Frederic

Hmm thanks for researching @Zixuan Huang - Charlie ! this is indeed a mystery that needs further investigation. Detective @Zed to the rescue !!

I have been doing some small research after noticing the performance specs differences on the following 4.0 L Toyota models below as i was trying to understand why some are rated at 230hp while others were showing 260-270 hp in their datasheets. - Toyota Prado / Landcruiser: Single VVT-i till 2009, Dual VVT-i was implemented on the new model of 2010 onwards. - Toyota FJ Cruiser: Single VVT-i till 2009, Dual VVT-i was implemented on the new model of 2010 onwards. - Toyota Hilux 4.0 (Adventure Series): No 4.0 model available until 2021, until Adventure Series came with 4.0 V6 Single VVT-i - Toyota Fortuner: Single VVT-i only. I noticed prior to 2010, the FJ cruiser had a Single VVT-i setup, (variable valve technology on the intake only), while from 2010 onwards the FJ received Dual VVT-i technology (variable valve technology on exhaust side as well). This update resulted in about 21hp more power, but on the other hand, the max power is sitting on a higher rpm and the torque is a bit less. To my surprise i have noticed the current 4.0 Fortuner and Hilux Adventure models are still showing the single VVT-i specs, which makes me suspect they are doing this to keep the production cost down. Adding to the confusion, the Landcruiser 70 Series 4.0 V6 even has lower output. 228 HP / 360 Nm. Of course in real life situations and performing in the desert we need to look at many other things, but i wanted to put this article here to get a better understanding on the differences and to advice if you are planning to buy an FJ secondhand, it would make sense to go for the 2010 model and upwards. 1GR-FE_Engine[1].pdf

Having been out of the sand for most of summer, I was eagerly looking around for a drive that would « recalibrate « my senses and skills, and what’s better for that than a drive with @Srikumar 😅. While I do indeed prefer lower level drives as for me I need something « slow » on the weekend to relax after a grueling work week, I have to admit that this kind of drive somewhat relaxed me as well. Of course i was sitting on the edge of my seat, but you really have 0 time to think of anything else than revving your ride and trying to follow that mean green XJ machine 😅 Brilliant driving by all of you, and i was glad to see the camaraderie amongst all of you; cheering each other on and having each other’s back. That’s what I love seeing in these kinds of drives ! Towards the end of the drive it was getting extremely hot, and after inflating i quickly got on the road, feeling overheated and lightheaded. Sorry for not staying back for a chat as I usually do. Really looking forward to more of this the coming winter.. See you all in the sand soon !!

So proud and happy to have you with us @M.Seidam! You gave your heart to the desert and now can continue to be the mentor for others to share your passion for off-roading ! Your calm and humble approach towards every situation is always a blessing where many fellow convoy members will benefit from! See you soon on the sand !

Congrats @Benjamin !

Perhaps, but in our weekdays we are Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne…

Well deserved @Amr Aydin !

I am delighted to hear the positive feedback from all of you with regards to this drive ! We started off near the camel track of Al Libsa, and to my first surprise the entry I had in mind and did the week prior was blocked due to the camel race that was about to start. I A quick check on my gps made me decide to reroute through the tiny village and so we headed off into the first set of gentle dunes. We snaked our way through the dunes that were mostly covered in bushes and plants. In dune bashing terms we would consider this a bad thing, but in a scenic drive all these things add up to the experience, and the few nice big drops we had were quite enjoyable. The easy-going pace had a kind of a meditive feeling to it, and leading in this terrain in very relaxing. The very few stucks we encountered added to the overall fun of being out together and getting the shovels out. Very good support from all of you who worked as a team. Once we reached the "Namibia Sabkha", which has become my favorite area of the UAE, my initial plan was to start heading towards the mountains and exit somewhere near Adhen. I did that route the week prior but was a bit disappointed with all the construction works going on in that area and I felt it would remove the scenic feeling to it. I decided to loop back to Falaj Al Mualla and the improvised photo session that @munkybizness came up with was a very welcome initiative ! I've seen fantastic pics from all of you in the drive gallery ! We covered in total 50kms in about 3.5hrs, and that is mostly thanks to the mix of farm tracks and dunes. I agree that it's great to see families joining us, and this kind of drive is more suitable to have passengers along. Thanks for the great support from @Vaibhav, @munkybizness and @Simon Dawood but also others that helped out during the shovel works See you soon on the sand or rocks or wadis ! https://www.relive.cc/view/vdvm3xKMJx6