Baja Vehicle Shortlist

Most anything will get will get you there and back as long as you stay on the blacktop.

yea...get a gas saver and spend your money eating out

forget the shell...
you can't see behind you when it's installed

just get a "lid"

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob and Susan forget the shell... you can't see behind you when it's installed just get a "lid"

Toyota!

My Subaru does great on the blacktop and does well offroad.

Pros:

-good mileage
-great handling
-reliable
-higher ground clearance than any car.. and some trucks

Cons:
-Subaru just started selling cars in Mexico in 2007, so parts will be hard to find.
-not able to find or fit heavier duty LT tires.
-not very heavy duty for rocks/extended off road
-limited towing capacity.


It sounds like you already have your heart set on Ford vehicles. But, I do love Toyota as well. You won't have to worry much about parts availability with a Toyota IMO. It won't break down.

Quote:

Originally posted by Mango It sounds like you already have your heart set on Ford vehicles. But, I do love Toyota as well. You won't have to worry much about parts availability with a Toyota IMO. It won't break down.

Bigtime "Short list" contenders:

The JK Rubicon Unlimited!!!

Locking Front & Rear Differentials
4:1 Transfer case
32" Mud-Terrain Tires (stock)
Front & Rear disc brakes
Push-button front swaybar disconnection system!
Smooth ride on the trail as well as off road



Dodge Power Wagon

Same as the Rubicon, except with stock 33" tires and 12,000 pound Warn Winch - STANDARD

[img]http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0S020qPa2lIInoBrjWjzbkF/SIG=12kir14pu/EXP=1214954767/**http%3A//www.rockcrawler.com/features/newsshorts/04june/dodge5. jpg[/img]

But can it crush cars..........???

I've seen so many places online where Hummer H-1s were getting stuck where stock Jeep Wranglers could drive circles around them. Those aren't very maneuverable, expensive to drive, and too big for the trail in Baja = not practical.

My '92 Explorer has been really great. it is the bare bones model. Locking hubs and big BFG's. It's been here for about 8 years. It is now a neighborhood launch car but runs great. Much better off road than the 98 I have for long trips. Lots of parts for these now down here.

But it can crush cars!!!

Tacoma if you don't need a full size truck... TUNDRA if you do! 4 doors are better than two, but make sure if you want the long bed and a 4 door, it will fit in your garage or your parking spot. If you want a trail hopper for exploring Baja ( http://www.vivabaja.com/msm ) then get a standard bed with a 4 door. '05 and newer Tacomas have a wider and deeper bed than previous models and the 5' standard bed has the room of the older 2 door Extra cab's 6' bed.

Toyota reliabilty and solid four wheel drive construction is hard to beat.

Ford and Dodge trucks are popular with Nomads, too. Three Nomads I know have Chevy trucks and like them... but when the truth be told, they have their share of that 'great GM feeling' with trips to Mr. Goodwrench... so no thanks!

Squarecircle's LR-3 Land Rover and my 4 door Tacoma TRD at Mision Santa Maria:





[Edited on 7-1-2008 by David K]

220,000 miles Tacoma double cab pre runner with a shell. Taking it down this weekend from SF bay area to San Quintin. I also have a 2006 Tundra 63K 4x4, double cab. Think about the 4x4, as soon as you leave Mex 1....it's dirt. When it rains the 4x4 comes in to play, or if you want to do a little exploring. If my Tacoma ever dies, I'm getting another one, this time 4x4. Also the shell is a little peace of mind when you need to leave your truck with gear inside. I use either truck to tow my boat 18ft Palmer 115 hp outboard.

Tundra 2006




Tacoma 2001, no off road driving, just going down Mex 1 from Tijuana - El Socorro early this year in the rain. Thank god for the shell.



[Edited on 7-1-2008 by TonyC]

Quote:

Originally posted by Ken Bondy But it can crush cars!!!

...without breaking a sweat!

Oh what a feeling!

Climbing the 'widowmaker' pure stock Tacoma TRD, stock size tires... right off the dealer's lot with no mods needed to conquer Baja's 'baddest' roads!

