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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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And
Visit the local animal shelter and take a dog with you.
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Gaucho
Nomad
Posts: 405
Registered: 11-7-2008
Location: Laguna Beach/East Cape
Member Is Offline
Mood: Bohemia por favor...
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I HAD a Ford Ranger truck and it was a pile! Toyota for sure.
| Quote: | Originally posted by Hook
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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magentawave
Junior Nomad
Posts: 51
Registered: 11-14-2012
Member Is Offline
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Hah hah, small world, yeah that was David Yo Man! Thats funny because I have his name in my phones contact list as "David Yo Man!" and when he calls I
still say "Yo man!" David knew that road but I always felt drained by the time we hit the coast. I probably would have enjoyed the ride if I had a
racer style cross-chest belt and a helmet to protect my dome...and especially when we did the sideways slide at 60 on that washboard road. To this day
I still can't believe we didn't trip the wheels in a rut and roll over. It was that trip that really convinced me of how awesome those 4 Runners are.
Why is there less cargo capacity with a 4WD? Cuz of the extra weight of the 4WD stuff? How much less MPG do you get with a 4WD?
Thanks.
| Quote: | Originally posted by ridge
| Quote: | | Originally posted by magentawave...I used to do surf/windsurf trips about 8 hours below the border in a friends 89 4Runner 2WD...last two
hours...dusty washboard road. My friend drove like a maniac...white knuckle stuff... |
 That's gotta be (Dave) Yo MAN! u2u me if I'm right. | Quote: | | ...does anyone know if Toyota made a 1 Ton 4WD pickup back in the 80's and 90's?...might put a standup style camper shell on one...
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Don't think so for 4wd; their 2wd 1Ton/22REs are awesome. Very scarce now.
They still make the 1Ton chassis abroad; it's called a HiLux(has a rounded Tacoma body.) Turbo Diesels even. Here's a site that has a lot of info
although it hasn't been updated for years.
http://www.brian894x4.com/FOREIGNTOYOTAMAINPAGE.html
P.S. I'm with captkw on the 2wd thing. For all the gas/$/less cargo capacity 4wd ain't worth it. |
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magentawave
Junior Nomad
Posts: 51
Registered: 11-14-2012
Member Is Offline
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Yes I was wondering about the availability of Suzuki parts down south too.
| Quote: | Originally posted by QUETZALCOATL
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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magentawave
Junior Nomad
Posts: 51
Registered: 11-14-2012
Member Is Offline
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Yup, I've owned several full size Ford vans and PU's with that 300 straight 6 and it was a good motor.
| Quote: | Originally posted by monoloco
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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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65134
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Gaucho
I HAD a Ford Ranger truck and it was a pile! Toyota for sure.
| Quote: | Originally posted by Hook
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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My 2001 had the 3.4 V-6 and the '05 and '10 have the 4.0 V-6... both were fantastic engines and never a bit of problem... total between the three,
about 300,000 miles... never a drop of oil on the ground either.
Before getting my '01 Tacoma, I did shop for a Ford Ranger... oh, I am SOOOO glad I got the Toyota... Our son has a 4WD Ranger and it is a miracle
when the 4WD works or there aren't other issues.
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magentawave
Junior Nomad
Posts: 51
Registered: 11-14-2012
Member Is Offline
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I was thinking that an automatic would crawl better at slow speeds over washboard roads instead of the lugging you get when you're kind of between the
optimum speed with a manual. What do you think about that?
| Quote: | Originally posted by comitan
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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magentawave
Junior Nomad
Posts: 51
Registered: 11-14-2012
Member Is Offline
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Lots of good stuff and thank you.
You said: "Four collapsible 5 gallon water jugs from Big 5 Sporting Goods will save you gas." How do those save gas?
| Quote: | Originally posted by DavidE
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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MMc
Super Nomad
Posts: 1679
Registered: 6-29-2011
Member Is Offline
Mood: Current
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I prefer hard-sided H2o containers the, soft always fail me. Gas, I don't know, but H2O is cheaper by bulk. I guess you know that.
You seam like you've done this before, just not as long?
Many posters here don't surf and understand how afar some of us will go to explore for a wave. Many are boaters and need launch ramps, trailer storage
and such. Their answers reflect their experience, not wrong just different.
With 4x4 you lose mileage because of both gearing and power to all the wheels. If you do go with 4x4 make sure you have lockers, without them you
effectively have 3 wheel drive (search this site for a better explanation). If your goal is to get to Scorpion Bay and Puerto Escondido, You don't
need it. If you're looking for some new river mouth tube fest get the 4$x4$. Pact a shovel as well.
"Never teach a pig to sing it frustrates you and annoys the pig" - W.C.Fields
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magentawave
Junior Nomad
Posts: 51
Registered: 11-14-2012
Member Is Offline
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Yeah, the soft containers always failed me too.
Yes I have explored Baja over the years but they were surf and windsurf trips that only lasted a week or two. Now I want to keep heading south for as
long as I feel like it. I'm not going to have a schedule so some areas I'll chill for a while and others I'll pass through. Setting up and de-setting
up a tent is ok for short vacations but I'm thinking I'd like something I can get out of the elements and sleep in since this vehicle will be my home.
