M.K

A very nice write-up Gaurav, Jebel Hafeet is a nice place to go to. I would just recommend to bring your own chairs, table, food and BBQ for the top. The quality in the cafeteria and coffee shop is not the best. The furniture are broken and the place might sometimes be quite dirty. 

Based on a few experiences over the last years, the hotel Mercure gives you good value for money. The hotel is located with a stunning view. The restaurant have good food but is quite costly. The place has certainly lost its former glory and are in need of renovation. It is rundown inside. The climate control of the pool doesn't work.They had a simple roller-coaster like slide and a few other activities that doesn't work. Not even the walk paths outside the main compound are maintained to be used. But as said, you get what you pay for and you can normally get it at a good price... 

9 hours ago, desertdude said:

My absolute favourite ride for offroad use is the Bu Shanab i.e Land Cruiser Pickup. I dunno about the current generation with the V6, square lights plastic bumper version, But I have driven, used and abused off road and on road the previous generation in every imaginable way possible. I'm talking about this, one with the round lights and steel bumper

Built like a tank and virtually indestructible, inside out. And will go anywhere with anything loaded on it. Personally tested it up to 2 tons with generators and watertanks in the bed and then hit some decent dunes and soft sand. I just love it to bits.

But very rough ride, but you get used to it after a while. and unfortunately individuals cannot register them on their name.

Even better if you get it with the 4.5l diesel V8. Only if i wouldn't have kids to drive around...  The choice of  well as special forces as well as any rebel group...

I would add safety high in my list, especially here in Dubai. You need a car were you have a chance to survive even if a nutcase in a supercharged Nissan Patrol slams into you. This has become even more important since i got kids. 

11 hours ago, G.huz said:

am surprised with his verdict. does this apply on dunes? what do you guys think?

I'm not supersized at all. I can of course not compare the models as i do not have first hand experience with any of them apart from the Prado. I also have quite limited experience with electronic traction aid systems as i prefer good old diff-locks.But i have seen them doing magic. I'm actually also fine with the dash board in the Prado..

My next car will likely again be a Toyota. .

I fully agree on Jas points above.

9 minutes ago, desertdude said:

I think the design itself is flawed. All the power is being transferred through a tiny mostly rubber belt slipping and sliding on two cones. 

On the other hand, a very similar technology has been used in the industry for many years. Use of gear boxes to take away the additional momentum when starting up, to allow smooth acceleration and to ensure accurate speed control. The technology is being replaced nowadays by the Variable Frequency Drive in many applications.

On the other hand, it is a technology that seems to be bullet proof on motorbikes (scooters), quads and snow mobiles.

So, assume size actually matter (even if some of us pretend it is not the case). :-)

The technology dates back to at least the 70:th. Volvo had a model (340) that was successful in Europe with a gearbox from DAF.

I have more recent personal experience with a Toyota IQ 2010 in Europe. Got it new and kept it for 7 years. Never an issue.

But I do believe you need a quite powerful engine to get a good user experience. I have used a few under power rentals over the years and the user experience has been horrible.

1 hour ago, Rahimdad said:

Please note there is a difference between a smart watch and a smart band, if I'm not mistaken fit bit is a smart band and not a smart watch, not so sure about the Garmin though.

Garmin Fenix 5x

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/560327/pn/010-01733-00#

I suggest yourself to list what functions you are after. Then match that with the watch. I have a Garmin that suits my needs; 1 week + battery, clock is always on, round screen, notification, GPS, any exercise program i would ever use and much less expensive then the Appel and the samsung... 

Your choice. I have made mine.

19 hours ago, Frederic said:

@M.K Good quality bolts can be purchased through Wurth.

Thanks Fredrick, Much appreciated. Do you know if they sell in smaller quantities or you need to purchase in boxes? 

Again, thanks!

20 minutes ago, Frederic said:

 I've checked in several Pajero forums (South-Africa, Australia) about my OEM recovery points and they seem to be of good quality. No reports have been posted about damages.

Getting them fabricated is an option, or going for aftermarket ones. If i'd get them fabricated, i would go for Stainless Steel 304 or 316. Takes away the worries about corrosion.

I guess it depends from driver to driver if he thinks his OEM points are "good enough" or if they would invest in aftermarket ones. 

Have a look at attached bolt grade markings and strength chart. 10.9 and 12.9 are preferable.

 

Fredrick, Thanks! You are the expert and this is your area.  

For OEM recovery points, you might be lucky for Pajero, for other brands it is certainly not the same. most land rovers do not even have points. LC200 have fair points. Prado / FJ has points at the back that could have been better. 

My only worry with stainless, and please correct me if I'm wrong, my impression is that stainless is brittle and should not be used for recoveries. A carbon steel would be more elastic and would show fatigue before it brakes. Anyway, it can be compensated by over-sizing the builds to be on the safe side. 

On rated bolts, I do agree. Do any of you have a good supplier for rated bolts? The only one i have found so far only stock untreated bolts with Allen key head. As they are not galvanized, they need to be painted to avoid rust. 

Second try on the topic, would any of us be willing to invest in proper recovery points? Would AED 200 per point be excessive (estimate if we will be doing a few)? I know ARB have some proper points, but I have not seen much in the other shops. But if there would be enough of interest, we can probably get one of the shops to manufacture. Would be interesting to ask. I would like to have the following criteria’s as a base:

-          Must be bolted to the chassis without any drilling or modifications.

-          Fixed with minimum two, preferable more, high tensile bolts in existing holes in the chassis.

-          Eyelet, no hooks. Eyelet big enough for a soft shackle and rounded edges to avoid excessive were.

-          One peace laser cut. Only welding for additional strength.

-          Proper rust proofing

This is the first draft and I’m sure I have forgotten some important points.

All stolen pictures.

11 hours ago, Gaurav said:

We always like to share and listen everyone's experiences, please go ahead @M.K with your inputs. 

I used safety straps on both sides on stubborn stucks if car doesn't come out in first 2-3 attempts or if I need to give harder tug to reposition the car.

Hi Gaurav, lets do that around the camp fire and compare notes.

Thanks to all, much appreciated.  Will be back as soon as the minister of interior will allow. Will also make sure to contribute to the drive breakfast party. Again thanks!

Thanks Gaurav and the team for a nice drive.

Thanks Frederic, looking forward to see you all tomorrow!

Martin