Frederic

As i am often going for short and small trips in the desert alone (not ideal, i know, but i stay near to the road), i've spent some time looking at the self recovery possibilities for desert sand. Our Aussie friends seem to have extensive equipment and tools to deal with getting stuck in the sand. I'd love to hear your inputs and feedback on the available equipment such as: * Maxtrax recovery board. The original or alternatives, or selfmade. * Hi-lift Jack. * Deadman anchor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxnwAkMh9U8 .....or other anchor such as your spare wheel. * Winch on your vehicle * Others... Would love to hear what works best in our Middle-East environment without breaking the bank. I always carry 2 recovery boards made from scaffolding platform that helped me out a few times already.

If you have Google Maps on your Android phone, you might try the suggestion i posted to get the KMZ track in your phone.

Superb. Which map type do you recommend in Motion X to have the topography ?

OK guys, seems i was a bit too soon to worry, i found the proper way to get them into Google Maps (IOS): Do this part with a desktop computer, not phone: 1) Download the files on a desktop computer. 2) Google "My Maps" and select "Create a new map" 3) Click on the blue "import" on the upper left hand corner, and drag and drop the KMZ file in there. 4) Give a name to your map. It will be saved automatically. This part involves using your phone: 5) Now restart your Google Maps application in your phone. Open the menu with the three lines. 6) Click on "Your places" and select "Maps". You should now find that new map you made in there. it goes without saying that both your desktop computer as your phone should be logged into the same google account.

@Gaurav I tried to use both your files to see if they can be used in Google Maps and Google Earth for driving that same route (so to use the complete track as reference and do the exact same drive). Google Maps apparently doesn't support the import of both these files, but Google Earth does. After installing Google Earth on my phone i was able to open the KMZ file, but it seems that Google Earth does not constantly update my live location. So if i would try to use Google Earth as navigation device to do the same route, i'd have to push the "show location" button every few seconds. I found a workaround by emailing both files to my phone and opening then in Motion X, but still need to try if that works and updates my precise location permanently. I googled around and many people same to face these issues. The older versions of Google Earth seemed to work and update the live location constantly. No idea why they stopped doing that. https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/maps/mMKBSrLU6u4

My first one was the 1989 Peugeot 205 XS which had all the typical "french" issues, but was such a fun car to drive. If i ever come across an affordable 205 GTI in mint condition i might break open my wallet for it. But they go good money nowadays. It had a 1.4, 80HP engine that loved to rev and it was pretty light and nimble. Installed quite a lot of sound-systems in those days and the car rattled as hell once the sub came alive. Where are all these good days

Heard good things from iserviceanycar and Powertech. I go to Max garage and they are ok too.

I’d probably buy at least three more pajeros, a huge toolbox with working area, and fill my days dismantling them and getting my first pajero in the best possible condition. Check this guy’s Instagram. Beautiful !

Any idea which type of car this was ? Brand or Model ?

Fantastic ! Thanks for sharing. As soon as the camping season picks up this will be on my list of trails to discover.

@Gaurav any idea all 3.5 models came with this air inlet on the bonnet ? I have seen it on the Diesel version Shogun models in UK but not yet on GCC models.

Very nice ! Welcome @Rami Hanna !!

Agree I think this covers the load well. Dune bashing is a more thrill seeking part of the off-road experience. My personal preference goes towards regular off road and taking the time to enjoy the scenery, have a bite, meeting people, and make it a relaxing experience as a whole.

I once heard a story about this but was never able to get it confirmed so it could be a myth * The gas-stations have underground tanks that are being refilled every couple of days. When the underground tank runs empty, the truck will deliver and refill but this happens with high pressure and flow, which throws up all the dirt and debris inside the tank. Because of that, gasstations will keep that tank out of order for a while so the dust and dirt can settle down and sink to the bottom of the tank. Of course smaller gasstations which only have 2-3 underground tanks don't have the luxury or the time to keep that tank out of order and as a result put them immediately available. When you are the unlucky customer to pass by that station when the tank was just refilled you might have dirt going into your tank. Similar goes for smaller gasstations that don't clean-out their tanks on a preventive basis. Imho the amount of dust or debris from the producer itself will be minimal. It's in the storage that it might go wrong. In my home country we have underground tanks in our house to store the diesel that we use to heat up the house. After a refill the supplier always tells me to let the diesel "settle" for at least a day before switching on the burner. For the same reason as mentioned above.

