Expedition prep - Latin America - Step 1 (2 Viewers)

[tglaser]

Expedition prep - Latin America - Step 1 Rig Selection

Ok guys. I'm 28. And I've been dreaming of roaming for an indeterminate amount of time through Latin America for a solid 10 years...there's just something about the wonderful hospitality of the locals, the awe-inspiring landscapes and the pure adventure of it all that hasn't let me let go of this dream.

Steps have been taken and (very loose) plans have been made. I've thrown myself out there before to see what I can handle and this is the next natural progression. Used to backpacking solo for weeks at a time, etc. Don't have any plans to get to a certain destination at this point, just want to make it up as I go.



Rough breakdown:

1. Head west from Austin, TX
2. South at Tijuana
3. And continue S/SE until something else happens...

I've read hours and hours worth of expedition threads on here and other sites but would like some personal help/hints/whatever for this trip. Seriously, whatever you can throw at me in terms of advice. Read all of DMC's and others' threads and blogs - what an inspiration!

First thing - decide on a rig. I don't plan to build a completely self-sufficient vehicle, much rather buy one that is highly reliable, rugged, and hopefully something easy to find parts for in Mexico and further south. A good stereo, A/C and something to help keep a low profile are other considerations.

My first inclination is a 95-01 Tacoma for fuel efficiency and dependability. Lockers would be good, as would some sort of camping shell. Thought about the 4-dr version for accessibility and more room for junk. I have never owned a Taco, but the comments i've heard/read have been overwhelmingly positive.

Or...there is always the famed 80. My only real reservations would be vehicle cost and fuel cost. The rest seems self explanitory. Tried and true, tested and proven time and time again. But again, at a cost.



BTW,i'm hoping to spend somewhere between $4-$7k on the vehicle...the rest on tacos and beer.


So lets have it...what do you all think? I figure a solid 20K miles and 6-9 months on the road. I wouldn't be going in full "expedition style"; where possible I'd stay in hotels or hostels and camp when appropriate. I'd really like to hear any and all thoughts...don't hold back.


I've thought and thought and talked and talked about doing this....time to DO it!

 

[cruiser_guy]

If you're game plan is to travel primarily in Mexico then a 'Cruiser is not the vehicle for you. If you are heading primarily further south then a 'Cruiser would be just fine. Parts are not readily available and the mechanics will not be familiar with 'Cruisers in Mexico. A Toyota pickup, on the other hand, is a popular vehicle and parts are readily available throughout Latin America (this would also include the 4Runner as they share the drive train). Be aware though, that the pickup/4Runner is a popular vehicle to steal as the parts are easily sold.

For years Mexico had strict vehicle import laws and the only new vehicles available were vehicles produced in Mexico. That list includes the "Big 3" (which arn't so "Big" any more), Nissan and Volkswagen. Toyota pickups were brought in as used vehicles from the states are are very popular. Since the early 2000's Toyota and other makes have been selling vehicles so if you have a newer vehicle it may not be a problem.

As for travelling, we stay away from the border areas as much as possible as I personally think that is the most dangerous area of Mexico. Naturally you need to pass through but that's all we do. Heading north we'll stop 3-4 hours at least, south of the border and then make a dash for the border at first light. Heading south we enter as early as possible to get as far south as possible before dark.

 

[roscoFJ73]

Have you considered a 60 series? Put a roof top tent on and your ready to go. I dont think you will need lockers if your following defined roads ,although I understand they can get bad.
I would get a bullbar, a long range tank and an extra battery.

 

[cruiser_guy]

Have you considered a 60 series? Put a roof top tent on and your ready to go. I dont think you will need lockers if your following defined roads ,although I understand they can get bad.
I would get a bullbar, a long range tank and an extra battery.

The '60 is just as scarce as any 'Cruiser in Mexico. Lockers are not essential but in the rainy season on dirt roads you'll appreciate them. Pemex, the national oil company, is well represented everywhere we've been in Mexico. If you make sure you fill up when your down to 1/2 you should be OK but having said that I'm getting a long range tank.

