanic/freelancer who can give written guarantee on the head gasket job. At least for a couple of months or 5k kms, this way he can be sure to working with professionals (only) and just compare the quotes. Found 1 here in business listing showing 5 star rating in Dubai Second one in Sharjah showing 5 star rating in Sharjah Third he can get a quote from Gulf star auto maintenance workshop in Sharjah - very renowned for being LR experts.

Welcome @Erik Ean to Carnity and it's off-road club. For the first absolute newbie drive, you just need to buy a radio and rest all stuff can wait for the second drive, if you and your ride seems to like off-roading. For absolute newbie, you should join my drive, as this drive is for fewbie level off-roaders. However, I'm really not sure if Honda CRV being a 4 cylinder can really handle the hot sand atm, as these desert drives goes through the dunes, but being an absolute newbie drive we start at very basic level and then scale up as per the convoy response. Can you please check if you have 8-10 inch of ground clearance? Do you have front an back tow hooks? Have you tried the beach sand in summer and how did CRV performed?

Changed to 8 PM

Fossil Rock is the most famous and oldest desert offering perfect learning opportunity for absolute newbies for their first time desert driving thrilling experience. If you have already driven in sand before then you can learn more from experts having decades of offroading experience in the UAE. This area offers a good mix of playable long set of dunes and broad ridge to test your off-road control. Drive is open for all 4x4/4WD/SUV/AWD vehicle having 8-10 inches of ground clearance and front and rear tow hooks. You can bring your family, friends and kids, but if you are absolute new to sand offroading it is better to drive alone first to learn offroading without any distractions. What you'll learn: Introduction to off-roading Desert driving basics and etiquette Desert driving tips, techniques, myth and best practices Off-road and safety gear familiarization and recovery procedures Vehicle orientation, risk analysis, deflation and outdoor safety advice First time with Carnity Off-road Club: Please share your vehicle details below Prior off-road experience (Yes/No) Confirm front and rear tow hooks Why should i join ? We will teach you how to drive off-road safely and learn the best offroad driving and recovery techniques. If you have already driven in sand before then you can learn more from experts having decades of offroading experience in the UAE. This area offers a good mix of playable long set of dunes and broad ridge to test your off-road control. Can my vehicle do this ? This drive is open for all 4x4/4WD/SUV/AWD vehicle having 8-10 inches of ground clearance and front and rear tow hooks. If in doubt please first announce your questions on the drive thread so we can advise you further. Any stock 4x4/4WD are most welcome, you don't need any modified vehicle. Can i bring passengers ? Yes of course, but if you are absolute new to offroading it is better to drive alone first to avoid any distractions. What can i expect ? You will learn about the following subjects: Introduction to off-roading Desert driving basics and etiquette Desert driving tips, techniques, myth and best practices Off-road and safety gear familiarization and recovery procedures Vehicle orientation, risk analysis, deflation and outdoor safety advice Are you joining us for the first time ? Please share your vehicle details below Prior off-road experience (Yes/No) Confirm front and rear tow hooks are in good usable condition STRICTLY: For ABSOLUTE NEWBIE who are driving for the first time with Carnity. This drive is organized in full compliance with the COVID19 guidelines. MUST READ: Not following these rules and precautions = Not allowed to drive. No Gathering | No Briefing | No BBQ | No Eating Together | No Touching | No Hugging We are only allowed to drive through the desert, as we are driving on the road now. So we will only do the desert driving just by sitting inside our cars at all the times and leave the drive without socializing or coming close to each other. How to maintain "STRICT" Social Distancing Meeting point will be set slightly (100m - 200m) inside the desert track. You individually deflate your tires on the tarmac before reaching the meeting point. While deflating tires, stop cars 10 meters away from any other car. Drive signup on calendar will be closed on Thursday morning by 9 AM. Convoy numbering and briefing will be posted here on this drive post by 6 PM on Thursday. All participants need to read & acknowledge the briefing by clicking "Totally Agree" reaction on this post. Every driver must have his/her own radio (walkie-talkie). Switch on your radio when you reach the meeting point on the set frequency advised here. Once everyone reaches to the meeting point, everyone stay inside the car at all the times. Trip lead will do the roll call, convoy numbering recap, critical briefing over the radio. Any suggestions