BajaNomad - Intro and questions

Intro and questions

DouglasP - 6-23-2018 at 10:36 AM

Hello All! Just got registered, so here's my first post.

My wife and I just closed on our place in Punta Chivato. We bought Steve Shaw's (for those that may know him)place! Lot's of planning and excitement and questions!
Long term plan is to get the place all set up for fun and adventure and spend winters there away from Idaho. But for now work is a bit in the way, so it will be more like weeks or an occasional month (if we're lucky) at atime down there.

Okay, so the reason I started in the off-roading thread is because I'm trying to put together my Baja rig. I'm a moto guy and I am looking for advice of the four wheel variety!

The truck I'm working with is a 2006 Toyota Tundra,4X4, crew cab (first gen, small body). It has 120K on the ODO.
I want to be able to go exploring in the remote stuff, but with some relative comfort also.

The plan so far is:
Race Car Dynamics (RCD) 4"-6" adjustable lift kit, set to 4".
33" BFG tires
ARB lockers front and rear.
Trailer receiver mount front and rear with a winch set up that can be swapped from front to rear.
Dual battery set up.

Any feed back would be welcome. I have the truck, so that's not open to change, but the rest of the set up is.

Let 'r rip!

chippy - 6-23-2018 at 11:25 AM

Sounds like you are squared away with your Tundra. Congrats on the new house!

David K - 6-23-2018 at 11:56 AM

Welcome to Nomad!

Sounds like a good upgrade for off-roading... I would maybe wait on the front locker install as it will be really rare to need it in the front... unless you are into some serious boulder hopping and abandoned road, steep climbs. The Mission Santa Maria road, as bad as it is, can be done with just the rear locker in 4WD-LOW. Just to save some bucks...
A good air pump to refill tires will be an important and inexpensive product to have. BFGs need to drop to about 10 psi to be effective.

DouglasP - 6-23-2018 at 12:09 PM

Thanks for the welcome and thanks for the replies! Good Advice on the front Locker I may hold off on that. I don't see us doing any major Rock hopping, LOL. Also I am not dead set on The BFG, the reason I was looking at going with those is because I figure availability is better for those in Mexico. Maybe I am wrong, what is also a good tire that I should consider?

TMW - 6-23-2018 at 12:35 PM

I think your best choice in tires is more of a noise level. Some of the good off road tires are very noisy on the hwy. There are many good off road tires. BFG, Toyo, General Tire and Goodyear to name a few. If you ask 100 people what they prefer my guess is that 75% would say BFG TA KO. At present I have Toyo on my Tacoma and BFG on my GMC Z71. I like both. I had a set of Pro Comp tires from 4 Wheel Parts on my Tacoma and they were really good off road but very noisy on the hwy.

Ken Cooke - 6-23-2018 at 12:39 PM

The new BFGoodrich KM³ looks like a forbidable competitor in the mud terrain tire category. These tires should get you through the rainy, possibly muddy conditions you might encounter in the Baja back country. I ran the BFGoodrich KM² tires on my Jeep for 43,000 miles. I am selling these with about 40% tread on them currently. Mud Terrain tires tend to growl once they reach their last 1/3rd of tread no matter the brand, but they provide superior traction to All-terrain tires from start to finish. Also, with siping the KM tires work well on asphalt after rain storms, but not as good as an All Terrain in snowy/icy roads.

I purchased a new set of Falken AT3Ws for my Jeep as the BFGoodrich tires had become too noisy for daily commuting and daytrips over the local freeways. The AT3Ws will not have the same level of mud and dirt traction due to their more closed lug design, but with a soft top on my Jeep, the interior noise had become an issue for me and my wife.

As for a lift, with the Falken AT3Ws, their tires run true to size whereas the BFGoodrich tires run smaller than their competition. With a winch cradle positioned at the front of your pickup, your approach angle will be diminished somewhat versus a dedicated winch bumper. With that in mind, I would crank that adjustable lift as close to 6 inches as possible to provide the approach and departure angles you will need on trails like Mission Impossible, the Pole Line Road, and any other scenic Baja routes.

A dual battery setup will provide you the ability to have the available electricity to power a fridge like the Dometic dual zone unit (freezer and refrigerator) or an ARB (refrigerator). Don't forget a means of communication if you are remote traveling alone. Breakdowns do happen and it is smart to be prepared if a mechanical (or health event) occurs.

