How did your passion for off-roading begin?
One of my friends convinced me to go with him to the Jeep Jamboree in 2004. It was a huge challenge negotiating the dunes in the off-road vehicles, but from that moment on it became my favourite hobby.
Is that why you bought yourself a Cherokee?
Yes, it was one of the main reasons. I bought it brand new back in 2005 from the Jeep dealership in Abu Dhabi.
There is no better way to explore this beautiful country than with a 4x4. I moved to the UAE in 1991, but thanks to the Jeep and its off-road capabilities, I can now see much more of this place.
Was it the only SUV you considered?
I was toying with the idea of a tried and tested Toyota Land Cruiser, but I wanted something different. That's why I decided on the Jeep. It is superb both on- and off-road and very comfortable too.
And you have modified it quite a bit...
Yes, I had to customise it because I'm now a serious off-roader. It performed well in stock trim, but it's far better now.
I have added a two-inch lift kit, 32in tyres, bigger suspension, a bull bar, LED lights on the roof, a special air filter and exhaust system.
It also needed an extra radiator for the gearbox, which would sometimes overheat.
So how does it perform now?
I never face a problem in the desert after all the modifications that it's had. I can literally go anywhere like the Jeep tag-line says, but now I can take it even deeper and into far more treacherous places than ever before. And while tackling the dunes, it feels so comfortable, almost as if I am driving on the road. I feel like I am the king of the desert.
It has a 3.7-litre V6, which could do with some more power though, so that is the next thing I may look at. The gearbox works perfectly now after I added the extra radiator while the brakes are stock and work just fine.
It handles really well too, and feels very stable and controlled both on- and off-road and I'm really happy with it.
Has any work been done to the interior?
Yes, I added a huge toolbox in the boot and a large jerrycan. I also added a steel frame to separate the boot and rear seats.
Have you had any adventures that you'd like to share?
Back in August 2009, I went for an off-road training session in Liwa. There were only two cars, mine and my friend's Wrangler.
It was an oppressively hot day and my pal got his Wrangler stuck in the sand and in a very difficult place to recover. When I tried to pull him out with my Cherokee, I got stuck too.
There we were, in the middle of the desert, with nobody else around. We tried for two hours to get the cars out without any success.
But then I had an idea — to use my Jeep's wheel as a winch. So I attached a rope to my wheel and tied the other end to the Wrangler, put it in reverse and gently pulled it out.
He got me out too but it was a truly horrible ordeal.
That was a brilliant idea using your wheel as a winch. Finally, what's your dream car?
I would love a Range Rover Autobiography.
Bio
Name Ayham Muhtashem
Job Regional sales manager
From Syria
Wheels 2005 Jeep Cherokee
In the UAE 20 years
