2016 SR5 bound for Mexico

I recently purchased a 2016 SR5 with 46,000 mi. In February I plan to ship it cross country to San Diego and then drive it to its new home in Los Cabos Mexico. It will spend a lot of time on dirt roads near the ocean. looking for any advice to prep the vehicle in anticipation of this move.

 

Welcome to the forum.

 

Nothing is required.

But I would be extra careful driving an American registered and insured vehicle in Mexico.

 

It’s a pretty common practice for expats or west coasters who have a home down there. The car will have Mexican insurance. I will freshen up all the fluids.

Newer model years have a fuel filter in the tank. It’s no longer an inline filter. Has anyone out a lot of miles on a vehicle with the in-tank filter?

 

Still looking for input.
Another question. With 46+ thousand miles on the stock shocks, is it time to switch to heavier duty shocks before this 4Runner starts living on dirt roads?

 

I have no input for you but jealous for the road trip. Driving the length of baja is an awesome thing.

 

Sounds more like his home, not a vacation

 

Not sure that makes a difference. It’s a killer road trip. Surf, camp, explore if you’ve got the time. Baja is an incredible place to experience.

 

I doubt anyone has changed the fuel filter. I've never heard of an issue. You should be fine there.

If the shocks are leaking or obviously worn, I'd upgrade. 46k is towards upper middle aged for stock shocks, but they've got life left. If it rides okay and they look good, I'd likely leave them.

Tires good? Some good AT or MT could be useful there. Original battery? Near end of life. Window tint, maybe?

Nothing else really comes to mind. It's a good and reliable truck.

 

I would argue that makes it BETTER!!

 

Good advice. The 4Runner will make the Baja trip and then become a Baja truck. We’re building a house there. Last year we purchased a 2000 4Runner I affectionately refer to as our Beater. It was a So Cal car for the first 50,000 mi. Then it moved down the coast and got beat up. This past trip in February I had fuel trouble. That’s a long story by itself. Decided to buy a newer one here and drive it for the next few months. Then drive it and use it in Mexico for a few months.
Down there it will drive on a lot of dirt. I considering upgrading the shocks or bringing down Bilsteins and have them installed in a year or so.

 

I have no input but sounds like fun