Count me in !

Interesting. I switched from the OEM filter to the K&N model and both original and K&N model seal off pretty good. But it's good news that the rev fluctuations are not happening. The MAF sensor can indeed have an effect too, but they are indeed pretty expensive (+/- 2000AED) and imho not worth buying second-hand unless you are able to measure them on a scope for any dips or fluctuations. Cleaning the MAF on Mitsubishi is also a bit tricky (vortex system) so be careful when doing this.

Interesting topic. Might be worth installing an oil pressure gauge to keep an eye on what’s happening on or off road.

Brilliant....you have any space left next in that bush ? I'll have the Rick and Morty Monopoly Edition or the 49 USB port hub

I should touch wood then. Ordered quite some stuff already there and due to import (which is mentioned in the item description) it can take a while but never had any issues yet. Longest I had to wait was around 20 days.

I noticed desertcart having it too. But probably more expensive.

I've recently read a few stories on the net of people that encountered spiders, snakes, and scorpions during their camping trips. Even a British expat that got stung in 2013 by a black scorpion: https://www.thenational.ae/business/travel-and-tourism/british-expat-in-uae-warns-campers-after-scorpion-sting-left-him-in-a-coma-1.477595 When i go camping with friends and family, we always keep a close watch on our surroundings. A few months back i was in Al Qudra late in the evening and was surprised to see a humongous creature which to this day i am not fully sure if it was a big camelspider or desert scorpion. It was easily 15 cm long and pretty fat. I quickly walked back to the car and did not return on my steps What are your experiences, stories, and hints that we can take along on our next trips ? - UV Lights ? - Boots ? - How to train children to avoid lifting stones and searching in crevices or rocks. TIA

Hi Gaurav, Good to hear that you're getting back on the bike, it is definitely relaxing. I am not an avid biker, more like a recreational one. I live next to the Al Qudra Cycling track so that helps too. In general i have to say that the infrastructure in Dubai is still quite weak when it comes to cyclists, but there is slight improvement. If you want you can also rent a bike near to the Al Qudra lakes (Giant store). My best advice would be to start slowly and enjoy every ride. Your stamina will quickly improve but it is important to not overdo it and to keep an eye on your heart rates. If you monitor those properly your physical strength and stamina will improve without pain or injuries. Good luck !

Maybe a stupid question but have you cleaned the valve already ? It is not a complex thing to do and maybe worth giving it a try before ordering a new one. You mention the revs are fluctuating; if i am not mistaken many issues such a fuel injectors, fuel pump, etc.. could be related to this. You might want to get these checked too.

Hi Gaurav, Can you define "clean" ? What are the things from your experience we should be looking at when buying a vehicle this age ? I normally check the following stuff: * History of the car IF available * Mechanical condition without going too deep in the details. Look for specific known issues on the type of car you're planning on buying. Taking a technician along to look underneath the car. * Visual condition: How well has the car been taken care off. If an owner doesn't do the basic cleaning than most-probably the servicing was also done poorly. * Mileage: does it look realistic to the car's condition ? Very high mileage while the car looks brand new is also something suspicious imho. * Test drive it. Should quickly tell you the condition of brakes, clutch, etc.. * Sand: the presence of red sand in the small crevices of the interior would mean it has been offroad and especially in more remote places. Which doesnt have to be a bad thing but it indicates the car was really used offroad, I personally have two cars. One car that is relatively young and should be very reliable for me and the family. (no risks). My other car is my daily drive and considering i am spending less i am also less afraid to take some risks and go for a more rare and old model. This one is also my daily driver and "hobby project" as we all have Really nice and honest review ! Definitely a car that i loved when i was growing up. The richest guy of my hometown had a full option Cherokee and back then he had quite some looks. It is a classic now and the design is timeless and can proudly be put next to a Wrangler. (note: not the many Wranglers i see in my community which are heavily modified purely for the looks and have never seen any sand).