Douglas S.
Adventurer
For a long range tank, you could also consider going OEM. The parts to install it are usually available through Sheldon at G&S Cruiser Parts in Chilliwack, BC. There are a couple of write-ups on MUD regarding this conversion.
'91 Land Cruiser Diesel Automatic Japanese Import -> Good buy for ~1yr SA Trip?
- Thread starter Fearan
- Start date
jfarsang
Adventurer
there are much better deals to be had.
This one for example.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/68924-1990-Land-Cruiser-HDJ81-VX-(1HD-T-Diesel)
For an HDJ81, you want to make sure some of the mechanicals are done like the BEB, injectors, IP, etc... those cost $ and can add up.
For $12k you can import a nicer one yourself. Have you thought about that avenue ?
This one for example.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/68924-1990-Land-Cruiser-HDJ81-VX-(1HD-T-Diesel)
For an HDJ81, you want to make sure some of the mechanicals are done like the BEB, injectors, IP, etc... those cost $ and can add up.
For $12k you can import a nicer one yourself. Have you thought about that avenue ?
80 Series cruisers are fairly common, I imagine finding parts if you need them, should be easy enough.
I can offer a little advise after spending lots of time down there.
Chrome, or anything fancy is a bad idea; the uglier the better. It is not unsafe in Latin America, per se, but anything you can do to be less visible as a couple of gringos in a nice truck will help. Dents, dirt, rust offer some camouflage.
Camping is tough in Central America, there is not much wilderness. Even hiking will pretty much take you village to farm to village, I was very surprised how inhabited everything was in C.A. The further out spaces will put you at risk of robbery. Hostels and private property are the way to go. I would absolutely use a pay lot whenever leaving the vehicle overnight; even for short term parking in places like Guatemala City, Caracas, etc... they usually are fenced/attended and secure in my experience.
A 2nd spare isn't necessary, save the space- but plugs/compressor are. Be prepared to repair.
Water is always an issue. When I could, I would use the ceramic filter that many locals use and fill up. Usually it was just easier to buy clean water. UV purification would have been nice.
Be prepared for long border crossings. Plan on unloading everything for inspections. Speaking Spanish will go a long way with cutting through the corruption and getting on your way. I can't emphasize this enough. Know what you need ahead of time; cash (exchange rates)/photocopies/signatures/etc. Border officers will often try to tell you some BS like: "you need to go back 50km to get this and come back on Monday when so and so is here... or, you can just pay us 500 cordoba now. When they know you can communicate, they will fold.
Sounds like you're an experienced traveler, so I'm sure you're used to all the common sense stuff. I don't mean to sound like Latinos aren't trustworthy or to make you paranoid but many people are poor and honestly, to them you are wealthy. I can't tell you though, how many times I was blessed with compassion and hospitality. Once I bridged the communication barrier, a whole new experience opened up.
best of luck-
josh
I can offer a little advise after spending lots of time down there.
Chrome, or anything fancy is a bad idea; the uglier the better. It is not unsafe in Latin America, per se, but anything you can do to be less visible as a couple of gringos in a nice truck will help. Dents, dirt, rust offer some camouflage.
Camping is tough in Central America, there is not much wilderness. Even hiking will pretty much take you village to farm to village, I was very surprised how inhabited everything was in C.A. The further out spaces will put you at risk of robbery. Hostels and private property are the way to go. I would absolutely use a pay lot whenever leaving the vehicle overnight; even for short term parking in places like Guatemala City, Caracas, etc... they usually are fenced/attended and secure in my experience.
A 2nd spare isn't necessary, save the space- but plugs/compressor are. Be prepared to repair.
Water is always an issue. When I could, I would use the ceramic filter that many locals use and fill up. Usually it was just easier to buy clean water. UV purification would have been nice.
Be prepared for long border crossings. Plan on unloading everything for inspections. Speaking Spanish will go a long way with cutting through the corruption and getting on your way. I can't emphasize this enough. Know what you need ahead of time; cash (exchange rates)/photocopies/signatures/etc. Border officers will often try to tell you some BS like: "you need to go back 50km to get this and come back on Monday when so and so is here... or, you can just pay us 500 cordoba now. When they know you can communicate, they will fold.
