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magentawave
Junior Nomad
Posts: 51
Registered: 11-14-2012
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What is the CHEAPEST and most reliable vehicle to buy, own and maintain for long term travel throughout Baja, mainland Mexico, and Central America?
What is the CHEAPEST and most reliable vehicle or rig you would use for long term extensive travel throughout Baja, mainland Mexico, and Central
America? I'll be traveling alone and plan on doing a lot of surfing, stand up surfing and I'll be fishing for food along the way.
The vehicle I ultimately choose must be...
-Cheap to buy, run (good MPG), and maintain.
-Super reliable.
-Availability of parts in Mexico and Central America.
-Enough room for 1 human and their supplies (food, water) and toys (surfboards, SUP's, mountain bike).
I'm open to any and all opinions so what do you think?
Thanks
Steve
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Toyota Tacoma 4 door truck or a Toyota 4 door 4Runner 4wd, probably in the late 1990's to early 2000's year range.
PS: Welcome to Nomads!!!
[Edited on 11-14-2012 by bajaguy]
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dtbushpilot
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3296
Registered: 1-11-2007
Location: Buena Vista BCS
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Mood: Tranquilo
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DK will be along soon to set you straight. Welcome to Nomads magenta......dt
"Life is tough".....It's even tougher if you're stupid.....
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captkw
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3850
Registered: 10-19-2010
Location: el charro b.c.s.
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Mood: new dog/missing the old 1
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thats a easy one
A older toy pickup with a 22R motor is hard to beat !!! and are well loved in centrail america...make sure you install a new over sized radator !!!!
or my fav. 89 volvo 240..no parts avable...but they dont hardly need them..stay away from a 4+4 unless you plan on doing a LOT of bunedoggong !! been
there,, done that !! have fun and best TIP ..do not checki into a country..pass thur in "transito"" that will save a lot of grief ...K&T
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Curt63
Super Nomad
Posts: 1171
Registered: 3-28-2009
Location: San Diego, Ca.
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Mood: Fish tacos and Tecate
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96 or newer 4Runner with a sturdy and well mounted roof rack. You can sleep inside if necessary. Avoid the 3.0 liter V6 engine.
No worries
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captkw
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3850
Registered: 10-19-2010
Location: el charro b.c.s.
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Mood: new dog/missing the old 1
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stay with a carb unit
Danm..I just lost my last post!@#$%^&*( anyway I dont rec. you go with a newer F.I. unit for many reasons !! the main is if you have engine
proplems In C.A., its hard to find skilled F.I. techs !! and there is a host of other reasons but I dont have the time to write a book !! on thisw BN
site go into the search and I think the name is "defragg" and they are down there right now with a toy 4runner and can give real time/current advice
& news & tips...K&T
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MMc
Super Nomad
Posts: 1679
Registered: 6-29-2011
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Mood: Current
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Toyota truck or Small Ford 4x4 the best you can afford. A extended cab, shell and carpenters rack for sure. Toyota's and Fords are all over the world
and parts are available. Extended cabs are more secure then a shell to keep your crap in.
The Carpenters rack can will secure your boards, bike, rods and become part of a awning (blue tarp, rope, stake, thing). Most small trucks have a 6ft
bed and you need a past through to slip the boards into the cab when you're surfing. I prefer a window over a boot, less dirt and lockable.
If you don't get a 4x4 you will need a big bass come-along with 50 ft of snap webbing. Mud will be a bigger issue in mainland and central America May
to Nov.
All this advice is worth what you paid for.
"Never teach a pig to sing it frustrates you and annoys the pig" - W.C.Fields
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MMc
Super Nomad
Posts: 1679
Registered: 6-29-2011
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Mood: Current
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What is F. I. ?
Fuel injection.
front independent.
Forward interest.
Some people don't live as mechanic's, and don't speak it.
"Never teach a pig to sing it frustrates you and annoys the pig" - W.C.Fields
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bonanza bucko
Senior Nomad
Posts: 587
Registered: 8-31-2003
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Airport Bum
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A burro that eats sand.
BB:-)
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Lee
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3603
Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
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Yeah Toy Taco or small Ford pickup with camper. Definitely 4x4. Have fun!
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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6364
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
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Mood: TEQUILA!
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I'll go along with the Tacoma truck with the 22RE motor...mine has 237K miles.
But then my Prius has 392K miles, and still get 48mpg average.
I did replace the hybrid battery, which I purchased used at a Fontana wrecking yard, out of a newer Prius that had 32K miles.
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9011
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
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Mood: Inquisitive
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If by small Ford pick up, you guys mean the Ranger series, I would disagree. I cant recall any reliable years for the Ranger that would be cheap now.
