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bobw
Junior Nomad
Posts: 50
Registered: 1-16-2007
Location: Calgary
Member Is Offline
Mood: Tired of the city
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Baja Vehicle Shortlist
We're getting ready to replace one of our current vehicles and as part of our longer term plan is spending much more time in Baja, we need to put some
consideration into what vehicles will survive better in Baja than others.
Biggest considerations are going to be ease of getting service, ability to handle the rougher roads as well as the usual things (comfort, mileage,
etc).
We tend to be truck types (current vehicles: Sport Trak and F250 diesel), so we're probably more inclined to stay that way. We typically hold
vehicles for 10 years or more; long term reliability is important.
Thoughts?
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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 double cab, 4x4, with shell
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Cypress
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7641
Registered: 3-12-2006
Location: on the bayou
Member Is Offline
Mood: undecided
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Most anything will get will get you there and back as long as you stay on the blacktop.
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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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yea...get a gas saver and spend your money eating out
forget the shell...
you can't see behind you when it's installed
just get a "lid"
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surfer jim
Super Nomad
Posts: 1891
Registered: 8-29-2003
Location: high desert
Member Is Offline
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One of the older jeep cherokees that has allready been fixed up.......
New or used?....Price range?.....how many people will be in it?.....
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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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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bob and Susan
forget the shell...
you can't see behind you when it's installed
just get a "lid" |
that's why Toyota puts those pesky mirror things on the sides and in the middle of the windshield
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bobw
Junior Nomad
Posts: 50
Registered: 1-16-2007
Location: Calgary
Member Is Offline
Mood: Tired of the city
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| Quote: | Originally posted by surfer jim
New or used?....Price range?.....how many people will be in it?..... |
New - a couple of years old
Price - whatever it takes; its a long term purchase. Having said that, we don't need leather, pimped out, dvd, 48" spinners, etc.
2 Adults is all it will carry on a regular basis.
We won't be doing any serious off road driving, but a lot of areas we like to go to are on dirt roads.
The vehicle will lead a double life of Northern car and of course,do the very long drive to the East Cape and then be everday transport as needed down
there.
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Cardon Man
Super Nomad
Posts: 1319
Registered: 8-28-2003
Location: Thetis Bank
Member Is Offline
Mood: !Al Chingaso!
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Toyota!
Another vote for Toyota pick-ups here! My vintage '85 Sr5 has been a top notch Baja rig since 1995 and it's still kicking butt! One of their newer
models would be sweet.
[Edited on 6-30-2008 by Cardon Man]
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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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I would seriously look at a double cab or at least an extended cab
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Mango
Senior Nomad
Posts: 685
Registered: 4-11-2006
Location: Alta California &/or Mexicali
Member Is Offline
Mood: Bajatastic
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My Subaru does great on the blacktop and does well offroad.
Pros:
-good mileage
-great handling
-reliable
-higher ground clearance than any car.. and some trucks
Cons:
-Subaru just started selling cars in Mexico in 2007, so parts will be hard to find.
-not able to find or fit heavier duty LT tires.
-not very heavy duty for rocks/extended off road
-limited towing capacity.
It sounds like you already have your heart set on Ford vehicles. But, I do love Toyota as well. You won't have to worry much about parts availability
with a Toyota IMO. It won't break down. 
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bobw
Junior Nomad
Posts: 50
Registered: 1-16-2007
Location: Calgary
Member Is Offline
Mood: Tired of the city
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Mango
It sounds like you already have your heart set on Ford vehicles. But, I do love Toyota as well. You won't have to worry much about parts availability
with a Toyota IMO. It won't break down. |
I don't really have my heart set on anything; I just happen to own 2 fords at present. I'm more concerned with reliability and repairability.
The Tacoma seems to have a pretty strong following. Sounds like it belongs on the short list.
Anything else worthy?
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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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not if you are serious.....
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Ken Cooke
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8948
Registered: 2-9-2004
Location: Riverside, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Pole Line Road postponed due to injury
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Bigtime "Short list" contenders:
 The JK Rubicon Unlimited!!!
