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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64852
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by tiotomasbcs
I'll vote for the Subaru GL Wagon. My 4X 87 Wagon has only 120,000 miles altho its rusting apart. The mountain communities are full of em and they
are super dependable! Snow or sand! Shame on you DK for not mentioning your original Baja vehicles? ps mines not for sale. Tio
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Oh for sure... I had 3 4WD Subaru wagons... over 100,000 miles on each... all over Baja.... even the original old old road to Gonzaga from Puertecitos
in 1979.
I didn't mention them because being so old, the 4WDs may be of questionable quality (all the newer Subarus are no longer 4WD, but full time AWD and no
low range or center differential lock). Also, to drive such a rig in Baja (with its 13" tires) did take some skill...
Here's my 1980 4WD Subaru on the beach north of Laguna Manuela, in 1983... My dad's last fishing trip to Baja before he died. Surf fishing
wonderland... Whistler called that spot 'Variety Beach'. We caught croaker, halibut, calico bass and plenty of them!
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bajabass
Super Nomad
Posts: 2016
Registered: 10-4-2006
Location: La Paz,BCS
Member Is Offline
Mood: Want to fish!!!
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On any Ford full size truck, 2 or 4 wheel drive, have the front suspension, steering and brakes checked very closely before you buy!!! You can drop 2k
retail easily if it is all worn out. I owned a front end shop for over 20 years in Socal before moving to La Paz. Ford was very, very good for my
bottom line every month!!
Keep your eyes on the road, and your hands upon the wheel!
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
Member Is Offline
Mood: Full Time Residents
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bass...so you're saying DON't get a FORD? 
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comitan
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4177
Registered: 3-27-2004
Location: La Paz
Member Is Offline
Mood: mellow
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Fix or replace Daily 
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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bajabass
Super Nomad
Posts: 2016
Registered: 10-4-2006
Location: La Paz,BCS
Member Is Offline
Mood: Want to fish!!!
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Not at all, the local mechanics need all the work the can get!!!
Really though, Fords are built tough, it is just a weak link in high mile trucks, that's all. Have it inspected by a good front end shop before buying
if possible, and add any needed work into the budget for the vehicle.
That said, I drive an '06 Tundra 4x4, and Dra. Bajabass rolls to work in a Honda Element. I left most of my tools in Socal!!!
Keep your eyes on the road, and your hands upon the wheel!
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BFS
Senior Nomad
Posts: 520
Registered: 9-28-2006
Location: Todos Santos
Member Is Offline
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THIS is what you want. 5 speed, rarely stops at Pemex, will go anywhere. And yes that's a palapa roof...
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64852
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Excellent, BFS!
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bajabass
Super Nomad
Posts: 2016
Registered: 10-4-2006
Location: La Paz,BCS
Member Is Offline
Mood: Want to fish!!!
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Perfect little beach bomb! Light weight, and the aired down, oversize tires, thing should almost float on sea as well as land!!!
Keep your eyes on the road, and your hands upon the wheel!
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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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4x4
Sold my 1985 Subaru BRAT and bought a 2000 Chevy Tracker 4x4 softtop. Put a 2" lift on the Tracker, and upsized the tires from 205-15'a to 235-15's.
The Subaru didn't have the ground clearance for the many topes and/or potholes. The Tracker does great, good gas mileage, easy to repair. Parts
available from Hawk Suzuki:
http://www.hawksuzukiparts.com/
Metro Geos, Chevy Geos, Chevy Trackers, Suzuki Viteras, Suzuki Samuaris, Suzuki Sidekicks ..........all the same clones
[Edited on 11-12-2011 by bajaguy]
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vivaloha
Nomad
Posts: 140
Registered: 11-12-2007
Member Is Offline
Mood: mellow
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Good posts Nomads...
David K - that picture of you and your pop's last fishing trip with your Suburu was super classic...both the car (old skool subeee) and you and your
pop both styling and smiling! Thanks for that!
Regarding the topic of 4x4's my sentiment is this:
1986 - 1992 Toyota 4 Cylinder - 22RE 4 x 4
All models that fit those criteria will fit your needs:
1. pretty good on gas mileage 20+ on a super light, not loaded one
2. will handle your to and from 4 x 4 / dirt needs
3. will be easy to fix - locals have 'em, fix 'em, parts available...
After giving this same topic much thought over the years I have
chosen the 1990 / 1991 4Runner, 4 cyl, 4 door, 4x4...fairly rare but
still that 22RE engine...These things float on the dirt roads especially
models that have spring coils....
Good luck and let us know what you choose...
Vivaloha
Baja California can be a heaven or hell experience - often the determining factor is your AWARENESS in the moment.
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vivaloha
Nomad
Posts: 140
Registered: 11-12-2007
Member Is Offline
Mood: mellow
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oh and one last thing...
BFS - that is one slick looking Tracker! Congrats on that tasty rig!
Love the 4 doors and the palapa roof...super chingoncito!
Question BFS - are the parts easily found down there?
Baja California can be a heaven or hell experience - often the determining factor is your AWARENESS in the moment.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64852
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by vivaloha
Good posts Nomads...
David K - that picture of you and your pop's last fishing trip with your Suburu was super classic...both the car (old skool subeee) and you and your
pop both styling and smiling! Thanks for that!
Regarding the topic of 4x4's my sentiment is this:
1986 - 1992 Toyota 4 Cylinder - 22RE 4 x 4
All models that fit those criteria will fit your needs:
1. pretty good on gas mileage 20+ on a super light, not loaded one
2. will handle your to and from 4 x 4 / dirt needs
3. will be easy to fix - locals have 'em, fix 'em, parts available...
