Getting my Gen 2 Taco Ready for Belize

Come August my wife, dogs, and myself will be moving to Belize from Michigan. We plan to drive my 2009 Gen 2 Tacoma the 3000 miles to our new home in Belize which is currently under construction. For the last year I've been working steadily on my truck getting it ready for the journey. This truck has been my Michigan winter vehicle for the last 10 year. and currently has 135K miles on the odometer. It has seen it’s share of road salt. During the summer it sat on my lift in my barn

Here is what I’ve done thus far.

Replaced front, rear, and transfer case fluid.

Replaced back half of exhaust system due to rust hole in muffler.

Replaced rear front and rear brakes.

Replaced serpentine belt.

Replaced upper and lower control arms. This was a good size undertaking. When I lift the truck 2.5” back in 2013, I skipped changing out the upper control arms. The alignment was off a little and pulled to the right, but it wasn’t a major issue. However, for the drive to Belize I didn’t want to be fighting the truck for 3K miles. Do my dismay, the years of Michigan salt had seized the lower caster bolts to the lower control arms and the frame. I had to cut and torch those out and installed new factory Toyota arms. The upper arms weren’t as bad. I did have to bend the sheet metal a little to get the upper control arm bolts out, but I planned ahead and had a spare set on hand if I that to cut those out as well. I went with a set of JBA Offroad upper control arms. Very happy with those thus far. I also replaced the sway bar links while I had everything apart.


Since I’m moving to a tropical climate, I figured it was time to address the AC system, which hasn’t worked in years due to an AC leak. I ended up replacing almost the entire AC system, including condenser, evaporator, and compressor. I guarantee there is a hole in the ozone above my house from all the R134a that leaked out trying to find the stupid leak. Not to mention all the AC dye. In the end, the leak was coming from the behind the compressor clutch. Why I could never find the UV dye is beyond me.


Now on to more fun stuff. I add a Joying head unit so we can have Android Auto for Google maps and entertainment for the trip down. I also added a

$380 Vantrue N4 Pro 4K 3 Channel Dash Cam, STARVIS 2 IMX678 x PlatePix™ x HDR Night Vision, 4K+1080P+1080P Front Inside and Rear Dash Camera, Voice Control, WiFi, GPS, 24H Parking Mode, Support 512GB Max

Vantrue N4 Pro 3 channel dash cams to document any accidents or run in’s with the Federales on the way down. Lastly I wired in my HAM radio for additional mobile communication. I enjoy automotive wiring, so adding all these features was fun for me.


To protect our belongings, I installed a Wildtop soft top for the back. Very happy with this product. I did however replace the Wildtop roof rack load bars with set of old school Thule load bars.

In the bed I added a mount for my Hi-lift jack and made a custom bracket to hold my Wavian Jerry can.

Since I will be living on a dirt road that floods during the rainy season, I added a set of Rek Gen mud flaps. I’m still on the fence with these. Good quality product, but hardware and fitment could be better in my opinion.

And finally tires. I had been running a set of 265/75 R16 Goodyear Duratrac’s on this truck since I lifted it in 2013. I’ve hated these tires from day one. Terrible ride, super nosey, and forget wet weather performance. I’m and old man driver and these tires slipped the second the pavement got wet. The only time these tires excelled was in deep snow. I live in a rural area where we get lake-affect snow off Lake Michigan and sometimes get 10” – 12” overnight. Never had a problem getting to work at 5am before the plows had a chance to get down our road. But once the snow was gone and the ice remained, forget it, back to spinning. Anyways, I replaced the Duratrac's with set of Toyo Open Country AT 3's. Hoping these fair much better.

So here is the final product of all my hard work over the last year. Like I said, we leave in August for Belize permanently. Once in country I may look into getting a Hilux or Suzuki Jimny as a second vehicle.

 

That’s awesome dude! I love the wild tops, how long did it take you to put together/ install?