Locking Front & Rear Differentials
4:1 Transfer case
32" Mud-Terrain Tires (stock)
Front & Rear disc brakes
Push-button front swaybar disconnection system!
Smooth ride on the trail as well as off road
  Dodge
Power Wagon
 Same as the Rubicon, except with stock 33" tires and 12,000 pound Warn
Winch - STANDARD
[img]http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0S020qPa2lIInoBrjWjzbkF/SIG=12kir14pu/EXP=1214954767/**http%3A//www.rockcrawler.com/features/newsshorts/04june/dodge5.
jpg[/img]
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Don Alley
Super Nomad
Posts: 1997
Registered: 12-4-2003
Location: Loreto
Member Is Offline
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Nissan...cheaper than Toyota, dealership in La Paz. Lots of new Nissans around Loreto.
Volkswagen with the TDI diesel engine. Near 50 mpg with cheap Pemex diesel. At least for the pavement.
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Ken Bondy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3326
Registered: 12-13-2002
Member Is Offline
Mood: Mellow
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But can it crush cars..........???
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Ken Cooke
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8948
Registered: 2-9-2004
Location: Riverside, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Pole Line Road postponed due to injury
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I've seen so many places online where Hummer H-1s were getting stuck where stock Jeep Wranglers could drive circles around them. Those aren't very
maneuverable, expensive to drive, and too big for the trail in Baja = not practical.
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Russ
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6742
Registered: 7-4-2004
Location: Punta Chivato
Member Is Offline
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My '92 Explorer has been really great. it is the bare bones model. Locking hubs and big BFG's. It's been here for about 8 years. It is now a
neighborhood launch car but runs great. Much better off road than the 98 I have for long trips. Lots of parts for these now down here.
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Ken Bondy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3326
Registered: 12-13-2002
Member Is Offline
Mood: Mellow
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Ken Cooke
I've seen so many places online where Hummer H-1s were getting stuck where stock Jeep Wranglers could drive circles around them. Those aren't very
maneuverable, expensive to drive, and too big for the trail in Baja = not practical.
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But it can crush cars!!!
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64864
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Tacoma if you don't need a full size truck... TUNDRA if you do! 4 doors are better than two, but make sure if you want the long bed and a 4 door, it
will fit in your garage or your parking spot. If you want a trail hopper for exploring Baja ( http://www.vivabaja.com/msm ) then get a standard bed with a 4 door. '05 and newer Tacomas have a wider and deeper bed than previous models and
the 5' standard bed has the room of the older 2 door Extra cab's 6' bed.
Toyota reliabilty and solid four wheel drive construction is hard to beat.
Ford and Dodge trucks are popular with Nomads, too. Three Nomads I know have Chevy trucks and like them... but when the truth be told, they have their
share of that 'great GM feeling' with trips to Mr. Goodwrench... so no thanks!
Squarecircle's LR-3 Land Rover and my 4 door Tacoma TRD at Mision Santa Maria:
[Edited on 7-1-2008 by David K]
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TonyC
Nomad
Posts: 421
Registered: 1-25-2008
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajaguy
Toyota Tacoma double cab, 4x4, with shell |
220,000 miles Tacoma double cab pre runner with a shell. Taking it down this weekend from SF bay area to San Quintin. I also have a 2006 Tundra 63K
4x4, double cab. Think about the 4x4, as soon as you leave Mex 1....it's dirt. When it rains the 4x4 comes in to play, or if you want to do a little
exploring. If my Tacoma ever dies, I'm getting another one, this time 4x4. Also the shell is a little peace of mind when you need to leave your truck
with gear inside. I use either truck to tow my boat 18ft Palmer 115 hp outboard.
Tundra 2006
Tacoma 2001, no off road driving, just going down Mex 1 from Tijuana - El Socorro early this year in the rain. Thank god for the shell.
[Edited on 7-1-2008 by TonyC]
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