 

[Shahram]

From my own experience, I've learned the following:

Toyota is not as prevalent in Mexico as in other Latin American countries. They do have newer Tacomas now, but the parts service and mechanic availability in rural areas may be lacking. I'm blaspheming here, but you may be better off with a domestic vehicle. Jeeps and the Big 3 pickups are prevalent, parts are widely available, and Mexican mechanics are accustomed to working on them.

With that said, I have travelled extensively through Baja in a '95 2WD Tacoma, and have been to Baja in my 80, but not as much.

If I had to purchase the "Ultimate Mexico-mobile", I'd be hard-pressed to think of an 80, or a Toyota at all. I'd probably go with an American pickup, 4x4, solid front axle, heavy duty. Preferably carb'd, as low mileage as possible, with the most simple drive-train and the least electrical amenities. No modifications, just PM and good tires (BFG AT/KOs, in a common size), with two matching spares in the back. Keeping a low profile in a vehicle like this is a cinch, considering their prevalence and use as work trucks. Finding a specimen with a beat down body, but with a solid drive-train, is easy. Purchase price will be cheaper, too. A fiberglas camper shell with screened, tinted windows, a roof vent, and solid locks can be found on Craigo-listo for a pittance. Extra points if the color is white.

Nissan is also a lot more prevalent than Toyota in Mexico. If you can handle the lack of space, you could do a lot worse than the D-21 variant trucks (pre-'97 Pathfinders and "Hard Body" pickups). While much more complicated and expensive to replace parts for, these models are widely used throughout Mexico, and mechanics know them well. The D-21s are the ONLY Nissan trucks I'd trust to go the distance.

If you choose a Toyota, a Tacoma is a fair choice, for efficiency and load-bearing, as you mentioned. My 2WD was an unstoppable beast, reliable as hell and durable as an ox. Parts most likely to break are leaf springs, which are replaceable anywhere. Like I said, the parts service there is less prevalent, so just make sure you are prepared to be delayed and do some finagling if things go pear-shaped with your Toyota in Mexico.

Meanwhile, mitigate breakage:

--Stick to as close to stock as humanly possible. Chances are, if something breaks, it's directly related to a modification. With that said, good all-terrains in a common size is a good start. Make sure all your steering and suspension parts are in good working order. If needed, replace, with OEM or reputable aftermarket parts. Don't overbuild...all of Mexico can be explored in a VW bug. A Rubicon-ready rock crawler is less effective for the job.

--Avoid overloading as if it were the plague. Instead of trying to figure out how close you can get to under GVWR, try and get as far below it as possible. Sacrifice what you must, but keep it as light as possible. You may not experience the level of technical trails that you would here, but you will be traveling some horrible, horrible roads. Keeping it light, airing down, and reducing speed will reduce failure risks to a certain extent. Keep gear organized in bins, and keep bins strapped down to the floor. Try to keep gear levels under the window lines. It attracts less attention and lowers your center of gravity.

--A/C sucks. It saps power, guzzles gas, and will only make you feel hotter at the end of the day. I'd avoid it. My A/C took a crap a couple of years ago in the Mojave, on a 120º day. We were hot in the car, but when we got to camp and the driving was done, everyone who had spent the day in A/C was complaining of the heat, while I and the people who drove with me were acclimated and quite comfortable.

Mitigate theft/trouble:

If you're worried about undue attention from locals, don't bother trying to "blend in" or some such nonsense. You'll stick out like sore thumbs in most places, regardless of what you do. Driving a super-lifted wannabe monster trophy truck, with tons of off-road crap attached to it and a kickass tribal paint job might attract some eyes and hands, but a discreet vehicle driven discreetly goes a long way in keeping it on the down low.

Avoid what Tom Sheppard calls "Serious Expedition Image Syndrome". No roof racks full of geri cans and camping gear. Forget the roof tent--they look awesome, but they're way too heavy, they tie two unrelated things together (sleeping and driving--"I want to go into town and buy bread, and my buddy wants to sleep off a hangover, and now one of us is disappointed"), it's highly unlikely a lion will tear into your tent and kill you in Cuernavaca, plus it screams "LOOK AT ME, I'M ON EXPEDITION! BET THERE'S A SAT PHONE IN HERE!" Keep it discreet. Same with body-mounted tools or cans--keep that stuff inside. Get a lockable Yakima or Thule "bubble-style" cargo container up on your roof, if you absolutely must take that much gear, and keep only the lightest-and-bulkiest stuff up there (sleeping gear, lawn chairs, etc.), and no more than 50 lbs. altogether. Avoid a lot of off-road lighting, as it's largely unnecessary, 'cause if you're smart and you like living, you won't be driving at night, and hopefully not at the speeds which would warrant sending the next quarter-mile into daylight.

