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Ken Cooke
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8944
Registered: 2-9-2004
Location: Riverside, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Pole Line Road postponed due to injury
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Modifications and upgrades to your vehicle for Baja
Has anyone made a big improvement to their vehicle before driving into Baja? I have made several. Share yours!
Viair Extreme dual compressor system
35" BfGoodrich KM2 Tires
K&N FIPK Intake with AEM Synflow conical air filter
MileMarker 9000# Winch
KC 150w lights
Smittybilt SRC 'Baja-style' bumper
Currie Currectlync steering system
Synergy ball joints
Rancho 7000MT steering stabilizer
All J Products Interior rack
Garvin Wilderness rear bumper with dual gerry can and Coleman cooler mounts
Metal Cloak double-adjustable upper and lower control arms
'Before' to 'Baja-ready'
 
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64837
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Thanks to the A-TRAC (and the rest of the Off Road TRD package Toyota puts on the 4WD Tacoma), there really is not much needed to make it Baja worthy.
However, as I have said, Toyota is not perfect (just close) and one MOD needed if you ever cross deep water is what we call the Rear Differential
Breather Mod. There is a vent on top of the rear diff (not a true breather) and what we do is remove that, put in a insert adapter for a hose, and run
a hose up to a high point to locate a real breather. The front diff and ADD have real breathers, up high.
The breather breaks any vacuum that could happen when dropping a hot diff into cool water and contamination the gear oil in the diff. This happened on
my 6 month old Tacoma in the bog going to Mission Santa Maria (water was 2 feet + deep). After the trip, I checked the diff oil and it was milky, a
sign of water contamination.
I have since performed the mod (easy to do) and never again worry about deep water. Here is my How To for you Tacoma owners: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/technical-chat/111954-my-di...
If you will never cross 2 feet deep water, than no worries!
I also added additional off road lights for dark Baja night and run one size taller tire than stock (no lift needed) for an extra 1/2" of ground
clearance. I am at 9 3/4" min. now.
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Barry A.
Select Nomad
Posts: 10007
Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: optimistic
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Nissan X-Terra 2007 OFF ROAD model-----------
CALMINI add-a-leafs in back (gives about 2" lift) which cancels out any bottoming-out of the rear suspension when loaded (common problem) and
augments the factory "off road" suspension package which is weak.
Also, added "load-levelers" in front which added about 2" of lift to the front.
These add-ons do stiffen the ride somewhat, but when loaded up for a trip it is about right.
The "X" comes with an elec. factory locker in the rear diff.. and tough Bilstein shocks all around, as well as BFG AT 265X16's Load Range E .
I have been happy with it in this configuration, but it is no real rock-crawler like Ken's Rubicon----too big and heavy and stiff framed. Goes
everywhere I want to go, however.
Barry
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Tioloco
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2649
Registered: 7-30-2014
Member Is Offline
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1973 Oldsmobile Cutlass
- Factory red with a slight fade. (Racing color)
- Factory limited slip (Similar to A Trac)
- Elevated rear differential breather into trunk (for deep water crossings)
- Spray foamed inside of trunk to use as large ice chest.
- Removed roof with torch to save weight and improve visibility on the Widowmaker. (Mission Santa Maria trail)
- Valve stem remover to aid in lowering tire pressure when accessing the incredibly remote beaches like Shell Island.
-Hood mounted spare tire. (Safari style)
-Mexican blankets to cover seat springs.
-All four tires were replaced within 5 years of each other. (Like new)
-Toyota Tacoma sticker on front fender to let everyone know just how unstoppable she really is.
She is ready for just about anything now! 
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willardguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6451
Registered: 9-19-2009
Member Is Offline
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3rd generation 4runner with aftermarket A-TRAC. all I have to do is input lat/lon for dirt island, press a button, seat tilts back to snooze position
and A-TRAC alerts me when I arrive at paradise! 
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Tioloco
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2649
Registered: 7-30-2014
Member Is Offline
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Wow, Willard. Sounds like I really need to upgrade the old Cutlass....
How many pounds of air do you reckon would be appropriate for paradise island? :/)
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Tioloco
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2649
Registered: 7-30-2014
Member Is Offline
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Sorry Ken...
Didn't want to hijack your thread, just couldn't resist the temptation.
By the way, nice Jeep. Looks perfect for remote exploration.
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J.P.
Super Nomad
Posts: 1673
Registered: 7-8-2010
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
Mood: Easy Does It
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Baja Modifications
Pretty soon I an going to have to do some mods on my trusty 91 Wrangler the front tires are getting a little smooth. its still just like it rolled
off the assembly line Bone Stock and has never failed to take me anywhere I want to go. 
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 18366
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Hot n spicy
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Quote: Originally posted by Ken Cooke  | Has anyone made a big improvement to their vehicle before driving into Baja? I have made several. Share yours!
