ROTM: January 2009

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rchalmers3

rchalmers3

I speak Toyota
10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Jun 29, 2007
Threads
45
Messages
1,539
Location
Playas de Nosara, Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica
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.
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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.
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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.
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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…..
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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.
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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.
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nice rig ...cute kids..... and WOW what a beach :steer:
 
Nice cruiser and beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing.
 
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.
 
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.
 
Excellent rig!

Can you elaborate on the on board air system?
 
Awesome :D
 
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
 
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