After giving this same topic much thought over the years I have
chosen the 1990 / 1991 4Runner, 4 cyl, 4 door, 4x4...fairly rare but
still that 22RE engine...These things float on the dirt roads especially
models that have spring coils....
Good luck and let us know what you choose...
Vivaloha |
Thank you! He was the total reason I became a Baja nut... sure miss the guy! Here we are in 1982 at Rancho Santa Ynez:
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Islandbuilder
Senior Nomad
Posts: 555
Registered: 11-9-2011
Location: nob
Member Is Offline
Mood: bewildered
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajabass
On any Ford full size truck, 2 or 4 wheel drive, have the front suspension, steering and brakes checked very closely before you buy!!! You can drop 2k
retail easily if it is all worn out. I owned a front end shop for over 20 years in Socal before moving to La Paz. Ford was very, very good for my
bottom line every month!! |
Thank you for this information! The ABS light is flashing, it pulls left under hard braking, and it feels like the steering is a bit loose. Are you
suggesting that this may be an issue?
I am hoping for something that I can put a light lift-top camper on, and using that rig to explore Baja.
David K, great pics of you and your dad. It's heartwarming to see a father and son sharing their love for Baja. Rare, which is a shame.
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bajabass
Super Nomad
Posts: 2016
Registered: 10-4-2006
Location: La Paz,BCS
Member Is Offline
Mood: Want to fish!!!
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OK, 96 should be rear anti-lock only???? Usually it is the rear wheel speed sensor. About 30 bucks and one bolt. Brake pull. 2WD, check radius arm
bushings right away. Leaking/frozen front calipers. Look for thinner/burned pads on one side, or moisture around the caliper pistons. Blown rear axle
seal can do it also. Loose steering. Check all tie rods and ball joints. The tie rod at the pitman arm usually goes first. Closely check the steering
"rag joint", or steering coupler, just as the steering shaft enters the steering box. Make sure any replacement tie rods and ball joints have grease
fittings, or "zerks", as they do not have them O.E. as a rule. Radius arm bushings and I-beam bushings, use a "poly" style, they last much longer.
Keep your eyes on the road, and your hands upon the wheel!
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TMW
Select Nomad
Posts: 10659
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
Member Is Offline
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[Make sure any replacement tie rods and ball joints have grease fittings, or "zerks", as they do not have them O.E. as a rule.]
Bajabass what is your experience with the sealed joints etc on a Toyota Tacoma or Toyota in general. On my 04 Tacoma none of the ball joints or
steering components have zerk fittings only the drive shaft. I had a 93 Toyota 4x4 truck with the same deal and put 150,000 miles on it and never had
a problem.
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bajabass
Super Nomad
Posts: 2016
Registered: 10-4-2006
Location: La Paz,BCS
Member Is Offline
Mood: Want to fish!!!
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My Toyotas with sealed joints have been fine also. I have seen Tundras and Tacomas with worn joints, though usually only the ones lifted, driven hard,
with high mileage, 150,000+. The heavier the truck, the harder the parts wear factor, with diesels leading the pack! I've found trucks with as little
as 50k with badly worn parts. Many customers referred back to the dealer for warranty replacement. No money in it for me, other than customers for
life!! Call me crazy.
Keep your eyes on the road, and your hands upon the wheel!
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wessongroup
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21152
Registered: 8-9-2009
Location: Mission Viejo
Member Is Offline
Mood: Suicide Hot line ... please hold
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DK a real keeper of a shot... great that "pictures" were part of your experience... with your Dad... those will always last... thanks for sharing..
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Islandbuilder
Senior Nomad
Posts: 555
Registered: 11-9-2011
Location: nob
Member Is Offline
Mood: bewildered
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bajabass, thank you again for your advice! Very specific and helpful. I have decided to wait until I have sold my Land Rover project car, and a yard
full of unused boats before I aquire another project. I like the diesel engine, favoring either the Cummins 5.? or the International 7.3 Powerstroke.
I am seeing that diesel may be harder to find in the small ejidos than gas would be. Can anyone speak to that?
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TMW
Select Nomad
Posts: 10659
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajabass
My Toyotas with sealed joints have been fine also. I have seen Tundras and Tacomas with worn joints, though usually only the ones lifted, driven hard,
with high mileage, 150,000+. The heavier the truck, the harder the parts wear factor, with diesels leading the pack! I've found trucks with as little
as 50k with badly worn parts. Many customers referred back to the dealer for warranty replacement. No money in it for me, other than customers for
life!! Call me crazy. |
Thanks
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MitchMan
Super Nomad
Posts: 1856
Registered: 3-9-2009
Member Is Offline
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FWIW,
I have a 1998 Toyota Tacoma 4x4, 4 cyl 2.7 liter, 5 speed stick shift, regular cab. Plenty of torque, plenty of power to pull and beach launch my 16
ft fiber glass center console outboard boat. Absolutely and positively a fantastic vehicle.
Gas mileage: Got 24 mpg on California highways, however, in La Paz, I get only 14 mpg because of all stop and go in town driving, rarely if ever get
it into 5th gear, only get to use 4th gear from time to time, but certainly not in town. During the summer, a/c is always on. All things considered,
for La Paz driving, if I had it to do over again, I would get a 6 cyl 4x4 Tacoma automatic drive instead as I would probably get better in town gas
mileage; couldn't get worse gas mileage.
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