Hope that helps a little, and take my opinionated ass with a grain of salt. I'm a pontifical mofo, and I have little tolerance for the champagne-and-caviar expedition crowd. When I think of how little equipment I used to go weeks and weeks with, comfortably, every time I hear someone say "First on the list? A $1,000 Engle fridge! Oh, and I can't live without my Adventure Trailer! Oh, and my utility belt of Sure-fires and Lowrance GPS and designer knives and laptop and Italian hiking boots and blah blah blah!", I think "Oh really?" To think, I drove hundreds of miles of dirt, in a 2WD pickup, and my equipment fit in one Rubbermaid kitchen bin, one cooler, and a Jansport book-bag. Hell, I only brought one pair of rubber flip-flops for a month-long trip! (Don't do this. Bring a back-up pair of flip-flops. Trust me.)

 

[Exiled]

Sounds from your description that you're not planning too hard to make it to South America, so the bulk of your expedition will be spent between Mexico and Panama, right? I don't know if a Tacoma is the right vehicle for such a trip, but it's doable, as long as the vehicle is in really solid mechanical shape. You mentioned $4K-$7K for the vehicle, is that purchase price + preparation? Even ommitting the trappings of "glamping" (glam camping), that's not a very realistic budget in my opinion. 20,000 miles in Mexico/Central America could be tough on the vehicle, so you want a solid suspension, great brakes and tires, the engine in top shape, the drivetrain in top shape.

Sounds like a great adventure, one that I wish I'd done before I got married/had kids and completed the transformation from wheeler/expedition guide/happy-go-lucky adventurer into uber-responsible dad!

Before you leave Austin, let us know, we'll buy some cold beer and a case of Shiner to take down with you.

 

[tglaser]

First - thanks for the replies. Practical info there...lots of things that hadn't crossed my mind yet.

As for the Mexico focus, that's only for the initial voyage south. I'm hoping time in Central America will be as least as long as Mexico, for what it's worth. And I'll definitely have a thorough go-through of whatever the chosen vehicle is...trying to keep mechanical failure at bay through prevention as much as possible.

The draw of keeping such a low starting budget is flexibility. If I get down to the gap and don't want to hassle with the barcas down there, then i can just slap a for sale sign on it....at least that's an option. If I spend twice what I want to, it'd be more difficult to find a buyer.

And I have spent some time in Western Africa, Senegal and the Gambia so I'm no stranger to rough roads and even rougher situations. That's a truly beautiful spot on the map, but I'll be damned if I drive it again.

So far the Tacoma idea isn't getting much traction here. Sharam made mention of an American made vessel - I have an 05 F150 4x4 that could make the trip, but I'd rather not. Between driving the Ford and my FJ40, I'd almost rather take the 40. Any other thoughts? 4runner, older truck, T100 maybe?

As an aside, many thanks to Sharam for taking the time to pass along all that information. Much appreciated.

 

[Exiled]

If you have an FJ40 already, why not take that? Spend the money on improving its reliability. As others pointed out, Mexico isn't Toyota country, but Central America, on the other hand, is ripe with Land Cruisers of all models (less in Belize, but still available) and parts availability shouldn't be an issue. Shoot for a tire type and size that will be practical for long hauls on questionable roads and also that could possibly be replaced in whatever country you find yourself in.

I would much rather take an FJ40 of any vintage than any domestic truck, but I'm biased, I'm a Cruiserhead!

 

[Shahram]

I have an 05 F150 4x4 that could make the trip, but I'd rather not. Between driving the Ford and my FJ40, I'd almost rather take the 40. Any other thoughts? 4runner, older truck, T100 maybe?

