The perfect Pan-American Expedition Vehicle

[sandcruiser]

I guess that sometimes "Best is the enemy of Good"
in reality, I'll bet that Tundras will serve for the purposes that have been described. Certainly not the best, but certainly good and probably good enough. Better than a Ford, at least.
Having said that: this is officially the last time I suggest: go with 80s.

[cruiser_guy]

Originally Posted by dmc

the tacomas and hilux are fundamentally different. the Tacos are made in Tennessee and I believe the Hilux still come from Japan. running gear and motors are different as well.
dmc

The Hilux that a fellow here at the school has is made in Argentina! It's one of the newer style turbo diesel models with the D4D engine. That makes me think that parts have to be available all over South America as well.

[1tontoy]

When I lived in Brazil, I owned a 2001 Hilux. It was made in Argentina, like all Hiluxes in South America (and CA??)...Parts are highly available. It was essentially a pre-1995 US pickup with 3.0L, 4 cyl. diesel motor....and double cab!! Almost same chassis as an extended cab

Technically, before 1995, the US pickups were considered Hiluxes. In 1995 'Tacoma' was born in US markets. Hilux continued elsewhere around the world. The Tacoma is basically a Hilux with different styling and badging and no diesel.

Some of the later model Tacomas are made in Japan, Fremont California, and some in Mexico.

[1tontoy]

I guess an argument for the Tundra platform is here:

The World By Road - Drive Around the World with Us....Challenging Perceptions Worldwide Not sure if you guys have seen this. Around the world roadtrip by some fellow Coloradans!! Nice website, too.

[dmc]

Originally Posted by cruiser_guy

The Hilux that a fellow here at the school has is made in Argentina! It's one of the newer style turbo diesel models with the D4D engine. That makes me think that parts have to be available all over South America as well.

the hilux i drove in Honduras had the D4D. that is a sweet motor.
dmc

[dmc]

Originally Posted by 1tontoy

When I lived in Brazil, I owned a 2001 Hilux. It was made in Argentina, like all Hiluxes in South America (and CA??)...Parts are highly available. It was essentially a pre-1995 US pickup with 3.0L, 4 cyl. diesel motor....and double cab!! Almost same chassis as an extended cab

Technically, before 1995, the US pickups were considered Hiluxes. In 1995 'Tacoma' was born in US markets. Hilux continued elsewhere around the world. The Tacoma is basically a Hilux with different styling and badging and no diesel.

Some of the later model Tacomas are made in Japan, Fremont California, and some in Mexico.

are they made at NUMMI? I thought NUMMI was Matrix and Corolla? learn something new everyday. Does the Hilux have hte 4.0 liter v6? or only the 2.7? I also thought the new Hilux was 5 lug? I guess i should pay more attention.

[1tontoy]

Yes NUMMI currently produces the Tacoma, IIRC. My 2001 double cab tacoma was made at NUMMI. Funny cause my 2001 Hilux was very different than the US Tacoma. At the time I owned a 2001 Tacoma double cab and a Brazillian 2001 double cab Hilux. I would have preferred the Hilux any day of the week because of the diesel. Mine had an aftermarket turbo (Garret, I believe) and had great power and fuel economy. And, I only paid 14K for the Hilux (with leather and A/C) when my Tacoma was much more. I wish I could have brought my Hilux back to the states. Ended up selling it.

My hilux had 3.0 4 cyl. diesel. I believe the new ones have 4.0 or 4.2L v6. The 2.7 (2.8) 4cyl. was up until late 90's. Straight block motors are superior to V configurations for reliability and durability.

[dmc]

yeah i had no idea they were NUMMI vehicles. thanks for setting me straight. I did find the that 2.7 4cyl is found in the current Hilux. I had a guy tell me in Guat that that 3.0 diesel would run on anything that burned. He said dump stuff in there and just go. he was being sarcastic but he had 400k on his hilux and said it had no signs of slowing down.

About the v6 vs 4cyl. My friend who is a technical trainer for Toyota told me that the 3.4 liter 5VZ has one of the highest reliablity rates of any Toy motor and the 2uz is not far behind. Now granted, and he admits, the motors are still realitively new compared to the 22re or the camry motor of the early 90s.

(hijack officially over)

Go get two 80s Jilt.
dmc

[cruiser_guy]

Originally Posted by dmc

Does the Hilux have hte 4.0 liter v6? or only the 2.7?

2.7 VVTi if it's a gasser and there are not too many of them here in Guatemala. I've only seen the cops driving them but then they trash them in a year or two anyways.