I have 78,000 miles on my '05 (it is not yet 3 years old)... no mechanical breakdowns. The only non normal wear expense (brake pads and oil changes) was a warning light for the air bags came on and required the wire harness to be replaced recently. It is on its third set of tires, Toyo Open Country now. Strated with the BFG Rugged Trails (lasted 25 K), tried the aggressive, but too noisey Cooper Discoverer STT (lasted 35 K)... and am very happy so far with these Toyos.

I modified the rear suspention (which was soft and gave a car like ride) with the next size bigger Bilstein shocks (5100s) than what the truck comes with, and Ride Rite/ Firestone air bag shocks to stop bottoming out and can raise the back end. That was a great investement (Off Road Warehouse installed).

My next addition is a light bar and a pair of HID lights... perhaps in the next couple of weeks.

Ken, is that tire against the fender?

Quote:

Originally posted by Sharksbaja Ken, is that tire against the fender?

Quote:

Originally posted by Ken Cooke Bigtime "Short list" contenders: The JK Rubicon Unlimited!!! Locking Front & Rear Differentials 4:1 Transfer case 32" Mud-Terrain Tires (stock) Front & Rear disc brakes Push-button front swaybar disconnection system! Smooth ride on the trail as well as off road Dodge Power Wagon Same as the Rubicon, except with stock 33" tires and 12,000 pound Warn Winch - STANDARD [img]http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0S020qPa2lIInoBrjWjzbkF/SIG=12kir14pu/EXP=1214954767/**http%3A//www.rockcrawler.com/features/newsshorts/04june/dodge5. jpg[/img]

The 4.0l engine has much more low-end torque, but the new 3.7l is more economical on the highway. Mikes JK Unlimited Rubicon with the standard-sized 32" BFG MTs gets 22 m.p.g. on the highway and 19 m.p.g. "around town." His Unlimited rides like an SUV, and isn't squirrely like my lifted short wheelbase Jeep. He has to choose between his Rubicon and his Dodge Ram truck w/toybox & quads due to his divorce, and he's selling everything, and staying with the Rubicon - if that says something.

Mike in Baja:

Thanks KEN thats good enough for me. You sold me on the fuel economy. I wonder why

It's a bit long in the tooth, as am I, but my 67 bus is filled with many wonderful baja memories over the past 30 years. Tranny needs work, brakes are a bit sketchy, and some electrical glitches keep us from going much farther than the beach and back (it's a great dressing room).
[img][/img]

I really like that '67 bus. But this is what I drive now and am pleased with my choice:

The paved roads in Baja are decent, no need for 4-wheel drive.Most of the unpaved roads are good to go with 2-wheel drive. Now if you want to climb a mountain, drive through a bog, or drive through sand you'd need something besides a street rig.

Sounds like it's already tuned up for Mexico!

Reminds me of the time in we drove my friends VW without a master brake cylinder for a short ways. We just put a "brakeman" on the E-brake lever for the turns and did some serious downshifting.

Yes! Consider installing a 100 gal worth of gas tanks. That way you can reenter the U.S. and save $$.
Then you will get spoiled and start taking more trips to Baja and leaving with more $$ savings in gas.

100 gals= $450 US

100 gals= $250 MX

Crap I wish I could do that!

Sorry can't stop thinking about it!!!

Why buy a 2WD when you can get stuck in sand so easily with one?

Here are some byways you can completely forget about in Baja if you don't buy a 4WD.

I guess you could stay home, and read about these destinations at Baja Nomad, though.

Puertecitos to Gonzaga sand Hwy:


La Turquesa Mine to Hwy 1:


La Tasajera Meadow stream road (Sierra San Pedro Martir):


Mission Santa Maria (Mission Impossible):




[Edited on 7-2-2008 by Ken Cooke]

You can get very attached to your rig:

Quote:

Originally posted by Skipjack Joe

Panamint Valley - yep, you were close...Good place to go Jeeping as well!




[Edited on 7-4-2008 by Ken Cooke]

Have I got a beach truck for you .... 5.8L V-8, fuel injection, factory tow package, it loves to tow boats and trailers....

This is my 1990 Ford Bronco 4-wheel drive ....




And it is for sale .... I need something smaller for around Todos Santos .... Make me an offer .

CaboRon

I have pull 3 Fords 2 toyotas, with my RAM IN baja