For airing up tires, I run a Visit double compressor unit with a 2.5 gallon air tank. But, ARB makes a fast dual compressor unit that will fit under your driver's seat that will keep it out of the elements and the air pumps filters clean from all of those dusty and silty trails you are going to encounter.

One suggestion would be an Apple iPad-based GPS unit for accurate navigation out in the wild. Have fun!

Ken

[Edited on 6-23-2018 by Ken Cooke]

willardguy - 6-23-2018 at 12:45 PM

do whatever harald pietschmann suggests! :yes:

Maderita - 6-23-2018 at 01:23 PM

Welcome DouglasP,
Sounds like you will have a great truck for Baja.
The most important modifications are anything to prevent theft. Every thief will see your nice truck and want it, or the parts on it. Visible deterrents, such as, blinking alarm light and Club on the steering wheel may help a little. You need multiple defenses. I like having a hidden toggle switch to cut power to the fuel pump. Locking lug nuts (don't forget the spare). The idea of your winch being portable (front to rear) is good, but hope you have figured out a way to lock it. My winches have tack welds on the mounting bolts.

ARB air lockers can be problematic. I've had air leaks and had to rebuild my compressor twice. There's an upgrade kit for braided stainless steel hose (pros and cons to that). I prefer Eaton E-Lockers (electro-magnetic engagement), but I don't believe there is an application for Tundras. Maybe worth checking with Eaton for new products.

Looks like the RCD kit comes with Bilstein 5100 shocks? Maybe RCD will upgrade your shocks to remote reservoir shocks. If you plan on pounding it over many miles of rough roads and whoops. The 5100 series should be fine for a normal pace on dirt roads. But you're a moto rider, so you just might want to go a bit faster and harder

Going to 33's, you might want a lower gear ratio (higher numerically). If you are adding lockers front and rear, that's the perfect time to change gear ratios (ring & pinion sets), if you are considering that. Saves on labor to do the installations together. Do some research on what's best for your truck/transmission.

Perhaps more important than a winch, and the tool with the "best bang for the buck" is a Hi-Lift jack. Figure out a way to bolt it down securely in the bed.

In the post above, Ken I believe meant "Viair", not "Visit", compressor. You can easily add a tank to your ARB compressor for an onboard air system. Great for filling tires. Go with a bigger/more expensive ARB pump if you want to add onboard air. My 4x4 van has air couplings fore and aft. My ARB compressor is still mounted under the van. The intake hose goes through the sheet metal floor to draw clean air from the cab, preserving the piston/cylinder wall of the pump.

basautter - 6-23-2018 at 05:25 PM

Welcome aboard! If you are still interested in moto (with chase), fishing or NORRA support, U2U me :bounce:

David K - 6-23-2018 at 06:41 PM

Just a note, on compressors... Unless you are doing frequent off-roading or have air tools to run... the tank and double cylinder pumps are way expensive and frankly, I can fill my 4 tires up in just a few minutes with the MV-50 portable pump that clips onto the battery terminals. It is only around $80 and will add 6 psi per min to my 32" tires (3 min per tire from 17 to 35 psi). The $300 Quick air pumps and Vairs were no faster... I even beat Ken Cooke after we were off Shell Island at the same time... Mostly I think was that Ken had to unload the back of his Rubicon TJ Jeep to just access the pump? Having a pickup bed is so great!

BigBearRider - 6-23-2018 at 09:06 PM

Talk to Colin by the Hammerhead (Punta Cacarizo), he's very knowledgeable about these things. He built his own Class 5 or 10 and it was awesome.

4x4abc - 6-23-2018 at 09:10 PM

do I need to say something?

David K - 6-23-2018 at 10:26 PM

Quote: Originally posted by 4x4abc

do I need to say something?

Maybe post your website link? I would suggest you add it as a signature to appear in all your posts, as I have some regular links in my posts.

Ken Cooke - 6-23-2018 at 11:59 PM

Regarding air compressors, I meant to say Viair (twice). Gotta love auto correct. I have the Viair Extreme kit in the back of my Jeep. It can run air tools if configured to do so. Mine simply airs my 35" tires at the end of a trail run or trip to the beach. As for speed, the tires that I tend to run are both wider and taller than the tires that David K tends to run, hence the quicker inflation times that he cited. The less expensive setup that he cited works well and is a suitable alternative if you happen to take different vehicles out and don't want to install on-board air in each rig.

