FJ60 Texas to Costa Rica or Bust!!!

[76 Tico BJ40]

Well, the adventure has begun. I bought a 1984 FJ60 for $1,500 today. The sole purpose to drive it from Texas to Costa Rica.

My buddy and I have three months to plan the trip and road test the heck out of the Cruiser.

Any thoughts?

1984 FJ60, 106,000 miles, complete overhaul two years ago, new tires, Ramsey winch, flaking paint, AC blows cold. Just the way I want it....

 

[sirenmoses]

WOW, congrats on a great score. How bout some pix?

 

[Michael Hanson]

Find all sources of parts and clubs to help on the roads your taking.2cents Mike

 

[BG_TX]

Any thoughts?

Armor the vehicle, cage the windows... and some firearms, just not 'assault rifles' since the US is the primary channel for arming MX cartels (per Whitehouse Souse).

Pics and welcome!

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Welcome!!

Now what do you mean by complete overhaul? If you mean that the t-case, axles and drive shafts have been rebuilt recently, then I'd say you're pretty much good to go aside from personal preferences. More details!!

 

[cruiser_guy]

Armor the vehicle, cage the windows... and some firearms, just not 'assault rifles' since the US is the primary channel for arming MX cartels (per Whitehouse Souse).

Pics and welcome!

Just a little paranoid are we?

"76 Tco BJ40" when are you making the trip? I need to go from Guatemala to San Jose with my BJ60 in late May, early June.

 

[Living in the Past]

Armor the vehicle, cage the windows... and some firearms, just not 'assault rifles' since the US is the primary channel for arming MX cartels (per Whitehouse Souse).

Just a FYI you do not want to take any firearms into Mexico. Some poor guy put his shotgun into the truck of his car to make sure his grandkids did get hold of it while visiting. Forgot about it and when to Mexico then got thrown in jail. It took months for the US goverment to get the guy back into the US. Not sure if he they were able to get the his car back. I doubt it. So if you decide to take weapons please drive a Ford/Chevy/Dodge. Won't have to worry about making all the was to Costa Rica the Mexico border is all the further you'll get That way we can keep a low mileage 60 here in the states.

 

[76 Tico BJ40]

""76 Tco BJ40" when are you making the trip? I need to go from Guatemala to San Jose with my BJ60 in late May, early June. "

Early August...Job requirements keep me here until then.

 

[76 Tico BJ40]

Welcome!!

Now what do you mean by complete overhaul? If you mean that the t-case, axles and drive shafts have been rebuilt recently, then I'd say you're pretty much good to go aside from personal preferences. More details!!

Based on the character that I bought if from a complete overhaul means he changed the oil and wiped down the oil leaks.

 

[D'Animal]

LOL

I was thinking the same thing.

Based on the character that I bought if from a complete overhaul means he changed the oil and wiped down the oil leaks.

There is no way an FJ60 should need overhauled at 106k miles. Unless of course it was underwater during one of those floods/hurricanes.

 

[76 Tico BJ40]

"WOW, congrats on a great score. How bout some pix?"


Well, her name is Lucy. As the story goes, it started out as a vehicle for a drilling company, but was purchased by a wealthy gentlemen in '92 who parked it at the King Ranch and used it for quail hunting twice a year. While parked there it got driven about once a week and regularly maintained. When he died last year, he bequethed it to his nephew who had no use for it and no room to park it since he already had 4 or 5 other vehicles.

According to the nephew, about $3800 was spent on an overhaul two years ago. But I have no records of that.

I lived in Costa Rica for two years, had a house and a 76 BJ40 named Bocho that I traveled extensively through Costa Rica and Nicaragua. "Bocho" is the Costa Rican way of saying pile of junk. It was a beast, but a money pit. It broke down often, but never left me stranded, and in Central America, there is a big difference between the two. I bought that rig for $3,000, spent at least $3000 to keep it running for a year and felt lucky to get $3,000 back out of it.


I had to leave CR for financial reasons (only 34 and not independantly wealthy) and miserable stint in South Korea, I have been working a contract in Texas.