or issues will be discussed over the radio too. You can also speak to other members through the radio only. So please make sure that your radio battery is fully charged. Once all set, trip lead will start the drive as before. Refusal and Recoveries with Social Distancing Every drive will have 1 lead Marshal and 1 or 2 supporting senior members/crew. Whenever there is a stuck or refusal, only a Marshal / Senior Member / Crew is allowed to handle the situation. Everyone else including the stuck car driver, stay inside the car - AT ALL TIMES. Marshal / Senior Member / Crew is only allowed to step out to access the situation and do the recoveries: They will wear mask and gloves at all times when they are outside their car. They will try to help self recover through the radio guidance. If not they will use required recovery gear and do the needful (shovel, rope, tug or winch, as required). If at any time Marshal require help, then only you are allowed to step out by wearing face mask and gloves at all times. Drive completion and inflation There will not be any gathering or sitting down together for food-break like before. Once drive is finished, after reaching the tarmac, everyone is requested to move away 50-100 meters before starting their inflation. For drivers having no compressor, can head to the near by fuel station. Strictly no sharing of compressors, radio, shovel or any recovery gear, at any times. Mandatory things you require to attend the drive Face mask - at least TWO face mask is needed in case one get damage or fly away. Disposable rubber gloves - at least two sets are needed. Wear face mask and gloves at all the times, when you are out of your car. Carry plenty of hand sanitizer and object sanitizer (spray). Use your sanitizers generously, whenever you step out to help or recover. Sanitize your hands before getting back into your car. Sanitize your recovery gears, if you have used them. Fully charged and programmed radio - without any excuse - No radio = No drive. Mandatory precaution that you need to take at all times Do not step out of your car UNLESS/OTHERWISE advised by Marshal / Senior Member / Crew. No shaking hands, hugs or touching each other. No sharing of food, drinks or recovery tools. If you are not feeling well, please stay at home and take a lot of rest. If you have travel in last 14 days, then please do not attend this drive. If you feel unwell during the drive, please let trip lead know so he can plan an early exit. Not more than 3 pax in a car and if all 3 aren't living together, then they should wear the mask inside the car too. Two Way Radio Guidelines Every Offroader brings his own radio, programmed to the frequencies described in below advice topic. We will not share spare radios or program your radio on the drive. If you need assistance in programming the radio, post a topic on the Carnity website with your questions and we will help you out. Make sure your radio is fully charged. It will be your only way of communication while driving. Before buying, please carefully read below advice so you are informed properly on which model / cost / shops. You can buy single piece ("not paired") UHF programmable radio from Dragon Mart (Dubai) from 70 - 150 AED. No radio = No drive. It is an essential tool and you should make sure you bring it on every drive and learn/practice how to use it. MUST WATCH: OUR NEWBIE VIDEO BRIEFING: Drive Details Level: All Levels When: June 26 2020, Friday. Meeting time: 4:00 PM (SHARP - Without any exceptions) Meeting Point: Mahafiz Tree Entrance - https://goo.gl/maps/xbYhVfQ9zboEdG3i9 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, face mask, rubber gloves, enthusiasm and willingness to learn. Approximate finish time: 08:00 PM End Point: Adnoc- https://goo.gl/maps/gq17ZbqKFfERCRdk9 LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE: Limited to 15 cars only. RSVP will close on Thursday - 5PM. 1 Lead Marshal + 2 Senior Members + 12 Members. If the RSVP is full and you wish to join, please mention your name on the drive thread to add on the waiting 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. PLEASE RSVP ON THE CALENDAR

Very well done @Shamil for your first official lead, very proud of you and your efforts as you have come a long way to reach this new height with your continued dedication and commitment. Well done @Desert Dweller to start getting into the groove and helping and managing the drives. Keep it up @Srikumar next time please send back anyone who doesn't have a working radio, as we all need to comply with COVID rules above our friendship, and offroad fraternity. Extract from above BAN post

Convoy Numbering: Gaurav - Silver Pajero bunty_and_pops - White Wrangler Vipin Shetty - Jeep Grand Cherokee Magellan - Brown Pajero Janarthan - Silver Xterra Anish S - White Pajero Jeepie - Green Wrangler Rajeevan Vickneswaran - Blue wrangler E.C. TAN - Grey Wrangler Tbone - Black Xterra siddharth maheshwari - White Jeep Wrangler Mahmoud Hamzawy - Brown Prado Ale Vallecchi - Grey FJ Cruiser

