Mexico trip need advice on set up

Sumo springs are just over-sized bump stops that are firm enough to help hold extra weight. I have read they provide a very bouncy experience, as they're not made to soften impacts like Wheeler's super bumps (I love my super bumps up front).

I hope Headstrong can get you some Dakars in time. It will take you about half an hour to remove the second overload. Easy peasy. I really don't think you'll be annoyed by the lift from them. I do know you'll love the ride, on and off road.

 

Strongly recommend the All Pro Expedition leafs! Progressive and so smooth loaded or empty.

 

Between their poor customer service and saggy leafs, I went with the Aussie brand. I really wanted to support AP because they had (have?) a Montana location not far from me. Too many bad reviews though.

 

Oh man, OME is good too but I didn’t have any problems with my Expedition packs. Could be less costly but I’ve had mine for over a year and 35K miles and they are still like new. When do they reportably start to sag??

 

I live in the border of Texas and Tamaulipas, Mx. Generally speaking, the most dangerous and corrupt areas is the border region. If you are a US citizen you will need a “tourist” permit for yourself. Being your truck is registered in the US your truck will need a travel permit as well to travel passed the first 40 kilometers or so from the border. The personal permit runs about $40. The truck permit is according to the year and value of your vehicle. A 6 month permit can run you around $300-$400 if I remember correctly. The permits need to be purchased with a credit card, and they are purchased at the immigration station as soon as you cross the bridge into Mx territory. Make sure you carry Mexican currency. If you try paying with US dollars, the dollar value may be take lower than current market and you could be taken advantage of. Good Luck and enjoy!

 

The needs for travel into Baja California, Baja California Sur, and Sonora are a tad easier.

Here is a few pointers...

No TIP (Temporary Import Permit) is needed for the entire Baja California peninsula or much of Sonora (to south of Guaymas).

The TIP, for mainland Mexico, is put on your credit card, is to prevent you from selling your car in Mexico as it insures you return with it (and get your TIP refunded).

The Tourist Permit (FMM) is similar to a visa as used by other countries, only easier, perhaps? You must have a valid PASSPORT or Passport Card to get the FMM.

The FMM is required now for all visitors who cross the border, however it is not always checked for at the border, and never if you drive across (at least into Baja). Many U.S. visitors to border towns don't bother to get the tourist permit. However, they are in a sense, 'illegal' aliens if they don't! If Mexico stopped every car driving south and made each get FMMs, the traffic back-up would be insane!

It is up to you to pull over once across the border and walk into the INM (Immigration) office (first building at the border) and obtain your FMM. It is FREE if your vacation is 7 days or less. You do need to return it when you exit Mexico (not always easy with traffic). If a longer trip or for multiple trips without the need to turn it back in, you can buy a 6 month (180 day) FMM. The price was 500 pesos last time I got one (about $27 US). It may have gone up a little since last year?

The peso is going for about 18 to the dollar. You can use dollars everywhere but if you exchange them for pesos it may be more fun, easier to buy, and get a better deal.

 

I just did a 3 week Baja trip last fall and I cannot wait to go back. What about just putting in airbags in the back?

 

What are border patrol stickers going to do for anyone in Mexico? If anything, it will get you shot faster.

 

I have Ride-Rite air bags and they are fantastic at solving the weak rear springs, leveling, or raising the back end! 20-40 psi range when loaded, 15 psi when empty.

 

I went this route for towing and hauling. It worked great. My driving needs necessitated something more forgiving on washboard and potholes though. Dakars are worth the little bit of extra money. I now have HD Dakars and still have the air bags. The bags almost never get more than the minimum 5 psi.

 

Bring a gun so you don't get kidnapped.

 

She's part of a cartel. Not a concern.

 

Then she still has to watch out for rival cartels.

 

Take an extra car battery or at least a good quality lithium jump starter. Bar of ivory soap to patch gas tank holes (whittle a plug out of it, does not melt in gas), gorilla tape, spare parts (like fuses and a spare crankshaft position sensor and know how to replace it), and nice small thank you gifts for locals you meet along the way (they are really nice people and will help you when needed). Bring new caps or printed t-shirts, beef jerky, coffee, etc. Some candy is ok, but diabetes is rampant there and people try to avoid it, mostly... Hope you spend a few days in some places to get to know people there a bit, I still exchange letters with two families I met in Baja from a trip I took there over 10-years ago.

 

That’s funny yes I’ve been to Mexico several times and I have literally seen the dollar to peso change just when a tourist ship came in. That’s funny I’ve had no problems banking with USAA in Mexico either and I’ve used my debit card etc and get charge the correct amounts as the legal currency rates etc. I’ll be fine and I’ll have a blast.

 

I’m basically a forensic psychologist so after a few minutes of being analyzed they might just return me to my truck

 

Yes I’m looking at these. Wheelers charges over 150$ in shipping for the Dakar pack and Wheelers is not taking new orders right now because they are backed up. I liked the idea of the sumo spring because you can’t tear them and the bags you can but they would be a good middle. I’m price shopping now they might cost more than sumo springs.

 

I put on KO2’s and 5100’s all around, and single Deaver AAL’s in my rears and my truck handles extra weight without sagging and rides very well off and on roads. I tow with it and it also handles the weight with gear and even a heavy cap and RTT too. The shop I worked with for this was @HeadStrong Off-Road - Call or PM Marie there, she will help you out with finding your best options and they ship quick and free.

By the way- dont mix your tires used and new- your 4x4 diffs wont like it. Save the new single or doubles as spares.

 

The best mod for Mexico:


The #2 mod:

 

So then you're smart enough to ignore all the 'take a gun" advice. When I go I keep a cooler full of cokes handy for when the federales ask me to open it and then I offer some up to all the troops. I know you're going to the mainland but when we drove up and down Baja last fall we went through at least a dozen checkpoints and those guys have lots of big guns. I was surprised at how nice most of them were especially once I said no drogas, nos dos viejo borrachos. Either the message made them smile or it was my terrible Spanish. Terrible or not they like it when you try and a couple guys even helped to correct my mistakes by saying the correct thing which I would repeat for them. Have fun, these a trips of a lifetime!