US Pickups for Dune Bashing (F150, Sierra, Ram etc)
Discussion
Hey guys - hope you're all well 
Got a quick question...does anyone here own a pickup and dune bash in it? Or are they rubbish at it? I know the accepted norm is FJs, Land Cruisers/Prados, Patrols etc...but I really fancy a big american V8 truck while I'm here, and it would be nice if I could take it into the desert with my mates etc. I've realised that the crew cab ones are just too long and will just get beached all the time. So I'm thinking about a standard cab, maybe with the Z71 kit if it's a GM one...and possibly get a 3 inch lift kit and larger tyres. Anyone got any experience?
Cheers,
J.
Got a quick question...does anyone here own a pickup and dune bash in it? Or are they rubbish at it? I know the accepted norm is FJs, Land Cruisers/Prados, Patrols etc...but I really fancy a big american V8 truck while I'm here, and it would be nice if I could take it into the desert with my mates etc. I've realised that the crew cab ones are just too long and will just get beached all the time. So I'm thinking about a standard cab, maybe with the Z71 kit if it's a GM one...and possibly get a 3 inch lift kit and larger tyres. Anyone got any experience?
Cheers,
J.
The same thing has crossed my mind more than once...
There was an older Dodge Dakota on Dubizzle a few weeks back that looked like it handled the dunes..
....but as you say, single cab.. a colleague at work has a Dodge Ram 1500 Double Cab.. He had to dig it out a few times in fairly easy going conditions.
Are you looking at new or 2nd Hand.. The 'Moto X' Rangers in Al Tayer are all modded at 165k
There was an older Dodge Dakota on Dubizzle a few weeks back that looked like it handled the dunes..
....but as you say, single cab.. a colleague at work has a Dodge Ram 1500 Double Cab.. He had to dig it out a few times in fairly easy going conditions.
Are you looking at new or 2nd Hand.. The 'Moto X' Rangers in Al Tayer are all modded at 165k
I've a mate with a new crewcab Silverado which serves him fine much to my amazement - no lift or anything. He goes out with a very experienced basher who drives a lightly modded current shape F150 single-extended cab. Not sure if they go balls out bashing but they're in the desert most weekends.
I have another buddy with a much older Ram single cab which is lifted about a foot and has ridiculous balloon wheels - he goes everywhere in that.
I have another buddy with a much older Ram single cab which is lifted about a foot and has ridiculous balloon wheels - he goes everywhere in that.
They are pretty good but some of them have long wheelbases which can sometimes be a problem on sharp crests. Mate has a lifted Silverado that goes anywhere.
As with many things car related - it's the driver that makes all the difference. I've seen good drivers in Hummers get away with stuff that a crap driver in a Patrol couldn't begin to attempt.
As with many things car related - it's the driver that makes all the difference. I've seen good drivers in Hummers get away with stuff that a crap driver in a Patrol couldn't begin to attempt.
Gaffer said:
Rubbish. A friend of mine does the Desert Challenge Course Opening in his Hummer. Helps that he knows what he is doing though, but to say Hummers are useless just aint true.
Claire
That is why the H3 double cab version came with a waiver saying that if you over heat the car driving off-road then the warranty doesn't cover you.Claire
A good driver can take any car into the desert as proven by a friend who drove a Lancer to the top of Big Red!
Hey all .. thanks for the feedback. Sounds encouraging. I went and had a wander around the Auto supermarket place at Ras al Khor and the one I liked best was the Toyota Tundra...I know it's not American as such, but it does fulfil all the requirements and was designed for that market...they're just a bit better quality inside than the GMCs/Chevy's/Fords I think. And incredible value...there were a couple of 2012 models with 0 km at 138,000dhs opening price...so I reckon I should be able to find a 3 year old for under 90,000 on that basis. Dunno if I'm going to do it yet, but I'll let you know if I do!
Thanks again,
J.
Thanks again,
J.
a tundra in the dunes, look forward to seeing that. huuuuuuuuge wheelbase.
i agree with the sentiment that the driver counts for a lot. i 've seen a nissan quashquai do very well around fossil rock and have pulled a couple of fully kitted but cluelessly driven wrangler out - one didn't even make it off the car park!
i agree with the sentiment that the driver counts for a lot. i 've seen a nissan quashquai do very well around fossil rock and have pulled a couple of fully kitted but cluelessly driven wrangler out - one didn't even make it off the car park!
shirt said:
a tundra in the dunes, look forward to seeing that. huuuuuuuuge wheelbase.
i agree with the sentiment that the driver counts for a lot. i 've seen a nissan quashquai do very well around fossil rock and have pulled a couple of fully kitted but cluelessly driven wrangler out - one didn't even make it off the car park!
This is where it falls down...I have no off road driving talent at all!! However, I reckon the single cab tundras will not be disimilar wheelbase from a Landcruiser?? Havent actually measured it...i agree with the sentiment that the driver counts for a lot. i 've seen a nissan quashquai do very well around fossil rock and have pulled a couple of fully kitted but cluelessly driven wrangler out - one didn't even make it off the car park!
And that, combined with a lift kit and big tyres, should make it not too bad. I'm probably going to end up with a wrangler...but in case I feel adventurous!! I'm unlikely to ever own a big truck if I don't do it here...so I'm really hoping it's practical
J.
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