Gaurav

Thanks Irfan for the heads up on this hidden gem, we were 3 cars in total. Hope to see you on 16 Sep drive.

Been to Wadi Naqab yesterday and it is definitely worth visiting with whole group. Though we reached very late and just had a high speed drive inside wadi to have a quick feel, but we enjoyed it thoroughly. We lost lot of time as dumb explorer UAE off-road guide showing the QR code inside the round about in RAK city and then google maps showed the wadi naqab coordinate exactly on opposite side, damn. Anyways it was lovely spot and Will be posting a drive shortly for 16 Sep 2016.

Drive Date: 2 September 2016, Friday Meeting point: ADNOC after Saqr Park (RAK) - https://goo.gl/maps/uT1Ksv9JBn32 Meeting time: 2:30 PM Route coordinates: Scan the QR code of image above Drive Type: Exploration Drive Level: Intermediate Exit time (tentative): 6:00 PM Confirmed Participants: Irfan Samana (056 3947124) Gaurav Khanna (050 5258706) Open Open

Done, please confirm the coordinate is this the one? And what time? https://goo.gl/maps/uT1Ksv9JBn32 826 - AL HADEEQA - E 18 - Ras al Khaimah

We are going for recce drive this Friday to scout the area and plan for proper drive in sep. I am fine with 2 PM start, where do you wanna meet in Dubai or in RAK? I am fine either ways.

Just bought a copy of off-road UAE and Oman. Wadi Naqab definitely sounds interesting.

I am planning to restart the offroad activities now and wondering what is the best gps navigation for offroad you guys are using? I'm from Garmin era, that we used to stick on dash and record the route, way point and breadcrumb for the trail. Appreciate if anyone has any suggestion based on smartphone app (IOS / Android) so that's easier to use and share, only challenge will be the 3G/4G availability in remote areas, so may be an offline app.....? MUST READ: Best offroad GPS Navigation App for iPhone

I agree with amen, not worth the hassle and pain. Barry sometime cops do fine random cars if they spot such flickering and colourful lights.

Well it's more of an intermediate exploration drive, I suggest only 2-3 cars goes first for recce and then we can take the whole lot may be next week or sometime. So I and Irfan are already in, we need 1-2 more car / guys to join. I'm driving alone so anyone can join me in my car if they like.

I agree it's a good timing and I'll be joining too. Do you have the route coordinates or it's an exploration drive....? Once we finalize the drive will share this with all members. Meeting point: Meeting time: Route coordinates (if available): Drive Level: Beginner / Intermediate / Expert: Exit time (tentative):

Hi Irfan, what time you planning to start and come back?

I agree barry that I also read same news or rather big wave of news few years back in social media etc. Just wondering how these bottled water trucks transport the packed bottle then....? Thanks amid for raising this concern.

Very good point raised, that due to extra slow vehicle in fast lane people drive very fast in slow lanes and then in such emergency situation some unfortunate people pays the heavy toll. Too bad. People here really need to understand to how to use fast and slow lanes appropriately as per their desired speed and not just by any other rational / frustrations.

Well I only got once minor service with Habtoor when my Pajero has some strange missing problem that used to fluctuate the idle. Habtoor costed me 660 after discount and still problem remain same saying car is too old and engine is gone bad and they need 3000 dhs to diagnose. Bit of googling and some educated member here, pointed to replace ICV (Idle control Valve) that was 300-400 dhs and instantly the idle fluctuation gone. My rough estimate for major service habtoor might ask for 2500 - 3000 dhs, outside with any good competent garage you can get it for 1000 - 1500 dhs range. Major service actually varies big time on number of things required replacement. Check with @Barry if they do major service for older Pajero, you have my strong recommendation for awesome knowledge at very competitive pricing.

That's a very good price, I am sure it's a scrap AC compressor pricing. Isn't? More important I'm curious to know who have done the scouting for the compressor as that is more time consuming than repairing time?

I agree with LAZER in Karama is also good, Mr. Prakash is an awesome gentlemen who knows the value of customer service.

I agree as well Prestone, is best among all avail coolant in UAE. I used to use yellow gallon, then graduated to black can - 10 dhs expensive but offer boiling point of 129 degrees as oppose to 109 degrees for yellow can. As Diamond Dallas says it's best for desert.

And at a very reasonable price. The roadside mechanic in Bur Dubai who pushed the cable back into the rotten bush, charged me 100 AED.

Yes @nutbolt it's a known error and not only for Chevrolet Trail Blazer but for so many German and American cars that use DURA shifter cables. No offence to DURA (some hi-tech automotive design company) capabilities to design good shifter cables but with weakest link made with a plastic bush, that sit next to exhaust and exposed to underbody bashing. This plastic literally rot and flake off in Dubai summer hitting 50 degrees. Original Chevrolet cable for shifter comes for 250 AED, but again it comes with crappy bush made from plastic. Means again it will melt and stop working someday. Found an idea to replace that plastic bush with nut and bolt with little modification from ssrfanatic forum, shared it with @Barry as it required bit of tweaking in cutting the riveted head off to make way for bolt to pass through. Spend an hour today with barry at location garage in Al quoz and got the real solid work done for life for 50 AED. Thanks barry for wonderful adaptation, precision and excellent workmanship shown for such a small but tricky component. AS OF YESTERDAY, QUICK FIX (Secured with a wire) THIS IS THE CULPRIT (Plastic Bush) FLAKING OFF IN DUBAI HEAT WORST IS CHEVROLET DOESN'T SELL THIS BUSH (Buy the whole shifter cable kit for 250 AED). SHAVED OFF THE RIVETED HEAD (in 15 seconds) REMOVED THE METAL PLUG (bush holder) TO MAKE WAY FOR BOLT ALMOST READY TO ROCK-N-ROLL GOT 1 BOLT+ 2 WASHERS + 2 NUTS + 1 PIECE OF SMALL PIPE (To place inside the below big black hole - to allow the required movement while shifting gears) SCREW TWO NUTS AGAINST EACH OTHER TO LOCK THE BOLT, WITH REQUIRED PLAY TO MOVE WITH SHIFTER READY FOR LIFE IN LESS THAN 30 MINUTES = 50 AED (14 USD).

Last night my wife 2009 Trailblazer gear shifter knob become totally free and not shifting to any gear and stuck at P. Called the recovery, but challenge was to get it out of Parking to push or winch it and not to break the parking lock / gear. Hunt one roadside mechanic who quickly fixed the shifter cable (I hope) and car came back home on its own. Schedule the visit today to see our dear @Barry for further inspection and seeing if wire is repaired professionally or need replacement....? If anyone here experienced similar issue with their Trailblazer, please share.

@teajay is that waterfall in your video is in Jebel Yibir? Please give coordinates, I think we need to go and check out. Looks damn cool, will be good to escape from Dubai 50 degrees heat.

Hmm great, so how's the temperature in the night there now?

I will join, wherever you are heading as I need to test my wife's chevy trailblazer and plus I am not as picky as mr. nutbolt.

Looks like you guys are extra busy today, being a saturday. Surprise to see that Rangie is still there, I am sure owner must be having few extra cars in his garage that he stopped caring about delays on repair work, lol. Btw, whenever you are free let me know how much it cost for rim protector and how long time required for fixing this on my Mustang?

Ford Mustang Shelby or Roush Edition - Stage 3. Go to 1:42 Minute for exhaust note.