The advantage to the 40 might be the ease of trailside repair, barring the need for replacement parts. Other than that, no real advantage. Outside of Mexico, the FJ40 starts to look a lot better. Honduras, Belize, Costa Rica...no problem.

Older Toyota trucks are sort of common in Northern Mexico, in close proximity to the US border, but only because they are personal imports, usually Mexicans who bought them while living in the US. Again, parts are a problem.

Your '05 4x4 might be better in terms of parts availability and mechanic prevalence, but its reliability is questionable, as is its relative worth. Insurance costs will be high, and here's something that hasn't been discussed...the ultimate Mex-mobile is one you can walk away from at a moment's notice.

This is why something older, with a long run of widely available parts, simple drive-train, heavy duty suspension and axles, and little to no amenities, is the best bet. Before they got into the Straight Veggie Oil truck that they're rocking now (which runs like crap), the Malloy Brothers (a family of roving pro surfers, in case you didn't know) were driving a beat up early '80s Ford F-250 4x4 with a solid front axle and a lumber rack for surfboards. It had a heater...and not much else. This vehicle had a number of advantages, the most advantageous of which was abandonability, the ability to chuck it at any time with nary a tear of regret. Plus, insurance is next to nothing on a vehicle like that. That's huge when you're counting your beer pennies.

As an aside, many thanks to Sharam for taking the time to pass along all that information. Much appreciated.

No problem. I'm chock full of information that has so few uses. Thanks for listening, and let me tell you something: DO THE TRIP. Just do the fxxxing trip, man. However and whatever you need to do, just do it. You may be at the tail end of an era in the tradition of road trips, so you'd better do it soon.

I did a few....and I look back on those road trips as some of the finest moments of my life. And I can't wait for the next one.

 

[efuentes]

Buy a 91-94 Cherokee for a couple of grand, a mild lift, 33sx10.5 tires and basic spares, leave the back seat at home and cram everything inside.

Join jeeperos.com and I bet that some of my buddies will be able to help you fix anything on that truck in a day, anywhere in Mexico.

Saludos and have a nice trip.

I do drive a Toyota, but offroad wise, Mexico is Jeep Country

 

[cruiser_guy]

So far the Tacoma idea isn't getting much traction here. Sharam made mention of an American made vessel - I have an 05 F150 4x4 that could make the trip, but I'd rather not. Between driving the Ford and my FJ40, I'd almost rather take the 40. Any other thoughts? 4runner, older truck, T100 maybe?

I would not abandon the thought of a Toyota pickup/4Runner so fast. They are throughout Mexico, not just in the north. Personally I think that once you leave Mexico then the "Big 3" are not nearly as common. They are there but no one wants one (any guesses why?). The 22R engine in the Toyota pickup/4Runner has parts availability here like the Chevy 350 at home.

As for selling a vehicle down here in Central America, forget it! It's a bad idea that can get you in trouble FAST! Plan on the vehicle returning with you unless you can sell it to another guy who wants to do the trip in reverse (just make sure that guy speaks spanish well and has lots of money for bribes!).

 

[LifeOverland]

As for selling a vehicle down here in Central America, forget it! It's a bad idea that can get you in trouble FAST! Plan on the vehicle returning with you unless you can sell it to another guy who wants to do the trip in reverse (just make sure that guy speaks spanish well and has lots of money for bribes!).

I'll second that! I tried and tried to buy a vehicle while backpacking from Panama up to MX. I talked around and heard nothing bad horrible stories. I even tried buying a VW Rabbit from another American, still problems with titling, etc.

Oh and do the Trip!! I'm hoping to get back down that way under my own power this time!

 

[Toyo Boyo]

Shahram, yours has to be some of the best advice I have ever seen - and I completely agree.

I will be travelling France / Spain / Andorra / Pyrenees / France and back to the UK through the summer and lightness is my main goal.

Whilst I am working on what not to take (but get all PM sorted), one of the group is taking a military trailer (1/2 ton empty). Totally ridiculous.

Anyway, love the advice - keep it coming because it is relevant for all travellers (Mexico sounds scary, all I'm going to have to cope with is some stroppy French lol).

