Tough decision ahead, drive or fly

[binare]

So me and the girlfriend are moving to Central America, not sure exactly where yet but if we flew, we'd land in Guatemala. We love the idea of having a vehicle down there right away (hate chicken buses!) so we have a few options, leaving November 1st.

1. Sell the TJ and buy something cheap, will take a massive loss on it of course. Were already selling her Juke, definately not taking that down there.

2. Modify the TJ for better mileage. Take the lift out, return to factory height. remove the 33s and just get 30s or 31s. Spend a small fortune on Tuffy products. New water pump, rad etc. just to be safe. I currently get a hair over 330km to a tank, was getting 450ish before lift and tires. its 4850km to Guatemala City.

3. Just sell it and fly, learn to love 8 hour busrides to go 100kms.

Throw those thoughts at me!

[bullitt85]

I would look at selling it and buying something else or maybe trade it across for a newer un modified one?

[binare]

I would look at selling it and buying something else or maybe trade it across for a newer un modified one?

And this exactly why I asked so I can argue with myself and get my train of thought out, on that note:

IF I was gonna take a Jeep for sure, it'd definitely be this one, I know its history, I know its maintained and I know it'll make the journey without leaving me stranded in bumfuck Mexico he he. However I don't need such an expensive (relative of course) vehicle when even a $2000.00 rav4 (perish the thought!) Would be more then enough.

[binare]

Currently its on a 2.5 OME HD lift with a JKS 1 1/4" BL and 1" MML. Id remove all that and put my stock Rubi springs back in, new shocks and throw some factory sized tires on her. Probably wouldn't be too much of a challenge to trade my wheels and tires to another TJ owner. Possibly pull the winch and sell it too, winch along with the lift would probably cover my cost of decking it out in Tuffy security consoles. I got a soft top so the consoles are necessary IMO. I'd prefer the soft top over the hard top anyways.

[bullitt85]

if your going to drive it why go through all the work of refitting it to stock? wouldnt you be happier if you kept it as is?
If I was going to drive my jeep id just pay the extra in fuel to keep the build.

[binare]

It'll see 99% pavement and dirt roads, save for the death highway in Bolivia etc. IMO it makes little to no sense to keep it the way it is and just add that much more to maintenance, which will already be a chore.  Was perfectly happy there in a bone stock Cherokee before.

[Immortal]

Make the drive. It would be an epic road trip. If it was me, I would leave it as is.... Big tires and a lift are cool. 'Sides, you never know what kind of road conditions you'll encounter (or discover..... "Look honey, I wonder where where that road goes.... ")
My $0.02

What type of work do you do that allows you to get down there?

[binare]

Lol ya but we both have traveled to sketchy arse places enough to NEVER play that "wonder where that road goes". These are places where tourist buses are locked up tight and not opened till they get to the destination because of highway robberies. The most expensive part  of driving will be bribes to police and customs "officials". Definitely not driving around aimlessly. Especially through Mexico, although an interesting fact; police are now prohibited from handing out minor traffic tickets to tourists because the corruption and bribery is so high.

I'm surprised at the opinions to drive it as is, definitely leads me more to just selling it and taking the loss.

If right hand vehicles weren't such a pain in the arse to get into most Central and South American countries, I'd be buying a Delica for sure!

Work is no longer in my vocabulary we are both sick of the die with the most debt lifestyle.

[binare]

Another issue with modified vehicles are customs, bribes, insurance etc. No insurance company will insure you south of Mexico, no country will let you in without insurance, solution? You buy their insurance at the border which is dirt cheap, unless they have a reason for it not to be, aka modified vehicle. From my experience I tend to think a lifted jeep on fat tires would pretty well be a cash cow to most officials.

[dunl]

Sell it, but a diesel 4x4 down there.

[binare]

Tough for a foreigner to buy a vehicle in most countries down there, unless its from another foreigner. And prices are way out of wack. TJs for example can go for 20k (USD) plus. I'd have to buy here and drive down. Maybe I'll trade the Jeep for a Tacoma or something.

[scott slade]

Yes it would be the best road trip ever, but i think you answered your own question. Fly there and save your life....  there will always be another Jeep...

[binare]

Yes it would be the best road trip ever, but i think you answered your own question. Fly there and save your life....  there will always be another Jeep...

+1 who wants to buy a Rubi? Hehe

[frenchy]

Pics of girlfriend? 








If you decide to fly I hope the plane slowly disinigrates or crash lands in Juarez 

Seriously, on such an grande adventure you'll need wheels and a Jeep isn't going to do.
Jeep TJ would stick out worse than a transvestite hooker at a stampede breakfast.
Ever try to get parts in South America ? Probably easier to get transvestite parts than jeep, not that there's anything wrong with that, just sayin...
Sell the jeeps and get into a Toyota. 4Runner has more space and is still quite common in south/central America.
Don't waste your money on gay tuffy products, instead do a 69000 point inspection on the yota and rebuild or replace everything you can while you have your own place & tools.
If you can, enter Mexico at the Mexicali border just before a big baja race, makes life much easier!
Smooth sailing from there as long as you have no guns or drugs.

Should also work on your tan before departing

[bullitt85]

lol definitely sounds like your mind is made up on the subject, sell the jeep take the cash... give ya 3500