Sounds like you're an experienced traveler, so I'm sure you're used to all the common sense stuff. I don't mean to sound like Latinos aren't trustworthy or to make you paranoid but many people are poor and honestly, to them you are wealthy. I can't tell you though, how many times I was blessed with compassion and hospitality. Once I bridged the communication barrier, a whole new experience opened up.
best of luck-
josh
Bugspray
Adventurer
Thanks for the quick reply and info.Any idea what countries ban RHD? I can't find much info.
Peru for one.
RMP&O
Expedition Leader
my post above should have said El Salvador.....typo.
Having been several times myself, Earth1 is giving you solid advice. Although I found you can find places not over populated in CA, you just have to explore. You can often camp in the hotel parking lot or behind a resturant, just ask around. Don't boondock camp alone, you are aksing for trouble and sooner or later it will find you if you boondock a lot.
For drinking water, simply buy a big 5gal jug from just about anywhere in Latin America. Trade it in everytime you need fresh water. It is dirt cheap, especially once you have the jug and is everywhere. For bathing and wash up, MSR water bags work great along with a nice solar shower. Water systems are heavy and take up lot's of space and are not needed at all. If you going to be in remote places in South America, buy a nice backpacking filter in case you have to filter your water. Wost case scenario, a few drops of bleach works fine and will not hurt you. To much though will give you the runs!! Consider a custom made aux/long range fuel tank. Will cost about the same and can be made to suit your truck and needs. Any good fab shop that can tig aluminum and stainless can make you one. Out of all the bling overland items people buy & install....a fridge is the only one worth it imho. But I like my beer ice cold 24/7! Oh and some sort of shade or awning, it gets hot down south and can rain a lot too. IMHO the more important items are a high rise jack with stand, tire repair kit, a good set of tools that will allow you to fix nearly anything, a repair manual on your truck, air compressor, spare parts like bulbs, seals, and so forth. Oh and don't forget your fire extinguisher and organe triangles. In Honduras they will bribe you up and down the Pan Am for not having it!
Oh and propane is not used in Latin America, it is butane that is used. No biggie though as you can fill your propane tank with butane and you don't need anything special (contrary to some reports) to fill up at the stations. A 5gal tank lasts me well over a month.
cheers
Having been several times myself, Earth1 is giving you solid advice. Although I found you can find places not over populated in CA, you just have to explore. You can often camp in the hotel parking lot or behind a resturant, just ask around. Don't boondock camp alone, you are aksing for trouble and sooner or later it will find you if you boondock a lot.
For drinking water, simply buy a big 5gal jug from just about anywhere in Latin America. Trade it in everytime you need fresh water. It is dirt cheap, especially once you have the jug and is everywhere. For bathing and wash up, MSR water bags work great along with a nice solar shower. Water systems are heavy and take up lot's of space and are not needed at all. If you going to be in remote places in South America, buy a nice backpacking filter in case you have to filter your water. Wost case scenario, a few drops of bleach works fine and will not hurt you. To much though will give you the runs!! Consider a custom made aux/long range fuel tank. Will cost about the same and can be made to suit your truck and needs. Any good fab shop that can tig aluminum and stainless can make you one. Out of all the bling overland items people buy & install....a fridge is the only one worth it imho. But I like my beer ice cold 24/7! Oh and some sort of shade or awning, it gets hot down south and can rain a lot too. IMHO the more important items are a high rise jack with stand, tire repair kit, a good set of tools that will allow you to fix nearly anything, a repair manual on your truck, air compressor, spare parts like bulbs, seals, and so forth. Oh and don't forget your fire extinguisher and organe triangles. In Honduras they will bribe you up and down the Pan Am for not having it!
Oh and propane is not used in Latin America, it is butane that is used. No biggie though as you can fill your propane tank with butane and you don't need anything special (contrary to some reports) to fill up at the stations. A 5gal tank lasts me well over a month.
cheers