Gilberto

Among the bad issues this is good news! I’m relieved for you mate! 😮‍💨 fingers crossed no more surprises. Make the most of having the car in the garage and check every nook and cranny.

Wind noise is normal unfortunately...at 120 km/h, my music becomes inaudible. At 140 km/h, conversations with passengers are very hard. And at 160 km/h? I can’t even hear my own thoughts. 😆 Adding to Fred's list, I would do a compression test as well. This is the definitive test to verify the engine is in tip top condition.

It’s called SMOD (Strawberry Milkshake of Death) and unfortunately is a known issue in all pre-2010 Xterras. Raveen, as per my understanding it’s a relative easy fix but one that a garage needs to do. You can either go to Nissan (expensive of course) or any decent off-road garage in Musssafah or Al Quoz and they’ll be able to sort you out. I’m not sure the extend of your problem, but you might want to tow your car to the garage to prevent further damage.

Very true, Fred. It took me about 3 months to find the right one. I don't even remember how many sellers I talked to. Btw, I wasn’t aware that the rear diff lock varied across trims, but for me not getting the offroad model wasn't even an option.

So my personal opinion is that the kill switch becomes a safety feature during offroading, and one that you probably benefit the most at the beginning of your offroad journey. It’s most beneficial when you are newbie and fewbie because you're still learning how to handle your vehicle with precision and finesse, but it's essential overall since driving on sand with traction control and ABS means you'll get stuck constantly. Don't choose an Xterra just for the switch; it’s cheap and easy to add later. A diff lock, however, is a major advantage (personally, I think it's a must have), crucial for recovery, and you can't add it later (well, technically you can, but it'll be costly to install aftermarket). Just keep in mind that xterras were discontinued 10 years ago. I don't say that to put you off, I only say it as reminder to focus on the essentials, as I'm sure your money will go to replacing parts pretty soon after the first drive. That said, they are absolute tanks on wheels and the engine is fantastic.

Hi! Welcome to the club! You can either install a kill switch or learn how to disable the safety features by removing the correct fuses from the fuse box. I installed a kill switch in an off-road garage, and it was inexpensive.

Confirmed. See you all tomorrow.

Let me expand on item #2 a bit more. All specialised offroad garages install recovery points specifically designed for Xterras. They are made in local mills. They come in either 8 mm or 10 mm steel and are bolted to the chassis. Costs varies but last time I enquired I was given the price of 1,000 AED for 8 mm and 1,200 AED for 10 mm for the second option. Attached is an image for reference.

Hi! I went through the same process last year. I did 1 & 3 (plus what I mention in the next paragraph) at a garage in Abu Dhabi - Mussafah area. However, I believe recommending specific garages is not allowed here. I would suggest adding the installation of a steel bash plate to your list. This is especially important if you are a newbie or a first-timer. The radiators on Xterras are positioned quite low, making them susceptible to damage when descending a dune, particularly if you bottom out and hit the front. And trust me, you don't want a broken radiator in the middle of the desert. For item #2, I would inspect the front recovery point. If it's fine, there's no need for additional installation (unless you want to, of course). A rear recovery point is a must. For item #4, the recovery boards will split opinions. My very super personal opinion is that it's better to learn how to recover yourself, as it's an essential skill, and you'll learn that by driving with the club. In any case, there're situations where they can be very helpful specially if you get stuck and are alone or cannot get help, but as far as to go out with the club you don't need them. For item #4 regarding the dual cylinder air pump, Carnity has a very comprehensive guide courtesy of Frederic: The Ultimate Compressor Review. TLDR: it's all about your budget, so DYOR.

Hi! Thank you all for your messages. Looking forward to my first fewbie drive😁

Hi Seidam, it pains my heart, but I will have to drop out for today's drive. I had to come to Abu Dhabi for work and it'll be hard to be there on time. Enjoy the drive and have fun all.

Come on Frederic, I'm sure you can lead two convoys at the same time!

I'd like to revive this post with a few questions, and I hope the Elders of Xterras are able to help me. I'm a newbie to both off-roading and owning an off-road vehicle. After much research, I purchased my Xterra and to say I love the car is an understatement. Considering it's a discontinued model, it took me about 3 months to find the one I wanted: clean, lightly used for off-roading, agency-maintained, no accidents, and the off-road version with a diff lock. One of the things I expected when buying a 11-year-old car was that the suspension would likely need replacement. I took the car to Arabian Auto for a full inspection, and while they said the suspension wasn't completely worn out, they did recommend replacing it. So far, I’ve done five off-road drives, and while the car drives fine, I’ve noticed that these trips have accelerated the need for a new suspension. On the road, the car bottoms out on minor bumps, and I hear a thump, especially from the rear, which also sags completely. The front dips slightly when braking as well. I suspect the leaf springs are almost shot, and the shocks/struts are barely holding up. For these reasons, I'm now seriously considering replacing the entire suspension system, including the leaf springs. What brand and model do you recommend? I read the comment advising against lifting the car, but I feel a small lift would be nice (and looks nice too), but only if it doesn’t compromise safety or break the bank. That said, if I’m going to invest in a new system, I’d prefer one that will give me the confidence to handle future, more challenging off-road drives, like those at the Fewbie and ++ levels. You'll probably think I am too new to be talking about this, but as I mentioned, the suspension needs replacement anyway, so I may as well get into it the right way.

I would advise against using your offroad insurance for minor damages. It's best reserved for major accidents. Since no other car is involved, filing a police report would classify this as a "hit and run," costing you 400 AED for the report alone, plus the insurance deductible of 250 AED. So, you'll be paying 650 AED before anyone even touches your bumper. Moreover, this will be logged as an accident, lowering your car’s resale value. While no one expects an offroad vehicle to be damage-free, there’s a difference between suspecting damage and having it officially recorded. As Luke mentioned, if you continue offroading, this will likely happen again. It’s happened to me, and I'm sure I’ve left parts of my car in the desert along with my flag 😅 One thing I learned is that while garages are required to request a police report, offroad garages typically don’t when repairing vehicles - especially when it was obvious that it was due to offroading and not because of an accident.

@J-P L @Zubail Uploaded a video of you guys riding the tall dune. There are two other cars in the video but not sure who they are. The last car is black Jeep, I believe it could be @Mehmet Volga or @Sumedh Krishna Al Ajban - tall dune

Great photos indeed! We had a ball. Hate having to travel for 2 weeks, but can't wait to be back for more!

Massive traffic jam in Mohammed bin Zayed road after global village. Traffic in standstill.