[cruiser_guy]

2008 Toyota HiLux turbo-diesel 4x4 with the 2.5 D4D engine on sale here in Guatemala for Q141,000 which is about $20,000 brand new!!

Why can't they sell them at home?

[canucksafari]

Originally Posted by cruiser_guy

Why can't they sell them at home?

Because it would kill their Taco market.

[cruiser_guy]

Originally Posted by canucksafari

Because it would kill their Taco market.

Also, I found out they sell for about 1/2 the price of a new FJ Cruiser!?!?!

John, you gotta know that many of the used Tacoma's end up down here anyways.

[canucksafari]

Charles, I wish I could bring one of the Hiluxes home. What does a double cab hilux sell for?

I here there is some movement towards the UNECE regs in Ottawa. If TC changed the saftey regs to the European standard, it would open up the Canadian market to these great trucks.

[Gallo Pinto]

Originally Posted by sandcruiser

I guess that sometimes "Best is the enemy of Good"
in reality, I'll bet that Tundras will serve for the purposes that have been described. Certainly not the best, but certainly good and probably good enough. Better than a Ford, at least.
Having said that: this is officially the last time I suggest: go with 80s.

True dat!Although I love my 60 I reckon a 80 will be a good choice for these kinds of trips, only downside I see is the fuel consumption.Hey SandCruiser, are you still doing the real estate thing in Guanacaste?

[cruiser_guy]

Originally Posted by canucksafari

Charles, I wish I could bring one of the Hiluxes home. What does a double cab hilux sell for?

I here there is some movement towards the UNECE regs in Ottawa. If TC changed the saftey regs to the European standard, it would open up the Canadian market to these great trucks.

I'm not sure what the double cab goes for. I just saw the ad for the single cab. If Canada is able to get those trucks then the Americans will really be drooling!!

[efuentes]

CruiserGuy,

About how much are the 4D4 HiLux motors, are they easy to come by? I think i just had an Idea

Jlit,

Why do you need to go to Mexico city to get a HiLux?, they are for sale at any border town Toyota dealer, Like Nogales, Tijuana, Nuevo Laredo, etc ...

Now if you need a real Bus, this one has been rolling up and down the tarahumaran mountains for gods know how long ...




Saludos

[cruiser_guy]

Originally Posted by efuentes

CruiserGuy,

About how much are the 4D4 HiLux motors, are they easy to come by? I think i just had an Idea

I doubt you will find those motors very easily yet. They are too new and you'd really need a complete truck as they are electronically controlled so you need computers and all that "good" stuff.

[sandcruiser]

hey gallopinto
yep, still in RE here in Tamarindo. Feel free to email me directly: steve [at] bbcostarica.com

[rchalmers3]

Originally Posted by efuentes

Now if you need a real Bus, this one has been rolling up and down the tarahumaran mountains for gods know how long ...




Saludos

THAT'S THE ANSWER! jlit, this thread has produced an elegant and fitting solution for your proposed journey. Build a bus like that, paint it some hideous color scheme and party all the way down the continent!

efuentes, buen concepto, amigo!


Rick

[dhfox]

Two landcruisers outfitted well will be your best option. (80 series are a good choice) - they can be found all over the world, especially the third world!

They are the only vehicles that locals trust.

Engines are easy to work on, parts are easy to get...

Coming from someone who lives in a third world asia country for years, if you DON'T get a landcruiser for this expedition, you've made a huge mistake.

In my humble opinion of course. on your expedition.

[Young Pete]

jilt: just get two used fzj80's and call it the day. (how many people have been recommending this solution to you)

good day to u.

[bjowett]

My vote is a couple of new Tundras. Toyota finally placed their Land Cruiser parts in a full size truck.

[cruiser_guy]

Originally Posted by bjowett

My vote is a couple of new Tundras.

Have you travelled in Central and South America? I can count on the fingers of ONE hand the number of Tundra's I've seen in four YEARS in Guatemala!! I would not get a Tundra because of the lack of parts support. They are a US only vehicle, not sold outside of the US and Canada.

[bjowett]

You are correct, they are not available outside the USA/Canada... BUT it does appear that the 200 series shares a significant number of parts with the Tundra. I suppose my biggest hang up would be that it sticks out and that will make it an easy target to spy.. it just fits the size requirement well.

[joshoisasleep]

Can you get 200's down here???
Yeah having a beat up looking cruiser is awesome. One even better benefit strangely enough is having an overly LOUD truck. At check stops they wave you on quickly... nobody ever wants to hassle you because they don't want you stopping near them with all that noise! Old and beat up is the key!