For security, I run the RAVELCO system. It is impervious to thieves, but a kill switch works just as well as long as it is hidden and the thief does not see you arm and disarm it.

David K - 6-24-2018 at 06:01 AM

Ken's Jeep in Baja, Shell Island, July 4th weekend 2010

Driving the bottomless sand beach of Shell Island here is David K's Toyota Tacoma Off Road TRD and Ken Cooke's Jeep Wrangler TJ Rubicon.

Before letting more air out of his 6 tires is the 4WD (front and rear ARB locked) van/motorhome of edm1 (Art).

Ken and I spot Art a mile from our camp and hop in my truck to go help. We tell Art to let more air out... and steer toward the water (downhill)... which he is hesitant to do for fear of the sea swallowing his house on wheels!

If you get stuck in sand, clear away sand from in front of the tires, lower the air pressure more, and drive away with ease!

Art was so happy... he shouted out "I have floatation!"

Happy ending!

willyAirstream - 6-24-2018 at 07:27 AM

Suggestions... 1.carry an anchor or be prepaired to bury your spare to have something to attach the winch cable. 2.Skid plates to protect the front and gas tank. 3.Farmers hi lift jack and base. 4.Traction mats. 5. tow rope 6. if budget allows, and if you have an air tank, install mounted air jacks. 7. vhf radio. 8. tablet with gps, motion x for apple, back country nav for android. 9. impact wrench for tire change 10. for serious pre runner rides, good seats and 5 point harnesses make a huge differance in comfort.

kk6mbh - 6-24-2018 at 08:07 AM

Quote: Originally posted by willyAirstream

Suggestions... 1.carry an anchor or be prepaired to bury your spare to have something to attach the winch cable. 2.Skid plates to protect the front and gas tank. 3.Farmers hi lift jack and base. 4.Traction mats. 5. tow rope 6. if budget allows, and if you have an air tank, install mounted air jacks. 7. vhf radio. 8. tablet with gps, motion x for apple, back country nav for android. 9. impact wrench for tire change 10. for serious pre runner rides, good seats and 5 point harnesses make a huge differance in comfort.

This and two full size shovels - one spade, one trench/post hole shovel. Your back will thank you.

David K - 6-24-2018 at 08:53 AM

You see, I have never needed a winch (or bury the spare to winch onto), or traction aids to put under the tires.. and I always wondered what happens when you drive off the short mat, track, wood plank... you are still in the sand, aren't you??? The trick is to not need to be pulled by a winch or another vehicle.

I always got out of a stuck by lowering the air pressure more... and clearing away sand from tires that spun in... sand piled in front acts like a block, and you want no resistance to moving ahead. But, the main thing is you don't want to spin your tires. Properly deflated tires will float and not dig in. LET OUT MORE AIR and drive happily on to your campsite.

willyAirstream - 6-24-2018 at 09:23 AM

Most racers do not have a wench, or 4 wheel drive for that matter. Mats , carpet, whatever, give you just enough momentum to drive thru the silt. Most racers have them as they save you alot of time. Granted lowering tire pressure works great, just make sure you inflate before hitting rocky roads or risk cutting the sidewall.

David K - 6-24-2018 at 10:32 AM

That is quite true Richard, for racers. I read the man here had a 4WD Tundra and wanted to do some exploring in Baja... which describes my thing well.
Edited to Tundra from Tacoma... my bad!

[Edited on 6-24-2018 by David K]

chippy - 6-24-2018 at 10:46 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

That is quite true Richard, for racers. I read the man here had a 4WD Tacoma and wanted to do some exploring in Baja... which describes my thing well.

Except he has a 1st generation Tundra.

rts551 - 6-24-2018 at 11:18 AM

Some so called explorers must avoid the mud and silt. A winch or sometimes a wench can be very useful in those conditions.

David K - 6-24-2018 at 11:41 AM

A first gen Tundra is pretty close to a second gen Tacoma in size. I was speaking of sand driving... mud is a nightmare to avoid whenever possible!

TMW - 6-24-2018 at 11:50 AM

A case for a winch.

A few years ago I was traveling from Mike's Sky Ranch to El Coyote. About a mile or two from El Coyote my right from wheel dropped into a ditch about 2.5 feet deep, the passenger side door was on a large rock and the mirror was knocked off. The left rear wheel was up in the air. With the open front diff. the left front wheel rotated but no traction. The right rear was just throwing dirt.

