[rchalmers3]

Happy new year everybody!

I am excited to present our family rig as a ROTW/ROTM. Our home is located on the west coast of Costa Rica, about mid point on the Nicoya Peninsula. We use the vehicle (Red) primarily as transportation, with an idea of future exploration and camping.

[rchalmers3]

In my search to find the best truck at the best price, I bought one with many added drive train improvements. Red came with most of its modifications, so I cannot say I did the work. However I have redone the suspension and performed many upgrades and repairs, so I can say the current condition and operating state is due to my handiwork.

Like many of you, I have a list of improvements waiting to get to. Happily, most of the improvements are elective rather than required. We have enjoyed the truck for almost one full year without trouble. I am proud of the truck, and the wife is happy, so there you go.

[rchalmers3]

I thought you might be interested in a peek at our locale, as it’s somewhat exotic. All photos are taken in close proximity to our house. Red is without extensive modifications to display, so I’m hoping to make up for the lack of technical content with some photos with interesting scenery.

As a brief introduction, I am a former automotive repair shop owner, having operated a business in the Ocean Beach area of San Diego for 13 years. At that time, I held master repair certification status and was a licensed smog inspection technician. Like many of you, I was a gear head from a young age.

[rchalmers3]

My wife and I met and married in San Diego. In fact, she was a client of my repair shop! We moved here in early 2005 and bought an established vacation rental/travel agency. We recently adopted 2 young girls: Francine and Celeste, two sisters ages 3 and 5.

[rchalmers3]

Off-roading and surfing are my main passions, so when we settled here I created an excuse to play with trucks by creating a second “business” of importing ex-military trucks, focusing on diesel Unimogs from Germany. My wife would probably explain to you it’s not a business, because businesses by definition are supposed to exchange goods and/or services for financial gain. Thus far I have been able to do a good job of providing goods and services, as well as have a heck of a bunch of off road fun! I’m still working on the financial gain part…..

[rchalmers3]

I have spent the past 3 years defining what I like to own and drive. Starting with an ‘82 BJ42 with power steering and suspension mods to clear large wheels, to a ‘80 HJ45LV truck that was modified with an extra-cab and wood bed, to a 1992 HZJ80, to our present HJ60, our past vehicles sound like a list of too old, too new, and just right! Looking back on the experience, each truck had good and bad things that could be said about each in regards to suitability for our needs. Ultimately, the minuses outweighed the plusses on each, and they were sold.
Red, our current Land Cruiser in the family was conceived, planned for, and is being built from our experiences from driving in our area of Costa Rica. We live in a developing area on the west coast, about 1 hour from a pavement road. I like to describe the 2 seasons we experience here as either dust or mud. Be it washed out roads, choking dust, river crossings, hideous washboards, or crawling tractor like up steeply cut new paths to reach a hill top, we rely on having our vehicle take us there reliably.

[rchalmers3]

Here are Reds vital stats: 1983 FJ60 converted to HJ60 using Canadian spec 2H. 4 speed trans, 4:88 gears with ARB lockers front and rear, 33” x 12.5” tires. ARB suspension for lift. On board air, Wilder-nest roof rack, Warn winch, Warn hubs, A/C.

The process of vehicle selection, locating, purchasing and conversion to diesel are already posted on the web. I encourage you to read up on the project, to better understand what we created for our family wagon. I will continue this thread tomorrow by describing some fixes performed since I last posted on the blog: Adventure Motors Costa Rica Note: the link takes you to part 4 of the write up. Scroll down for part 1 of the blog.

[kling-on]

nice rig ...cute kids..... and WOW what a beach

[NocalFJ60]

Nice cruiser and beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing.

[boots4]

Great pics of all kinds. I always like hearing why cruiserheads get into their cruisers. A cruiser just seems to be a natural part of the landscape off the paved road. Look forward to more.

[Off Duty]

Beautiful rig and kids. Congrats on the both

Costa Rica is beautiful! I've considered relocating there one day. Still not sure where I want to end up when I grow up

Nice to see a rig that gets daily use it was designed for

More pics of the ride and the area please.

Happy New Year!

[MrMoMo]

Sweet Rig! How about a shameless plug for the "vacation rental/travel agency" so we can all get to know Costa Rica better!! Some day I'd like to get the family down there - I'd really like to drive there but not sure that will happen.

[Tinker]

Ditto on the drive there angle, MoMo!

Care to comment on crime in SA, RC? Is it confined to the cities?

[GLTHFJ60]

Excellent rig!

Can you elaborate on the on board air system?

[90FJ62]

Great rig and nice Pictures. Costa Rica has some great views.

Dave

[Mace]

Awesome

[Ducks]

Awesome 'Mog. Why did you choose an HJ60 over an HZJ80?

[rchalmers3]

kling-on
NocalFJ60
boots4
Off Duty
90FJ62
Mace

Thanks guys. It is a pleasure to return the favor of the "brain trust".

Rick

[rchalmers3]

MrMoMo,

Thanks for asking: Nosara, Costa Rica - Vacation Rentals, Travel & Community Information

For my wifes view of the world: Playa Pelada

Also, if you click around on the Adventure Motors Costa Rica there is more car stuff from my travels and former lives.

