Rahimdad

Below is the revised waiting list. 1. @Anand Nataraj 2. @Francois Germishuys 3. @Franco Swart 4. @luwaimn 5. @jodha singh shekhawat 6. @Luca Palanca Falsini 7. @Ali Abas Ali 8. @Sreejith Sreenivasan 9. @Ashy

Below is the revised waiting list. 1. @Islam Soliman 2. @Anand Nataraj 3. @Francois Germishuys 4. @Franco Swart 5. @luwaimn 6. @jodha singh shekhawat 7. @Luca Palanca Falsini 8. @Ali Abas Ali 9. @Sreejith Sreenivasan 10. @Mehmet Volga 11. @Ashy

This write up is from a friend of mine Mohit who is unable to access Carnity. But he wanted to share his experience with everyone to learn from his experience. Hope you enjoy the read and any comments will be passed on to him. QUOTE Hi Folks, So, I have been off your trail for carnity. I must admit that got too occupied and now as I picked up a project car thought good to share what I learnt. Now, I am sure quite a few of you would find the content normal but for those who love to venture and have a passion for old cars and saving one from sure death would enjoy reading it. I came across a Jeep Grand Cherokee 2004 gcc specs 4.7 litre quadratec which was literally getting wasted in my friends place. Couldn’t stand the fact that roaring beast is confined. So when I started it, it still had in it, the engine came alive like a boom. The fun started when I took it to road with everything literally jumping, bouncing and looked falling apart. Coolant falling, oil spills, misfires and someone out of frustration had torn the tires with a screw driver along with seats. Anyhow, so after getting the vehicle under my name the actual work started. Tires- Easiest bit got the used one for AED350 with balancing. Amazing road grip I think I got a good deal for 4 pcs. Oil spils – The Hose of Power steering was gone so it had to be repaired and bled/flush the oil ( AED 100 including the oil) Coolant – Surprise came as leak was not from radiator but the reservoir tank was bad so got a used one (AED 100) Misfires – OBD sensors were replaced (2 of them) along with 8 spark plugs ( 8th one had to call a makhratiya as they say to remove plug was just stuck so hard) costed a total of another 600 Here, I did a mistake by trying a guy near my house who claimed its coils and what not I paid AED250 for nothing to him. Engine oil, filters are separate.(AED 150 in total with labour) AC – There was leak in condenser pipe repairable though costed AED 250 with gas run well and cools amazingly. SEATS- This was another AED150 to stich the driver and little patch work on passenger seats. A total of AED 1500+ spend to get the car running on road Adventure actually started when I suddenly experience the turns are little too steep (swaying). Took it back to the Suspension shops the first one claimed it’s the spring coils which obviously did not convince me, I suspected the bushes after trying few shops they explained it’s the bushes which have gone bad and Struts and springs are good to go for another year or so. Lowest quotation for changing them AED 850 with a total of 10 bushes and labour charge. So this makes the car for 2300 + registration and insurance ( AED 4500 roughly is the final cost) Some of you might after reading this will say I could have bought a better working Jeep v8 of 2004 or may be higher model by adding another 1000 or so. Yes, and in my opinion may be not. This car is more a project for the love I felt when I saw it at first glance. It was about saving a really beautiful vehicle from its grave. Mileage on the car is 230000kms GCC specs and is top of the line. but I guess its nothing for Jeep’s of that age. I plan to keep it at least for 2 years and then will look for another affordable project lol. Until I write again C ya UNQUOTE

Thanks @marks for keeping me updated. Below is the revised waiting list. 1. @Islam Soliman 2. @Anand Nataraj 3. @Francois Germishuys 4. @Franco Swart 5. @luwaimn 6. @jodha singh shekhawat 7. @Luca Palanca Falsini 8. @Ali Abas Ali 9. @Sreejith Sreenivasan 10. @Mehmet Volga

This is the longest waiting list in my history of drive posts. As a joke I need to clone myself and ask my clone to start 30 minutes ahead of me to take everybody on board. 1. @Islam Soliman 2. @Anand Nataraj 3. @Francois Germishuys 4. @marks 5. @Franco Swart 6. @luwaimn 7. @jodha singh shekhawat 8. @Luca Palanca Falsini 9. @Ali Abas Ali 10. @Sreejith Sreenivasan 11. @Mehmet Volga

Congratulations @Mehmet Volga. So happy for you buddy. Your real learning will start now. Put all your foundation of learning this sport and time to level up. Most enjoyable journey from here on. Enjoy every moment.

Congratulations @Francois Germishuys. I promise I'll get your name pronunciations right soon.

Congratulations @Rizwan Waheed. Enjoy learning at the new level.

@Wrangeld well deserved promotion kind sir. Many congratulations. We love watching people learn, become pationate and grow. Watching you and @Jeepie grow with the passion burning inside was a first for me. Love the connection you have with each other and the way it comes down to us. We love tasting different flavour of drives and once I have the choice you would be my flavour of the week.

