BajaNomad

My Baja Expedition Vehicle

G35Vortec454 - 8-19-2006 at 09:39 PM

My first post . . .

Here's my Baja-mobile with 14-ply tires. Problem is it doens't have any spare wheel/tires other than the 5th and 6th wheel wheel/tires. It's equipped with ARB switchable differential locker. Will it survive the washboards/sand dunes?



[Edited on 8-20-2006 by G35Vortec454]

Another pic

G35Vortec454 - 8-19-2006 at 09:46 PM

bajarich - 8-19-2006 at 09:55 PM

Nice setup. Looks like all you need to have a lot of fun in Baja. Lots of ground clearance and the duelies should float on the sand. Is it 4wd?

Is it 4wd?

G35Vortec454 - 8-19-2006 at 09:59 PM

4wd, only because it has 4 wheels in the rear :lol:, and it has rear lockers :D and it even has a transfer case for underdriving/crawling.

What it doesn't have (yet) is a front drive axle (it still has the orig IFS in front)

Diver - 8-19-2006 at 10:01 PM

Welcome.
Did you make it or buy it amd what's inside ?
You still need a spare and 4wd if you want to go solo offroad.
Washboards should be no problem but you will rock and rattle with those 14 ply tires.
Looks like you will need a super-vent and have the power to run it.
Hope it has a VERY large gas tank ! :lol:

G35Vortec454 - 8-19-2006 at 10:11 PM

Diver, it was a restoration/customization project (79 van with 98 powertrain). Inside is a bed, kitchen /microwave /propane stove, restroom, capt chairs and table, water heater - all powered by a 5KW inverter / bank of 4 house-batteries / dual alternators, and of course, DTS/Dolby-digital theatre/music system.

At 8 to 9 MPG, the gas tank leaves much to be desired - I tote a 14-gallon fuel caddy in the trailer-hitch carriage.

[Edited on 8-20-2006 by G35Vortec454]

[Edited on 8-20-2006 by G35Vortec454]

[Edited on 8-20-2006 by G35Vortec454]

It "looks" great, and probably really is-----

Barry A. - 8-19-2006 at 10:23 PM

my guess is that it will survive the Baja roads just fine, if you take it easy and don't pound it to death.

Before you go to changing the front suspension (i.e. 4 wheel drive) I would take it into the sand and see what it can do-------You might be surprised at how well it does. Also, a 12K winch and a pull-pal might be a lot cheaper, and that will get you out of many a "stuck", especially the winch that goes into a trailer reciever, which can be used both front or rear.

It is truly a beautiful looking vehicle, I think.

Bob and Susan - 8-19-2006 at 11:20 PM

nice...but i'll bet they send you to secondary....just to look:lol:

Secondary?

G35Vortec454 - 8-19-2006 at 11:53 PM

secondary . . . is that a checkpoint/inspection lingo?

G35

Sharksbaja - 8-20-2006 at 12:45 AM

Have you taken it out on the dirt at all. I don't know how duallys work in sand with 2X4. Anyone??

Roberto - 8-20-2006 at 06:02 AM

My experience is that duallies don't work well in sand. That's one of the reasons I converted my F350 to SRW.

sharks,

G35Vortec454 - 8-20-2006 at 06:07 AM

Yes, it's been to dirt and sand and rivers (but not mud). I've seen it struggle (even with the locker on) moving forward through deep soft DRY dirt or sand - that's with full 60psi highway air on the tires. But each time, it had no problem getting out IN REVERSE easy. The problem I see is the front tires gives enough resistance to give even the dually rear a hard time.

This PM, I will try thru deep dirt nearby, with the tires deflated to 25psi.

[Edited on 8-20-2006 by G35Vortec454]

Roberto, do you have a rear locker?

G35Vortec454 - 8-20-2006 at 06:10 AM

Mine does get out of the stuck situation easy in reverse, when the rear locker is on.