 

Wow! Very interesting rebuild/update on your truck. What's prompting your move to Belize? Sounds like one heck of an adventure.

 

I stated 6/1 of 2024 according to the service record I keep in excel. Engineering nerd here.

 

Also, the joying head looks great. Adds some modern convenience for sure. That, plus your dash cam plus the HAM radio install look really good, really well done.

 

All I can say is WOW and good luck! What's you're security plan? That ain't exactly like a trip to the park, once you leave the Conny U.S. I hear there's a lot of Meany-McNasty's down that way!

 

In early 2024 my employer of 24 years lost there every loving mind and tried forcing my entire department to move to the armpit of Michigan or face losing our jobs. This was strictly a new VP make an impression move. No real value to the company. My teammates and I called their bluff and said go ahead and fire us. We run your company 24/7, are highly specialized and can't be easily replaced. they backed off, but the damage was done. Most of my teammate left for better jobs and started the move to Belize plan in place. I just turned 50 in January. My last day with the company is August 1st. We leave for Belize August 16th.

 

We hired a Belizean national called a "coyote" to get us through Mexico. We fly him from Belize to San Antonio TX, where we pick him up and he handles all the logistics getting across the borders and through the country. This is what he does for a living so he know all the right palms to grease. For $1500, it's cheap insurance policy.

 

Are you on the original suspension? If so it may be prudent to look at a fresh set. I know you said it got a 3” lift but your photos make it seem as though your running OEM.

 

Looks good man. I’d grab a pair of front wheel bearings/housing from TW for good measure. I’d take a few oil filters and other service items since they may not have them available locally.

 

Trust me, it's cross my mind a 100 times. I put the Old Man Emu 2.5" lift kit on back in 2013 with 72K on the odometer. Functionally there fine, they just look like garbage due to the Michigan salt. But 5100's sure would look nice.

 

Yup, I have huge tote full of filter, oils, lubes, etc ready to go. I do like your wheel bearing idea though.

 

Sounds like a good plan. Safe travels.

 

It’s time. Do it before you take off. You’ll be thanking yourself once you get south of the border.

 

$1500, for the risks your guide will be taking sounds low ball imo, I would double or even triple his price when you connect with him, not trying to tell you what’s what but imo you get what you pay for in life and the trek you will be taking is going to be rife with the possibilities of numerous unexpected variables.

Safe travels to you and yours!

 

Yikes, this trip sounds like it needs air tags for everything.

 

State department warning - According to a summary from the State Department, Belize is under a travel warning for the following reasons: Violent crimes, including sexual assault, home invasions, armed robberies, and murder, are common, even in tourist areas and during daylight hours. A large share of these crimes is linked to gang activity.

Going to be culture shock going from Michigan to Belize. Nothing is going to be even close to what you have in the US, from medical care, emergency services, access to everyday products and to shopping and the list goes on and on. I’m sure you’ve thought about and planned this move well and I wish you good fortune.

One last thing, no way would I be driving your 16 year old truck from Michigan to Belize (and I have a 2009 4x4 Taco with only 112,000 miles). No matter what vehicle I wouldn’t drive that trip to Belize. The trip is dangerous even with a coyote. Also should your truck break down somewhere in Shitville Mexico you are screwed. I’d also think long and hard about my only transportation in a foreign country being a 16 year old vehicle.
Have you considered having your vehicle shipped to Belize and flying instead driving? Even if more expensive your safety and well being is worth it.
Anyway I wish you safe travels and good fortune. Hope your new home is everything you hope and dream it is.

 

Surely no gangs are going to want a Tacoma with a steel bumper, it’s not their style.
Safe travels

 

This is a no brainer since your moving to your new home, ship the vehicle!

 

The OP does not have to travel the Darien gap. He will be north of it. Traveling the gap now a days you should have a funeral on call. Or if you can get Seal Team 6 to accompany you your survival chances are greatly increased.