Solution, pull out my portable winch and connect to tree behind me with tow straps, about 50 feet or more. Putting truck in 4 Lo and using the winch I backed out with out any problems. I fixed the passenger's door so it would open and close and I stopped at an auto parts store and got a mirror which I duct taped in place of the regular mirror.

When I got home I had the door and fender fixed and painted $500 and a new mirror from Toyota was $140.

Driving tip: pay attention to where you are going off road.

Another case for a winch

Ken Cooke - 6-24-2018 at 12:13 PM

Since the trip to Shell Island in 2010, my Jeep went through some small changes. Namely, forged axleshafts, lower differential gears, 35" tires, upgraded steering, long arm suspension with triangulated rear control arms and upgraded exhaust.

While out "exploring", I ran aground and needed extraction. My winch didn't do anything but nearly flop my Jeep on its side. The only thing that helped was horsepower pulling me back from where I entered the sand-covered quagmire. Hence, the rationale for traveling with a second vehicle at a minimum.

Ken Cooke - 6-24-2018 at 12:43 PM

Here is another update.. After 43,000 miles, my BFGoodrich KM2 tires began to sing down the freeways, so I changed to a set of aggressive Falken AT3W All-Terrain tires that will hopefully offer a semblance of traction in comparison to the Mud Terrain tires I have run the past 4 years.

DouglasP - 6-25-2018 at 08:41 AM

Oh man, thanks to everyone for the replies! Lot's of great info and tips
Great pictures also! There are a couple I won't be sharing with the wife! Ha, Ha.
I should have mentioned that this truck won't be making the trip back to Idaho very often, if ever. The plan is to leave it in Punta Chivato when we go back and forth. So that changes the tire options I think. The noise from the open lug tires doesn't really bother me. I have been running Toyo MT's on my trucks for a number of years up here in Idaho.
I am worried about replacement availability in Baja when the time comes, that is why I'm leaning towards the BFG's. Does that thinking make sense, or can you get Toyo's and other brand tires in Baja?

willyAirstream - 6-25-2018 at 09:05 AM

Ok, just to be safe, carry a wench and a winch.

Most tire brands are available here now and usually cheaper. Frenomax Llantas in Loreto and other cities carry Toyo's.
3 day delivery if not in stock ( to Mulege or Paolo Verde)
Also, The PV tire/mechanic shop can get any tire.

DouglasP - 6-25-2018 at 09:23 AM

That is good to know, thank you!

I should have the winch and wenches covered :biggrin:

Meany - 6-25-2018 at 04:01 PM

Hola DouglasP and the Famous Pamela. Welcome to the Nomads. I hope you both enjoy Casa El Lugar as much as the Meany's did. Looks like you are getting some good feed back. Get out there and Explore. :bounce:

David K - 6-25-2018 at 04:59 PM

I hope you got well informed about obtaining the correct part-time resident visa to keep property in Mexico legally (home, trailer, or car). The FMM (tourist card) holder must technically not leave any personal property behind in Mexico at the end of their stay/ trip (when returning to the U.S.). There is some leeway when buying a house which you can do with an FMM, to have time to obtain the immigrant visa.
There are many Nomads who live part-time in Mexico, so seek their advice.

BajaBlanca - 6-26-2018 at 06:32 AM

Welcome to Baja Sur! Welcome to Baja Nomad!

Be sure to come over and visit us (Blanca and Les) on the other side (Pacific).

We have some Idahoans who have places here as well as cabins in Idaho.

DouglasP - 6-26-2018 at 09:57 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Meany

Hola DouglasP and the Famous Pamela. Welcome to the Nomads. I hope you both enjoy Casa El Lugar as much as the Meany's did. Looks like you are getting some good feed back. Get out there and Explore. :bounce:

Hola Steve! Famous Pamela?? I think you misspelled notorious! :spingrin:

It's driving us crazy and we are going to give in to the urge and head down in August for a bit!

DouglasP - 6-26-2018 at 10:02 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

I hope you got well informed about obtaining the correct part-time resident visa to keep property in Mexico legally (home, trailer, or car). The FMM (tourist card) holder must technically not leave any personal property behind in Mexico at the end of their stay/ trip (when returning to the U.S.). There is some leeway when buying a house which you can do with an FMM, to have time to obtain the immigrant visa.
There are many Nomads who live part-time in Mexico, so seek their advice.

