BajaNomad

Newbie Says Hello

FJ40Mark - 1-2-2007 at 09:15 AM

Hello and what a forum! :cool:

My name is mark and I'm planning a 3 week trip to the tip of Baja in August in my 73 Toyota Land Cruiser (FJ40) and found this site digging thru the net.

Very impressed with the wealth of info here and hope to make some meaningful contributions myself.

Regards,

mark

Bajagypsy - 1-2-2007 at 09:23 AM

We do the trip, from Canada in our 81 Toyota Land Cruiser, it is a blast!!

Welcome to the forum.

Welcome

Baja Bernie - 1-2-2007 at 09:35 AM

And don't forget to give us all a trip report when you get back.

Have a Baja Time!

FJ40Mark - 1-2-2007 at 09:42 AM

Thank you everyone. Trip report= No Problemo!

Bajabus - 1-2-2007 at 09:45 AM

Welcome sir.....dig right in and have fun.

Good luck in all you do and stay safe.

Summanus - 1-2-2007 at 09:56 AM

Hi Mark,

Welcome to the best site on Baja.

Don't forget to check your a/c in the Toyota before the trip in August. It will be rather hot.

Hope you have a great trip!

Bob H - 1-2-2007 at 10:02 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Summanus
Hi Mark,

Welcome to the best site on Baja.

Don't forget to check your a/c in the Toyota before the trip in August. It will be rather hot.

Hope you have a great trip!


A very good tip! And, welcome to the greatest place here on the Nomad board for all the information you could ever think you might need.
Looking forward to your contributions and trip report.
Bob H

FJ40Mark - 1-2-2007 at 10:20 AM

Thank you all for the warm welcome. I've spent some time digin' around here and what a wealth of info.

I picked August for it will be HOT :coolup: as I plan to cross Africa in 08 in my FJ40 so figure hitting Baja at the hotest time of the year will be good conditioning for me and my 40

No A/C though...





I drive it all year around. Adding an extra fuel cell but can carry 3-5 gallon Jerry Cans now for 32 gallons total. Adding another cell should take me to 50 gallons.

383 Stroker Motor in there, with lots of lockers and gears...should do the trick eh?

And for all you folks that are the blessed with good weather..that would be SNOW on the cruiser LOL!!!

Can't wait to get going. Plan to camp everywhere possible and stay off the beaten path

mark

Summanus - 1-2-2007 at 10:25 AM

Sounds like a great trip! I did a similar trip in 1996 driving a open-air CJ-5 much like your rig.... from Montana to Baja Sur in late October. Had a great time .... except for getting caught in a snowstorm going through Salt Lake City and being stuck between a couple of semi-trucks! A hoot.

Capt. George - 1-2-2007 at 10:53 AM

Amigos de Baja got me going...has since become Baja Nomads..a great place to be if you can overlook some of the Nomads suffering from inter-breeding...yeah, you all know who you are!

Welcome aboard and good luck...be careful in Baja, you may never want to leave...............

Capt George

Ask away, a wealth of Baja info on this board!

David K - 1-2-2007 at 11:07 AM

Welcome Mark!

You have got some great 'shoes' for your rig!!

Tires are very important in Baja... lots of sharp, volcanic rock and deep sand that will challenge you the most.

If I can be of any assistance, please let me know... Baja is an awesome place to explore and find your 4WD soul!

Please make use of my web links, below...

Bajagypsy - 1-2-2007 at 11:15 AM

Theres lots of great out of the way places you can get with your cruiser in Baja, you'll have a blast. (just bring LOTS of gas). I bring two 5 gallon tanks along and seems to do us just fine in our FJ60.
What size tires are you running on yours? 35"s?
Hey I see from your pics your an IH8 Mud Forum regular too (my user is Bajaman on that one)

FJ40Mark - 1-2-2007 at 11:23 AM

Summanus

I had heard of Jeepers doing that and thought to myself...what a better place to have an open air vehicle. I'm sick of snow though!

Capt. George,

I'm afraid I won't want to leave! That may not be a bad thing LOL!

David K,

Thank you for the offer for info and the likes, I'll take you up on that. Can't get enough reading this site already...oops..there goes the Day! :biggrin: Any insight or tips is most welcome.

Had heard that (like all 4wheeling) Wheels and Tires are critical down there and some have suggested the 37s are a bit much but have the HP and torque to move' m so gonna stick with this size. Can deflate to 3 psi and not de-bead..

