Niki

@Ahmed Wagdy great discussion you started and rather than a 'rent a friend' service to drive the cars (you may end up with a friend like @PaoloMaraziti who will not drive, but test drive  ) - we could stock pile these ramps and covers and offer a long term storage prep service (i am not a gifted businessman so feel free to shake your head).

I am no longer travelling but put in a lot of research on how best to store our 2 cars and as we were in an apartment access for friends to drive it was a hassle/difficult.  the below video is also great - explains the benefits/cons of the oil change, raising on a ramp, sealing exhaust, why to avoid soft outdoor surfaces to park  etc (plus the guy has one of those authoritative American accents that makes him sounds like you are stupid to doubt his guidance) 

7 minutes ago, Islam Soliman said:

Good discussion .. thanks @Ahmed Wagdy for starting the topic.. 

 

@Niki I can't understand the physics behind these ramps! the main concern for tires is deformation due to the weight of the vehicle concentrated on one side of the tire for prolonged duration without rotation which can lead to the tyre not becoming 100% circular and also can weaken the internal supporting structure of the tire due to stress on one side specially during excessive summer heat. The only practical solution is for the car to be moved back and forth to rotate the tires and distribute the load every one or two weeks.

 

 

😱🤦🏽‍♂️ I am not qualified beyond Amazon search!  

I do know very high end vehicle storage places that use the ‘flat stoppers’ for classics and modern hyper cars etc.  not that this is proof enough however is an option I guess.  A friend to drive the car on occasions is always the best choice - that I do agree 

I was planning this over summer until our British friend Borris has kept UAE on the red list  

https://www.edmunds.com/car-maintenance/how-to-prep-your-car-for-long-term-storage.html

Above link was useful and I then searched on Amazon for flat stopper / flat tire prevention to sit the car on (after inflating to 40psi).  Prices varies massively so just make sure the width is measured before purchasing. 

Not many drives have this level of engagement 3-4days out with thoughts on gears, throttle approach, torque curves, lines... likely soon the debate will move to style based on convoy position, the lottery of 'how-low-do-i-go for tire pressure', impact of bringing a passenger (weight management), do I use low range outside of recoveries etc.

@Wrangeld you know you are doing something right when there is this much thought and care being taken prior to a drive... makes me sad to miss the drive even more (and reminds me of exactly why i wanted to join)!  

9 hours ago, PaoloMaraziti said:

all ok @Niki, it’s a bummer not to drive together … following your (and many more) advice , my FJ is wearing new lighter shoes and this is is going to be the baptisms of fire, inshallah… I’d have love to share my experience with you and again thanks for the help in the sand last weekend

@PaoloMaraziti i was really looking forward to the drive and reading the thread and Richard's summary I can only hope for a repeat ride in the future.  All is good however I am required for the family duties which i must prioritize - truly appreciate you checking in!  Knowing you are sporting a new pair of shoes - i am even more gutted as would have been a great trip to join together and share experiences.  Remember to run the new tires in this week so take a few more highway miles on them ready for Friday (on a recent Extreme drive one of the team had a new set of wheel put on and hadn't run them in which caused a pop out ...  plenty time to run them and the seal in this week!) .. i will be monitoring the thread so am keenly waiting for the post ride reports and feedback!  

Have a super ride and drive with confidence ... your new coopers will make you feel like you have ballet shoes on  

I may ask to be put on a wait list incase circumstances change later this week however at the moment i will enjoy the ride through you and your report my friend.  PS we were all in awe of your Yeti cool box and the glamorous/luxury refreshments you stocked! 

@Wrangeld sad to say I’ll be dropping out of the drive!  😢 … this was a drive I have been wanting to join more than most and gutted to miss out.  
 

I am likely to be on pause for weekend off-roading for a while however will keep an eye out as you develop these challenging drives ongoing and cannot wait to join a future trip!  Have a fun ride all .. 

On 6/8/2021 at 8:25 PM, Islam Soliman said:

Someone need to quickly come up with a vaccine for this virus before it gets widely spread  🤣🤣

I am sorry (well actually not) but our friend @Islam Soliman has caught the virus!  He is at early stages however I don’t see a path back for him!  It only took a quick ‘peek’ into @Hisham Masaad trunk and he has been corrupted/infected (even when practicing covid precautions) ..

