Big Bend " Minimalist Overlander" to Costa Rica

[Mustmoto]

We are equipping our Alto Blue for a drive down to our home in Costa Rica from Califoria. One down there we have plans to use it for exploring Central America.

Today I got the first box of parts in and went to town.

Heka low profile cross bars (Amazon) were the first install. They fit well and do seem overly cheap considering they were $69.

On top of that went a flat rack from Auxpacbo (Amazon again). Overall I'm happy with the quality of the rack, but the mounting system is not great. I'm researching a better alternative. There also some wind noise around 70mph, but once the lightbar, trax, and pax are up there next week I'll go about solving the noise issues.

A awning will be handy for our journey to Costa Rica as well as around the countryside once we are settled in. This Danchel Outdoors awning had decent reviews and overall it's solid, but includesd hardware was junk. Luckily I had some spare T-bolts.

I've got Rotopax, maxtrax, and a 40-inch lightbar on the way. I've also got a waterproof rooftop bag that will be full on our trip south.

Last pieces of the build are soon to be ordered: 245/65R17 AT tires ( probably Toyo Open Country) and Rough Country struts, springs, and shocks. I'm not a fan of spacer lifts.

Once the journey begins we will be posting to a new youtube channel if anyone is interested in following along.

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[Mustmoto]

Lightbar added and moved the rack to the rear to find the sweet spot on wind noise. Got it down to acceptable levels up to 85mph.

Also got Kenda Klever A/T2 tires sized 245/65R17 installed, no issues with rub without a lift. Now 50/50 on lifting as we don't plan any truly difficult off-roading.

I replaced the donut spare with a fifth Kenda on a steel wheel. I moved the jack from under the wheel tonthe side in the foam dividers so I could place an emergency road kit in the tire. I cut down the bolt holding the jack and tire to work in in this configuration (after the photo was taken).

 

[Mark S.]

Lightbar added and moved the rack to the rear to find the sweet spot on wind noise. Got it down to acceptable levels up to 85mph.

Also got Kenda Klever A/T2 tires sized 245/65R17 installed, no issues with rub without a lift. Now 50/50 on lifting as we don't plan any truly difficult off-roading.

I replaced the donut spare with a fifth Kenda on a steel wheel. I moved the jack from under the wheel tonthe side in the foam dividers so I could place an emergency road kit in the tire. I cut down the bolt holding the jack and tire to work in in this configuration (after the photo was taken).

I love watching people make vehicles their own. Keep up the good work folks!

 

[jazzdab]

I am sure you'll take and hopefully post many pictures of the trip. Would love to take such a drive myself.

 

[Mustmoto]

And we're off. First stop is Las Vegas for a couple of weeks. Then south!

 

[jazzdab]

Be safe and keep us posted!

 

[AndyMac204]

sweet build safe travels!

 

[Bill G]

Good luck, stay safe, and have FUN!

 

[Mustmoto]

Well... Thanks to a insane chain of events with our previous finance company (it's paid off, financed for a month...) and the CA DMV our title has been delayed. No title or registration without a lein holder on it, no crossing the boarders in Central America. I've spent over 8 hours on the phone and many more online to try and get our title as promised. Now it's 30 days until it arrives.

This means we either live in an airbnb for a month with 4 dogs, or buy another rig cash and get on the road. We did option 2....

We may have found the lowest priced Bronco available without ordering and waiting. It's a base with the 4cyl, but overall it is very nice. Has 225 miles on it. Tint tomorrow. Wheels and tires Wednesday. Lightbar, Wednesday.

So... In 30 days (if the title arrives!!) there will be a sweet Bronco Sport BB with 5k mikes on it for sale in Las Vegas.

Sucks to get it all dialed in just to sell it, but we really want to get to our new home.

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