How nice is too nice?

[gmacmt]

Hey all,

I realize I am a first time poster coming on here asking "what truck should I get" is probably the worst of all forum sins, but, what truck should I get?

I am a recent convert to four wheel transport more out of necessity than anything else. I used to be into motorcycle travel (my dad and I did dual sport trips all over montana via dirt roads for ages), but the recent marital partnership has all but snuffed the idea of motorcycle adventure travel, which I keep telling myself I am totally OK with.

A little more backstory. I am graduating in Electrical Engineering in two years (at 28) after a long series of jobs and other schooling, and am realizing that this is probably the most convenient window to take a long trip. I would love to drive to south america, and have a pretty good handle on the logistics of such a drive, just not the transportation.

The car I have been looking at a lot lately is the lexus GX470, as it seems to be a great platform and they can be had for a reasonable price, are safe, etc. But it is a pretty fancy rig. I think my question would hold whether I was looking at a new Taco, or a Landcruiser. At what point does your vehicle become a liability in terms of being a target for things like theft?

I would search, but I dont really know where to start with this question. If you were driving from the US down to Argentina, is there a point where your car is too nice to considered a good option?

Thanks for the help, and let me know if I need to clarify.

 

[birdmann]

The gx is a 120 platform vehicle. Many people use them for off-road and expedition travel. Check out "adventure driven" they have a pretty sweet gx. You can use prado/fjcruiser/4runner suspension components on them.

 

[birdmann]

If you want to travel off the radar of thieves, pick up an 80's Subaru and leave it bone stock.

 

[Arktikos]

If you want to travel off the radar of thieves, pick up an 80's Subaru and leave it bone stock.

I like it.
Since this is the Toyota area, may I suggest an older 4Runner with 22RE with the focus strictly on maintaining excellent mechanical condition. The more faded the paint job the better, and by all means don't jack it up and so forth.

 

[gmacmt]

I can dig it. That makes good sense to me, maybe an earlier 4runner or 22re truck. Not a big subaru guy, I understand the utility, but just not a big fan.

Thanks for the beta,

-g

 

[Paddy]

I can't help but to say that the only car I've ever had stolen was an 80's subaru. If you're worried about theft then install a secret battery disconnect or fuel pump disconnect and you're safe

 

[tanglefoot]

I'd be hesitant to drive a GX there. It is pretty opulent and it's something that isn't sold there, I don't believe, so it'd probably attract a lot of attention. Also, doesn't it need premium fuel?

I'd probably go for something that you commonly see on the road on Central and S. America, like a stock 3rd gen 4runner, 2nd/3rd-gen Pathfinder, 2nd gen Montero (Pajero), or similar. That would probably attract much less attention while still being comfortable.

 

[oliverlove]

I would agree that is too nice. Based on where you are going you are going to attract a lot of attention, esp once you do anything to the exterior.

 

[WhiteH2O]

As someone who has a built up GX, I would be hesitant to take it to S. America. I would probably lean toward a 3rd gen 4Runner or similar. Pathfinder would be a good choice also. I would love to find one that was mechanically great with a good interior and a non-perfect body.

A Defender could be a great option also.

 

[gmacmt]

I am probably leaning more towards a late 80s early 90s toyota pickup with a AT flippac type camper setup. I think that would be a pretty neat setup. And I think even if it was clean and sitting on something like 33's, it wouldnt be too much of a target.

Last time I was in baja I was in a 1998 outback, and while it definitely made the trip, offroading in that thing was brutal. I think I am still going to chiropractor because of it hahaha!

I think this right here would be a pretty optimal rig, looks like someone on this forum might be responsible for it...

I know that the 22re is a bit of a dog, wondering how much worse it is with that camper shell in the bed?

Another sweet rig would be a 90's f150 or bronco with the 300i6, but I think that is a little bigger of a footprint than I would like. But might be cheaper than a yota.

Thanks again to all for the advice. Gonna start the build this fall most likely, will start a thread here when that happens.

 

[tanglefoot]

Hmm...I would suspect that a Toyota truck would be more likely to send you to the chiropractor than a Subi, unless you were encountering a lot of big ground-to-undercarriage impacts :Wow1: The Subarus definitely seem to float over terrain more smoothly, in general.

I'm used to driving heavily-loaded 22REs. One is a 22-foot classs C RV. The other has a wooden, 8-foot popup truck camper in the back. Although they don't easily keep up with modern traffic in the US (which is much too fast, IMO), they might still be well-suited to the smaller roads S. of the border. If you do a paradigm shift and take your standards back a few decades, the 22RE is quite satisfying.

