heading to mexico
 

Im going to be going 500 miles into mexico next week, and im wondering what kind of stuff I should bring along (mainlly engine parts) i'd perfer to fix my car myself if it breaks down. right now im thinking a new fuel pump, new spark plugs, plug wires, distributor cap and rotar(sp?), oil, water, and antifrezze.
I will be driving a '88 4runner 22re. (also I will be doing some mild off-roading)

duct tape, tie wire, bubble gum, oh and a hammer!!

I wouldnt leave without: tire plugs, air pump, fan belt, multi-meter, variety of tools, MEX-INSURANCE, take your own extra gas.

I would leave the antifreeze and take more water.

underscore MEX-INSURANCE. its a crime to be in an accident in Mexico, and the insurance is your bail. $$ :(

additionally: air compressor or air tank (let your tires down 5 or 10 psi for the offroad reaches, much safer that way). i also take a few bottles of fuel additive/octane booster like STP, just in case i get some fuel that seems a little funky.

vaya con dios!

A really good translation dictionary and cold hard cash (stored in your socks).

Go to your local auto store and look in the Help! section. That company has a ton of good little "get you home" parts in there.

Tengo buen tiempo!

DO NOT bring any fire arms down there! Remember, you're going to another country...US law, Human rights., blah blah balh...doesn't apply down there.....

fuses, bota, bottled water?

condoms, penecilin

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

:chairfall

Condoms only work some of the time. Penicillin rarely works anymore and it's available cheap at the pharmacias. Hhmmm...Ya suppose the reason penicillin doesn't work anymore is because those little bacteria have been exposed to non-lethal doses of penicillin? My students' grandparents and parents still self-administer penicillin every time a kid gets the sniffles. Antibiotics are useless on viral infections. Where's Darwin when ya need him? Enought rant...back to topic.

While you're in Mex. be polite, say please and thank you, obey all traffic laws and don't hit anyone's livestock. If you're being tailed by Humvees, pull over and let them do whatever they want. They're Federales and they pack M-16's and lots of authority. They'll usually let you go, unless you get a smart mouth.

well, I got everything but the air compressor, and the fuel pump. I can't afford an air compressor right now and the off-roading isn't going to be very bad, so i'm just going to take a bicycle pump, for emergencies. Also the fuel pump cost ~$125 so im not sure if im going to buy that. Anyone know if the fuel pumps one these trucks go out often?
Thanks for all the help, everyone.

Get a tune-up before you go. From a good shop or from the STEALER.

914runner: doing that today

Tools to pull the gas engine and throw a diesel in instead.

He said Mexico, not Costa Rica. Not much in the way of dealers in Mexico. Oops...I mean Toyota dealers.

That's changing. Click on the Distribuidores link for dealer locations.

Dogone it. Ya got me all excited with visions of a diesel engine from my neighbor to the south. But then I go to the website and see that they're just gonna offer Mexico the V8. Drat! Foiled again.