A Toy is probably the best best but I wouldnt shy away from the 3.0L V-6, really. The only real problem I've heard of with them in the factory
recalled head gasket replacement. And, at this point, it's probably impossible to find one that hasnt had it replaced, via recall or outright failure.
I think I would lean towards a 4-Runner, too. Just a little more secure than a truck with a shell. Bigger rack options, too.
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9011
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
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Mood: Inquisitive
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajaguy
Toyota Tacoma 4 door truck or a Toyota 4 door 4Runner 4wd, probably in the late 1990's to early 2000's year range.
PS: Welcome to Nomads!!!
[Edited on 11-14-2012 by bajaguy] |
Did they make four door Tacos in that era? Maybe an import Hilux. I thought the true four doors came later.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65411
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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What more can I say? TOYOTA oh, what a feeling!
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comitan
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4177
Registered: 3-27-2004
Location: La Paz
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Mood: mellow
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Toyota's CHEAP?
Strive For The Ideal, But Deal With What\'s Real.
Every day is a new day, better than the day before.(from some song)
Lord, Keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth.
“The sincere pursuit of truth requires you to entertain the possibility that everything you believe to be true may in fact be false”
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captkw
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3850
Registered: 10-19-2010
Location: el charro b.c.s.
Member Is Offline
Mood: new dog/missing the old 1
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F.I.
Fuel infected !! LOL..and Stay away from a ford granger !! (ranger) most places you will not need 4+4 and as stated earlyer in this post about the
rain season !! when it rains down there it POURS !! when I was down there. nothing and I mean nothing in "the lonely planet " g.b. was accurate !! I
started looking for sleep spots at 3:00pm and stay at a lot of gas stations with armed to teeth guards.....on the way down and back.... K&T Ps would see large convoys of toy PU's heading south (used) for selling !! PS the
change from a 22r to a 22re was mid 86 and the timing chain went from a double to a single in the 22re..and they usally go out around 180k..you can
hear it rattle on start up..means change it !!
[Edited on 11-15-2012 by captkw]
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Taco de Baja
Super Nomad
Posts: 1913
Registered: 4-14-2004
Location: Behind the Orange Curtain, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Dreamin' of Baja
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Hook
| Quote: | Originally posted by bajaguy
Toyota Tacoma 4 door truck or a Toyota 4 door 4Runner 4wd, probably in the late 1990's to early 2000's year range.
PS: Welcome to Nomads!!!
[Edited on 11-14-2012 by bajaguy] |
Did they make four door Tacos in that era? Maybe an import Hilux. I thought the true four doors came later. |
I believe 2001 was the first 4-door Tacoma.
I also highly recommend the Toyotas. Great trucks. Coming up on 180,000 on my 1996 Tacoma with very few issues, aside from general maintenance; like
having to replace the clutch at 150,000 for the first time.
Truth generally lies in the coordination of antagonistic opinions
-Herbert Spencer
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BajaRat
Super Nomad
Posts: 1304
Registered: 3-2-2010
Location: SW Four Corners / Bahia Asuncion BCS
Member Is Offline
Mood: Ready for some salt water with my Tecate
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Toys are tough to beat. If you go p u make sure you have a set up with plenty of ventilation.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65411
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by comitan
Toyota's CHEAP? |
Cheap to own, not so much to buy... They just don't break...
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magentawave
Junior Nomad
Posts: 51
Registered: 11-14-2012
Member Is Offline
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I had been trying to join this forum for several weeks but every time I tried to register it said that the quota for that day was already done.
Anyway, I finally got in today, and wow, thanks for all the great replies!
All of you have confirmed what I already knew but wanted to make sure, and that is that the 22R or 22RE is one of the best engines ever made. I wasn't
sure about the availability of parts down there but now I know. I used to do surf/windsurf trips about 8 hours below the border in a friends 89
4Runner 2WD with the last two hours of the drive on a dusty washboard road. My friend drove like a maniac to get that 2 hours on the dirt road over
quickly and that truck never let us down...and even when we hit a sideways slide at 60 mph one time with the vehicle weighted down with provisions and
surfboards, sailboards, and bikes stacked at least 3' high on the roof. I hated that white knuckle stuff cuz it really stressed me out but I got a lot
of respect for that 4Runner. He just told me last night that he had 285,000 miles on that 4Runner (with NO engine rebuild) when it got stolen.
A few more questions please...
1) Has anyone towed a small trailer behind them on those washboard roads? Is it possible? Whats it like?
2) Someone mentioned to stay away from the 4WD Toyota. How come? Do older Toyota 4WD's break?
3) I will research this further but does anyone know if Toyota made a 1 Ton 4WD pickup back in the 80's and 90's? I'm asking because I might put a
standup style camper shell on one.
4) What do you think about doing a long trip like that in a Toyota motorhome with the 22RE?
Thanks again!
Steve
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