ASAD.

Hi Fred, just returned from a long oman trip and seems like the fatigue is showing up. Haven't been feeling well since morning so will be opting out of this drive to take some rest. Hope you guys have a safe and enjoyable drive. 

@Nilakantan Erode just a piece of advice if you choose to go with a prado, go for the GXR as you plan to take it offroad. The vxr comes with leather seats sure but it also has those bumper spoilers that you will need to immediately get rid of as they dont have much clearance for sand driving. GXR on the other hand should be good to take offroad with out much modifications upto fewbie level. 

Btw if you already have a primary car and buying one to mostly go offroad, nothing more capable than a stock rubicon for any level of drive. 

fantastic work guys. Wonderful to see all friends doing their bit. 

@Asif Hussain @Gaurav Soni @Looper @DP1011 @M.Seidam @Zed

Keep inspiring us. 

Hi @Varun Mehndiratta, have got some eid guests for the night so doesnt seem likely i will be able to make to an early morning dash. 
wish you all a safe drive and hope to catchup with you soon. 

brilliant drive @GauravSoni, been some time driving with you and was amazing to be back. The area had everything in it for everyone, long range dunes, sharp ridges and technicals. @Looper & @Mario Cornejothanks for the SL and for the sweep respectively. 

Was a pleasure driving with and meeting the usual gang. Hope to see you all soon again. 

@Vaibhav my friend, we missed you in the later half, hopefully the car gets sorted soon. Also remember for every Jeep that breaks down there is always a toyota around to help out ☺️😂.

@Srikumar unfortunately car is in the garage and wont be ready intime for tommorw. Was really looking forward to this one. See u next time. 

5 minutes ago, Krishna R said:

Man. I dare you to do the hat trick drive.

Take both the LC and the jeep and keep one on standby. In case one overheats, just jump on the other and continue the drive  

incase one overheats. Well we know which one thats going to be 😂

1 hour ago, Vaibhav said:

Good to know @Zed wont sweep. 

Knowing him he will probably end up there even if he is not the designated sweep. 

Asif bhai some dense fog on the way. Will be running few min late. Sorry 

13 hours ago, Zed said:

I'm just here for the after-Eid cookies 😁

You are just saying that but we all know deep down you signed up for a full 7 course meal 😂

Many happy returns of the day Sri 🎂🎊🎉.

Godspeed to the XJ 🚀🚀

Eid Mubarak to all fellow off-roaders and to your families. 

8 hours ago, Zed said:

Occam's Razor: replaced 2 tires since both rear tires were suspect (see photo below). The Transfer Case Motor issue I posted on Instagram is also solved by cycling the shift lever to TC Neutral (disconnect front & rear diff electronically), engine off 5mins, then to 4Low, drive a bit, engine off 5mins, then back to 4H.

salute to whoever figured that the noise would go this way 😂

All the best on your adventure @Ale Vallecchi. Look forward to see updates of your journey which im sure will help other enthusiasts including myself to plan our own. 

Fantastic addition to the team. Congrats @Imteeaz

59 minutes ago, taz911 said:

After looking at some ads, these are more expensive in price 35-40K+ and I don't think it will be wise to put in that much knowing the value of the car is going down after off-roading. 

Maybe I'll wait for another pajero, or make a lower offer as suggested by GauravSoni. 

All depends on the compression test now 🥲

Stick with the pajero if you have your eyes set on them, they are good value for money and plenty in the market which are not offroaded, im sure u will find a clean one. 

30 minutes ago, taz911 said:

@GauravSoniI've been actively looking for more than a month, the market is full of agents overpricing these cars and there's like maybe 3-4 proper 3.8s that I got interested in viewing. Then there are 2014+ models that are priced at 40+ which doesn't make sense for my budget and purpose. The moment I put offroad mods the car's price will plummet 

I looked at a few fj cruisers at the garage, I haven't looked into it at all. I know its a better off-roader compared to a pajero from what I heard and its a toyota so.... should I look into these?

Meanwhile I am contemplating getting the engine compression test + will ask for 24-25ish if the compression test goes through. Feeling lost at this point

Not to confuse you but if you are looking at a toyota then check the prado120 (pre 2010) or fortuner. Both come with a 4L engine (there is a 2.7L V4 variant as well but dont bother with that). Toyota reliability and much better offroad capability, for your purpose i would recommend these two more than the FJ. 

@Srikumar apologies wont be able to make it tonight. Just back from a business trip and still exhausted. Hope you boys have lots of fun. 

@M.Seidam doc, my sincere apologies, will have to go to office tomorrow for some urgent work. I wish you all a safe and enjoyable drive. 

@Islam Soliman fantastic drive, came back to Shuweib and Badayer after many months. Yes we didnot have a single fresh track and with other convoys crossing us at every other corner (1 in particular), it still turned out a pretty nice drive. 

Always a pleasure driving with the old gang and with @Hisham Masaad also joining at the back cant ask for much more. Hope to see you all soon. 

PS: @Rob S time to change your DP, dont pretend to be one of us anymore! 😂

Think everyone has already covered the drive report but have to still thank @Varun Mehndiratta and the maestro @Hisham Masaad accompanied by our very own Robin (from batman & Robin) @Abdelghani 😄. Fantastic lead, amazing route and never ending support. 

Always fun having friends from the support team around @Waqas Parvez @Vaibhav @Simon D @Ranjan Das

@Mohamad Anwer great to have you back brother, drove behind you for some time today and saw the old confidence and assurance back. Cant me more happier for you. 

@Tareq Al Turq you were more of support team today, thank you and fantastic driving. 

@Beide Worku & @MMansoor hope the cars get fixed soon. 

@Gertjan @Gerrit Bus nice to meet you, fantastic driving and pictures. 

our 2L was so quiet that i almost forgot him 😂. @Naveen Raj with a 3L pajero you rocked.

1 minute ago, Mohamad Anwer said:

 

we missed those Kebabs ☺️

@Frederic that is some serious drive and planning. I only wish i was able to join had it not been work and family commitments (have used up all my free coupons for liwa crossing 😅). But i can already imagine an epic drive for those who will be able to join.  
 

33 minutes ago, munkybizness said:

Maybe the other one felt suffocated and wanted to break the shackles...

P.S. I don't have it, but good luck bringing them back...

Vaibhav’s rope to shakle “ja jee le apni zindagi”. 
@Vaibhav im in for a rescue mission maybe its lying all alone in that dune waiting for someone to come back. 

hi @GauravSoni my car is still in workshop for repair after Siri's drive this Saturday. I will keep my rsvp for now since i dont see anyone in waiting list. Situation will be more clear by tomorrow hopefully. 

2 hours ago, Looper said:

A great post @Frederic. Thanks a lot. It will definitely help everyone to check the status for cars when they look to buy one.

My old Santa Fe had a parking lot accident where it was hit by a delivery van while it was parked - literally a fender bender. Checked but did not find any report on the MOI. Perhaps it only reports larger accidents or accidents other than in Dubai. 

checked mine and couldn't find any records either. I have had or rather the Mrs. had a minor one as well when she scratched the back door in a parking lot. Could be for major ones only i guess. 

but @Frederic great post, think vaibhav has come up with just the right word for you 😄