Bajagypsy

Those are 37 MTRs on Trail Ready Beadlocks. I assume your running a 2f? Yes, Mud Regular...JuttyShabango..I'm also the new Secretary for the TLCA. :bounce:

[Edited on 1-2-2007 by FJ40Mark]

Bajagypsy - 1-2-2007 at 11:39 AM

Yup, 2f...not the greatest but it will do for now. (its been very reliable and good milage, just short on power).
You wont have any trouble getting places with 37's!!! I'm getting by just fine with 32's and a locker in the backend...but will have 35's and a locker in the front with the SOA completed by then too....and if all goes well a good starr on a Cummins 4BTA swap :lol: (already found a NV4500 for $150 bucks!!!!)

FJ40Mark - 1-2-2007 at 11:42 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajagypsy
Yup, 2f...not the greatest but it will do for now. (its been very reliable and good milage, just short on power).
You wont have any trouble getting places with 37's!!! I'm getting by just fine with 32's and a locker in the backend...but will have 35's and a locker in the front with the SOA completed by then too....and if all goes well a good starr on a Cummins 4BTA swap :lol: (already found a NV4500 for $150 bucks!!!!)


A NV4500 for 150???? Holy Smokes that's a deal. I wish I had a diesal...good luck on the swap!

Bajagypsy - 1-2-2007 at 11:47 AM

Thanks, and I know it was suspiciously cheap...(I didnt ask, I dont want to know) Just keep telling myself the guy was really stupid.

I'm hoping with the Diesel and an extended range tank, I will be able to get close to 1200 km's to a tank. (thats my goal anyway)

FJ40Mark - 1-2-2007 at 11:51 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajagypsy
Thanks, and I know it was suspiciously cheap...(I didnt ask, I dont want to know) Just keep telling myself the guy was really stupid.

I'm hoping with the Diesel and an extended range tank, I will be able to get close to 1200 km's to a tank. (thats my goal anyway)


I'd say easy.. Henry Cubillan did a diesal swap and was up to like 23 mpg in a 60 on 35s IIRC.

I'm jealous on the diesal for sure and have even thought of selling my 40 for a FJ75 or similiar

It's nice to see other cruiserheads here....makes me feel at home :cool:

Bajagypsy - 1-2-2007 at 11:56 AM

Yes it is, there are quite a number of good people on this forum. (wealth of knowledge here about travel in baja) But a few more cruiserheads to map out the back country is definately a bonus.

Bajagypsy - 1-2-2007 at 11:57 AM

well...better get back to work....:fire:
Good luck on the trip!

David K - 1-2-2007 at 12:08 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by FJ40Mark

David K,

Thank you for the offer for info and the likes, I'll take you up on that. Can't get enough reading this site already...oops..there goes the Day! :biggrin: Any insight or tips is most welcome.

Had heard that (like all 4wheeling) Wheels and Tires are critical down there and some have suggested the 37s are a bit much but have the HP and torque to move' m so gonna stick with this size. Can deflate to 3 psi and not de-bead..

[Edited on 1-2-2007 by FJ40Mark]


Well, the fun stuff for four wheeling is found all over the peninsula... and you can combine a great four wheeling day with fantastic sites, many are historic or just plain beautiful!

Here are some samples from the northern half of Baja:

To Mision Santa Maria: http://vivabaja.com/403/



Baja 2000 course NE of El Rosario (boojums, petroglyphs): http://vivabaja.com/1105/page3.html



Montevideo painted cliff: http://vivabaja.com/105/page6.html



Las Flores railroad, terminal canyon: http://vivabaja.com/402/page4.html



Las Pintas petroglyphs and fossil grotto: http://www.vivabaja.com/pintas/



Pacific to Gulf via Mike's Sky Rancho: http://www.vivabaja.com/905/



Drive up Matomi Canyon: http://vivabaja.com/618/page4.html



Other exotic canyons SW of San Felipe/ hot springs: http://vivabaja.com/404



[Edited on 1-2-2007 by David K]

FJ40Mark - 1-2-2007 at 12:16 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Quote:
Originally posted by FJ40Mark

David K,

Thank you for the offer for info and the likes, I'll take you up on that. Can't get enough reading this site already...oops..there goes the Day! :biggrin: Any insight or tips is most welcome.

Had heard that (like all 4wheeling) Wheels and Tires are critical down there and some have suggested the 37s are a bit much but have the HP and torque to move' m so gonna stick with this size. Can deflate to 3 psi and not de-bead..

