Alexander Alcala

Welcome to the Jeep Wrangler madness.  I have lost count of how many things I have done to my jeep.  But the only thing that I can assure you, is that I have enjoyed the journey from my original stock jeep to my heavily modified current version very much.  

My suggestion to you is for you to take your time to consider your options and evaluate the real necessity of any change.  Drive and drive and then again drive to identify the required updates.  And after spending your money don't look back and enjoy.

Thank you @sertac for a splendid ride. It was fun and the scenery was stunning.  Thanks also to all the group.  Great driving and comradery. Looking forward to see you again soon.

4 hours ago, Gaurav said:

Totally agree with @Alexander Alcala for bigger tire and lifted suspension is must for improving wading height, but don't get confused that same will result wonder in the desert. In sand off-roading power-to-weight is king and bigger tires (usually heavier) tires will make you struggle a lot while hill climb and cross tracks where you need an instant power to spin tires against huge resistance.

I have struggled a lot with my Patrol SWB with BF Goodrich tires and when changed to lighter tires it made a HUGE improvement.

Power to weight is the mantra when sand bashing is the issue. I solved that by changing the tuning and regearing my jeep. But then again it depends on your goal. For the occasional desert ride it might not be justified.  
 

My suggestion is to do a lot offroading before. Get to know what your car is capable off, and later if you feel that you need some upgrades, then go for it. 

1 hour ago, Rizwan Waheed said:

Hello All,

its been few months since i have started off roading with this prestigious club. ultimately, developing interest in everything attached to 4x4 Drives. just a thought came across my mind about snorkel. It is of course beneficial while driving in water streams but is it equally beneficial for driving in desert as well?

need to educate myself with all of the expert opinion. @Frederic Hi Frederic, what are your thoughts for having snorkel?

Another thing to consider is the actual wading capacity of your car.  It is not only the air intake level.  Most of the cars have electronics lower than the intake, and water doesn't mix well with electronics.  

I would say that there are a ton of things to consider before, and a suspension lift and bigger tires are way more important than the snorkel. I can tell from experience, because I have a snorkel installed in my jeep.

Hi Rizwan.  The snorkel will have some impact in air quality and temperature, since the air closer to the ground is dirtier and hotter.  But for the occasional ride trough the dessert there are not real benefits.  The cost is not justified.  But if you are planning on driving long distances overloading it makes sense.

Thank You @Emmanuel and to the rest of the group for a fun afternoon in the dessert.  My wife enjoyed the picturesque sceneries.  Hope to see you all again in another drive.

Congratulations @Frederic. I can’t think of anybody that deserves it more than you. 

Something most people forget are the lamps.  Headlamps, torches, camping lights, etc.  And with lamps, batteries are also very important.

I want to thank @Ale Vallecchi for the incredible route and especially @Foxtrot Oscar for the last part (it was extremely fun).  I enjoyed very much the pace and the zigzag in the final dunes.

I also want to mention that it was noticeable the improvement during the ride for some of my comrades in the way they tackled the dunes and managed to avoid getting stuck.  I enjoyed very much helping those that had issues and got stuck (no shame on that), but in the second leg there were few of those.  Special mention to @Abu Muhammad that was way more confident in the end than it looked in the beginning (good work).

I only regret that being by myself I couldn't take as many pictures as I would have liked it.  Next time I will try to attach a GoPro to my jeep (jajaja)

See you soon

Thanks to @Ale Vallecchi for a fantastic ride.  I enjoyed very much the variety of terrains and the comradery of the group.  Also congratulations to the rest of the convoy for an incredible display of control and mastery of their rides.  I 'm looking forward to the next adventure.

AHHHHHH, And I forgot to mention the two lights on the A Pilars that allow me to look to the sides (in diagonal).  Those actually saved me once from a horse that jumped in front of me from behind a tree in the middle of the night.  If it weren't for those lights I might have had a nasty accident.

I have two sets.  One of five round lamps on the roof, for extended light when driving alone or in front of the group with spot long range configuration, and three round lights on the front of the grill with flood configuration.  

When I need to light the road immediately in front of me I just use the one in the front.  When I need to look further to navigate I use the one on top of the roof.  And when I just want a lot of light I turn all the lights on, jajajaja

10 hours ago, topgear said:

Do such additional led lights or roof bar require special approval from RTA or police?

I just passed the RTA with the lights uncovered in place and there was no comment.

If I recall correctly, the FJ has a roof rack that is slightly shifted to the back.  I think that if you use that rack to set the lights, your roof will create a shadow that will prevent the bright on your Bonet......

Hi @Ale Vallecchi.  I tried now and it is giving me a proper point in the map.  Thank you.

I also thought about that, because it is horrible to find plastic and bottles at such an extent in these beautiful areas.  But we also have to think in our own safety.  

What we can do, maybe, is document the piles of garbage in the desert and promote a cleaner culture.  And perhaps the government will join us in a cleaning / conscious creation campaign.  In the end, the desert is one of the touristic attractions of the UAE and it should be in the government's interest to preserve it.

Hi @Ale Vallecchi, The Google shortcut for the meeting point posted in the invitation is not working for me.  It takes me to Dubai as an Area, not to a specific point. Would you please be kind and check it.  Thanks in advance

Great ride, nice pictures.  I am looking forward to join in future exploration drives.

I have had beadlocks for several years now with no problem whatsoever.  In my case I like the rough esthetics so it is not a problem either.  But regarding your specific question, the deadlocks certainly make your wheels heavier, but not at the point of really affecting the drivability (in my experience).  I believe the cars have an engineering margin of tolerance that are not surpassed by this rims.

Please add me to the Wait list.  I am confirmed in the morning drive and understand that until next Tuesday I am not allowed to confirm another drive.

New technology is making more people able to enjoy offroading without the hazards.  I think that it goes with the times.  I can imagine the people going into the wilderness on the back of the horse saying that this "noisy machines" are robbing all the excitement off going into the forest or the desert.  

We enjoy what we know and fear or despise what we don't know.  I will probably stick with my ICM car, but will try the electrical stuff and who knows if I will like it better?....

nicely done.  Congrats.

Safety First is the "mantra".  Not just for ourselves, but for our family, friends, coworkers and neighbors.  We individually have the responsibility to keep ourselves and our group safe.

I am both Venezuelan and Chilean (mi Jeep is from Chile, jajaja)

Thank you @Brette for the drive.  It was a great morning, really fun.  For me, being behind @Francois Germishuysand his F150 was super fun.  He was stirring and making the sand loose for me to play with my Chilean Jeep.  Great group also, looking forward for the next raid.