Sounds like a good deal. But still something you need to live with either ways. If you get this one at 12k and see a clean some being sold after a week for 8K, don't be disheartened. Also if you decide to leave this and see the next few come in at 18k due to the season kicking on don't kick yourself. 2004 model has only the MAF sensor issue, it has a plastic part which needs replacement ever so often. 2005 onwards they put in a metal piece instead of the plastic and you'll save a bit from not having to change it. Off season you'll find them between 6 - 8k, but during season the prices go up anywhere between 10 - 15k.

Let me warn you all, Sharjah car dealers are very shady. They sell you shit boxes glued together and will fall apart on your first sneeze.

This drive is organized in full compliance with the COVID19 guidelines. We expect every member that joins this drive to go through below information and and strictly follow these guidelines in order not to jeopardize someone's health, and to ensure we can keep organizing these drives safely. MUST READ AND TOTALLY AGREE: COVID19 Precautions MUST READ AND TOTALLY AGREE: BAN POST 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... 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: NEWBIE VIDEO BRIEFING Drive Details Level: Fewbie and above (All Level) When: 09 Oct 2020, Friday. Meeting time: 6:00 AM (SHARP - Without any exceptions) Meeting Point: (https://maps.app.goo.gl/e2RMayTqDefGri7B9 (Khatam) 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), face mask, rubber gloves, enthusiasm and willingness to learn. Approximate finish time: 10:30 AM LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE: Limited to 10 cars maximum. RSVP will close on Thursday - 9 AM. 1 Lead Marshal + 2 or 1 Senior Members + 10 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. Members that do not confirm the terms of the COVID requirements will be removed from the RSVP list. 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 THE CALENDAR

You have to have deep pockets to maintain any Jeep. @sertac should be able to relay his experience. @Gaurav bhai can add his experience hear too. Old Jeeps look good at a price point, but will empty your pockets very soon no matter how good a shape they are in.

@Wrangeld it's always the greatest pleasure to read any of your material including trip reports as it creates a very vivid picture in mind. Today I got more engrossed reading @Mohamed Seidam report as it felt like a beautiful poetry. However it felt like a foot ball match where @Mohamed Seidam was the goal keeper and @Gaurav bhai and @Wrangeld were the defenders.

TRIP REPORT Amazing is the word that describes the drive today. After a few months of doing Newbie drives it was refreshing for me to catch up with some familiar faces at this higher level. Everyone reached well ahead of time and deflating getting ready for an area which is challenging. Unfortunately @Franco Swart was not feeling well and had to go back after deflation. Really felt bad and hope we can catch up again soon. We had a slight issue with @Vanessa8580 Pajero at start which was quickly sorted out, but it proved that she is stronger than Superman. ☹️ So it was time to head to the desert and it was a lovely entry point with some lovely rolling dunes as we slipped, slides and manuevered our way through to some technical small dunes. I was pleasantly surprised to see everyone manage so well. As we quickly headed to some nice wide open dunes. The plan was simply to enjoy and take us as our heart desired. At this point @Vanessa8580 was itching to take the lead, and take the lead she did. As per the reaction of everyone on the drive was well matched with @Vanessa8580 enthusiasm as we rode the ridges, did endless sideys and criss crossed to give a feel to everyone of the next level close at hand. Everyone managed well and enjoyed the roller coaster @Vanessa8580 put us through. As she had her fill and decided to hand back the lead to me I lead the convoy through some testing terrain. At one point we had some really challenging small technical dunes, but everyone did well to cross the terrain and shortly we were on our own track heading out. I would like to thank @Vanessa8580 for being not only my second lead, but taking centre stage for leading us through some awesome dunes. @marks deserves a big round of applause as he contacted me to help during the drive. He was given centre forward position which he did so well. The 3 tugs required were very controlled and he did well to learn with a lot of patience. He managed all recoveries well and he is the hero of the day for me. @Rizwanm2 is a wonderful sweep and with the Xterra has found a new level of confidence. He did so well to sweep and keep the convoy moving. @Ali Abas Ali with his 4 Runner showed that Toyota's are capable, at one point I tried to help out and it was great to know how well he knows his car. @Ajiesh George Kannankara did so well with his Nissan Patrol Y62. At one point we had to make sure his drone shoot was without anyone outside the car to abide by the covid restrictions. @Hennie Schoeman was wonderful with his Wrangler and managed all challenges with a smile. @marks was on the top of his game and his helping hand during the drive made sure we had a smooth drive with no major delays. We had our Wrangler boys with @Rajeevan Vickneswaran, who realized that his tire pressure gauge was not accurate and agreed to change it or get an additional one and make sure it's working well. @h1fny (Craig) who soon forgave me for not calling out his name in the morning while checking our radios. Craig managed the terrain as if he was in his back yard, however had a smile of satisfaction knowing we had handled various terrains in one day. @Shaaz Sha always growing in confidence. Last time I saw him at newbie level and he did not fail to impress me. @Nabil Bishara shy and quiet, but quietly gaining mire and more confidence and knowledge. Time for you to shine, looking forward to hearing from you more often. At sweep we had @Rizwanm2 who handled the convoy with utmost care and made sure I was well aware of the convoy movement at all times. I really enjoyed myself and would like to thank a brilliant crowd today, with a heavy heart for the effort made by @Franco Swart and looking for an opportunity to ride with him in the near future. Have a blessed week ahead and see you all again next weekend.