Viair Extreme dual compressor system
35" BfGoodrich KM2 Tires
K&N FIPK Intake with AEM Synflow conical air filter
MileMarker 9000# Winch
KC 150w lights
Smittybilt SRC 'Baja-style' bumper
Currie Currectlync steering system
Synergy ball joints
Rancho 7000MT steering stabilizer
All J Products Interior rack
Garvin Wilderness rear bumper with dual gerry can and Coleman cooler mounts
Metal Cloak double-adjustable upper and lower control arms
'Before' to 'Baja-ready'
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No need for improvements, I bought a toyota.
Also, my toyota rarely needs repair, quite the opposite of jeep, eh?
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64837
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Now goat, don't be sounding like me.... and start watching Fox News, too!!!
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Tioloco
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2649
Registered: 7-30-2014
Member Is Offline
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Goat-
Your Toyota came with a winch and compressor and....... From the factory? Wow, what model is that?
Oh..... Just another mall crawler, eh?
Figures.
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Cisco
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4196
Registered: 12-30-2010
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: Originally posted by Tioloco | 1973 Oldsmobile Cutlass
- Factory red with a slight fade. (Racing color)
- Factory limited slip (Similar to A Trac)
- Elevated rear differential breather into trunk (for deep water crossings)
- Spray foamed inside of trunk to use as large ice chest.
- Removed roof with torch to save weight and improve visibility on the Widowmaker. (Mission Santa Maria trail)
- Valve stem remover to aid in lowering tire pressure when accessing the incredibly remote beaches like Shell Island.
-Hood mounted spare tire. (Safari style)
-Mexican blankets to cover seat springs.
-All four tires were replaced within 5 years of each other. (Like new)
-Toyota Tacoma sticker on front fender to let everyone know just how unstoppable she really is.
She is ready for just about anything now! |
Great mod I saw in Asuncion would look good on the Cutlass. Mount in the center of the spare perhaps.
One gallon plastic jug half full of gas with a tube snaking under the hood.
Takes care of any fuel pump failures I guess.
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willardguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6451
Registered: 9-19-2009
Member Is Offline
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well it may as well be me.......
and number one on the top ten list of modifications and upgrades is......(drum roll)................
  yup! simple as a custom made chrome decal!
[Edited on 3-16-2015 by willardguy]
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Tioloco
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2649
Registered: 7-30-2014
Member Is Offline
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It does make a guy laugh!
Willard- do you think ATRAC would be necessary to reach the restaurant at Papa Fernandez? It's at least a mile off the asphalt.....
Jaja
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64837
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Makes me happy anytime I can use it... and it is a STOCK system that comes standard on all Off Road TRD 4WD Tacomas (since 2009).
It only works in Low Range, as it is a crawler, traction system... used in the same places those with lockers would use them. It just makes getting to
Mission Santa Maria (and places like that) much easier and safer... no spinning tires and wrecking roads.
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BooJumMan
Senior Nomad
Posts: 897
Registered: 8-11-2007
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
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Id take the Cutlass!
My mods:
1997 Toyota Land Cruiser 4x4 40th Anniversary Edition
Front+Rear Factory lockers
4" Old Man Emu suspension Lift
315/75r16 Toyo MT Open Country Tires
Metal Tech tube bumper with 10,000lb ENGO winch, Syn rope
Rear custom bumper with dual swing outs (20gal gas, spare and hi-lift)
Boatside sliders
Custom double cardan drive shafts
Slee control arms front and rear
Snorkel
Cobra CB
Crap I can't remember what else. Drive like a Cadillac though.
[Edited on 3-16-2015 by BooJumMan]
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SFandH
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7084
Registered: 8-5-2011
Member Is Offline
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F-250
New tires about 6 years ago.
Mex blanket for rear seat for old dawg to sleep on.
Extra beer can, er, I mean, cup holder.
New oil and filter. I change it myself every 2000 miles or so. Big believer in clean oil.
Nada mas.
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ehall
Super Nomad
Posts: 1906
Registered: 3-29-2014
Location: Buckeye, Az
Member Is Offline
Mood: It's 5 o'clock somewhere
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Cutlass for the win! The trunk ice chest is intriguing. Drink all the beer and it could double as a bathtub or fresh water swimming pool for the
kids. Leave the lid closed all day--- hot tub for you and the lady.
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ehall
Super Nomad
Posts: 1906
Registered: 3-29-2014
Location: Buckeye, Az
Member Is Offline
Mood: It's 5 o'clock somewhere
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Sorry ken. My rubicon has all the normal stuff thrown at it. Long arm, 35's, winch etc.
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PaulW
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3071
Registered: 5-21-2013
Member Is Offline
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One tidbit
Something we off roaders have learned over the years is that in the sand washes to lower your tire pressure and watch your Automatic Temps. Extra
things are required for these important items.
* A tire deflater tool and a way to pump up when you get to the highway.
* Automatic temps monitor requires an aftermarket temp gauge with a sender mounted in the transmission pan. Then after a few trips you discover the
extreme temps and an extra cooler is added next. Of course with a gauge you will quickly discover temps can be reduced by running in low range.
PW
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