Bruce R Leech - 8-20-2006 at 06:49 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by G35Vortec454



Dunlap makes some tires for armored trucks that are bullet proof. they laughed at me when I wanted to buy a spare. they told me that if one ever went flat for any reason they would come and rescue me, even in Baja sur. they are quite pricey but mine are 17 years old and I have never had to add air.

Bob and Susan - 8-20-2006 at 06:56 AM

our dually doesn't have any problems in the "soft stuff"....

of course it's a dodge:lol:

secondary is at the border on the USA side where they really "check you out"...

everyone gets a chance to "visit" eventually:lol:

surfer jim - 8-20-2006 at 08:05 AM

Looks great.....where do you plan to go with it?

dean miller - 8-20-2006 at 08:33 AM

..."of course it is a Dodge"...

GOOD OLE DODGE...

This vechicle demonstrates a striking resemblance to a 1942 1/2 ton WW11 surplus Dodge ambulance that I used in the period 1956 to 1961 to explore the then wilds of Baja from the border to Punta Baja below El Rosario. It was called the Mexican Mercedes because of it's silver paint job

Actually your vechicle probably more closely resembled the 1943 3/4 model Dodge which was owned by my travel companion. Joe Bob McCabe ( yes with that name-he was a Texican) It was called the Red Rocket because of it's red zinc oxide paint job.

Both vechicles had roof racks storage contructed from bed frames, the forerunner of the Yakima racks and Jerry can racks welded to the Front fenders. They had a top speed of 40 MPH and got horrible gas milage but once they were startedwould run on any fuel; gas, white gas, and gas mixed with desiel, which was great for Baja at that time frame.

So, Sir I commend you for a truck well designed and well executed. And most importantly for restoring memories of the good times past. Enjoy Baja as we did over 1/2 century ago when it was a true unexplored unpopulated wilderness visited only by a select few. At that time in history the term "Baja" had not been incorporated into the American advertising lexicon nor had Baja been created as a travel/retirement destination.

So point you truck south, drive off road and explore the still unexplored of Baja-- It is an exciting place with still much to be explored and discovered...


DM

bufeo - 8-20-2006 at 08:39 AM

Very nice rig Vortec.

I'm sending you a U2U regarding another forum that you may wish to visit w/regard to your specific question.

Bob and Susan

G35Vortec454 - 8-20-2006 at 08:47 AM

Bob and Susan, it's good to know your dually is fine in the sand. Is it 4WD?

Dean/SutferJim and all, thanks for the compliments. I'm planning for a first trip - south to as far as san felipe/puertecitos/calamajue then cross over to the pacific side and back up north to southern ca. still learning how to use this gps stuff, so no specific routes yet.

Dean Miller-----

Barry A. - 8-20-2006 at 08:49 AM

I too went on several expeditions into Baja in a Dodge WWII ambulance that was dark gray in color. This was in the late 50's and early 60's, and we were out of Coronado, CA. and the veh. was owned by a guy named "Chips". The funny thing was that "Chips" did not drive, so he always recruited someone he trusted to drive the ambulance----and that was me. The ambulance was all you say, and I loved that vehicle, tho it was terribly under powered (or under geared). The Mexicanos loved it, tho. Our trips were mostly below San Felipe, and up in the Sierra Juarez.

Good times!!!

Bob and Susan - 8-20-2006 at 09:34 AM

4wd yes this time...but others we've hadworked just fine....

4wd just = $$$ to us:saint::saint:

dean miller - 8-20-2006 at 03:33 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Barry A.
I too went on several expeditions into Baja in a Dodge WWII ambulance that was dark gray in color. This was in the late 50's and early 60's, and we were out of Coronado, ...


Mine was purchased in Anaheim in mid 1950s and sold in early 1960s (1 or 2) to a gentleman who wanted it to search for lost California mines.

Sad but true -- a week or so after he purchsed it from me he torched the top off of the ambulance creating a open monster looking pick up. According to the new owner so he could carry rocks ???

Mine was as Silver Grey like the Mercedes Benz of that era, therefore a Mexican Mercedes...

Good memories of good times past...

DM