Gringos and their big four wheelers

Yes, there are places where you need a four wheel drive. But, I seem to notice the Mexicans going to the same places in their trucks without 4 wheel and cars. Ever notice some of those so-called four wheel drive vehicles are driving on roads made by the mexicans in their cars? Remember the old trader trucks that serviced Baja and were not four wheelers. Jeeps are great for going places where no one else has been---but for the most part, you can get there in your family sedan.

Got stuck with a CJ6 landcruiser just north of Mag Bay, where the French build their experimental wind farm?. Took an hour to dig out, while the tanks ( Chevvies, Fords, Buicks, etc,) didn't seem to have any trouble.
Embarrassing to say the least.

I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

On the Pole Line Road in the desert outside of Mexicali - south of the Laguna Salada, you'd be foolish to bring a full-size lifted 4x4 pickup truck. I have the photos and video to prove it.

This route is purely a Jeep and Toyota 4x4 road. A family sedan wouldn't make it past Cohabuzo Junction.

Basketball Hill Night Run!!
[img]http://www.justruns.com/gallery2/v/Run+Photos/Pole/JR00001.JPG.html?g2_imageViewsIndex=1[/img]

Never take a 2wd on this road - you won't make it out!

Posing near one of the last remaining telegraph poles.




Pulling a trailer up Basketball Hill was the most insane thing we've ever done on this trip. A sedan or station wagon would become a parts vehicle for the locals out here.


[Edited on 3-26-2009 by Ken Cooke]

I have a 4 wheel drive. And I don't do hardcore offroad driving.

I also don't skid and slip on the boat ramp. And I am from Montana. Think snow.

Lots of big, new 4X4s around here with BCS plates and local drivers. And you can buy a raffle ticket to support the local schools and maybe win a new Hummer.
So it's not just a gringo thing.

Quote:

Originally posted by capn.sharky Yes, there are places where you need a four wheel drive. But, I seem to notice the Mexicans going to the same places in their trucks without 4 wheel and cars. Ever notice some of those so-called four wheel drive vehicles are driving on roads made by the mexicans in their cars? Remember the old trader trucks that serviced Baja and were not four wheelers. Jeeps are great for going places where no one else has been---but for the most part, you can get there in your family sedan.

There are dirt roads and there is highway 1 and 5........I can assure you there was a need for 4/wheels 40 or more years ago on the super highways of today in Baja.

Only fools and Mexicans went with-out,the wrecks at the bottom of canyons on 5 and else where attest to that.

It never ceased to amaze me year and year out watching the the Fernandez clan take a little trip to San Felipe with 3 or 4 turtles and a bunch of kids in the back of their old truck over the trail north and be back the next day,NO PROBLEM.

For some reason that was one of the things I liked most
Rob

Years Ago at the Meling Ranch

Yup... here I am in my 1977.5 Subaru 4WD (in 1979) in Calamajue Canyon, pre-running part of the Baja 1000 (I was driving in a couple weeks)... having driving south from San Felipe and Gonzaga... on the original 4WD trail south of Puertecitos! Oh, and there was no low range in Subarus yet, that came later. I lost my exhaust on the grades below Puertecitos the day before. Ground Clearance is as important as 4WD sometimes!

Baja + 4WD = Peanut Butter & Jelly

Tecate/El Hongo - There's a real special place north of Hwy 2 that everybody loves so much.

4WD recommended

Ken , what a crock! Lifted trucks have made the pole line road no prob.

Bring that vehicle up here to Oregon and I'll show you where you can get stuck....easy even with big floaties and a hi lift. Ever hear of mud?

Sorry Cap'n I won't lower it to go to Baja.

Btw, we have a rediculous amount of nice lifted trucks that are spotless around here

What a grand waste of equipment, a bunch of wimps.

You don't know me. obviously. What, you can't own a beautiful truck and trash it too? Now that's just plain wrong.


If you lift that Toyota take care not to screw up the vehicles c of g. I've seen too many lifted Toys and Jeeps and SUV rollovers.

[Edited on 3-26-2009 by Sharksbaja]

[Edited on 3-26-2009 by Sharksbaja]

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Originally posted by Sharksbaja Quote: Originally posted by wakemall Hey Hatch, Those trucks and SUV's you see that are jacked way up in the air are usually pavement pounders. Especially if everything is chrome. Nobody in there right mind is going to go seriously off road with thousands of dollars of chrome to wipe off. Especially salt water. Not to mention the damage rocks, trees, and brush are going to do to the usually custom paint. You don't know me. obviously. What, you can't own a beautiful truck and trash it too? Now that's just plain wrong. If you lift that Toyota take care not to screw up the vehicles c of g. I've seen too many lifted Toys and Jeeps and SUV rollovers. [Edited on 3-26-2009 by Sharksbaja] [Edited on 3-26-2009 by Sharksbaja]

I agree with SHARK'S, here is proof, my $40,000 truck in action

Quote:

Originally posted by Sharksbaja Ken , what a crock! Lifted trucks have made the pole line road no prob.

Canon Enmedio? The Full-size we took down that route barely made it out. And, when it did, its' rocker panels were shot, the steering kept working loose, and his BFG MT had to get a sidewall plug. IMO, we barely made it back to Hwy 5 had it not been for everyone traveling with the full size truck.

Here's Canyon Enmedio. The driver of the full-size is on the left.




[Edited on 3-26-2009 by Ken Cooke]

He still made it through right? I will agree that most tracks in Baja were cut by little Jeepys. Hell on the paint job!

Now Ken, please retell your story of how yer Jeep did on extended washboard.

Quote:

Originally posted by Sharksbaja Now Ken, please retell your story of how yer Jeep did on extended washboard.

Hey my list of repairs is not short but if you use a vehicle hard shift happens!! I always like to upgrade. I like the sound "UPGRADE" when sung by that Bionce babe too!!!!

I like people who USE their equipment, like you Ken. I just like BIGGER equipment.

Quote:

Originally posted by Sharksbaja Now Ken, please retell your story of how yer Jeep did on extended washboard.

Quote:

Originally posted by Sharksbaja He still made it through right? I will agree that most tracks in Baja were cut by little Jeepys. Hell on the paint job!

Gee, any dents from four wheeling in Baja are marks of pride and joy! I got one on the underside from the road to Mision Santa Maria... awesome!

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Originally posted by David K Gee, any dents from four wheeling in Baja are marks of pride and joy! I got one on the underside from the road to Mision Santa Maria... awesome!

I remember! You showed me at Mama Espinoza's the day after!

Cabo San Quintin ah yes,66 or 67 found me up to my belly button in sand at the point,not a surfer but the fishing for the croakers,wsb and halibuts was out of sight,a very tough place to get in and out of

Split rims were not the best things to work with and caused some problems in those days
Rob

Who needs a a big fourwheeler?

Quote:

Originally posted by baitcast Cabo San Quintin ah yes,66 or 67 found me up to my belly button in sand at the point,not a surfer but the fishing for the croakers,wsb and halibuts was out of sight,a very tough place to get in and out of Split rims were not the best things to work with and caused some problems in those days Rob

These days, it usually takes a 4WD to get to the better fishing spots if you like shore fishing.

EXCELLENT POINT !!

Here's a photo at that super surf fishing spot we went to in the early 80's... 4WD to get over that sand dune, for sure! That Subaru was pretty good at getting my parents and I in there for a few days of fishing... Ice box was full of yummy Calico Bass, Croaker, and Halibut!