Welcome @VipinShetty to Carnity offroad club, as one time exception I can add you to this drive due to @Nikola Bozovic exiting after the drive is closed. Please make sure that your Grand Cherokee having 8-10 inches of ground clearance alongwith front and back tow hook. @Brette might share some advise for bumpers to make it safe for dunes. Please click on totally agree on this drive post and BAN post, once you read all the covid precautions. Make sure your radio is set to above frequency and go through the newbie briefing video (above) for your and your vehicle safety.

Drive is closed now Radio Channel: 1 - (446.006'25) Please make sure it is working fine and fully charged. Convoy Numbering: Gaurav - Silver Pajero bunty_and_pops - White Wrangler Magellan - Brown Pajero Nikola Bozovic - White Pajero Janarthan - Silver Xterra Anish S - White Pajero Jeepie - Green Wrangler Rajeevan Vickneswaran - Blue wrangler E.C. TAN - Grey Wrangler Tbone - Black Xterra siddharth maheshwari - White Jeep Wrangler Mahmoud Hamzawy - Brown Prado Ale Vallecchi - Grey FJ Cruiser @MUHAMMAD Kashif RAZZAQ and @Bashar Hafez MUHAMMAD Kashif RAZZAQ - (Removed from the drive, for not agreeing to the COVID19 precautions) Bashar Hafez - (Removed from the drive, for not agreeing to the COVID19 precautions) Keep your distance when deflating and do not "gather" upon arrival. Deflate your vehicle and step back in the car so we can convey the briefing over the radio. Make sure you have a deflator, flag, and your radio. See you tomorrow !

That truck is quiet capable as we have tested in Qudra, once.

@MUHAMMAD Kashif RAZZAQ @siddharth maheshwari and @Bashar Hafez if you do not agree on this "BAN post" by 6 PM today, unfortunately I have to remove your names from the drive calendar. @Janarthan @Rajeevan Vickneswaran @siddharth maheshwari @Bashar Hafez @Magellan @Nikola Bozovic @bunty_and_pops and @MUHAMMAD Kashif RAZZAQ Please click on totally agree on this drive post too. Thanks.

Thanks @Xaf for good point of consideration. Were you in dunes and/or in a pocket or on a flat surface with bit of sand? I have these and they have never worked in dunes, but on flat surface, once.

And u forgot the biggest disaster of the century - "Dressed up Defender"

Hi @Fayad Abdul Karim welcome to Carnity. I have gone through your discussion and inputs with others here. If I'm in your place, I will go with @Frederic route to try and tackle 1 or 2 issue - start from low value repair first and work your way up to see if you can live with the others or not. Even then if you decide to sell off the car, you can probably get better resale as it will show 5 problems instead of 10. Give your best and see how far you can take it - at least you will have a satisfaction of giving it a try. What might seems like a 15,000 AED fix from quick look, if you plan wisely you might save a big chunk on unwanted repairs, fake mechanics and unwanted parts, that every workshop love to throw in to maximize the estimate. Start with your point 3. Wheel alignment and go to 3D lazer wheel alignment shop to spend 100 in place of 50, but will get the job done in one attempt. Sit on that guy head and explain your problem clearly, as many issues can be spotted with those micro variance that mechanics might not able to spot it. Recently I had a loud clunk while hitting hard brake and mechanic guessed from brake cylinder to drive shaft etc. I went to alignment guy and they pointed that lower arm two nuts are loose and they cannot align unless I get those fixed. It was a 5 minutes job for mechanic to tighten lower arm nuts and it cured that hard brake clanking immediately. Bottom line, do not underestimate 3D lazer wheel alignment guys and go at the time, when they are free, so you can explain and they will use their head to diagnose. Then for point 1 and 2, get two opinion from good workshop, I can recommend these two shops listed in carnity business listing with 5 star ratings. https://carnity.com/business_listing/car-services/general-service-workshop/hot-wheels-auto-repair-workshop-r1035 https://carnity.com/business_listing/car-services/general-service-workshop/euro-spec-automotive-solutions-r1109 @Asif Hussain if you have any good workshop reference in Abu Dhabi, please share. For point 4, jerking gear. Check the gear oil level first. Drive the car for 30 minutes and then put in reverse, and engage the hand brake. Step out and check the gear oil level if you have dipstick. If its low, get it topped up. If its dark or brownish color, get it changed with gear oil filter too. If gear oil is recently changed then gear is running on its last leg and soon it will need a rebuild (Dexol in Dubai and Hoorani in Shj are your best bet for gear overhauling) or replacement from scrap (with guarantee). For point 5, when you get the next service done, check or change the spark plug as it maybe worn out or one or two plugs might be running with increased/decreased gap - installation error, if mechanic dropped those plug while installing. For point 6, 7 and 8, you can source cheaper used parts from Sajja sharjah scrapyard. These 3 businesses deals in Hyundai scrap. https://carnity.com/business_listing/car-spare-parts/used-parts-scrapyard/al-nejoum-korean-used-cars-spare-parts-hyundai-kia-ford-cadillac-r1106 https://carnity.com/business_listing/car-spare-parts/used-parts-scrapyard/jebal-alandalus-used-auto-spare-parts-trading-r1180 https://carnity.com/business_listing/car-spare-parts/used-parts-scrapyard/ali-abdul-jabbar-used-auto-spare-parts-trading-r1113