The pic below, I caught him red handed and he tried to run away from the shot… he still hadn’t individually inflated all his tires and the fuses where still waiting to be refit … instead he was in deep in discussion about Hisham’s gadgets, accessories, trunk of wonders  

let’s see who else will be seduced by Hisham’s trunk of wonders 🤣 

Warm welcome to the club Islam… here for you as you take your first steps to comfort! 

@Islam Soliman what a special ride today!  As everyone has already shared - the route planning and execution was superb… you gave us such a variety of experiences! THANKYOU for extending the ride to fit in the rollercoaster ride and Baja race (I only got to 83kmp/h … I demand a rematch) 
 

@Mario Cornejo flawless again and as always… he is simply the best student in the class! 
 

@Hisham Masaad everyone knows you as the most generous and supportive member … today we got to see another side … the showman!  You got yourself in super soft sand helping other, rev’d up to dig yourself in more so the seniors would come circle you to support …. And then when you had an audience, you just floated out effortlessly… taking the applause!  🤣👏🏽 

@Mehmet Volga many thanks for the support at the back throughout!

I want to call out @JeromeFJ … I learnt he is still on stock everything including the tires and just a massive kudos for how is handling everything with the grandtreks … near the back end of the convoy, managing every challenge… a role model ‘driving stock’ … when you do move to true AT tires you will appreciate more than most! 
 

and less that said about @Darren Brooke 7’ shovel the better … he could almost stay in his car while shoveling with that thing  (I have shovel envy!) 

great convoy supporting each other when needed and seeing old friends again was a joy! 

@Frederic I popped into the store below to look at the R6 and noticed they had anologue gear also .. hth whilst waiting for the pro’s to reply 

https://bhmstore.com/169-darkroom-equipment
 

6 minutes ago, Islam Soliman said:

 

Of course I know this may not be an acceptable solution for our inconvenience-tolerant Lazyboy gang @Hisham Masaad @Ahab Shamaa @Watteau @Lorenzo Candelpergher @Niki🤣🤣🤣

 

switching gear @Christopher Assal, when do we get to try the cake?

@Islam Soliman you have no time for cake … fuses don’t plug themselves back in!  Thankfully we are growing our gang one impressionable driver at a time!! Ready for cake at anytime and soon every convoy will have one of us to spread the word and wisdom … corrupting one newbie at a time  

Hi @Islam Soliman

There is a Retrofit Kit to restore an airfilter: LINK

A video showing the method: LINK

I have no clue if this matches your model however was fun exploring how you folks with older rigs have to hack/innovate... i think a future me will be picking up an old classic to enjoy playing with.  The suppliers site states this should work with you car (fingers crossed)

42 minutes ago, Warren Flay said:

Oops my mistake, please remove my RSVP

 

Hey @Warren Flay it’s not the clearest button but on the site you can hit the “leave event” button/text under the drive announcement.  Pity as would be great to have you nicely upgraded rig join us.  

1 minute ago, Frederic said:

We gotta walk the walk if we decide to talk the talk: 

🤣😂😅 

@Yousef Alimadadi what a super ride you led today!  The track you planned has made me appreciate Quadra so much more!  I didn’t know it could be that much fun!

You really did give us a full 7 course meal:

technical, ridge riding, fast paced sidies, ropes, shovel, a pop out and the rare ‘push’ down the dune technique  

Great lead and super support from @Frederic and @Janarthan (I truly appreciate the knowledge you both shared during the recoveries). Special mention to @Alain Canivet-Abikhalil who was superb as SL!! 

super pics in the gallery !! Thanks for those that took these and have uploaded. 

what a great convoy today.. this group plus these drives are why I love fewbies … #foreverFewbie 🤩

Ps. @Frederic I cannot look at my soft shackles the same way again 😳 (for the others I won’t share the comparisons made as it may ruin your dinner 😣)

Many congrats @Islam Soliman 🎉🎉

7 hours ago, PaoloMaraziti said:

actually I’d not mind to move to a TPMS with a wireless actual pressure reader in the process … but I could t find any with good critics, any feedback

 

@PaoloMaraziti Amazon US has a list of their best selling third party TPMS systems .. and many with good reviews (volume and scores).  Most deliver to UAE either via the .ae store or direct from US. 

https://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-Automotive-Aftermarket-Tire-Pressure-Monitoring-Systems-TPMS/zgbs/automotive/2201765011

2 minutes ago, Russ said:

@Niki, @Watteauand I already in touch on this subject off-line so he is fully aware of my (expensive) troubles!

