South America Expedition Vehicle Selection (Canadian Edition)
- Thread starter RockShoes
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IIRC some countries like Bolivia and El Salvador do not allow RHD vehicles. Just something to keep in mind......
They allow them in, but not to be registered. If you are just passing through in the normal time allowed on your temp vehicle visa you will be fine...
I searched this for a trip I'm planning in my 44
I searched this for a trip I'm planning in my 44
I am not sure I follow your budget. Do you have 15 to 20 allotted for the vehicle or the whole trip? If budget is for vehicle alone it is very realistic and doable.
If you get a Landcruiser (80 or 70 series) I wouldn't do any vehicle mods other than a new suspension. Make sure maintenance is done and anything that may even resemble to need replacing is replaced (rebuild knuckles is a good one). For comfort/camping it gets fuzzier depending on wether you will sleep in the rig, outside tent, roof top tent or even in hostels...
With a diesel Cruiser any engine part replacement will be relatively painful in most of Latin America. I have a 12HT and I can rarely even find oil and diesel filters for it. For anything else it is really touch and go depending on the part and on the country...
I have been driving an FJ60 with a 12HT around the Americas since 2009 and couldn't be happier with my choice (well, truth is my girlfriend and I would like a little more inside space at this point...So you could say I am Landcruiser biased (like most in this forum).
Anything I can do to help, let me know...
On the actual PANAM, yes. Lots of people bicycling it right now!
But, most of the places in each country worth checking out are well off the beaten path.
You might as well skip Baja without at least 4wd. Used the winch 3 times in Baja.
Guatemala, for instance, has been a backcountry paradise. Depending how adventurous you are, roads here in the jungle make cutback roads seem tame.
Either of these places would humble even the most equipped rigs. The most memorable places we've been so far required at least a rear locker.
For your budget, you should be able to score a nice rig. Then buy used gear in the classifieds. You have time to look for deals.
Give some sort of mosquito/bug enclosure some thought as well. Dengue and Malaria is no joke.
IMHO 1 year is not enough time to take in 17 countries. We're doing it, but an extra 6 to 12 months would sure make the trip less stressful and more relaxed. Have fun shopping!
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At $17,000 that 80 on Kijiji is pretty good. That is what they are going for here although it's usually the later 1HD-ft's .... and then you'd have to ship it.
No RHD in El Salvador
FYI, we tried this today. See thread here:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/119465-No-Right-Hand-Drives-Allowed-in-El-Salvador?p=1476006#post1476006
FYI, we tried this today. See thread here:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/119465-No-Right-Hand-Drives-Allowed-in-El-Salvador?p=1476006#post1476006
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Hi there, I did the whole trip from Mexico to Alaska and back & from Mexico to Tierra del Fuego and back. I did it with my wife on a Mitsubishi Montero (Pajero). We finished the trip last year. It was a incredible experience and the truck was amazing. If you wish I can get you a lot of info.
It seems you have a tight schedule and budget. Given the four priority countries you mentioned, have you considered flying into La Paz and buying a newish wide nose 1HZ troopy? They come with dual tanks, dual fuel filters and altitude compensators, could even find one with factory lockers if your lucky , so you don't need to do much mechanically or bother adding a turbo just for the trip. They are everywhere in Bolivia and it's by far the cheapest country to hang out for a couple of weeks for buying/selling a vehicle . Start and finish your trip there and sell it before you leave. It's not very difficult for a foreigner to buy a car, I've been based in neighbouring Peru for 13 years. You'll save heaps avoiding central America to just get to your destination countries, and the wad of cash at the end of the trip would come in handy I suspect.
From the andean type activities you mention lockers won't be a necessity, a 2" lift will be more useful for difficult mountain trails here.
From the andean type activities you mention lockers won't be a necessity, a 2" lift will be more useful for difficult mountain trails here.
The Patrol/Safari is a good option, but I'm still looking at trading mine for an 80. Parts are available here for both, but Toyota is definitely more common.
The prices have gone crazy in the last 10 years or so. That would actually be a pretty expensive option these days.
The prices have gone crazy in the last 10 years or so. That would actually be a pretty expensive option these days.
US$41,000 drive away for a brand new HZJ78 is pretty cheap I reckon! That's the price for current stock at Toyota (Mitsui) in Peru.
if the trip is a year then resell at $35k easy and the trip has cost you $6-7000 in terms of the vehicle in country, which is less than fuel from canada there and back plus 2X shipping container at panama-Columbia, not to mention all the other costs and time asociated with driving down.
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Two years ago, I was quoted $72,000, iirc. 
Either way, that's a pretty big front-end investment.
Either way, that's a pretty big front-end investment.
Anything new on this thread? Vehicle acquired yet? I skied in Chile and Argentina a couple of years ago. I could have used a cruiser on that trip.