President Polk: Reliability Meets the Last Frontier

TRIP 3 of 3

South America demands adaptability... One day, you're fording jungle rivers in northern Colombia. The next, you’re clawing your way through the Bolivian Andes at 15,000 feet with no guardrails, no shoulder, and no margin for error. When the road ends, the real trail begins—and so does the test of your rig, your planning, and your patience.

Meet President Polk, our 1984 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ60—a slow, heavy, honest machine. No a/c. No sensors. Just steel, gears, and soul. Originally bone stock, Polk is our final build: a long-haul workhorse with a vintage backbone and an expedition heart. Over the next few years, we’re restoring and refining every inch of him—because this isn’t just another off-road adventure. This is the Americas, end to end. A 20,000-mile marathon from Arizona to Ushuaia, Argentina, and the literal edge of the Earth.

Why the FJ60?

We chose the FJ60 because it straddles the line between old-world durability and modern overland potential. The solid front axle, leaf spring suspension, and carbureted 2F inline-six engine may seem primitive—but that’s the point. No electronics. No reliance on proprietary tech. Just pure mechanical reliability that can be fixed with basic tools in any village garage from Chiapas to Chile.

It's not fast. It's not quiet. But it's dependable—and in this game, that’s everything.

Build Highlights (In Progress)

Suspension & Load Handling

• OME Dakar leaf springs, heavy-duty shackles, and upgraded shocks for better travel and comfort without sacrificing reliability.

• Future plan: add a rear anti-wrap bar and progressive bump stops to better control loaded articulation through rocky terrain and washboard roads.  Adjustable Shocks and heavy duty springs will assist in carrying the heavy cargo load.  

Power & Fuel Range

• Factory 2F engine with a full rebuild and possible Weber carb upgrade for better throttle response and altitude tuning.

• Auxiliary fuel tank and jerry can mounts will give us a total range of 550+ miles—critical in remote regions like the Atacama and Ruta 40.

• Possible alternate fuel system install for dual-fuel flexibility in regions with limited gas availability.

Interior Touring Setup

• Full rear cargo platform with modular drawer system, fridge slide, and dual-battery Keyline Chargers setup.

• Fold-flat sleeping system inside the cabin for stealth camping.

• Canvas door and window storage for maps, gear, and quick-access tools.

• Roof-mounted solar and Starlink Mini setup to work remotely or stay connected during deep expedition segments.

Exterior Armor & Gear

• Front and rear steel bumpers with integrated recovery points.

• Welded rock sliders for side protection through canyons and jungle trails.

• Roof rack with MaxTrax, full-size spare, fuel storage, and a rooftop tent for when interior sleeping isn’t an option.

• Hi-Lift jack and onboard air for trail repairs and tire service.

Navigation & Comms

• Garmin Overlander with Gaia GPS for off-grid navigation.

• InReach Mini 2 for satellite messaging.

• Starlink Mini with flexible mounting for remote uploads and emergency updates.

The Route: From Desert Heat to Glacier Winds

We’ll kick off in Arizona, cross into Baja for a full shakedown, and then ferry over to mainland Mexico. From there, the route south is anything but straight.

Tentative Route Plan:

• Mexico: Enter via Tacate, Baja Mexico. Overnight in Valle De Guadalupe, then head south through Ensenada, San Felipe, and all the way down to Cabo San Lucas and La Paz to get the overnight ferry to mainland Mexico.  Arrive in Puerto Vallarta and begin the next leg of the trip with an overnight in Sayulita and then further south to Central America.  

• Central America: Follow the Pan-American through Guatemala, Honduras (via Copán Ruinas), Nicaragua (staying west of Managua), and into Costa Rica.

• Border Caution:

  • El Salvador: Currently not on our main route due to complex border logistics and safety concerns.

  • Nicaragua-Honduras: This border is notoriously bureaucratic. Multiple vehicle documents and patience are essential.

  • Darien Gap: There’s no road across the Darien. We’ll ship Polk from Cartagena, Colombia to Colón, Panama via container or RORO ferry service—expect delays, paperwork, and $1,200–$2,500 in fees.

South America Phase:

• Colombia: Hug the Andes south through Medellín and Cali. Fuel is cheap, roads are stunning, and the mountain passes will challenge every inch of the FJ60’s cooling system.

• Ecuador & Peru: Altitude and coastal deserts. Avoid night driving. Watch for rockfalls and fuel quality variances.

• Bolivia: The Salar de Uyuni is a must—but prep your drivetrain and pack extra fuel, water, and tire repair gear.

• Chile & Argentina: Take Ruta 40 through Argentina’s spine and cross into Chile for sections of the Carretera Austral. Push through to Torres del Paine, then onto the final stretch: the windswept route to Ushuaia, the southernmost drivable city in the world.

Things to Watch For

Border Crossings:

• Plan for 3–6 hours per border, often involving immigration, customs, fumigation, and temporary vehicle import permits (TIPs).

• Always carry original title, driver’s license, passport, insurance, and printed TIP copies for every country.

• Central America’s CA-4 agreement allows border flow through Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and El Salvador—BUT overstaying in any country can void the rest.

Altitude Prep:

• Carbureted engines suffer above 10,000 feet. Bring jets, adjust mixture, and watch for power loss.

• Elevation sickness is real—take it slow in Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia.

Fuel & Maintenance:

• Fuel quality varies wildly. Avoid anything with excessive ethanol or “green” diesel additives in remote areas.

• Keep oil, coolant, belts, plugs, and filters stocked in the rig. The FJ60 is simple—but it still needs love.

Safety:

• Avoid night driving in rural zones. Stray animals, potholes, and unlit hazards are everywhere.

• Stay up to date with local protests, strikes, and road closures via iOverlander and embassy updates.

The Journey South

President Polk is more than a truck. He’s a time capsule. A rolling reminder that the old ways still work. That the world is still vast, wild, and unexplored for those willing to go slow, take the long way, and embrace the unknown.

We’re not racing. We’re not checking boxes. We’re making memories. One climb, coast, and conversation at a time.

And when we finally reach Tierra del Fuego—with the wind howling off the sea and nothing left ahead but ice and sky—Polk will have earned every inch of the dust on his paint.