We are working on getting our residente permanente status worked out. As we understand it so far, that is the way to go. :?:

Other thoughts?

DouglasP - 6-26-2018 at 10:16 AM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaBlanca

Welcome to Baja Sur! Welcome to Baja Nomad!

Be sure to come over and visit us (Blanca and Les) on the other side (Pacific).

We have some Idahoans who have places here as well as cabins in Idaho.

Thank you!
The Pacific side is on the top of the list of things to do!

DouglasP - 7-13-2018 at 02:28 PM

Thanks again to everyone for their help and input.
What "band" radio should I be looking to put in my rig?

Ken Cooke - 7-13-2018 at 07:14 PM

That's a good question. :?:

JZ - 7-13-2018 at 10:05 PM

Some people have suggested Back Country Navigator and iPhone/iPad based MotionX.

For sure you want to use a phone based GPS app.

I've used BCN and MotionX a good bit. BCN absolutely obliterates MotionX. So much easier to go from Google Earth to BCN. And the nav of it is much better.

BCN is the ta taas.

[Edited on 7-14-2018 by JZ]

DouglasP - 7-13-2018 at 10:57 PM

JZ, thanks for the response. I am familiar with BCN and like it a lot for our moto adventures, I'm sure it will work great for our 4 wheel stuff too.
What I'm looking for is advice on is communication radios. CB.VHF, marine, what is the best or preferred band?

JZ - 7-13-2018 at 11:20 PM

Quote: Originally posted by DouglasP

JZ, thanks for the response. I am familiar with BCN and like it a lot for our moto adventures, I'm sure it will work great for our 4 wheel stuff too.
What I'm looking for is advice on is communication radios. CB.VHF, marine, what is the best or preferred band?

Here you go:
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=90605

Here's the setup I went with:

Truck radio:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0779CN8X9/ref=ox_sc_act_t...

Two handhelds for the bikes:
https://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-BF-F8HP-Two-Way-136-174MHz-40...

Mag mount antenna:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018EUB8DU/ref=oh_aui_deta...

12 volt adapter:
https://www.amazon.com/CigBuddy-Portable-Cigarette-Anderson-...

Video that shows how to setup the Baofeng:
https://youtu.be/akS6Fq3yVLc

Video that shows how to setup the Yaesu:
https://youtu.be/sRgsTyUUrFs

I used VHF channels 68 and 72. Also setup 16 for emergency. Had pretty good distance when we just ran the Seven Sisters a week back.

[Edited on 7-14-2018 by JZ]

JZ - 7-13-2018 at 11:25 PM

If you want guaranteed communications (SMS) and emergency SOS look at getting an Inreach Mini. You can connect your phone via Bluetooth and use it to type the messages.

https://youtu.be/60A1NciNgps

Get two of them if you want to communicate with someone else in your group out in the middle of nowhere.

DouglasP - 7-14-2018 at 06:51 AM

Good stuff! Thank you!

Edit....just read the linked thread. Now I'm somewhat radio literate. I also will use the search function more! I believe that's what ken was getting at?! :light:

[Edited on 7-14-2018 by DouglasP]

David K - 7-14-2018 at 07:55 AM

Ken is shopping for communication ideas as well. He had been trail boss on many 4x4 Baja tours, typically using CB, which is okay if everyone is within sight... not always possible in the canyons.

DouglasP - 7-14-2018 at 09:56 AM

Are bean lock wheels needed?

Bead......not bean, lol!

[Edited on 7-14-2018 by DouglasP]

PaulW - 7-14-2018 at 04:33 PM

Your choices are good on you first post. With 33" tires I would not recommend bead lock rims. 33s are quite limiting for rock crawling where bead lock wheels are needed.
For getting into and out of deep soft sand, IMO you can air down enough with regular wheels and not have to got bead locks.

V6G3B7 - 7-14-2018 at 05:47 PM

I posted a new thread here, somewhat, sorta related to the question ... http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=90781

Ken Cooke - 7-16-2018 at 04:52 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Ken is shopping for communication ideas as well. He had been trail boss on many 4x4 Baja tours, typically using CB, which is okay if everyone is within sight... not always possible in the canyons.

