The perfect Pan-American Expedition Vehicle
- Thread starter Jlit
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oh i agree with you on that. but i'm just talking the pace of getting back to the states. i took a bit of both on my route through mexico and think it worked out okay. it does get pricey fast but there are some days when you prefer cruise control and no thinking over speedbumps and small towns.
dmc
dmc
Huh really? I thought the 1hz was a factory turbo engine?? Only cause I just saw one and I thought it had a factory turbo in it??
1-HDT factory turbo
1HZ non turbo
In Central America there was, and in some cases still is, an aversion to turbo's. It probably stems from poor maintenance which cooks the turbo and then of course the turbo is to blame! I cannot imagine buying a diesel that doesn't have a turbo, it's that much better.
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Sandcruiser, that's a cool bus. I looked around for something 4x4 like that, but couldn't find much. Where'd you find that one?
We're still thinking of going with tundras because of reliability and safety in 2 vehicles over one, but I think a bus like that would be my close second. We're really starting to run short on time, plus we would have to deal with registering the hilux's in another country, and it's a smaller truck.
You guys are awesome, though. Please don't feel like your advice is falling on deaf ears, I just question the amount of work that would have to be done on a bus and the amount of abuse it could take over 3 years and 2-3 rainy seasons.
We're still thinking of going with tundras because of reliability and safety in 2 vehicles over one, but I think a bus like that would be my close second. We're really starting to run short on time, plus we would have to deal with registering the hilux's in another country, and it's a smaller truck.
You guys are awesome, though. Please don't feel like your advice is falling on deaf ears, I just question the amount of work that would have to be done on a bus and the amount of abuse it could take over 3 years and 2-3 rainy seasons.
Really, if I were you I'd take the bus over the Tundra's. There are buses EVERYWHERE down here. There are hardly any Tundra's. They go everywhere with buses, remember buses are basically a truck anyways. I think some of the buses here have been on the road for more that 20 years and they are NOT babied.
i just googled 4x4 schoolbus
there are numerous links, including 4x4bus.com and others
I would have higher expectations of the bus running at the end of 3 years than I would of the two Tundras.... assuming you spend the same on maintenance for each set of vehicles. The bus should be cheap and easy to fix, the Tundras much less. If you lose a simple O2 sensor on the tundra, you'll be down for at least 1 week. Probably more.
But the tundras would be more comfortable to drive, faster on the good roads, and more nimble everywhere, which are important considerations.
Get two 80s.
there are numerous links, including 4x4bus.com and others
I would have higher expectations of the bus running at the end of 3 years than I would of the two Tundras.... assuming you spend the same on maintenance for each set of vehicles. The bus should be cheap and easy to fix, the Tundras much less. If you lose a simple O2 sensor on the tundra, you'll be down for at least 1 week. Probably more.
But the tundras would be more comfortable to drive, faster on the good roads, and more nimble everywhere, which are important considerations.
Get two 80s.
There is an amazing amount of good info in this thread.
From the questions that you are asking, I can tell that you really need to listen to what these guys are saying:
1) get some basic mechanic skills: I dont like setting up ring gear or playing with wires, but I CAN diagnose when it is bad and can have a half-assed descent conversation with someone that can fix it. Very simple things like changing a u-joint, checking for a good ground, being able to identify sensors, hook up a winch, or notice a bent tierod/ draglink/ suspension part will save you huge amounts of time, headache, and just give you a warm and fuzzy about putting in in 4-low and stomping on it to get out of a ditch.
2) I understand the new Tundra idea, but you have to understand that a US model, gas burner, FJ80 with 80,000 miles on it is just as dependable. That being said, ANYTHING can and will break, espically with over three years in the dirt! You dont wont to be stuck down there for three weeks waiting on a part for a truck that the mechanic has never seen. Two 80 series SUVs will have lots of seating and storage, are not too flashy, parts are easy to source, are all wheel drive with e-lockers, parts are easy to source, you can register them here, are comfy, and parts are easy to source.