Happily married, with a 6 month old. Wives and kids (not my two wives, but my wife and my buddy's wife) will fly to meet us in Guatamala, then fly from Guatamala to Nicaragua when we get down there, to finish of the trip.

My wife says go for it! She is only disappointed that she can't make the road trip too, but not willing to put a 6 month old through the drive.

My buddy is x-military, did contract security work in Mexico for just under a year and is much more bilingual than I.

Like I said, we have about 3 months to put the plans in place and road check the 60.

If there are any FJ60 nuts in San Antonio, and you can want to check out the FJ and offer technical advice, let me know.

And no, we will take no firearms or knives or anything else that resembles a weapon through Mexico. I would rather pay a friendly bribe than think I could defend myself.

 

[D'Animal]

Nice looking rig

Are you working on your spare parts to take with you list yet?

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Looks good! To get a baseline, check out some basics in your engine and check all the fluids to see the condition of each.

Like D'Animal said, start working on a list of stuff to bring with you on your trip.

 

[D'Animal]

Post #5 may be helpful for you.


https://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/199071-going-moab.html

it looks like a lot but you have to remember that you will be in different countries and getting parts is not as simple as calling Cruiser Dan and having it in UPS the next day or so.

 

[wngrog]

Getting through Central America is going to be sketchy, but it sounds like you guys are as good a pair to do it as anyone.

Sounds awesome. Have fun!

 

[NocalFJ60]

Good luck

Depending on how it runs and what kind of mileage you are getting, I might send the carb off for a rebuild.

You might also want to look at a desmog before you leave or have a spare smog pump or idler pulley.

A front axle rebuild would be on the list if that has not been done recently. Search on here about it and replace the axle seals with marlin seals. Also check the brakes and make sure they are in top notch shape along with the e-brake.

Steering is also another major thing so check your tie rod ends and make sure you don't have any leaks in the system.

I would build a cage in the rear trunk so you can lock stuff up with a big lock.

 

[cruiser_guy]

Early August...Job requirements keep me here until then.

We're on the return trip to Guatemala on or about August 10. Probably heading south from Nogales, AZ. I assume you'll be heading south through Brownsville or Laredo?

Remember, NO LandCruiser parts in Mexico so DON'T break down there! After that it's easy. Also make sure you have the title in your name and that EVERYTHING is correct, no extra digits in the VIN or anything stupid like that. Check to be SURE!

Getting through Central America is going to be sketchy, but it sounds like you guys are as good a pair to do it as anyone.

Sounds awesome. Have fun!

Central America really isn't that bad if you have a little idea of what you're doing. I'd say that the border area between Mexico and the US is the area of greatest concern as far as safety is concerned.

 

[Michael Hanson]

A friend bought one of my 60s and took it south.He had it stripped,dents removed,and painted.. I saw pics and talked to him.The cruiser looked better than new he told me to bring my other cruisers down to have them done.All the work cost him less than 500.00! You might think about it. Mike

 

[eraldovallejo]

My dad and mom took a drive from California down to Panama back in the late 80's early 90's. Back then you had the situation with El Salvador with the guerrilla going on. The feeling of going into unknown terrain will make me think twice but they loved it, of course half of the stuff they were taking to Ecuador was given to military/guerrilla for bride along the way. My dad talks about doing it again with me and my brother. Much luck to you and remember take lots of electricals that are cheap so you can buy your way through.

 

[mstowe]

I live in southern New Mexico and have done a drive from Austin to Belize three times...it was an absolute blast...don't worry about the border stuff..you will be through the border before you know it.
Just be sure at the border crossing that your vehicles paperwork is in order, that is a must! the person driving the car and the registration must match exactly.

Bring plenty of cash for small bribes..we had at least three on each trip. I perfer that much better to the American way of extortion, like stop lights with cameras and radar guns. Quick bribe and your on your way.

Just be sure to stay at hotels that have guarded parking lots or secured fenced in parking...you might find that nice rig gone in the morning if not...