@siddharth maheshwari @Bashar Hafez @Magellan Please read and click on totally agree on the BAN topic, URGENTLY. Everyone has to comply, it's not optional.

6 or 8mm is ideal.

Well done, congrats @Shadab Khan. Hope you and your family have happy and safe drive for years to come. And btw, I was busy whole day and wanted to reply that please dont be scare and too crazy about used cars in UAE as majority of them are good and in reasonably re-usable condition and not like your salt lake rotten cars. Take it easy, enjoy and i'm sure after few years you will have different experience of owning cars in UAE.

Soon action cam, cameras and mobile companies will launch GCC specs too.

Many many happy returns of the day. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARJAN @Jeepie have a blast and have a wonderful day and year ahead.

Totally agree on the gearing issue. I had 2006 Nissan Patrol SWB in 2008 and it never climbed up Bidayer, let alone IFB and Faya, because 4.5 liter engine in patrol was not having same gearing as in 4.8 liter engine. 50-60% pink rock - Max Climb.

Nope, that's not what I meant to attach tow hook on a non-tow variant. Instead buy the variant that has tow hook as that is reasonably offroad ready, in terms of ground clearance and all. These non-tow hook variant are so low that on road side gravel you will damage the lower lip or the bumper skirting.

Btw, I think someone mentioned here if you are going for Jeep Grand Cherokee go for that version that has two stock tow hook in front bumper.

Offroad advice: In UAE, there are majorly three level of offroad activities: Beach, little road side sand, gravel track - Any Car, SUV, even 2 Wheel Corolla is acceptable. Because its so busy place that if once in a blue corolla get stuck then 5 people can push the car out in no time. Desert - Drive through real desert dune - bash it or drive it - your choice - Needs a "PROPER" "SERIOUS" 4x4 with LO gearing and not an imposter or soft-roader, that will die on its first to second drive itself. Mountain: Normal SUV with good ground clearance can scale half of mountain trails here, but for steep inclines and big boulder negotiation you need proper 4x4 with LO gearing and lift kit. Family advice: Most families get excited with offroad name but their enthusiasm decline after first few drives, mainly because in Type 2 and 3 level offroad (explain above) driver gets the thrill and adventure. Passengers doesnt enjoy that much but come to accompany the driver (moral support / love). I have tried this with my wife - she lasted 5 drives. I have tried this with my Parents - they lasted 2 drives. I have tried this with my 6 yo Son - he lasted 2 drives. I am not saying that all families (spouse, parents and kids) are same but there is a high probability factor that they might not buy-in in your offroad weekend plan all the time. Keeping above in mind, buy what you can enjoy and matters most to you as a driver, offroader, etc. If your family, joins in, that's a bonus for you. So def don't buy offroader now. Test the water of offroad and family intake with this mid-range vehicle. And once you get better clarity on both front, go for a proper offroader (20-30K) and you will love that car - THE MOST.