[Edited on 1-2-2007 by FJ40Mark]


Well, the fun stuff for four wheeling is found all over the peninsula... and you can combine a great four wheeling day with fantastic sites, many are historic or just plain beautiful!

Here are some samples from the northern half of Baja:

To Mision Santa Maria: http://vivabaja.com/403/

Baja 2000 course NE of El Rosario (boojums, petroglyphs): http://vivabaja.com/1105/page3.html

Montevideo painted cliff: http://vivabaja.com/105/page6.html

Las Flores railroad, terminal canyon: http://vivabaja.com/402/page4.html

Las Pintas petroglyphs and fossil grotto: http://www.vivabaja.com/pintas/

Pacific to Gulf via Mike's Sky Rancho: http://www.vivabaja.com/905/

Drive up Matomi Canyon: http://vivabaja.com/618/page4.html

Other exotic canyons SW of San Felipe/ hot springs: http://vivabaja.com/404


Wow!! Thank you sir!! More good readings...


This has been one of the best message boards I've ever visited...what a great community.

mark

David K - 1-2-2007 at 12:25 PM

No worries!

I just added photos to the above page as a teaser!

I have GPS waypoints of most places, as well... Most of the waypoints in my web sites are at Map Datum NAD27 Mexico, so do change the setting on your receiver before entering those waypoints. A few (from 2001 trips) are at the factory setting WGS84, but I always try and note the map datum when giving waypoints... I do have a GPS web page in my VivaBaja.com site as well...

FJ40Mark - 1-2-2007 at 12:37 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
No worries!

I just added photos to the above page as a teaser!

I have GPS waypoints of most places, as well... Most of the waypoints in my web sites are at Map Datum NAD27 Mexico, so do change the setting on your receiver before entering those waypoints. A few (from 2001 trips) are at the factory setting WGS84, but I always try and note the map datum when giving waypoints... I do have a GPS web page in my VivaBaja.com site as well...



Reading your site now...bookmarked...and VERY impressive! Damn..you been at this for a while eh:cool:

David K - 1-2-2007 at 01:47 PM

Yah, LOL! Writing about Baja and researching its history got into me at an early age!

Since 1965 (as a kid of 8)... Started drawing maps at 10... Published my first Baja guide at 15... I wrote a new roadguide which was published by the Baja Bulletin Magazine when I was 17... Wrote travel articles for Mexico West magazine and for Discover Baja, as well.

Got 'online' in 1998 and sharing my efforts ever since...

Here I am in 1966 on our way to the tip of Baja in a Jeep (800 miles of the 1050 were un paved with about 600 ungraded... just a single lane wide track)...

66-67 pics.jpg - 50kB

shari - 1-2-2007 at 02:22 PM

Bienvenido Marc..hope to see you out our way (off the beaten track!) We'll show you some cool spots to hang out on the pacific side where the weather is great in August!

abreojos - 1-2-2007 at 06:13 PM

Welcome Mark, Just a few words about being careful where you drive down here, especially the beaches. There is not enough personal to inforce it, but your not supposed to drive on the beaches and it is against the law. Why? Because there are turtle eggs, small pismo clams that are barly hanging on and in time there will be more critters added to the list I am sure. I've done it and you know what it really isn't that great. Your motor heats up and the salt rots your rig. I lived in Florida before Disney World and went to Daytona Beach as a kid and you could drive down the beach there too. You can't drive there anymore because drunks were running over sunbathers and killing them! Turtles and clams were probably the first casulities. If you make it to Asuntion you'll probably make it to Abreojos. My place is infront of the lighthouse.

David K - 1-2-2007 at 06:37 PM

Actually, feet can do more damage than floatation tires found on ATVs and OHVs/ 4WDs, as they sink deeper in the sand. So, don't walk on turtle eggs either! Non-floatation tires, or non-deflated tires like on motorcycles can dig up the sand and don't belong on those beaches.

Fortunately, there are no turtle nesting grounds in Northern Baja that I have been made aware of and the beach beatween San Felipe and Puertecitos has frequent traffic by locals checking their nets, launching pangas, etc. along with those vacationers enjoying the coastline for over 40 years... Yes, 'beach' driving is illegal... so is driving over 50 MPH on most of the highways.

