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ranpar01
Junior Nomad
Posts: 42
Registered: 2-16-2017
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1995 Eurovan via 1 or 5?
Hi All,
I have driven down through El Centro/Mexicali to our place in Los Barriles recently on the new highway 5 and would normally go that way (From Reno).
However, this time I'll be driving down my 1995 Eurovan and I'm wondering if it might make more sense to take highway 1 in case I break down. Any
thoughts on availability of repairs/parts on 1 vs. 5? I recall there being some long stretches on 5 with no towns in sight so might be a better bet
to go on 1?. I have never taken that route. I just took the van to my mechanic and he checked all the normal things, but it's a 1995 van so who
knows what could break on the way down. thanks!
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ranpar01
Junior Nomad
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Also related to this trip, this will be the first time I am driving down with my Residente Permanente card. Do i stop at the same covered parking
spot for INM as before, or is there a different place to go if you have perm residency? Assuming i cross Mexicali West..
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Howard
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Location: Loreto/Manhattan Beach/Kona
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Mood: I'd rather regret the things I've done than regret the things I haven't done.
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You now do not have to stop anywhere if you have a R.P. card. Just keep on truckin.
We don't stop playing because we grow old;
we grow old because we stop playing
George Bernard Shaw
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bajarich
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I doubt you will find EV parts in any of those small towns. Take spares of the ones most prone to fail with you. There is a great VW shop in LaPaz,
Geraldo VW. I think Hwy 5 is the route if you are at all confident in your van.
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Mr. Bills
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Having driven both routes I agree. The middle of nowhere in a Euro vehicle is the middle of nowhere in a Euro vehicle regardless of whether its Hwy 1
or Hwy 5.
I recently purchased a previously owned Sprinter. I've only taken one quick run to San Felipe with it, but I've already determined that next
winter's trip to BCS will be via Hwy 5.
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JZ
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Hwy 5 is the best route.
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Maderita
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ranpar01,
If not confident in the vehicle's reliability, Highway 1 may be the prudent choice, as you suggested. Particularly in the summer months. A breakdown
on highway 5 could leave you stranded in 100+ F. heat this time of year. Excessive temperatures strain the cooling system, tires, and other
components, increasing the risk of failure.
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John Harper
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Have your van completely serviced. Check suspension, buy yourself a good tire inflator, jack, and plug kit. I have no idea where the engine is in
your Eurovan, but if it's in back and liquid cooled, you're going to have some long pipes and hoses up to the radiator. Check any and all rubber
radiator hoses, and fix those that you can afford to change. I'd worry about coolant and tire issues primarily. JMHO. Keep those tires inflated,
low inflation (except off road) is deadly.
I did drive my '71 van to the tip of Baja in August, 1983, but I built the motor myself and had an external oil cooler in addition to the stock
doghouse style cooler. Coolest running VW motor ever! Now, if only it had air conditioning.
John
[Edited on 5-27-2021 by John Harper]
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AKgringo
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One big advantage with driving a vehicle with older technology, is that you probably won't have to find a shop with a diagnostic computer and a
mechanic trained with the appropriate software!
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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SFandH
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Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  | One big advantage with driving a vehicle with older technology, is that you probably won't have to find a shop with a diagnostic computer and a
mechanic trained with the appropriate software!
|
On the other hand, one advantage of driving a new vehicle is that you probably won't have to find a shop......of any kind.
I've had it with old vehicles, which I drove in Baja forever. I now have a 2019 SUV and it's wonderful.
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David K
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| Quote: Originally posted by SFandH | | Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo | One big advantage with driving a vehicle with older technology, is that you probably won't have to find a shop with a diagnostic computer and a
mechanic trained with the appropriate software!
|
On the other hand, one advantage of driving a new vehicle is that you probably won't have to find a shop......of any kind.
I've had it with old vehicles, which I drove in Baja forever. I now have a 2019 SUV and it's wonderful. |
What do you have now?
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AKgringo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6029
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| Quote: Originally posted by David K | | Quote: Originally posted by SFandH | | Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo | One big advantage with driving a vehicle with older technology, is that you probably won't have to find a shop with a diagnostic computer and a
mechanic trained with the appropriate software!
|
On the other hand, one advantage of driving a new vehicle is that you probably won't have to find a shop......of any kind.
I've had it with old vehicles, which I drove in Baja forever. I now have a 2019 SUV and it's wonderful. |
What do you have now? |
Who are you asking, me. or SFandH? My last two trips were in a 1999 Isuzu Trooper. I really like it on, and off road, and I don't have to worry
about getting it dented or scratched!