Cheers,

Rick

[rchalmers3]

Tinker,

Drove up from here to San Diego this summer, so I can definitely recommend the journey for anyone who wants a life experience! I recently posted a synopsis: Adventure Motors Costa Rica the top post is from the 17th of December, chronicling the journey, including across country on Route 66 and into Canada.

Regarding crime, our area has petty crime, but killings and violence are very rare. Our houses have bars and locking safes to guard personal property, but you are not likely to encounter a situation of personal safety.

Rick

[rchalmers3]

Ducks,

The short answer is that she didn't like it.

The long answer is that I could not find adequate support here to affect rapid repairs for the various electrical things that would fail: Window motors, window switches, A/C control module, glow plugs and so on.

I acknowledge the 80 series trucks are nice. I'd get another one if I drove highways or was in a collection frame of mind. However I stand by the 60 series for a daily driver proven to be the best of the best.

There is one dealership in Costa Rica, Purdy Motors, S.A. They are good for A and B level replacement items, but if it's out of stock or a C level part needed, you must wait 45 days sometimes for parts.

The spousal unit and I looked at the impact of the elevated sophistication of the 80 series on our transportation needs and opted for something less "electrified": A combination of the simplicity of the 45LV, but with interior seating for 5.

The wifey was unaware of the 55, and I think they are too old and ugly, so I didn't consider those! The 70 series would be my choice, but the boss thinks they are too utilitarian looking, plus you can't get a 4 door wagon here for some reason. I know 4 door wagons are available new in Nicaragua, I saw a few on the road there. But even if there was a 70 4 door wagon available, I would have a hard time justifying paying big money for a depreciating asset.

I prefer to buy, repair and maintain fully depreciated assets!

Given all that, it's the 60's for us!

Hope that answers your question,

Rick

[rchalmers3]

Originally Posted by GLTHFJ60

Excellent rig!

Can you elaborate on the on board air system?

GLTHFJ60,

The on board system on my truck is a air compressor from ARB that is designed to deliver much more than is needed to operate the lockers.

I will adress the on board system in a few days.

Cheers,

Rick

[rchalmers3]

When the trucks arrived, a friend and I flew to San Jose to receive the trucks from the customs house and drive them the 6 hours back home. An unfortunate circumstance presented itself when we were all paid up and ready to leave: a customs worker had crossed the battery cables on the 24v truck, melting the lead battery posts into pretty but useless metal puddles lying on the top of the battery case. After some time there in the customs yard, I “engineered” a fix that got us going, but later after I got home I replaced the batteries and installed marine post clamps. I then soldered/crimped eyelets to the cables and painted grease on the joint between the battery post and case, to seal in any possible gas leaks at this juncture. I also took the opportunity to replace the battery trays.

[rchalmers3]

I found a solution to the intermittent charging system problem. The charging system would often fail, indicated by the brake, charge lamp and fuel sensor lights all coming on. The “Charge Lamp Relay” had a broken solder joint on the printed circuit inside the box. What a joy it was to affect a much needed repair by simply soldering a connection!

Finding the source of the severe surge was fairly simple. The problem was that I had taken a motor out of a truck with an auto transmission. The auto transmission has a spring loaded cable (known as a “throttle valve” or “TV” cable) that connects to the throttle lever on the injection pump. By removing the cable I had reduced the spring loading on the I.P. lever by about 75%. This allowed a very light pressure on the throttle pedal to move the throttle lever, setting up the surge.

[rchalmers3]

When I added another spring to the throttle lever, the surge was reduced. I don’t currently have a spring with sufficient pressure, so there is still some surge that will occur. Since I know what to do about the remaining surge, I have done nothing more. Driving to avoid the symptom has me lug the motor a little and not drive it in higher revs. I kinda like tractoring around at 700-1200 rpm!

[rchalmers3]

After pricing a used A/C compressor mount, I chose to deviate from my ordinary course of action. While I would have preferred to keep a Toyota motor all Toyota, this was one case where the extra expenditure was not justified. I bought a new 24v compressor in San Jose and fabricated a bracket for mounting the compressor and tensioner pulley. I positioned the compressor as far forward as possible, to clear the engine dipstick and to make room for a future turbo install. The crank and water pump pulleys were collected from Australia. I created a thread for the fabrication here: http://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wa...-w-photos.html

[rchalmers3]

Then after mounting the compressor and selecting a belt to fit, I tested the compressor clutch power circuit and found it didn’t work. Discovering the A/C amplifier needed a gasser motor tach signal, I replaced the amplifier with a relay and adjustable expansion valve. This allows all the circuit and compressor protection of the original amplifier. When the wiring was working, I had custom hoses constructed and the system charged. The system works well and I have received zero complaints, which is good……
Tomorrow I’ll continue with more solutions and repairs.

[boots4]

Thanks for the AC link, I'll need to do something similar to my wiring since I've converted to a diesel as well, although I'm still 12V. I'll be picking you brain come summer time.

[Tapage]

Rick .. nice thread .. I never thought you have your 60 well prepared ..

How much time from Tamarindo to playa pelada .. ? seen your map .. looks like you have plenty of tourins development there .. plenty of bars and places.

[Dirtgypsy]

aaahahaha the ROTM is back!! Finally.

Very nice truck and right on with the choice for your family duties over the other options. I do disagree with you however and say the the pig is anything but ugly!!


How's the 4.88's with the diesel power? Over revved on the hwy?

Clint