San Diego BS Thread.

Exactly my thinking as well. Plus want to see how the new suspension does on the rough roads. Also, Hyundai isn't exactly a cheap car either in Limited Ultimate trim.

 

Yeah, mine was built there, so really just taking her home to see where she was born.

 

Are parts less expensive there?

 

They are more expensive. They can't sell direct, so you have to import it to the USA, Then imported back to Mexico. Taxed on the import too.

 

That sucks.

 

Looks like it has been answered... but of course it is great to take a Tacoma to Baja... it was built there... the TRD Off Road was developed from racing there (see Ivan Stewart for more)... and it belongs there! I have taken a new Tacoma into Baja the very same day I got it from the dealer!
You just need to get a Mexican Auto Insurance policy... daily for the days you think you will be in Baja or an annual policy if you will be going to Baja a lot! Annual policies are cheaper than daily policies if you spend more than 2-3 weeks a year in Mexico... and that way if you want to stay longer than your planned trip, no worries!
Go to www.bajabound.com and you can buy and print out your policy before your trip!
I write travel articles for Baja Bound's online newsletter and I have completed a road guide to Baja California for Baja Bound... to be published soon.
https://www.bajabound.com/bajaadventures/bajatravel/
Here is an article on Guadalupe Valley history I wrote a few years ago:
https://www.bajabound.com/bajaadventures/bajatravel/guadalupe_valley_history.php

 

Get Mex insurance for sure.

You may need a FMT or whatever they call it now. Your Mex auto insurance may not be valid without it depending on how far down you go.

If you have an auto loan, you might need permission from the lien holder to take the vehicle to Mexico.

This list may not be comprehensive.

If something goes wrong, it is best to have all these lined up.

 

Heading out the door for a MTB Industry gig up in Mammoth and just found out we'll have an extra day without a room Saturday night so anyone know of a quick dispersed camping spot near the village?

 

This is one of the things I would hope travelers to other countries would find out, what are the immigration documents needed? Baja has in the past been a bit special, as you can drive right into Mexico there and it is almost an island, to the rest of Mexico...

1) You must have a passport or equivalent passport or other card.
2) You must stop and park at the border for the INM office (usually the very first building on the Mexican side of the line). You walk in and get an FMM ('Tourist Card'). One for up to 7 days is FREE, but they may insist you return it when leaving Mexico (that is a hassle). One good for up to 180 days, and does not need to be returned, and can be used for multiple trips during the 180 days, is about $25-30.
3) While it is a good idea and easier to use pesos, dollars are accepted everywhere... but have small bills and you will get pesos in change, typically. You can buy pesos at the Costco in Chula Vista off I-5 at Palomar, east to Broadway and then north a half block. If not a member, there are money exchange places in San Ysidro, before crossing south. It was around 18-19 pesos per dollar last I saw.
Speed limits in Mexico are posted in kilometers, and are often silly-slow. So, don't be in a hurry!
4) There is limited cell phone coverage, and only around populated areas, and nothing between El Rosario and Guerrero Negro or south of San Felipe... much. No hand held talking while driving, same as here. Dogs must be secured in the car or truck bed.

 

Thanks @David K, @YumaTRD, @desertjunkie760, and @Borrego Taco for all the advice and info. I actually have been down a half dozen times in the past 1.5 years but this will be the first trip down in the new Tacoma. We used to take my old 06' Outback and I didn't care as much about that car as the new one. We mainly have gone down to the K38 area and have been to Valle Guadalupe once, but it's usually with friends who are pretty experienced. We have taken our kids down a couple times too, they are in a Spanish Immersion program at school and we look for opportunities to get them exposure to the language and culture. I've also been to Sinaloa twice on surf trips (I know..I know... I've heard how bad it is) and Sayulita for a family/surf trip. I love Mexico and look forward to many more adventures there.

As for the FMM, how necessary is that? I've never gotten one and none of my friends or family who go down there pretty often never do either.

 

The FMM, you never know. Sometimes at the San Ysidro crossing I have seen them require everyone to get one regardless of destination. Sometimes the office isn’t even open. It is hard to say if you officially need it, and each official might give a different answer.