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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Cancamo
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Not sure about anything Euro built, parts-wise, but "newer" vehicles do not equal reliability and practicality in BC. Seen plenty of break-downs with
"newer" rigs because of a computer failure, (rodents, sun, and salt), or waiting for a part.....
80's Toyota pick ups, 22R, 4 cyl. motor is vehicle of choice around here, used to be Fords. Tough, dependable, and parts are readily available.
Popular with the working crowd as well as anyone else that can get their hands on one. I've got 245K on one and 180K on another, still going very
strong, AND I constantly get inquiries to sell them.
If you do not have confidence in the vehicle, I wouldn't bring it, either route.
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Don Pisto
Banned
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Mood: weary like everyone else
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| Quote: Originally posted by Cancamo | Not sure about anything Euro built, parts-wise, but "newer" vehicles do not equal reliability and practicality in BC. Seen plenty of break-downs with
"newer" rigs because of a computer failure, (rodents, sun, and salt), or waiting for a part.....
80's Toyota pick ups, 22R, 4 cyl. motor is vehicle of choice around here, used to be Fords. Tough, dependable, and parts are readily available.
Popular with the working crowd as well as anyone else that can get their hands on one. I've got 245K on one and 180K on another, still going very
strong, AND I constantly get inquiries to sell them.
If you do not have confidence in the vehicle, I wouldn't bring it, either route. |
I'll take my chances with a new car thank you......wish I had one!
[Edited on 5-28-2021 by Don Pisto]
there's only two things in life but I forget what they are........
John Hiatt
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PaulW
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Most Mexican mechanics are probably familiar with VWs. Don't worry they can get parts in a day or two from the US. Find these mechanics in the towns
along the way and Hwy 1 has the most towns.
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JZ
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Registered: 10-3-2003
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| Quote: Originally posted by PaulW | | Most Mexican mechanics are probably familiar with VWs. Don't worry they can get parts in a day or two from the US. Find these mechanics in the towns
along the way and Hwy 1 has the most towns. |
You all are forgetting some facts.
Mexicali to Chapala (where the 5 and 1 meet) is 5hrs 54mins. TJ to Chapala is 8hrs 2 mins. 2 hours less driving. And much easier driving.
Hwy 5 avoids the most dangerous section of driving Hwy 1, The stretch after you past El Rosario and go through the mountains. There are no sizeable
towns in that three-hour part.
Hwy 5 has San Felipe and Gonazaga Bay, then a short drive until it connects back up with Hwy 1 at Chapala.
If someone doesn't think their truck can make it 5-6 hrs without breaking down they have have zero business going to Baja.
[Edited on 5-28-2021 by JZ]
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mtgoat666
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Location: San Diego
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Mood: Hot n spicy
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| Quote: Originally posted by JZ |
If someone doesn't think their truck can make it 5-6hrs without breaking down they have have zero business going to Baja.
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Shorty,
I see many Mexicans in baja driving beat up old cars, are you saying they have zero business being there?
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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JZ
Select Nomad
Posts: 10563
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| Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666 |
Shorty,
I see many Mexicans in baja driving beat up old cars, are you saying they have zero business being there? |
Context matters.
The context of this thread is someone getting ready to drive from the US to Los Barriles. Almost the entire length of Baja.
I use to have an old beater Tahoe. The kids would drive it around town. I wouldn't let them try to drive it from here to Cabo.
Btw, we don't believe you actually go to Baja.
[Edited on 5-28-2021 by JZ]
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motoged
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"We" ?????
Who do you think "we" are?
Seems like you are the troll now with Goat....
Don't believe everything you think....
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willardguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6451
Registered: 9-19-2009
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| Quote: Originally posted by JZ | | Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666 |
Shorty,
I see many Mexicans in baja driving beat up old cars, are you saying they have zero business being there? |
Context matters.
Btw, we don't believe you actually go to Baja.
[Edited on 5-28-2021 by JZ] |
why would you say that? going on 14,000 posts and never felt the need to post a photo of his wife and dog?
why don't you fire up the ol' IP tracer and get to the bottom of this? you posted this:
"did an IP trace
The results reveal: Goat is very, very bored."
how about revealing the results? im still waiting for mine!
and don't send me any of your PM chit.......we're all about sharing here
[Edited on 5-28-2021 by willardguy]
[Edited on 5-28-2021 by willardguy]
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