Two Latvians overlanding south

bunce1260

Observer
Haha, brilliant, if you don't push it too far you never know the limits of Astrid right? So when are you purchasing a winch?
I must admit this scares me, luckily you were close enough to get towed out from a road.
Out of interest what traction planks were you using? It looks like they got snapped?
 

izaicinajums

izaicinajums.com
Haha, brilliant, if you don't push it too far you never know the limits of Astrid right? So when are you purchasing a winch?
I must admit this scares me, luckily you were close enough to get towed out from a road.
Out of interest what traction planks were you using? It looks like they got snapped?

Funny part is that it wasn't even intended to be a test for Astrid. It supposed to be a simple ride in a spot where we would stay a nigh. I did underestimate how slick the surface was though.

As for winch, from our experience so far, it would be waste of money. Better spend it on gas and adventures.

We use cheap recover tracks from AMZN, that are cut in half to save space, they are big enough for what they are intended as they are now and small enough to save space for other things in a van.
 

izaicinajums

izaicinajums.com
FPo3nn3.jpg


**** happens. There are days like this and you can do nothing about it. While driving over tope (speed bump) torsion bar snapped in half. No, the speed wasn’t fast or anything else unusual. It just broke. Found a local Mexican guy who took me to ~20 used part places. Lots of Astros, all of them 2wd… Seems that AWD Astros are not very popular in Mexico (Baja). Napa had part in LA (U.S.), it would cost 5x as much as in U.S. and be here in 5 days. Initially I hoped that I could just get part, swap it quickly and continue on, but it all ended with Astrid on a tow truck. What an adventure.
 

Herbie

Rendezvous Conspirator
Peter/Dace, would it be cheaper for me to try to source a part on this side of the border and then ship it person-person?

Not sure what's involved with customs, etc., but if I can help, let me know.
 

mel

slem
used parts, Mex BC

:snorkel:I do not know your location but I have picked up parts just south of the boarder from Yuma USA. There is a large, very large, staging are and rebuild conglomerate where USA cars end up which coming from CA, NV, UT, AZ, OR and WA. Wish I could be more specific about the name of the little town near Algadonias. Call one of these guys for more viable info.
https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1...lha=0&tbm=lcl&rlfi=hd:;si:2920355241237181012

http://www.usedautopartsdealers.com/state/california/shipps_auto_salvage.php

http://www.reliableautoparts.com/
 

izaicinajums

izaicinajums.com
Peter/Dace, would it be cheaper for me to try to source a part on this side of the border and then ship it person-person?

Not sure what's involved with customs, etc., but if I can help, let me know.

Thank you very much for the offer!!! I am exploring options right now and will let you know for sure if there is anything you could help!

:snorkel:I do not know your location but I have picked up parts just south of the boarder from Yuma USA. There is a large, very large, staging are and rebuild conglomerate where USA cars end up which coming from CA, NV, UT, AZ, OR and WA. Wish I could be more specific about the name of the little town near Algadonias. Call one of these guys for more viable info.
https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1...lha=0&tbm=lcl&rlfi=hd:;si:2920355241237181012

http://www.usedautopartsdealers.com/state/california/shipps_auto_salvage.php

http://www.reliableautoparts.com/

We are Todos Santos, Baja ways from border and even farther from Arizona. But thanks for input! ;)

Oof!

Dorman torsion bar for driver's side is #697-601 if you don't have that already. Best of luck!

Thanks!
 

mezmochill

Is outside
Is it possible to grind and bevel both pieces and have someone arc weld it back together? (multi pass *may*get you enough penetration). Then limp it back across the border.
 
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izaicinajums

izaicinajums.com
Knowing that solid piece of steel (or whatever the material is) snapped, I don't want to consider welding as an option.

Don't want to drive 1000 miles and worry about possible breakdown in the middle of nowhere. :)

Thanks for responses anyways! ;)
 

WinnieVan

Member
Awesome thread...

Stellar thread... what ended up happening with the Torsion bar?

Looks like ya'll had (and are probably still having) an amazing time! Pretty cool seeing your smiles get bigger and bigger as you go :)

Makes me wanna pack up my van and hit the road.
 

izaicinajums

izaicinajums.com
Stellar thread... what ended up happening with the Torsion bar?

Looks like ya'll had (and are probably still having) an amazing time! Pretty cool seeing your smiles get bigger and bigger as you go :)

Makes me wanna pack up my van and hit the road.

Thank you!

We got Torsion bar delivered by friend who was coming from states. Otherwise it would have to be shipped from RockAuto directly to Mexico (shipping price and time wasn't to bad).

Had a great time on road indeed. Now we are settled in Vancouver for indefinite time and trying to figure out the best way to approach next chapter of our lives.

Travels these days are done by two wheels mostly - got KLR 650... ;)

Do it! There is nothing better than hitting the road ;)
 

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