Saturnino Valdez of Los Viejones 4x4 Club out of Mexicali gifted me a handheld HAM radio roughly 2 years ago. I plan on getting a HAM license in order that I can use it (legally). :light:

I gravitate towards CB since all of the 4x4 runs that I have attended fall back on Citizens Band as the standard mode of communication.

DouglasP - 8-16-2018 at 10:27 AM

Update......You ready? You look ready! Coming together nicely! I so want to be Punta Chivato bound! Patience......patience.....

AKgringo - 8-16-2018 at 12:29 PM

I check this forum every day to see who is the next Nomad to make me jealous. You are the top post so far today!

If you like to use your tailgate without disconnecting the trailer, you may want to check out this jack;
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/the-ultimate-trail... (sorry, I couldn't get it to post without the request for a zip code)

I have one, and love it! I bought mine from a local trailer manufacturer, but Tractor Supply and other retailers carry them.

There is also a video that after two boring minutes, spends thirty seconds showing how it works!; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTZ2Cx5hMVU

[Edited on 8-16-2018 by AKgringo]

Meany - 8-17-2018 at 06:51 AM

Hola DouglasP. Those are some sweet rides. Go Get'em dirty. Have Fun in Chivato.

Udo - 8-17-2018 at 09:56 AM

www.ruggedradios.com will have everything an off-roader needs.

DouglasP - 8-17-2018 at 11:36 AM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo

I check this forum every day to see who is the next Nomad to make me jealous. You are the top post so far today!

[Edited on 8-16-2018 by AKgringo]

Thank you! Now I just need to get them south!

DouglasP - 8-17-2018 at 11:43 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Meany

Hola DouglasP. Those are some sweet rides. Go Get'em dirty. Have Fun in Chivato.

Thanks!
It's been so stinkin' hot and smoky here in Boise, we should have gone down to El Lugar and put up with the heat there!

DouglasP - 8-17-2018 at 11:45 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Udo

www.ruggedradios.com will have everything an off-roader needs.

Thank you! Good link.

bajatrailrider - 8-18-2018 at 10:26 AM

Quote: Originally posted by DouglasP

Update......You ready? You look ready! Coming together nicely! I so want to be Punta Chivato bound! Patience......patience.....

Your Toyota one of the best looking I have seen thumbs up.

DouglasP - 8-19-2018 at 05:56 AM

Quote: Originally posted by bajatrailrider

Quote: Originally posted by DouglasP

Update......You ready? You look ready! Coming together nicely! I so want to be Punta Chivato bound! Patience......patience.....

Your Toyota one of the best looking I have seen thumbs up.

Thanks!

John Harper - 8-19-2018 at 06:25 AM

Quote: Originally posted by bajatrailrider

Quote: Originally posted by DouglasP

Update......You ready? You look ready! Coming together nicely! I so want to be Punta Chivato bound! Patience......patience.....

Your Toyota one of the best looking I have seen thumbs up.

I agree, nicely done! And I'm a Ford Ranger guy.

John

David K - 8-19-2018 at 07:16 AM

Quote: Originally posted by John Harper

Quote: Originally posted by bajatrailrider

Quote: Originally posted by DouglasP

Update......You ready? You look ready! Coming together nicely! I so want to be Punta Chivato bound! Patience......patience.....

Your Toyota one of the best looking I have seen thumbs up.

I agree, nicely done! And I'm a Ford Ranger guy.

John

Hang around this group long enough and you too will say "Oh what a Feeling" or "Let's Go Places"!

I was shopping for a Ranger 4x4 and the forum members were so heavy on Tacomas that they gave me no rest! LOL

Neal Johns, Bajaboy, jeans, Brooks, Toyota de Baja, even this site's host Doug 'BajaNomad' all had Tacoma 4x4s, and many more on the old Amigos de Baja forum (in 2000, before Nomad)! The Ford dealer wouldn't take my trade-in, so that made it easy to see what Toyota Carlsbad would do... and they were awesome...

I drove out in my first 4WD truck... and two more Tacomas would follow, now a half million miles between them a many in Baja. The only amigo of mine with a Ranger eventually sold it after breaking down in the San Pedro Martir mountains and got a Jeep, and he is happy as a clam with his Rubicon, right Ken?

