Best offroad full-size 4x4

[robert]

Trust me I have read every word in other thread for best offroad desrt ride (https://carnity.com/topic/10877-best-offroad-vehicle-for-dubai-desert/), but my question is a bit different.

I want to know which is the best full-size 4x4 in present market that can fit two adults and two kids with bit of camping gear and other picnic accessories and also able to climb dunes, crawl wadi and be super comfy for long roads. 

I understood from other thread that I can't have wow sand capability with a big full size 4x4 and I'm ready for that trade-off to some reasonable extent to fulfill my other criteria's. Thanks in advance for everyone to share their side of experience.

[victor]

With given your choices and preference, I would say sticking to Japs is better which offers good blend of what you are looking. Nissan Patrol, Toyota Land Cruiser or Mitsubishi Pajero are all time super hit in UAE since many many years, and you can't go wrong with any. Choose as per your budget and liking of shape and features.

[robert]

Thanks Victor, I don't mean the biggest 4x4 cars as one you sugegsted are too big for a small family. I am not looking for 7 seater as it is too big for daily use and second its too expensive for my budget. I am looking proper 5 seater crv, pathfinder and murrano, strail etc. but that can get me reasonable offroad capability as well.

[nutbolt]

Hi Robert, all 4 what you name is not an offroad cars they are just SUV (sports utility vehicle) almost like a car with slightly higher roof to fit the big accessories or equipment. They all will sneeze to death with one gram of sand or wadi rocks. I have seen these cars dying on road side sand plenty of times.

You can choose FJ Cruiser, X-terra, Wrangler unlimited, Pajero sport etc.

[evoboy2016]

Nutbolt is absolutely right! Jap is the way to go for long term reliable performance. U can still see some 1990 japs on the road. 

For your case, for cheaper alternatives, Robert, u can also go in for :

 

1. Pajero Pinin 1.8, which comes in 4 door and 2 door,

2. Suzuki Jimny or

3. Suzuki grand vitara 2.4 4-cyl or v6.

Dont go by the engine size in these. These are pretty good for off-roading as they are lightweight. You can check some youtube videos where these cars take on the big behemoths.

[treks]

Hi Robert,

The other posters to your thread make some good points, but you should consider some technical aspects as well. While comfort is important, consider the following points.

1.) You must have a low range gear set. Loose desert sand is death to vehicles that cannot use the lower wheel speeds and higher torque that come with low range.

2.) Look for vehicles with diff locks. A lockable diff prevents whhel spin should one wheel lose traction, which can get you stuck in seconds. Better still, lok for a vehicle with lockable front and rear diffs.

3.) Avoid vehicles with viscous couplings in the drive-line. These couplings use a fluid to transfer power, and they simply cannot cope with the demands of off-road driving.

4.) Look for a vehicle on which you can disable the ABS when you need to. Because of the way ABS works, you could end up not having functional brakes on loose surfaces. The ABS will release the brake pressure on locking wheels, and because the wheels will continue to lock up, the ABS will continue to release the brakes. In practice, this means that stopping distances can double, or even triple on lose surfaces, by which time you may have driven over a cliff already.

5.) Look for a vehicle with a low centre of gravity to avoid roll overs if you are driving along the edge of a dune. In general, the higher the vehicle is, the more likely it is to roll over on a side slope.

6.) Avoid vehicles with automatic transmission, because you need the mechanical link between the engine and the drive axles that a manual gives you, especially when going down sand dunes with loose surfaces. The only way to negotiate this kind of obstacle is to use engine braking to keep the vehicle under control. You cannot use the brakes because you will almost certainly lose control. Automatic transmissions do not have engine braking capabilites.

7.) Look for a vehicle on which you can fit skid plates under the engine, transmission, and axles to prevent damage to these components when you cross rocks and other obstacles. On some vehicles it is imossible to fit skid plates, so bear this in mind.

8.) Look for a diesel, since diesels have most of their torque available at low engine speeds. Gasoline engines often have the same amount of torque, but the fact that you have to maintain high engine speeds to have the torque available uses a lot of fuel, and places huge stresses on the engine. Moreover, you get further with a gallon of diesel than you do with a gallon of gasoline.

9.)  Avoid vehicles with traction control that is based on the ABS brake system.  These systems only work for about 30 seconds or so before their stored energy runs out. Look for a vehicle with a traction control system that works with torque distribution, which is a system that locks the diffs temporarily when individual wheels lose traction and start spinning.

10) Avoid SUV's altogether. Their unibody design does not allow for the amount of flex required to keep all the wheels on the ground when you are crossing difficult terrain. The step-ladder chassis construction of trucks are able to flex to an amazing extent, which goes a long way toward keeping the wheels on the ground.

I hope that helps, but offroad driving is inherently dangerous, so get the vehicle that is best suited to the task.

 

[robert]

Hi nutbolt, I have gone with your advice and went with used FJ Cruiser last month.

Thanks everyone for your lovely and detailed suggestion. 

[treks]

Hi Robert,

Can you explain the wobble in more detail? Is the wobble from side to side, or  up and down, and does it affect the whole vehicle?

Do you feel it on the steering wheel? Are there any strange noises or sounds when it starts to wobble?

Does the wobble change when you slightly deflate the tyres?

Is there a lot of free play in the steering?

Does it pull to one side when you brake, or let go of the steering wheel on a level road?

Does the wobble get worse or change in any way when you have passengers in the vehicle?

Are the tyres brand new. or do you see areas of uneven wear on the tires?

Are the tyres all the same size, type, and tread pattern?

It will help a lot to diagnose the problem if you can answer these questions.