If security and stealth are concerns, you might consider a conventional topper instead of a flip-pac. Flip-pacs are kind of a rarity there, I imagine, leave little doubt that someone is sleeping in one and are vulnerable when open. Trucks with shells are everywhere, and passersby may never suspect one is occupied or being lived in. There is less space, but I've seen some very cozy and resourceful, non-expanding setups.

 

[gmacmt]

Hmm...I would suspect that a Toyota truck would be more likely to send you to the chiropractor than a Subi, unless you were encountering a lot of big ground-to-undercarriage impacts :Wow1: The Subarus definitely seem to float over terrain more smoothly, in general.

Washboard was the biggest problem in the subie. The tires were too small to really smooth out road, and the lack of suspension travel was a major problem as well. I would think that the toyota would be a whole lot easier to build up a longer travel smooth setup for and run big tires. Plus I would like to do some actual trail driving if we went all the way down, and I dont think the subie is up to it. An 80's GL could probably pull it off, but a truck would just make a lot more sense IMO.

Problem with the subarus is that you can lift them, but then axles become a regular maintenance item, and changing gearing is a complete nightmare. End up having to swap in a new trans/rear diff if you really want to do it right. I have a lifted impreza wagon right now (on forester struts and king racing springs, 205/75/15's) that is cool to look at, but pretty impractical for going in slow terrain.

I think that roof tent camping would be the way to go, two people and all your gear in the back of a small pickup would get pretty old fast after a couple of weeks no? Could always just do a simpler roof tent, which is slightly more discrete.

The more I look into it, the more a 90's f-150 seems to make sense...

 

[Mrknowitall]

Early 90's 4Runner or Pick-up. 4cyl. Man pedal. buy one in the SW and just leave from there.

 

[JSimmons]

I've never been to S. America, however, I would base my selection on the availability of the fuel source your rig will require. My assumption is that diesel will be more plentiful than gasoline, so you might want to fully investigate that aspect of your trip before making a purchase. :smiley_drive:

 

[the kid]

im gonna go the other direction on this, while yes the vehicle will have some of the attention drawing aspects, but i think just as much can fall on the driver/occupants... there is a lot that can be said for both, at either end of the stick. but if theft is a concern the GX should by raising green flags, not red flags. there are only two ways to steal a GX, one is with the key, and the other is with a flatbed/trailer. other than that there is no hot wiring it, and no making duplicate keys. -ask my how know...

I like it.
Since this is the Toyota area, may I suggest an older 4Runner with 22RE with the focus strictly on maintaining excellent mechanical condition. The more faded the paint job the better, and by all means don't jack it up and so forth.

this would probably be the last vehicle i would chose, mainly for how easy they are to steal and how common they are down there if it ever were stolen youd never find it, and it would be stripped of all its parts and panels before you could report it. not to mention that a 60 or 80 series Land Cruiser is a much better option and more robust and roomy...

I'd be hesitant to drive a GX there. It is pretty opulent and it's something that isn't sold there, I don't believe, so it'd probably attract a lot of attention. Also, doesn't it need premium fuel?

I'd probably go for something that you commonly see on the road on Central and S. America, like a stock 3rd gen 4runner, 2nd/3rd-gen Pathfinder, 2nd gen Montero (Pajero), or similar. That would probably attract much less attention while still being comfortable.

no they do not take premium fuel i run mine daily on 87 with no issues.

I would agree that is too nice. Based on where you are going you are going to attract a lot of attention, esp once you do anything to the exterior.

the GX is sold in south america and central america, and is fairly prevalent only its not called a Lexus GX, its a Land Cruiser Prado 120. they look almost identical -differnt headlights and grille. you could always debadge the Lexus stuff and swap over to all Toyota Prado badges, and most people would not know the difference. the 120 chassis is a great platform and proven to be durable and reliable, same with the 4.7l motor(basically same as the tundra,sequoia, land cruiser, lx470, 4runner) its got ample power and also very reliable and dependable. i would put money on saying the GX would blend in better than 4th gen 4runner down there.

there is plenty of aftermarket support for the GX. basically if it fits on the 4th gen 4runner(2003-2009) it will work on the GX. -there is plenty of room behind the stock front bumper to mount a winch that will be hidden and not seen, ARB makes lockers (both f/r) or you can swap over a Elocker from a FJ Cruiser. again any suspension systems for a 4th gen 4runner will work on the GX with a $60 adapter kit from metal tech to convert the rear air suspension to coils.

me personally i would not hesitate to take my GX down south, id feel safer in it that most other vehicles. just keep a low key low profile and you will be fine, do your research and know where your going where not to go, and the customs/curtsys and you should be fine. trust me you wont be the first person to take a newer SUV down there.