Thats why I was thinking of possibly getting a Toyota motorhome or put a stand up camper on a 1 ton Toyota pickup.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65134
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Lockers or traction control (limited slip) will share power with the other tire on an axle, instead of it all going to the one that spins the easiest.
Lockers are best added to the rear axle, and only in extreme rock crawling conditions should be added to the front... it is a multi-thousand dollar
mod.
The Toyota Tacoma Off Road TRD (and other Toyota models) has a rear locker as standard equipment. Other brands also may offer a rear locker. The Jeep
Wrangler Rubicon has both a front and a rear factory locker.
The next best thing, and specially is if it is included in the price, is traction control... which limits the slip when one tire gets into a low
traction spot. Instead of the one tire spinning, and you stop moving... power is shared with the other tire that is on better ground. It isn't a pure
50/50 sharing of power as in the case of a locker, but better than 0/100 split! The Toyota A-TRAC 4WD system is even better, and very near the
traction of lockers, it also is on all 4 tires.
[Edited on 11-16-2012 by David K]
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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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weld the spiders and been done with it !!
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baja09
Newbie
Posts: 24
Registered: 11-24-2011
Member Is Offline
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weld spiders
Hey Kieth ...good idea, but what ya going to do when ya get on pavement, and cant turn ,guess they call that understeer!!!!!!!!!............but I
have done it ...good one! 
A+P......... PILOT........Baja Sur Lover
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DavidE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3814
Registered: 12-1-2003
Location: Baja California México
Member Is Offline
Mood: 'At home we demand facts and get them. In Mexico one subsists on rumor and never demands anything.' Charles Flandrau,
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Going for food and water will eat you alive in the gasoline and time department. Never once had a Big 5 collapsible water jog fail me. The big Igloo 7
day cooler is the same, it'll save you time and hassle. On the water instead of on your way to town.
South of Mexico fuel is five dollars a gallon. A sixteen gallon fuel up is eighty dollars in Quetzales, Lempira or Belizian Dollars. Do you want to go
350 miles or 288 miles for 80 dollars. That's a realistic difference between 2 and 4 wheel drive. 4WD vehicles on the mainland especially smaller ones
are targets for carjackers*. No thanks. You can bet your bippy that a 4WD is used "harder" than most 2WD used pickups. Cherry picked jobs get sold to
family, friends or co-workers. I know of no coveted surf spots that demand four wheel drive, not enough of them anyway to warrant the hassle of
finding something that isn't in danger of being an overpriced, thrashed piece of junk. Remember "CHEAPEST"
*Parted out Toyota 4WD and Nissan 4WD's are worth a fortune
A Lot To See And A Lot To Do
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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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AMEN !!
and the 7 day unit is called the "extreme" and the only thing they changed was to add some foam insulation...DUH !! but it sure helps !! 4+4 not
always the best option !!! Remember I work at 711..(sorry,,could not pass it up) everything has trade offs..... like seeing a unimog in baja is
just plain stupid to me !! IMO....K&T... yes surfers push the envolope just like fisherman...human nature !! I wonder whats is the most dangerous
?????? a no brainer !!
[Edited on 11-16-2012 by captkw]
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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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locked spider !!!
| Quote: | Originally posted by baja09
Hey Kieth ...good idea, but what ya going to do when ya get on pavement(response)...coming back from costa rica I crossed over in to texas and got
stuck in some red clay (soft) with the help of some REAL texans (idiots) spon the splines on the axles ..after a month of searching said WTF and
welded the spider...fine while going straight !! duallys dont jump up in the air 2/3 inches much on a normal rv,, but mine did after the weld !!!
really cool to enter a gas station !! a hopp,,hopp skip..folks would Run !! LOL .....K&T
[Edited on 11-16-2012 by captkw] |
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Terry28
Senior Nomad
Posts: 825
Registered: 8-25-2007
Location: S.Calif mtns.
Member Is Offline
Mood: Thirsty
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Man, I can't believe...I actually agree with EVERYTHING DavidE wrote...very good advice, and not an exaggeration in any of it....solid..
Mexico!! Where two can live as cheaply as one.....but it costs twice as much.....
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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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YEP !!
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MMc
Super Nomad
Posts: 1679
Registered: 6-29-2011
Member Is Offline
Mood: Current
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DavidE don't surf. I go to plenty of spots that require 4x4 or a major walk. If your looking at a motor home as a possibility you won't need a 4x4.
The new motor home of choice is a full size 1/2 ton with pop-top. Not a lot leftover of Toyota motor homes.
"Never teach a pig to sing it frustrates you and annoys the pig" - W.C.Fields
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magentawave
Junior Nomad
Posts: 51
Registered: 11-14-2012
Member Is Offline
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Are you talking about a 1/2 ton pickup with pop-top camper? I have considered one of those but with all this war BS going on in the mid-east I don't
see gas getting any cheaper and its more likely it will keep getting more expensive.
| Quote: | Originally posted by MMc
DavidE don't surf. I go to plenty of spots that require 4x4 or a major walk. If your looking at a motor home as a possibility you won't need a 4x4.
The new motor home of choice is a full size 1/2 ton with pop-top. Not a lot leftover of Toyota motor homes. |
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