The best I could ever dig up was that it is required past the border region.

My best guess is you don’t need it until you really do.

 

That was my understanding about the border region too.

 

Update! truck has been found. Thanks for passing the word and keeping an eye out.

 

Where did they find it?

 

Where the man left it.

Jerky Boys style reply, LOL

 

Well, the deal for the past couple of years now is ANY trip into Mexico, one day or one month and any destination in Mexico, Tijuana or Chiapas REQUIRES a tourist card (unless you are a Mexican, of course). The kicker is, there are no signs or instructions given at the border. You can drive right into Mexico, get the green light and the gate opens. Getting a red light only means they have picked you to inspect for anything illegal or requiring a tax payment (like new appliances).

You are expected to know the law of the land before going into that land... just like the U.S.
Before a couple years ago, there was a "Border Zone" where you could visit for up to 72 hours without the tourist card. This zone went about 100 miles south... but often was considered to be the whole state of Baja California (norte) and some even said up to 1 week. This allowed more dollars to flow south without bureaucracy or the hassle of stopping at the border.

No more! Every vehicle must stop to get the tourist card or if they got a pre-paid one before their trip (Discover Baja Travel Club in San Diego has them), they need to walk into the INM office and have it validated (with their passport in hand). Of course, there still is no sign or forced inspection for your FMM at the border... otherwise the traffic jam getting into Mexico would be as bad (or much worse) than the traffic line returning to the U.S.

There used to be an immigration checkpoint at the border with the state of Baja California Sur, on Highway 1, but that booth hasn't been manned in about 3 years... plus there are other roads across the state border. Who knows when there will be an inspection again or when you will need to prove you are in Mexico legally? Don't break the law!

 

Part II:
How to get the tourist card (FMM):

Tijuana (I-5, I-805 south crossing)... pull over towards the giant flag (flag pole) to the right of the Mexican entrance gates. See the covered parking stalls by the building on the right and go park. With your passports (and a pen) walk into the building, straight through to to far side and just outside are the officials (INM) to present your passport to. If you want a free FMM (up to 7 days max), you should ask if it has to be returned or not when leaving Mexico. It is a huge hassle to drive to this area and find your way back to the northbound route to the U.S. If they say yes, then I would just pay the ~$25 for the 180 day reusable one and be done with it. They will send you to a bank teller inside the building you walked through to pay the fee, and then return for the final stamp.

Tecate... if not busy, ask the officer if you can park in the spaces right there, otherwise at the first cross street after entering Mexico (one way to the left) look for curbside parking. If none, go to the second street (one way to the right) and turn. Go to the next street and turn right one block to the one way street heading back to the entrance road. A parking area for INM is on the left... it may be coned off, but this is to reserve the spots for you. An attendant should be there to move the cones. Now, with your passport, walk to the north bound turnstyle go on to the crosswalk, cross over to the INM building and inside get your FMM. A southbound turnstyle takes you back to the one way street you are parked on.

Mexicali (Ca 111 south)... as soon as you pass the red/green light and gate, go to the white building on the left and park in front... double parking behind official vehicle is okay as there are only like 4 spots to park... too much past the white building and it will be too late to park close. Walk in with your passport. This is the easiest place I have used to get the tourist card! The INM agent can take your money right there.

The FMM is a small piece of paper you can keep in your passport, which is also stamped.

 

Anyone local looking for a LT Taco? Preferably NOT to take to mexico (since we are on the subject)

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/99-long-travel-superchrarged-v6-4wd-5-spd.556384/

 

Little FYI don’t sell it unless you pass smog. The new owner can make you pay for the repairs.

 

Increasing front ride height by adjusting the coilovers down (ie. moving spring down to increase height) adds positive camber, yeah?

My camber is maxed out on alignment but I still have negative camber. If the above is correct, I might try and adjust each side equally a tiny bit. Below are my alignment settings before/after. Had to get the alignement because I swapped in TC UCAs in to replace my ICON arms; also had to swap in new coil springs because my last set snapped in two places.