 

[cruiser_guy]

If you want to learn what you need vs. what you want or think you need, take a week or two unsupported backpacking trip. You'll quickly discover what is essential and what is "fluff". I can quite easily head out with a duffle bag and have basically whatever I'll need, not whatever I might want.

I'll NEVER tow a trailer, if I think I need a trailer then I need to trim the amount of junk I'm taking. If I was travelling solo a pickup would probably suffice a double cab pickup would be plenty large and a 4Runner or similar would be cavernous!!

When we moved to Guatemala in 2004 with my wife and three teenage sons we have everything in the BJ60 with a rooftop carrier, NO trailer, nothing to follow us down.

 

[tglaser]

Alright...a little more research done and still leaning in the toyota truck direction. Found a couple CL deals - late 80s, 4x4, fresh 22re and new BFGs - all for about $5000. Perfect! Like Shahram mentioned ditchability is key for this project. Things get hairy and I can grab my two packs and hoof it from there. The bus systems are fairly reliable and my spanish is solid. Don't want to be tied to my truck- literally or figuratively.

Efuentes- thanks a bunch for the heads up. Mochis and Barrancas del Cobre and Torreon actually a few of the spots i'm dying to visit while I'm down there. If you like, you can check out a real rough map of the first 4000 mi...

Untitled2 - Google Maps

And yeah, i'm thinking F the F150. I'll give it to my parents or something on the way out. Twas my first and last Ford. Not worth a damn these days.

Shahram - Man I can't tell you how much i appreciate the words of encouragement. As tough as i like to think i am it's still a big deal to tear off on your own like that. But like you say, there comes a time to do a thing like this...to remind yourself of how big and amazing the world really is.


One more thing - anyone have any wisdom re: insurance? Can I register here in the states and be done with it? Or do I need insurance of the mexican/guatamalan/el salvadorean variety?

OK then.

 

[randito]

Yeah, I completely agree upon going with a 22r series truck. They are probably the most common vehicle in Baja, cheap and reliable. You should easily be able to get a good one for less than $5000, bought my '86 w/ 120k a year ago for $2500. Use the rest of the money to get the drive train tip top, some 31" bfgs and you're good to go. Once in Mex, a little mud on the plates and you will blend!

Are you surfing along the way? Is that why you're gonna enter through TJ? Otherwise, I heard the ferry is a pain in the a.

Also as far as insurance goes, I'd look into getting it from an American agent. I went through a place called place called Discover Baja and year's worth of insurance was around $110. Something to look into. Have fun!

 

[cruiser_guy]

On the insurance end, whatever insurance you have for Mexico is from a Mexican underwriter, whether you use a US agent or not. You will need a different policy for Belize, easily available at the border, a different policy for Central America (mine covers me in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica) not so easy to find though. My policy is with G&T http://www.gytcontinental.com.gt/gytca/ but they are not close to the border as far as I know. You'll need something different in Panama I guess though I have not been there.

Every country will need to see the ORIGINAL title with YOUR NAME on it. Don't even try this trip without that document in your possession and check to ENSURE every serial number and other bit of data is correct and if possible make sure your name is the same on all documents (all documents, drivers licence, passport and vehicle title, should match).

 

[roscoFJ73]

The '60 is just as scarce as any 'Cruiser in Mexico. .

I was under the inpression he was more interested in further south.

 

[Hltoppr]

Um...what's wrong with the FJ40 in your sig line?

Seriously....tune that thing up and head South. It'll make it.

Budget $1K a month and just go. If you want to ship from Panama to Colombia, etc., I'd budget at least $1500 for RORO (Roll on, roll off).

-H-

 

[cruiser_guy]

I was under the inpression he was more interested in further south.

He's not totally clear.

As for the Mexico focus, that's only for the initial voyage south. I'm hoping time in Central America will be as least as long as Mexico, for what it's worth.

I like my '60 and I'm NOT about to change simply because I pass though Mexico a couple of times a year. Then again, I'm the only guy allowed under the hood of my trucks so I can likely fix whatever is needed.

A '60 would be an ideal vehicle if it is primarily for further south but not necessarily if it is Mexico.