ChrisW

…so do I need my passport to get all the way to Sharjah from Abu Dhabi…? 😅 Looking forward to joining you on my first trip to the emirate!

I went a slightly different route - I ordered from the US the sound deadening headliner by Design Engineering. It’s basically some engineered foam that is contoured to precisely fit the inside of the roof panels, and sticks in place with adhesive pads. My primary interest was actually to get some thermal insulation (ie. reduce the amount of radiative heat coming in via the black plastic roof), which the product does, but its main purpose is sound reduction. It’s had a noticeable effect on reducing noise, and I think they also sell products for the floor too. However…in the end…it’s a Jeep…driving 10-20 kph slower will also achieve the same effect 🫠

That was a fun morning out! Learned a few things from watching the recoveries, and always feels like a good day in the desert when you’ve been shovelling! Many thanks for leading, @Gaurav - @Imran Asghar you also gave some great instruction too and kept things relaxed, and good seeing you in the rear view mirror @Jeandre Bezuidenhout

Thanks, @Zubail - good seeing you too. Really enjoyed this morning’s drive, thank you @Gaurav - a lovely relaxed reintroduction to off-roading after a few weeks off. Thanks also to @Davie Chase, @Jeandre Bezuidenhout and @nithish468 for keeping us together!

So - a follow up to my initial post… I swapped out the Smittybilt ironwork for an OEM-ish bumper and skid-plate, and left the winch off for the moment. I think the net change is circa 60 kg lighter. I did two fewbie drives this weekend, both fairly technical and one with some more sweeping dunes. The front rides a little better I think - I suspect the front springs being less compressed gives some slightly better handling and rebound. Not sure there’s a discernible change in performance, but I’m sure it all helps. Thanks again for the discussion - and perhaps an offroader-to-be might read this and make a better choice! After: Before:

Another brilliant drive, thank you @Ale Vallecchi A valuable trip as much for the experience of getting out in AUH’s bigger flowing dunes, as well as the many learning points taken from today (comm’s, convoy discipline, working with soft sand and having to be smart with spacing, lines and momentum). One particular learning moment for me pictured below… As with yesterday, the main joy was being out with you all. A good team all in all.

Just catching up on yesterday’s drive - many thanks @Ale Vallecchi, you set a bold plan and we mostly managed to follow you through it! I think that was my longest continuous drive so far with Carnity - and to be honest was hard work; I don’t think I’ve done so many technical dunes back to back. However as always a rewarding experience - both to build confidence in the techniques and enjoy the really unique sights. That was my first time driving up to the Solar Park - incredible spectacle. Thanks all, really enjoyed getting out there with you all!

(24.4353125, 55.3559844) https://maps.app.goo.gl/cL6zg3TaGdpoAGC78?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy

Thanks, Ale - looking forward to it!

Morning @Ale Vallecchi, grateful if you can confirm the start point - need to plan some timings from home. Thanks!

The most British of British things…

Oh interesting, will look in to this…hadn’t been aware that was a thing…

Thanks all, some very helpful points to ponder. The consistent theme is of course that less weight (or improved power to weight ratio) will always be a good thing. On that basis I’m looking to swap the front end for something much lighter. I am sure there will be secondary benefits with respect to balance and front-end loading too. The bumper itself is a Smittybilt model out of the US, and I think optimised for rock crawling (…or maybe just bashing!) above all else. I can safely add myself to the long line of people who have added offroad mods ahead of actually knowing what they need (versus what the garage are happy to sell you!). The winch is an interesting one. Sounds like it’s useful one in twenty times as a last resort. Of course the thing about last resorts is that you might rarely use them, but you’re always pleased you had it to fall back on… I think for me the approach will be lighter bumper with a winch plate, but save fitting the winch for much further down the road when I’m more experienced/driving with a less equipped group.