What kind of truck do you drive in Baja?

Best Truck For Baja???

For $5k to $6k? 1995-1996 Toyota Tacoma! There's more than a few Taco owners here on the board, and if you give it a day or so, you'll see a list of responses to your post a mile long. Everybody's got their favorites, but I'll bet the great majority of the responses will include the word "Toyota".

If you need something bigger to haul lots of stuff around, an American-made, fullsize pickup might be better suited, but you'll spend a lot more on gas, and they're usually not as reliable. Breaking down on I-5 is one thing, but it's a whole lot worse when you're in the middle of nowhere.

Suerte!.. Cameron

If it were me in your shoes, I'd buy a used Toyota Dolphin RV like this one found on craigslist.

hey there, Pack, I'm looking for a truck, not a casa!


I am going to be bringing fishing gear and diving gear for about six people...the other four are coming by plane...but one intrepid fool, I mean friend, wants to go on a "road trip"!

TOYOTA

If'n I had the $$$$$, I would be driving a new Toyota Tundra double cab, 4x4....but for now, and only going as far south as our place in Ensenada a 2002 Mazda Tribute, a 1986 Subaru Brat (stay in Ensenada car) or a 1995 Toyota Camry....but If'n I had the $$$$$.........Toyota Tundra.....oops, already said that!!!

If I didn't have the Subaru, I would be calling that above number for the Toyota P/U!!!!!!

[Edited on 4-28-2007 by bajaguy]

I have a 1991 Ford. It's OK. I'm thinking of a 6-cylinder Toyota Tacoma though.

safety dog, take 2 - trying to figure everything out...

Be Smart.....Find a 1995 or 1996 Ford F 150 exteded cab with an automatic transmission and a small 302 v8 Fuel Injected motor. It will get 18 to 24 mpg. and have lots of room for your stuff and dog. Plus a very comfrotable ride.Try to find one with less than 100k on it. There are lots around. You can find one easy for $5000., or so.Get a lockable canopy too. Best most reliable truck ever built. You wont be sorry!!! Good luck and have a great trip.++C++

where's david k???

not ONE post???

better think earthquake tonite...

My Ford has a small 8 cylinder engine, 4wd, automatic. It has air conditioning that does not work, and two gas tanks, with a malfunctioning valve between them. The brakes work, kinda. The windshield is...interesting. I took the camper off a while back.

Its handling on the highway is, imo, dangerous.

I bought it about 4 years ago for about $5500; it only had 70,000 miles then and one owner. It's worth about $1200 now.

I could get by with a slightly smaller truck, one that's easier on the highway driving.

The truck lives in Loreto full time, I'm here most of the time.

Don:

And I bet you get better mileage off of that second tank.

Loreto by way of San Felipe.....sounds like the long way, but scenic!!!

Hey, Baja Girl....get the Toyota, and David K will throw in a "Got Baja" decal...............if you get back to LA, fdt will throw in a "I survived HWY 1" decal..............
can't go wrong!!!



[Edited on 4-28-2007 by bajaguy]

Baja girl, welcome to the board. You are going to have your avatar up in no time with the amount of posts your putting in right off the bat! This is what I drive, F350 diesel. More truck than you could possibly need? No. My grandmother used to say that it's better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.

Sounds like you are in for an adventure. Have fun!

Paulina<*)))><
ps. I'm from Eagle Rock, almost your next door neighbor.



Edit: reduced photo size

[Edited on 29-4-2007 by Paulina]

I saw this ad for a 1972 VW bug.
Royal blue with very low miles.
Only driven in 1st and reverse.
Original tires.

Ready for Baja !!!!

.

and I thought that I was lazy...very funny, thanks' for the giggle.

There's just some things that I don't share. Off hand I would say, my husband, boyfriend, tools, beer, toothbrush, fishing pole, oh and my truck!

P<*)))><

Very nice looking truck there, Paulina !!

Here's our Baja rig.
.

Diver, what's that white stuff on the ground? Laundry suds???...oh wait, you mean that people still live in places where it snows??????

Thanks Diver!

I owe it all to my favorite backyard mechanics!





P<*)))><

That is too funny, I never noticed that until you brought it to my attention. Thanks for the laugh!

ja ja ja>*)))><

...and today's winner for best comedic posting...Mr. Fishbuck...that is soooo funny...

baja trucks

Have driven a couple of rental cars down in Baja.:tumbleidn't get too far off the pavement. Got a '92 Chevy 4x4 that's good to go most anywhere. Been thru some pretty wild places and back. Will beef up the cooling system to make it run cool in the summer temps. If only I could get better miles/gallon.

Well, it is either Toyota or Ford from the sound of the posts here. What happened to all the Dodge people?

If it is an easy to drive, reliable, affordable truck and you don't need full size, then a Tacoma is my choice... only because so many Baja amigos already had proven them superior... and then so did I with my 2001 xtra cab Tacoma (136,000 miles in 5 years). No breakdowns and only failures were a O2 sensor and a water pump at 90,000 miles that dripped! You should have seen where I took it in its 5 years!

In 2005 I traded up to a new, bigger, four door Tacoma. It is 1 1/2 years old now and has 53,000 miles on it... many in Baja.

No breakdowns and only two complaints: rear springs not stiff enough (bottoms out with a load, the way I drive) and the anti lock brakes (haven't failed but act strange and growl in slippery road conditions. My '01 never did and it had anti lock brakes, too).

My '01 at Mision Santa Maria followed by my '05 at la Bocana Beach... both Tacomas were 4WD and had the TRD package.




[Edited on 4-30-2007 by David K]

Baja_Girl

See your U2U.

Amo Pescar

Just Another Vote For FORD..........If your smart you will find a 1995 or 1996 F 150 extended cab with an XLT package interior, with bucket cloth seats. Here's why!!.....The middle seatback folds down and and you have the most wonderful " pooch platform" . Your doggie can have his/her own aft compartment and when he/she needs a pet .she/he can put her head into the front seat and participate, with the grown ups. Check one out..

Quote:

Originally posted by Crusoe Just Another Vote For FORD..........If your smart you will find a 1995 or 1996 F 150 extended cab with an XLT package interior, with bucket cloth seats. Here's why!!.....The middle seatback folds down and and you have the most wonderful " pooch platform" . Your doggie can have his/her own aft compartment and when he/she needs a pet .she/he can put her head into the front seat and participate, with the grown ups. Check one out..

you know why Bob, Fords are cheaper

Bajagirl buy a DODGE, and grab life by the cuernos.

Wow that means only one thing,she has good taste..

[Edited on 5-1-2007 by BAJACAT]

Quote:

Originally posted by BAJACAT you know why Bob, Fords are cheaper

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob H Quote: Originally posted by BAJACAT you know why Bob, Fords are cheaper I agree... Much bigger bang for the buck if you ask me. Great truck for a great price. In the used truck arena the pricing is even better for what you get. Bob H

Baja_Girl ...

don't buy used for baja
buy NEW

lease if you have to but...

don't take a chance...
most of the place is desert and NO ONE is there!!!

When you buy used you are probably buying someones problems...
bite the bullet and don't cheap-out!!!

Gonna stick with the Silverado 4x4 for a while. It's one tuff piece of machinery. Good to go long after some of those dinky rigs are belly-up. One problem, it doesn't get many miles to the gallon.