In this edition of real cars, real people, Zakaraya Al Ashek, product marketing manager for Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications International, tells Paolo Rossetti what impresses him about his 2006 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ71 – its extreme reliability and absolute strength.
Zakaraya Al Ashek, known to his friends as Zak, is the product marketing manager for Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications International, and if his communications products are as exciting as his ride, I want them!
You have a great looking car, Zak. How hard is it to keep it in such good condition?
Motors and cars in general have been one of my hobbies for quite a long time. In fact, probably since before I could walk!
Sometimes, I feel I go to obsessive levels to make sure my ride is always in prime condition. Continuous preventive maintenance and on-going check-ups are part of my routine, but I also keep looking for what can best fit my car to generate an improvement in performance.
Joining the online off-road club Dubai4x4.com has put me in touch with people in Dubai who share the same hobby, and I have gained much information from them.
What's the model and year, and do you know some of the specs? It is a 2006 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ71 (short wheelbase) with a 4.5 litre, 24 valves, 6 cylinders engine capable of an output of 216 HP.
It is simply stunning! What a compact, muscular package! The face is that of the familiar Toyota pick-up truck that is used on many farms in the UAE, but the short cab and sudden drop at the rear brings about an air of lightness and confidence – it looks like it means business.
How did you get it?
This LC model was "The Talk" in our club and is still considered one of the top off-roading machines. Since it is not sold in the UAE, I had to go to the Toyota dealer in Oman, which is part of the Saudi Bahwan group of companies, and I bought it from there, and imported and registered it in Dubai.
Well, where there's a will there's a way – I'm glad you took the initiative to get what you really wanted, instead of settling for what is made available. A lesson in globalisation, therefore. What have you changed from when you bought it?
No major modifications, but as I always want to be unique I did some modifications. Firstly, I got rid of that awful farm-brown colour and changed the body to metallic black and added a customised short-side front bumper.
I replaced the skinny stock wheels with 10-inch wheel rims and mounted wider 285/75R16 Cooper STT tyres. That added much in aggressiveness off-road and improved the stance. On the power side of things, I slightly enabled the engine to breathe easier with a K&N air filter and customised stainless steel cat-back exhaust.
So, let's suppose a horsepower gain of 25-30 horsies, up to around 240-250, and with those monster tyres giving excellent grip, I'd say that no dune is too high anymore! Compared to other cars you've driven, how does driving the short wheelbase Land Cruiser feel? We have lots of modified cars in our club and I tried many of them.
I myself used to drive a splendid Jeep Wrangler YJ, which used to impress other off-roaders, but, after driving this FJ71,
I know it carries itself much better on both big and small sand dunes.
That said, off-roading is very much dependent on the driver's experience and way of driving, and I can compare myself with various other cars, and not to other drivers. I am convinced my car is awesome above all others I've tried.
If you were to choose the very best feature of this car, what would it be?
I think the fact that it's built very simply with not many electronics, offers extreme reliability and gives an impression of absolute strength.
Yes, it does look like a truck that will keep running and running no matter what conditions it is put through. And stories out from the Australian Outback and deepest Africa are testimony to the working Land Cruisers' sheer indestructibility! But some people say the short wheelbase is uncomfortable and below safety standards.
What do you think?
Many short wheelbase vehicles give a bit of a rough ride, but hey, this is a heavy duty vehicle where luxury is not a target or criterion to discuss.
Anyway, I drive it every day to the office and back, and I have no issues even on Dubai's busy streets. Besides, the thumbs up I get are enough to make me forget about comfort!
Anything else you'd like to tell us about your Toyota?
I just love this car; it's as simple as that.
Well, there you have it. A man whose passion and focus led him to purchase the exact car he wanted, without compromise, and who shaped it to suit his requirements.
If you or someone you know has a special bond with their vehicle and would like to be featured in these columns, send an e-mail to friday@gulfnews.com