@h1fny thank you. I have corrected the timing to 6 am.

I finally got a quote from Qatari Insurance which is 5% higher than RSA. RSA has denied and will issue 4rd party only for drivers below 25 years. The insurance and car will be in my wife's name, but daughter can drive. Access for my wife or myself in an accident which is our fault will be AED 350/-. However if fault is for my daughter if she is driving will be AED 350/- plus 10% of the repair cost of our car. Seems like I will have to move away from RSA.

DRIVE RSVP IS CLOSED NOW Here is the final convoy list 1. Rahimdad - Pathfinder 2. Vanessa - Pajero 3. Ali Abas Ali - Toyota 4 Runner 4. Ajiesh George Kannankara - Patrol Y62 5. Franco Swart - Pajero 3.8 6. Hennie Schoeman - Wrangler 7. Marks - FJ Cruiser 8.Rajeevan Vickneswaran - JKU 9. H1fny - JLU 10.Shaaz Sha - JK 11.Nabil Bishara - JL 12.Rizwanm2 - Xterra @Vanessa8580 @Ali Abas Ali @Ajiesh George Kannankara @Franco Swart @Hennie Schoeman @marks @Rajeevan Vickneswaran @h1fny @Shaaz Sha @Nabil Bishara @Rizwanm2 Please be on time, sharp at 6:00 AM, little early is always better. Please tune to Carnity Channel 3 Deflate your tires to as soon as you reach to the meeting point. Be inside your car - AT ALL TIMES - after the deflation.

Today my wife was trying to renew her car insurance for her vehicle registration. RSA has a clause that says if someone below the age of 25 years is driving a car it's like 3rd party only. Which means only damages caused by someone else fault will be covered by insurance, any damages for which you are at fault the insurance will not cover. I double checked on RSA direct with my daughter who is 20 years old credentials and they offer only third party insurance. This sounds a bit crazy as if someone below 25 years wants to buy a car on bank loan, with 3rd party insurance bank will not approve the loan. Anyone else faced this dilemma and is there any work around or any insurance company offering full insurance to a 20 year old?

Just for family, check out the Infinity QX56 2006-2008 models. You should be able to get under 20k and very capable and steady off-road with goid reliability.

@Badar Tariq you can follow the below link regarding pur latest discussion. There is also a list of cars under 10k and 20k in the discussion section which you can search for from the search function.

It's an old car. Firstly I cannot believe the car has done 120k kms only in past 20 years. My 2001 R50 has 265k kms and I use it only on weekends. If you have it checked with your trusted mechanic and he confirms engine, gearbox, chassis are in good condition and there is no rust than its your decision to put 10k on the line. If the engine is a 3.5 litre in that case the engine has been swapped, with this model engine will not be the only swap, the gear, ECU and some other components also need to be swapped. I would not be comfortable with somebody else's headache in this case. With the season getting better the prices will rise, but don't be in a hurry and get the right car which will give you some satisfaction for at least a few years.

@Mohamed Seidam thank you for sharing. To sell their product they show you a car getting stuck on flat ground and then trying out this product. Ask yourself, how many times you get stuck on flat surface? Would you try this if you were on a slope? I don't think so. Pop-outs are also rare and once you get hang of the correct tire pressure hardly ever happen. Would you spend a handsome amount of money for flat surface pop-out solution or stick to something cheap and reliable? Another question is how reliable are electronics in the desert? Once sand goes in it you will need regular checking, clean up and repairs. I would not recommend such fancy products. Secindly, this is brilliant to share, but with my experience the more you drive with certain people the more you understand the other persons style of driving. With more experience you'll learn to synchronize your driving with your fellow off roaders and these situations will hardly arise. Example, I can drive 200 kms in a day with the drivers I am used to over 3 years, but with 6 month old driver that goes down to about 60 or 70 kms tops. With new drivers I'm lucky to go 20 kms and cannot expect them to keep their concentration more than 3 hours. Sharing this material is really useful, but number of drives and experience goes a long way too.

For R50 go with the 2005 model and above. 2000 - 2001 came with 3.3 litre engine. 2002 - 2004 came with plastic part in the Maf sensor and required regular changing. 2005 model and up 3.5 litre engine produced healthy 225 hp. But condition would put the car value anywhere from AED 6000 - AED 15000.