Mexico trip need advice on set up

Yep so not taking a gun illegally into Mexico. I have family down there if I’m in a pinch I can call them that helps with the politics sometimes.

 

They seem pretty affordable I’m going to see if Headstrong can get them here in time.

 

yeah you don't want to bring and knives, ammo, or guns to MX.

even extra gas cans can be sketchy. also you don't want to bring more than 750ml of liquor back into the state

if you have a passport card, come back through the ready lane line

 

If you're really strapped for cash you could always put in an add-a-leaf spring to get you through your trip. They suck compared to a full aftermarket leaf pack but they'll raise your rear. If you have a spring place locally they should be able to help you out- there's often a spring place near where large trucks are serviced in your area. I'd replace one tire and also mount the new one you have then carry your best extra as a spare. One spare and a tire repair kit w/ compressor is all I carried (didn't need it luckily).

Make sure you clean out your truck before you go- you don't want any signs of firearms such as spent cases in your vehicle. I carried my regular camping knife (about a 3" blade) along with my two cooking/kitchen knives that are always in my camping gear and my old wooden handled entrenching tool (that has one edge sharpened) and no one batted an eye at them. Other items that could easily be pressed into service were a breaker bar with lug nut sized socket on it* and a ball peen hammer in my tool bag.

*If you've got Toyota's crappy chrome covered lug nuts you'll need the next sized socket down when the cover pops off- I want to say it's 20mm.

 

Better stink bug than bro.

 

The Dakars are very affordable. Get the poly bushings and remove the giant second overload leaf. With all of the stuff you'll be hauling it won't have a terrible amount of rake. I'll send you a 1/4" spacer. Maybe someone else will do the same, so we can get you an extra 1/2" lift on the front. I'll even cover shipping.

I'm still using the office stuff you sent me as a trade from the last time I sent you truck parts. I'm not looking for anything in return though.

 

Can someone give me a legit reason not to throw on sumo springs for this trip though? They run like $220 for my taco and are rated to carry 1000lbs. Reviews state that the ride is rough but any other reason? Dakar’s are going to run me $500 for the stink bug look or $700 if I do the front coils to. I’m a cash only person so there’s no throwing anything on a CC.

 

Well how about 120 or so reasons? Add-a-leafs are under $100. Personally, before I spent $220 on Sumo Springs knowing that I still needed new springs and wanted a lift in the future, I'd spend the money for a set of Dakars ($435 at Wheeler's) and pull a leaf out to lower them and give you a better ride. I know we all want the coolest setups to cover every possible situation but the reality is that unless you plan to drive like a racer/preracer you can drive around Baja just fine with a stock suspension, you don't need a high performance suspension for normal driving or mild off-roading such as getting to the beaches.

If you're really worried about the rake, grab a set of inexpensive front spacers when you're ordering and slap them in. Again, not ideal but under $50 and they'll work for what you're talking about doing.

Disclaimer: I've never run an add-a-leaf, I've always used a full suspension kit. Currently I have an OME setup (886s w/ Dakars) with Wheeler's bump stops.

 

Pepto Bismol and Imodium D - Metrondazole (post trip).....

 

I’m not going to Baja I’ll be in the Nuevo León mountain range. My last trip to the Rockies in a stock suspension was awful with all my gear I just keep bottoming out on my bump stops. I e contacted Headstrong and They said my 5100’s are only good for 0-1” lift but they are so compressed as is I’m not even sure my truck sits at stock height. I’m waiting to hear back about the medium weight DAkars and removing the leaf if they can get them to me in time.

This is an impromptu trip because Of work circumstances

 

Ah, try Wheeler's as well, I've had very good service from them.

 

That is a game changer

 

I have 2011 DCLB 4x4 4.0L. The first time I took it to Mexico I went to San Felipe, the truck was completely stock, and i said never again will I take a stock truck to Baja. The next time I took the truck to Baja it had Bilstein 6112's on the 4th clip in the front and Wheeler's mini pack in the rear with Bilstein 5100's with Wheeler's super bumps front and rear. Sooooo much better than stock. I also had fairly new 265/75-16 KO2s on the stock rims on the truck. I drove all the way to Cabo - and back, even did some 4 wheeling down there. No break downs, no flats, no problems. Didn't have a ton of gear in the bed of the truck but I do have a camper shell on it. Pretty happy with the mini pack, but I can't say enough good things about the super bumps. They are so cheap and work so well, they have got be the best "bang for the buck" upgrade you can make to a tacoma. IMHO.

 

@David K

 

Yes?
Baja is great for stock or modified Toyotas... all depends on how fast you must drive off the highway (or on with many potholes in places)!





Boojum trees are really fun too... Dr. Seuss had to have seen them!







Here is a fun video (sound up) of our 4 Toyota 4x4s on tour in Baja in 2016:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAWGzW4bR9Q&t=11s

 

Lol, ate at the restaurant at 00:14 - 00:19 several times. Awesome shrimp cocktail and mango margaritas.

 

Stock and a sidearm

 

Just a FYI, you can buy mexican insurance online. Way faster and easier than buying it at the boarder, IMO.

 

Wheelers is out of their own leaf spring packs right now. I checked out the bump stops I like the idea of them unfront thanks for the

 

Yes, www.BajaBound.com