Edit: forgot to include my son-in-law, who had a Ford 4x4 Ranger... made to Shell Island once and not without issues. Another time he couldn't get the 4WD to engage and had to get pulled off the beach. Got rid of the Ranger and like Ken, got a Jeep (a Patriot)... which also has issues. I hear things like, a Tacoma is too expensive... and then they are repairing or modifying their Jeeps to do what my Tacoma does off the showroom floor. How can anyone afford to not by a quality product if the 'cheap' one is always needing repairs or leaves you stranded?

[Edited on 8-19-2018 by David K]

PaulW - 8-19-2018 at 08:05 AM

When giving a good review of the Tacoma it is very misleading, because the latest version being sold has the worst reviews of all similar sized trucks.
Just because they were good in the past means nothing for a new truck buyer.
The new version has good looks and and an impressive technical features, but the execution is the worst of all. Better to buy a Nissan or Chevy/GMC for reliability and road performance.
Buyer beware.

bajatrailrider - 8-25-2018 at 04:49 PM

On all models there is good and bad years. Old ranger 4X4 year 2000 had bad 4X4 hubs all old Toyota 4X4 the best. Hit and miss with late ones. Old Ford trucks in Baja out sell any other make. Only because it is cheaper to buy. The Older Chevy and GMC China made fuel pumps transfercase motor on top short life. Nissan Auto trans cooling lines in Rad another bad problema . They all have there problems sad to say the new Toyota has Joined.

David K - 8-25-2018 at 06:51 PM

Want to learn more about the pros and cons of Tacomas? Read TacomaWorld forums. Amazing posts, mods, and hemisphere-wide members with input. Much bigger than Nomad with many more forums based on the generation of Tacoma, location, and subject. Several Nomads are Tacoma World members, too.

Ken Cooke - 8-25-2018 at 07:36 PM

Personally, I wanted an Explorer to modify back in the mid 90s. I couldn't afford it, so I bought a Ranger instead. It was reliable until I began really using it off road. Non-OEM parts failed on it, but the misfire in one of the cylinders (not the rebuilt transmission) was the reason I sold it and bought a new 2003 Rubicon.

The Rubicon has been very reliable with 186,000 miles on the odometer. The suspension and steering have been upgraded twice, and recently - within the last year, sensors have needed to be replaced, I'm on its third alternator now, but so much needs to be replaced. I am weary of the stock clutch/flywheel - it will soon be replaced by a Centerforce 2. The stock air lockers have held up well with the 35" tires that I have been running.

My long arm suspension is impressive. I won't knock a Tacoma, it just wasn't what I have been interested in purchasing. More power to the Toyota crowd - Oh what a feeling, etc. When you get that itch to put down your top and pull your doors, Tacomas don't have the aftermarket. The IFS suspension doesn't allow the flexy trails that a Jeep can handle either. Follow me up Berdoo Canyon Road in January. You'll see how they shy away from some of the insane mining trails that my Rubicon walks right up.

PaulW - 8-26-2018 at 05:09 AM

The Jeep Rubicon is not comparable with a Tacoma or for that mater no other vehicle.
The Jeep has more things that most consider to be very negative yet for off road use there is nothing better. I do not use mine on a regular basis and two or three times a year it has to be repaired due to the tough trails I use it on. At this time it has been out of service for weeks due to an aftermarket broken part and the replacement part has to be modified to make it stronger to avoid ongoing issues. These darn aftermarket mods are somewhat marginal and have to be monitored and often be modified. Its really the pits to have to wait for the long down times.
Ever owned an off road racer? even worse due to the higher percentage of goofy poorly designed stuff.
Anyway it is something we of road guys live with to get the performance we desire. If you drive a Tacoma you would hate a Jeep.
A Jeep Rubicon are purpose built rig that stands alone for its desired function and other brands do not compare.

John Harper - 8-26-2018 at 05:40 AM

I've had two Rangers. One went 240K before I sold it, my current one has 190K. Neither one has had any more than routine maintenance issues. I do perform almost all work on my vehicles, so maybe that helps. My current one is a 2000, but the interior looks almost showroom condition as does the exterior. Both trucks have been reliable and easy to work on vehicles for me. Can't see getting rid of my current Ranger for a long time, if ever.

A lot better than the long string of VW's of all types I owned before. Don't miss rebuilding engines at all, nor valve adjustments, etc.

If I ever get another truck, it would likely be a Toyota, but I'm not really happy how "bloated" all these small trucks are now, closer to full size. Even the new Ranger looks puffy.

John