Sorry you went through this trouble @Russ.  If my wheels would fit the XL Apex I would have taken them from you to lessen the AED loss.  

Just now, RooRzOn said:

Why not considering an after market TPMS system that gives the pressure and temperature readings for each tyre. I believe they come easy on the pocket

I have a built in system in my Y62 and it saved me from some popouts since I can see a tyre dropping irregularly, so you take the action and inflate before the worse happens 

@RooRzOn can you share the brand you used.  I heard that after market ones give annoying warning when we are at Offroad pressure as they assumed we are too low.  If it’s not that annoying in real world experience I will def reconsider after market TPMS

5 minutes ago, Russ said:

Hi Paolo, I recently installed the APEX valves on my Raptor and the TPMS worked fine...HOWEVER...despite buying the XL valves I have found out the hard way that they do not fit the rims of my truck so have reverted back to OEM...so I have a set of barely used APEX valves going now!!

@Watteau pls see @Russ experience with apex valves above!  …  

1 minute ago, Lorenzo Candelpergher said:

It will work. The TPMS sensor is removed from the stock valves and connected to the Apex ones. 

@Ahab Shamaa may be able to advise for FJ as he was told to remove them!  @Hisham Masaad also has them on his FJ so may be able to also advise … This then brings you to the famed TPMS hack to stop the flashing light on our dash when we have no TPMS. 
 

@Goutam massive thanks again… you just saved me a trip!  That’s the store I was planning to visit.  

Will stick with Amazon as it’s also easier to return if any issues!  
 

noce to see your advice helping many more in my position also! 

@Ahab Shamaa as promised (and a little late) i have settled on the following Service Schedule:

#1 Keep my Service Pack for the standard 10k intervals

#2 between the Toyota Services (every 5k) i visit a offroad garage to have them perform a interim Service 

#3 I have found the attached guide (pls keep/print) to help me ensure the 'interval' and 'official' services cover the right right tasks.  This is extracted from the Service Guide and brings the entire book into a single table with guidance on what to cover if car is used for off-roading.  

Why am i not using Toyota for all services (its not price) - when calling them to schedule a 5k interval service they pushed me to not book and wait for 6 months or 10k ... I referenced the owners manual and gave them the page, they called me back having consulted their mechanic and still insisted I come after 6 months/10k.  Also  I find it easier to instruct a smaller garage where you can speak to a mechanic on what we want done vs a sales rep on a desk. 

Later today I will tag many more of our FJ Owners in as we have a lot of new members and this may help them also. 

final thanks - to you wonderful Americans/Canadians/Australians - you do all the hard work for us and post on these forums!! i suspect working on your own car is part of that culture (plus having space for a garage vs us Europeans/Asians helps  ) 

FJMaintenance.pdf

@sertac @Rizwanm2

and don't forget our trusty Dragon Mart.  they are the source of all Xiaomi products in the UAE and i understand they have a dedicated storefront there also.  online it is also available at a friendlier price point:

https://www.dragonmart.ae/xiaomi-dashboard-camera-recorder-with-night-vision

I am planning a visit there soon as I have read the A800 version is the one to pick up... hard to find the model number from the above link. 

18 minutes ago, Foxtrot Oscar said:

I don't really need it, I just like to spend money haha. 

May I introduce you Angela, @Foxtrot Oscar, to our very own @Ahab Shamaa … he will have you emptying your purse with a smile! 

hey @Ahab Shamaa not at the moment however I was having some rattling which I found to the the factory tools for changing the tires moving around.  I have emptied the baskets and tied these down and will test the noise this week and def let you know. 

The baskets are secured via plastic feet to the base also .. so no metal is touching the plastic body of the car.  Let me test this week and give you some definitive feedback  

//‘happy spending’ 🤦🏽‍♂️ … this should be on your signature permanent …