The quick of it -

I am planning to leave in Sept or Oct for a trip that will start in Mexico & End up somewhere around Brazil. Along the way I will be stopping to airbrush T-shirts &/or tattoo.

I need a vehicle that will be able to carry my equipment, possibly work out of (in the event I don't want to or can't lease a space short term). I will want to be able to sleep in or on it in the event I am stranded or other emergency situation.

Reliability & economy are priorities... performance is a want but not a need.

It will need to be able to handle the worst central american roads (or lack thereof) have to offer.

I have looked at a full size Bronco because it is cheaply available to me & it was suggested I swap in a cummins 12v. As I read about that it became clear a diesel is probably the best choice.

I am a novice mechanic (alternators & other bolt ons)... except for my baja bug - that thing was super easy to figure out & work on. I am an intermediate welder - I wouldn't trust my welds across the border though. I obviously need room for tools, spares, water, fuel, etc...

I would like it to be common enough to be serviceable in latin america.

I have looked at

an 86 suburban 4x4 auto for $1500 & the owner can customize w/lift & expedition cabinetry.

a 95 suburban 4x4 auto for $3800 new turbo, pumps, etc.. (this is IFS right? will that b a problem)

an 89 ram 12v for $4200.

93 silverado dually $2600

97 f350 7.3 flat bed for $1500

I will have about $5-8K budgeted for the whole build.

Comments (other than "mexico is dangerous")/ recommendations?

Thanks.

 

Id def look at getting a 12v 4x4 Cummins, very reliable and easy to fix or get moving again with simple tools or macgyver tricks, a cheap leveling kit will clear 35" tires to help with bad roads or offroad. I'd personally look into something like this...

 

thanks for the reply..

i would love something like that.. but i don't need it to be a purpose built camper, as this adventure will have me staying long term & therefore renting at most if not all stops. any camping will be short term or emergency.

also that, i'm going out on a limb here, looks like it is just a hair out of my 8k budget

so that is 1 vote cummins. manual? auto? i was thinking 35s too - was prolly gonna settle on 33s - unless more ppl recommend 35s.

thanks again.

 

Oh its outa my budget too but was just giving you an idea and I prefere manuals myself, cheap to upgrade ie:clutch and more reliable imo. But yes 33's will do just fine and I'd def look into gettine a large aux fuel tank as well

 

12V definatly, I think all the above will need some work. You'll be workn it from the sounds of it. Good luck with your choice.

 

12 V Cummins will get you anywhere, but make I would carry an extra transfer pump and a set of wrenches and filters with you. Make sure your suspension is ready for the long haul to, other than that I trust my cummins and its a 24 Valve VP44 Injection pump 12 valves are all mechanical, and there tricks here an there for Mcgyver repairs. Put you can replace the Water pumps and other comon bolts ons easily. Only warning and this is for any diesel DO NOT RUN IT OUTTA DIESEL!!!! you have been warn, or have fun with the hand pump and cracking injectors. But Cummins are everywhere and if your goin to Brazil guess where cummins are made BRAZIL!!! so you should be in luck. Have fun stay safe, and to bad you cant pack a gun into mexico. I have no plans of going there for 2 reasons, Cant carry a gun and second reason cant speak spanish, If you cant speak my language dont come here is personal policy and I wont go somewhere if I cant speak their language.

 

so it seems the dodge is the way to go. the ones i am looking at here in town are both automatics... would it be worth it to have it converted?

is the suburban 6.2 non turbo just a bad deal all around?

what kind of economy can i expect out of the cummins 12v?

good to know cummins are made in brazil & that they are common in latin america too.

i really wish i could take a gun to mexico too.. but i think in the end leaving them behind is the wisest choice. i looked up all the gun friendly countries south of mexico & some of them are very gun friendly (honduras & ecuador if i remember right).

as far as the spanish - i know a little & 1 of my first destinations has an intensive immersion school that cost like $10 a day or something like that... & i agree 100% - have the respect to learn the language if you are going to live somewhere not native to you.

i also have friends in a lot of these places & can do some couch surfing & have someone to hold my hand from time to time... so it's wont be a complete leap into the darkness.

thanks again for all the insight. i think i am going to shop for a 2nd gen ram (seems aftermarket is better)... 33s, manual if i can find it, sliders, wench bumper, & build some sort of rack/shell system for the bed.

more comments invited, requested, & welcomed.

thanks for replies thus far too.