Best rig for getting around off the pavement in Baja?

Thinking about a 4 or 6 cylinder 4-wheel vehicle. No plans to tow anything other than a light 18' boat or do any extreme rock crawling. Your basic reliable beater.Advice needed?

1995-2004 Tacoma, of course!

It'll get you there and back, and haul all your supplies


[Edited on 2-6-2007 by Taco de Baja]

Someone will recommend..... a DIESEL.... 500+HP....40" tires....8" lift kit....as the minimum needed....let's see ......

burro?Have been packing with horses here, there and yonder up in the norhwest boonies. Hauled elk, moose, deer, camping equipment etc. up and down a mountain or two. Ready for some that runs on gas not hay.

surfer jim! yep. Probably some sort of track vehicle, a cross between a bulldozer and a dirt bike.

'88 Toyota. Thanks BajaWarrior.Have had good luck with Toyota products.

Cypress,

For a baja beater I would recommend a Ford Explorer 4.0 V-6, 4x4.

For the following reasons;

. Cheap to buy.
. Reliable.
. nice size for baja roads.
. Better chance of parts availability in Baja over imports.

I have had one for a work truck for over 3 years with no problems. If you have a larger budget I would buy what my personal Baja vehicle is, a 2005 Xterra Offroad.

triple "D". Thanks. Have used Ford 4x4's in the past, they can turn on a dime.

Hey Cypress,

Dis you see my posting... "MY NEXT BAJA VEHICLE"

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=22485

AMO

AmoPescar.That's a stretch!!

Look no further

Cypress,

You'll be able to visit exotic, remote locations and enjoy early mornings like this one.




[Edited on 2-7-2007 by Skipjack Joe]

[Edited on 2-16-2007 by Skipjack Joe]

Skipjack. Looks like another Toyota vote from here. Thanks.

marla, Toyota is looking good. Have owned a truck and a couple of cars made by Toyota. No complaints.

Hey Marla,

Check your U2U.

Amo

Capt. George.Does a winch come with those late model burros?

This is our version and dream of the "Best rig for getting around off the pavement in Baja."
Can someone loan us 100k? We'll gladly pay you next Tuesday!

PyD

Cheap Thrills!

140 mph over small cars!

The one wheels up is Robby's at Parker last weekend.




Jesse Jones going to give him a pull back up.

[Edited on 2-7-2007 by bajalou]

..Must buy new toys!..

How's this for off-pavement fun???

That's a lot of Bling...looks like Herman Munsters sand buggy.

This one is more our speed.

How about this rig?







[Edited on 2-7-2007 by tripledigitken]

San Borja

toyota hands down. evertime i took my toyotas down i never had to fix anything when i got back, cant say the same for my fords i took.

4baja So,

Let me get this straight, your going to be leaving for Baja in less than 24 hours In a ford while your toyota is parked in the drivway?

As you know we go both ways F-250 and a FJ.

I don't need to add a word!

Thanks for all the input.Expect David K. has traveled more miles down in Baja than anyone. Thanks for the picture David K.What is the make of that rig?

Free advice is worth exactly what you pay for it!! I own an automotive brake, suspension, and alignment shop in Orange, Ca. 50 weekends a year I am somewhere in between La Mision and Loreto. I am able to do this in good part due to job security built by Chevy and Ford. I have a 2005 Tundra 4x4. Total reliability! strong runner,agile,decent mileage. Very capable off-road.

Quote:

Originally posted by 4baja toyota hands down. evertime i took my toyotas down i never had to fix anything when i got back, cant say the same for my fords i took.

well im ,

going to recomend the mercedes unimog

Kino Buggy

Here's one that has a proven track record.

Can't imagine driving in Baja in a vehicle that doesn't have helicopter hooks. Just doesn't seem safe:

Hey Ken...

I love your reasoning...that is SO funny!

I doubt there's anyone else who can say that about their Baja ride. And it's a very COOL Baja ride too.

Michael

Quote:

Originally posted by Cypress Thanks for all the input.Expect David K. has traveled more miles down in Baja than anyone. Thanks for the picture David K.What is the make of that rig?

That is a 2005 Toyota Tacoma 4 door, 'TRD' 4WD Truck.

The TRD (Toyota Racing Development) package gives you Bilstein gas shocks, a locking rear differential, 'large' BFG Rugged Trail TA tires...

The photo above was taken near Montevideo, off the road to Mision San Borja, last November.

Here's another taken on the beach near Cielito Lindo, San Quintin in Sept., '05. (a month old). My web site trip pages are full of photos of it!

Previous I had a 2001 Toyota Xtra Cab, TRD 4WD (my first Toyota)... Put 136,000 miles on it in 5 years... No breakdowns, no problems... Oh, what a feeling!

Toyota wins. Might consider beefing up the suspension, the radiator, and air intake? Thanks Nomads!!!