Slee Offroad could build you two identical rigs, FULLY serviced (way better than a dealer will), bumpers, winches, roll out storage, dual batteries, roof tents, everything ready to go for cheaper and way more capable than two new Tundras (which are awesome in thrie own right).
Sleeoffroad.com - Toyota SUV Off-Road Outfitters
The e-lockers are huge to me. I dont care if you have 44" tires, open diff are terrible. Lockers make your rig a real 4 Wheel Drive and not 2 Wheel Drive. See #1 you dont understand the difference between open diffs, limited slip, and e-lockers
3) well, I guess 2 probably would have been enough
If you dont want/ cant get two diesel Hiluxs/ LC Utes, get the 80 series and spend some quality time with them. Pack your gear, drive 500 miles, camp for a week, service it your self when you get home, and then repack it right
Good luck!
(p.s. if you need a camera guy/ mechanic/ driver/ medic/ wildernss/ security guy, shoot me a PM
)
From the questions that you are asking, I can tell that you really need to listen to what these guys are saying:
1) get some basic mechanic skills: I dont like setting up ring gear or playing with wires, but I CAN diagnose when it is bad and can have a half-assed descent conversation with someone that can fix it. Very simple things like changing a u-joint, checking for a good ground, being able to identify sensors, hook up a winch, or notice a bent tierod/ draglink/ suspension part will save you huge amounts of time, headache, and just give you a warm and fuzzy about putting in in 4-low and stomping on it to get out of a ditch.
2) I understand the new Tundra idea, but you have to understand that a US model, gas burner, FJ80 with 80,000 miles on it is just as dependable. That being said, ANYTHING can and will break, espically with over three years in the dirt! You dont wont to be stuck down there for three weeks waiting on a part for a truck that the mechanic has never seen. Two 80 series SUVs will have lots of seating and storage, are not too flashy, parts are easy to source, are all wheel drive with e-lockers, parts are easy to source, you can register them here, are comfy, and parts are easy to source.
Slee Offroad could build you two identical rigs, FULLY serviced (way better than a dealer will), bumpers, winches, roll out storage, dual batteries, roof tents, everything ready to go for cheaper and way more capable than two new Tundras (which are awesome in thrie own right).
Sleeoffroad.com - Toyota SUV Off-Road Outfitters
The e-lockers are huge to me. I dont care if you have 44" tires, open diff are terrible. Lockers make your rig a real 4 Wheel Drive and not 2 Wheel Drive. See #1 you dont understand the difference between open diffs, limited slip, and e-lockers
3) well, I guess 2 probably would have been enough
If you dont want/ cant get two diesel Hiluxs/ LC Utes, get the 80 series and spend some quality time with them. Pack your gear, drive 500 miles, camp for a week, service it your self when you get home, and then repack it right
Good luck!
(p.s. if you need a camera guy/ mechanic/ driver/ medic/ wildernss/ security guy, shoot me a PM
)
Yeah didn't someone mention above that Tacomas or something are very similar to hilux's? If that is the case then Tundras are just about the worst option. Powerful engines is NOT something you'll need... down here you don't need to keep up to US highway speeds, so don't even think about taking a bigger engine'd truck over a smaller one if the smaller one is better suited.
Personally, I don't understand the whole "pickup truck with a camper" thing. To me that setup is for people who are doing weekend trips. The camper back is going to destroy your fuel economy, as well as make you a target and I would think they're easy to break into. Go for the custom 80's... it's what they were designed for.
Personally, I don't understand the whole "pickup truck with a camper" thing. To me that setup is for people who are doing weekend trips. The camper back is going to destroy your fuel economy, as well as make you a target and I would think they're easy to break into. Go for the custom 80's... it's what they were designed for.
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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. Tacoma's can be found in some countries however and are not exclusive to the states. It looks like Jilt has settled on Tundras. I'm glad he is going Toyota but like most of you I think used 80, or 78s if he could get them would be the best way to go.
dmc
dmc
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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- www.expeditionamericas.com
- Joined
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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.
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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.
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.
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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
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
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?
Why can't they sell them at home?