Not wishing to disturb eggs (because if the turtle population ever gets big again we can enjoy a great treat to eat, like we used to), I wish someone would post a map showing the nesting sites, so people don't walk over them anymore! Save the turtles!!

abreojos - 1-2-2007 at 06:59 PM

Probably not, but there use to be loads of Pismos in Northern Baja on the Pacific side just a few short years ago! It's Mexican law not mine and it should matter to anyone who is a guest here no matter how many years they have been coming down or how many Mexicans you see doing it. And it does matter to some fishermen, but not enough. I live in Cabo and found a disturbed nest just last week on a beach full of tire tracks. Beside that you probably need the exercise, I know I do. Too much office time and not enough beach time.

FJ40Mark - 1-3-2007 at 06:58 AM

DavidK,

I read your entire site last night and saw all the pics and GPS points. (Nice Toyota by the way!) Very, very informative site and even had my wife reading parts.

There should be plenty to see and do down there.

Whatever vehicle laws are in place will be followed. No need to really drive much on the beech when there are some seriously FUN looking trails all about Baja.

Camping on the beach though;D

If I see some Turtles...there will be plenty of pics to share.

abreojos - 1-3-2007 at 07:58 AM

Being aware and doing the best you can is all you can do. We are on a run away train and there is no stopping the inevitable. Enjoy it while it last! The Baja I found 30 years ago is long gone. I wish you could have seen it.

FJ40Mark - 1-3-2007 at 08:05 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by abreojos
Being aware and doing the best you can is all you can do. We are on a run away train and there is no stopping the inevitable. Enjoy it while it last! The Baja I found 30 years ago is long gone. I wish you could have seen it.


Me too...and understand what your saying. It will be all new to me though and that will be exciting.

After hearing about Home Depots down there it's certainly a sign of the times.

Hope Africa next year is untouched. We'll see. I'll look you up sir on the trip South.

abreojos - 1-3-2007 at 08:12 AM

From what I hear, the isn't anything untouched in Africa. Try South America or Australia. Maybe I'll be in Abreojos if you pass by. If not there, I'll be in Cabo.

FJ40Mark - 1-3-2007 at 08:15 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by abreojos
From what I hear, the isn't anything untouched in Africa. Try South America or Australia. Maybe I'll be in Abreojos if you pass by. If not there, I'll be in Cabo.


Same with Aussie and S.A....well, our ultimate destination is Cabo so if you see one Big Ass Cruiser rolling round town...give me a holler.

I'll buy the first round.

abreojos - 1-3-2007 at 08:23 AM

Weather will be better on the Pacific side in August. There are still some great beaches between Cabo and Todos Santos around km 91 where there are turtles.

Bajagypsy - 1-3-2007 at 09:54 PM

Hey Mark,
Totally agree with abreojos, the Pacific side is great in the summer, with lots of off the path places to visit and camp.
If I may suggest getting in touch with Shari (one of the above posts) is a must stop place. Right up you alley. And Bahia Asuncion is about half way down the peninsula with a great place to stay for a few nights just north of there...
Check the area out on Google Earth:
Latitude: 27°10'59.33"N
Longitude: 114°23'44.60"W
We've stayed a few times and will be back many more times.

FJ40Mark - 1-4-2007 at 06:46 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajagypsy
Hey Mark,
Totally agree with abreojos, the Pacific side is great in the summer, with lots of off the path places to visit and camp.
If I may suggest getting in touch with Shari (one of the above posts) is a must stop place. Right up you alley. And Bahia Asuncion is about half way down the peninsula with a great place to stay for a few nights just north of there...
Check the area out on Google Earth:
Latitude: 27°10'59.33"N
Longitude: 114°23'44.60"W
We've stayed a few times and will be back many more times.


I'd like to meet up with anyone from this board for sure!

What I've been hearin is in August stay on the Pacific side for less Humidity?

Google Earth is my friend :bounce: The Tracks4Africa crew has gotten themselves an overlay for Google and too bad there isn't something like that for Baja.

I'll get ahold of Shari

Bajagypsy - 1-4-2007 at 08:22 AM

Yes we drove down in August two years ago and the Pacific side was great, for us there is no such thing as too hot. But when we got over to the Cortez side we damn near died from the humidity. 45* during the day with 100% on the humidex and 35*+ at night with 100% on the humidex.
Holy Crap Batman, that makes staying in a tent tough.
On the up side, the water temp on the east side was also 32*. So basically thats where we spent all our time. (although there are thousands of stingrays to watch for that time of year, along with Jelly fish and the odd plume of fire plankton).

[Edited on 1-4-2007 by Bajagypsy]