1974 FJ40 through the Sahara and sand dunes!

[flx]

I predict a rash of road trips in 40’s soon. You are inspiring. I’ve already been mapping out my route for mine. Just need to bang out these hardtop repairs and I’m hot on your heels, except in a different country.

I hope you know how inspiring you are, at least to me. Thank you!

Thanks! Those things are made to be drove, the more they run the better they do!


To continue on my journey I now go from Erfoud to see some giant arts constructions in the middle of nowhere, the City of Orion ans the Stairway to Heaven.

 

[flx]

On the way back I find myself crossing a rough and bag wadi and on the other side the way out doesn't appear obviously...


Finally some kids indicated me the way out. I saw this ramp but thought it was way too small for a 4x4 but they confirmed it was the only way out here. First ime engaging 4low since in Morocco.

 

[Green Bean]

Great videos. Just curious: Are you mainly keeping it in 4WD when not on pavement? Do you have any lockers?

 

[flx]

Great videos. Just curious: Are you mainly keeping it in 4WD when not on pavement? Do you have any lockers?

Yes when off pavement I quickly engage 4wd and let it like that until I find back the road. Particularly here where there are very long stretches of dirt without road.
No diff lockers and never found the need for one in any reasonable offroad (would need to go way over my confidence zone for really needing one on a 40, it flex really well), maybe it would help fishtailing a little less on soft sand but I guess that's part of having a short wheel base (and let be honest, that's part of the fun xD).
No free wheeling hub either so engaging 4wd is quick and easy, no need to stop.

 

[Rockymtnreaper]

This was inspiring and made my morning! Thank you! Safe travels, looking forward to following along and planning trips of my own once I finish my 40. Enjoy the tea for us all!

 

[Hoppsalot]

You should go!!! Biggest difficulty for Saudi I would say will be the fuel range, prepare a lot of Jerrycans


So the restaurants or sandwich shops are not on the side of the pistes! On pistes that are on common touristic path I've seen a few makeshift café serving coffee and tea but not more.
Food can be found in any town (even very small) and in shops in the side of the main roads.

Rural population that you may encounter on the side of remote pistes are generally very poor and live with really not much. Generally they are asking you if you can give them some food (biscuits, cans...), so definitively they will not serve you a sandwich.

So yes when doing a long very remote track for multiple days you will have to prepare your own food. And same thing when wild camping.
Most setup campings serve food also.

Agreed, I got caught out on a road trip along the Southern boarder of Saudi last year im my Toyota Prado…I only have the single tank version and hit 500 Kms between gas station, I was in fumes! Jerry cans will be needed as my 40 gets about 350km per tank.

 

[John Smith]

Thread of the year! Looking forward to your updates!

 

[flx]

I continue toward the south, trying to reach Gara Medouar before it's dark.

 

[flx]

Gara Medouar in sight!


Arrival


If you think you already saw this place you are probably right, it was used in the movies The Mummy and in Spectre.

 

[flx]

Gara Medouar is a fortress built in the 11th century. What makes it special is that it's based on a natural rock formation in moon shape (or horseshoe shape) and closed by a giant wall. Inside there are structure to keep water, a trail to go on top of the rock, and sign of defensive structures and houses on top. Once on top it's very easy to walk all around. View around in incredible.

 

[flx]

And then from the top of Gara Medouar, just before the night, I see that in the distance

 

[John McVicker]

Love what you are doing. Way out there & all alone…Gonads…large Gonads. (Totally meant as a compliment)

 

[RodrigzCrzr]

Epic!
Cruiser being used at it should.
love it.
Thanks for sharing.

 

[77mustard40]

View attachment 3495418View attachment 3495421[

Mel Gibson from Mad Max. Seriously I'm lost in North Africa even at work, this is simply awesome!

 

[Green Bean]

I think you deserve the”Iron Butt” award.

 

[flx]

Camped inside the wall of Gara Medouar, such a special place to spend the night.
Did not succeed to take a picture but it was the full moon and it was aligned right with the entrance "door" illuminating the place through the door for the beginning of the evening when the moon was still low.

A van was already present when I arrived, Gara Medouar is quite close from the road by the south and the track no too bad so they were able to come up to here. It's a French couple and they invited me to dine with them and we had a nice evening chatting about travel.

Went for a morning walk up top Gara Medouar and actually ended up staying up there 2h. There is really something special with this place.

 

[RodrigzCrzr]

I like how light you packed with your camping gear.
Are you using a camp stove or other type of cooking source.?

 

[Greek Cruiserhead]

Awesome one-man expedition and coverage of it (+reportage photo)!

You did even attain a scientific conference there (without being registered) and...
...found the time to give your opinion on my search in France, concerning OEM looking 16 inch replica non-split rims, at the serie4.fr site!...

 

[flx]

I like how light you packed with your camping gear.
Are you using a camp stove or other type of cooking source.?

Yes, I have. I actually have one wolf pack with my full camping kitchen.
Cutlery, plate and bowl for 4
Frying pan and sauce pan
gaz stove
Oil, mustard, vinegar, spices, salt, pepper...
etc.

Haven't used it yet...
First evening I did not cook because of night and wind and since then I either had restaurants or got invited each diner...
Breakfast I just take a few cereal bars or biscuits, and coffee.
Lunch is either restaurant/sandwiches or just snacking anything cold and easy I have in stock.

I also have a separate coffee kit in a canvas tote with my grinder, a small backpacker gaz stove, 2 ways of making good coffee, and reserve of fresh coffee beans. I anticipated that I would use these a lot more often and not wanting to open the full wolf pack each time.

And in backup I also have my old Coleman 400A petrol stove somewhere... So actually I carry 3 stoves

 

[Greek Cruiserhead]

Many Military checkpoint in this area, they will take your infos and origin/destination because of the close border and the tense relation between Algeria and Morocco. Even more military barracks are scattered around but the guys are actually very laid back and say that nothing ever happens here, a very different reality from the geopolitical tension.
Those army guys are often interested by the 40 and like it. They all have HZJ79s to drive around. Not supposed to film them but a little bonus...
Morocco Royal army HZJ79 - https://youtu.be/AwUU6DzIaBM

Nice encounter with the Cruisers of the Moroccan Military (the whole scenery reminds me Egypt and especially the Sinai peninsula...)!
Several years ago you could even encounter these so rare LHD/conduite à gauche HJ47 of the Armée Royale...
Safe travels mate!