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Author: Subject: What is the CHEAPEST and most reliable vehicle to buy, own and maintain for long term travel throughout Baja, mainland Mexico...
Zapotec
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[*] posted on 11-14-2012 at 07:20 PM


Toyota Tacoma-for sure. Super reliable, good mileage, and just goes on forever.
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David K
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[*] posted on 11-14-2012 at 07:25 PM


Steve, a 4WD is the ONLY way to go. Confirm with Neal Johns who (along with so many others here) convinced me to get a Tacoma 4WD... that was 12 years ago... I have had 3 (on a 5 year lease) and they were are great... my 2010 is by far the best... but real close tie with my 2001... just a few issues with my 2005, but never a break down.

Towing a small trailer on washboard roads means stopping every 25 miles and tightening down all the loose nuts and bolts, and checking the tie downs, etc.

'Debra' once owned a Toyota camper/ motorhome and took it all over Baja... ask her.

[Edited on 11-15-2012 by David K]




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captkw
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[*] posted on 11-14-2012 at 08:41 PM
magenetwave


Welcome back !! I can give some very exprienced tips !! and baja roads are very differenct than say hondura!! you ask for cheap,good mpg,realible...I have never seen a good condition 4+4 sell for cheap..2 wheel drive gets better mpg . and 2 wheel is more realible and a cheaper to repair. especally concern any section of running gear and brakes !! plus unless you are a really bad driver you will very seldom NEED 4+4... feel free to U2U a LL...phone #..Ive trailererd to from alaska..to panama and back and many,many winters in baja,,sorry Osprey..just fact...K&T:cool:........ps..WTF where did that thread dissapear to ??? :?:

[Edited on 11-15-2012 by captkw]

[Edited on 11-15-2012 by captkw]

[Edited on 11-15-2012 by captkw]
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[*] posted on 11-14-2012 at 08:47 PM
damn..


ok,,ok anybody know how can this back on the cheap ride thread ??????...oops:P doug,AYUDA !! :lol: read my new post: getting lost in cyberspace !!!:no:

[Edited on 11-15-2012 by captkw]

[Edited on 11-15-2012 by captkw]
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dtbushpilot
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[*] posted on 11-14-2012 at 08:59 PM


Have you tried clicking on it?.....might work?



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captkw
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[*] posted on 11-14-2012 at 09:33 PM
HEY magenawave


Hola, umm..I dont how/why but I responded to this "thread" and in doing a post started a new thread (oops) under the heading "magenwave" I was responding on the 4+4 VS 2+2 Issue !!! K&T:cool:
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[*] posted on 11-14-2012 at 09:43 PM


Ford pre 1993 or toyota, nissan, qualquirecosa quieres
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captkw
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[*] posted on 11-14-2012 at 09:47 PM
Pre 93 ford ????????? do tell !!


I think fords used the TFI modules up to 89,,NO? uesd carry a spare and the tool to help folks out on the road.....

[Edited on 11-15-2012 by captkw]
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[*] posted on 11-14-2012 at 10:20 PM
86 1 ton toy pu


had a longbed 86 1 ton with the new 22re and now wish I never sold thaT truck !! not a real 1ton like bigger brakes ,u-joints..just heavy,better springs and handled much better than a "stock toy" they sell some cool toys off road units in other countrys that Ive seen in mex and central am.. cant import to the states and the same with a lot of diesel's motors...bummer the rest can buy toys that we cant......K&T have never seen a factory 4+4 1ton in the states...ps..to ridge..just saw you last line...thanks..Been fighting this 4+4 value my whole life and I drive..I mean really many,manymany ,many miles with 2 wheel & very few places I cant go with 2W..growing up on logging trails...........

[Edited on 11-15-2012 by captkw]

[Edited on 11-15-2012 by captkw]

[Edited on 11-15-2012 by captkw]
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[*] posted on 11-14-2012 at 11:59 PM


Yep, older (for cheap) 4 cylinder Toy PU or 4Runner. 4x4 if you think you need it otherwise 2 wheel with cheap leveling kit (blocks), rear locker and big 33" tires with 20-25 pounds air.

Looks like the Nomad Forum got this right, even a certain person tilted so far to the right I expect him to roll his Toyota. Hi DK. :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:




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[*] posted on 11-15-2012 at 06:20 AM


I have had great luck finding parts and mechanics for Toyota 4 runner in my travels, also ford ranger for a bit cheaper, but it seems Suzuki samurai is a very common vehicle but I have no personal experiences with them. Hope this helps, great topic.Thank you. Oh and on a side note I will never take my BMW south again- no parts, no mechanics ect...