Quote:

Originally posted by Cypress Toyota wins. Might consider beefing up the suspension, the radiator, and air intake? Thanks Nomads!!!

Yes to beefier suspension, you will thank yourself after a long day of driving off road.

No to the Radiator. I've never had an overheating issue.

Intake? Your choice. I have a K and N FIPK. It maybe added a few ponies, but maybe that's my wallet thinking

For solo trips:



For when travelling with the entourage:

MY NEXT BAJA VEHICLE

Here' what I want to buy for my next Baja ride. It may not be the best vehicle for getting around Baja...

BUT....just think of how many friends I can tale with me!

AND...with all those babes hanging out of the sunroof, I should get passed right through the Army checkpoints

AMO PESCAR

I agree the Toyota Tacoma has many advantages and it is a great all around vehicle. I like my 1996 Ford Bronco with the 351 engine. The only downside to the Bronco is the cargo area isn't big enough to sleep in for me (6'5")
First choice is Toyota Tacoma (with a shell)
2nd choice Ford Bronco

Reduce your chance of flats by 50%

Quote:

Originally posted by AmoPescar MY NEXT BAJA VEHICLE Here' what I want to buy for my next Baja ride. It may not be the best vehicle for getting around Baja... BUT....just think of how many friends I can tale with me! AND...with all those babes hanging out of the sunroof, I should get passed right through the Army checkpoints AMO PESCAR

Hmm...Your truck & camper is called Amo's Big Unit. Would you call this one Amo's Long Unit?

[Edited on 2-17-2007 by jeans]

Hey There Jeans...

That's a GOOD one!!! Makes a lot of sense to me...


Miguelamo

ps: It was SURE GOOD seeing you last Saturday!!

Quote:

Originally posted by motoged Reduce your chance of flats by 50%

If this was the new 525 I would agree Awsome bike

Go any where "Cheep"

Corky

Moo Power to them!

This is it for me

I had a 99 Jeep Wrangler that saw a lot of off-road:





Now I drive a 2001 Chevy Suburban ¾ ton 4x4:



But this is the best off the pavement transport in Baja California:

Old Volkswagwen Bus.........I put 20k miles mostly off pavement and mostly trouble free on a 1969 VW bus with larger rear tires and rims. It was easy to air down and would go just about anywhere. Easy to get fixed, never overheated and was fairly economical. It had a nice camper in it and was very comfrotable.No complaints. That was then.

Yea, those VW's were some tuff vehicles. They messed up bigtime when they stopped making those "bugs".

Quote:

Originally posted by Cypress Toyota wins. Might consider beefing up the suspension, the radiator, and air intake? Thanks Nomads!!!

Ya, they do. My next truck will be a 2000-04 Tacoma double cab TRD. The radiator will be just fine. It will get a lift.

That wagon posted by CPG is also a Toyota (LC FZJ80) and is as bomb proof as they get. I've been to Baja in nothing but Toyota since 1986.

[Edited on 2-24-2007 by Pappy Jon]

Pappy! That's what I'd call "reinforcement".

Quote:

Originally posted by Cypress Pappy! That's what I'd call "reinforcement".

It swings out. It carries the spare tire, 15 gallons water, high lift ,shovel, and trash.

Here is another pic
They need to be resized small so hard to see.
This LC has 180k miles on it and runs like new.

CPG-----Thanks for the great photos.Great looking rig. How much water reserve do you carry? Do you air down on beahes and are able to drive well in sand? I like that "room with a view". Does it feel stable when sleeping up there? How about peeing in the middle of the night? Thanks again. C.

Quote:

Originally posted by Crusoe CPG-----Thanks for the great photos.Great looking rig. How much water reserve do you carry? Do you air down on beahes and are able to drive well in sand? I like that "room with a view". Does it feel stable when sleeping up there? How about peeing in the middle of the night? Thanks again. C.

cpg. Another vote for Toyota.

WHICH BFGOODRICH??

Here is my favorite rig with remote canyon explorer

[Edited on 3-5-2007 by cpg]

cpg
damn...you're lucky to "tell the tale"

here is mine

rear shot

side shot

Just ran across this...

There is an old saying that the last thing fixed will be the next to break. Been there when a bolt was not tightened up completely, and of course it came off on Mex 1. IF you work on your truck before you leave triple check your work. If somebody else helped, really check, even if they are a Toyota Master Mechanic. No kidding.

What's up Pappy? Jutty from MUD.

Good advice on the double checkin' work..heard an old saying when packing for an off-road trip.

Take every wrench that's touched your truck in the last 2 weeks.


and TOYOTA RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!! Enough said..

Quote:

Originally posted by FJ40Mark What's up Pappy? Jutty from MUD ... and TOYOTA RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!! Enough said..