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[*] posted on 11-15-2012 at 08:07 AM


I have owned 19 different trucks of just about every make and a 1981 Ford F250 4x4 with a 300ci 6 cylinder and manual transmission was the most reliable truck I ever owned.
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[*] posted on 11-15-2012 at 08:17 AM
mono


and for a ford that was one of the best they ever made,,but not the very best on gas and very few were made !! almost all had V8'S that did not have that stump pullig torque low end that The six did...much better motor for 4+4...goes to show how dumb the public at large is...My first tow to alaska (28ft) was in a 74 ford f250 with a gas drinking 460 !!!! K&T
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[*] posted on 11-15-2012 at 08:51 AM


captkw, That f250 was about the most capable 4x4 I ever had too, I once drove it all the way from El Carrizal all the way to Todos Santos on the beach, never even aired down the tires. I sold it to a logger buddy in Montana when it had 175000 miles on it and he put another 100k on it. When I had it, I never had to replace a wheel bearing, u-joint or anything but brakes. My 2000 F350 has 145,000 on it and I've replaced all the u-joints, wheel bearings, clutch, rear diff, etc., $1000,s in repairs.
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[*] posted on 11-15-2012 at 09:04 AM


Another 2.7 Million Toyotas recalled. Toyotas arn't cheap, my friend has a Tacoma, he decided to put one of those small pop up 4 wheel campers about 600 lbs. He had to have custom springs made for all 4 corners, wouldn't even hold 600 lbs. Then he found it didn't have enough power, so he had to have a supercharger installed, cheap?

[Edited on 11-15-2012 by 805gregg]
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[*] posted on 11-15-2012 at 09:11 AM


If there is ever another Nomad party anywhere, we gotta get together and pay the capt to attend, he could be the evenings entertainment.
1900 hilarious posts, must be a new record.




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[*] posted on 11-15-2012 at 09:39 AM


OK here's my 2cents. I like two options. One is an older 4runner definately 4X4 with the 22r. You can strap your boards to the top or lock them up inside. You can also secure you gear or sleep inside in needed. I've go a 89 4runner with the 3.0 V-6 in it now with 275,000 on it. It's also better known as the V-slow. In the lifetime of these engines they normally have had or will need to have a head gasket replacement. So if you get this model have it done before heading south. The second option is a Toy p/u, with an extended cab and again 4x4 with the 22r. Have the carpenters rack for boards and gear and you can get a lightweight small cc motorcycle to carry in the back that you can always pull off in a jam and get somewhere. Also if you find a good extended spot to stay for awhile the motorcycle is cheap and reliable to use for everyday transpo. If you go with the 4runner you can get a motorcycle hitch carrier that will easily carry the lightweight bike. Have a great adventure.

[Edited on 11-15-2012 by Nookster]

[Edited on 11-15-2012 by Nookster]
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[*] posted on 11-15-2012 at 01:56 PM


an older chevy with the small block-most reliable and used motor ever...
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[*] posted on 11-15-2012 at 02:42 PM


The Toyota Motorhome would work if it has the 5 speed Manual Trans. Tooo bad I just sold one that would have been perfect for what you want.



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[*] posted on 11-15-2012 at 03:37 PM


Some general tips on whatever you buy:

At close to six dollars a gallon mileage may be an important criteria.

Batteries cost 100 dollars a pop in Mexico and more than that in C.A. Batteries sold in Mexico weigh a lot less than batteries sold in the USA. Less lead, less power. Washboard roads will destroy a marginal battery in no time flat. Make sure cables and lug are in pristine connection.

Demand to see the smog test. Review the numbers. If any of them (especially HC) comes even close to the maximum permitted, reject the car. This is a great tattle-tale. Oil burning cars usually have new thick oil on the dipstick.

A camper with heavily tinted windows keeps appraising eyes off of the innards.

A bunch of rechargeable gizmos that plug into the cigarette lighter beats searching out for dollar a pop junk Valarta AA batteries.

Load up on disposable gas bottles and 100% pure DEET at Wal-Mart. Mexican repellents are pathetic, especially for jejenes and tabanos. A refill gizmo for the little bottles is priceless for lanterns and stoves. White gas is scarce and twelve dollars a gallon. One of those newer 7-day Igloo ice chests is a godsend. Wrap it up in a couple of dirt cheap Harbor Freight Tools furniture moving blankets and it'll have awesome staying power. Four collapsible 5 gallon water jugs from Big 5 Sporting Goods will save you gas.

I broke down and bought a 12-volt fan called a FANTASTIC FAN ENDLESS BREEZE. It uses a fifth of the power of a regular fan and delivers a lot more air. Worth every cent. Where i live in Mexico a typical January day reaches 88 and dips to 77. You'll need a fan for the humidity. Late February Puerto Escondido was 97 and Tehuantepec 105. You need a fan.

Slide in a couple of custom cut 3/4" plywood sheets for a camper floor. Cover that with a 4" memory foam mattress. You won't want to get up in the morning! The plywood is for making stuff like lean to's and it is incredibly expensive in Central America, good wampum. Find something to lay them on at you have a million dollar table or counter top.

Get a mound of mosquito netting to drape over the open tailgate for sleeping mosquito free. And a big silver tarp from Harbor Freight.

For staying in cheap hotels I carry a handful of cheap rubber wedge door stops. Stack on atop the other for wide door gaps.




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