Toyota Troop Carriers

Any troop carrier fans in here??

I havn't looked at troopies in a long time, but would like to consider one as my next vehicle. I like the idea of getting a poptop, but finding a low KM one is going to be the hard part!

Anyone got a nice troopy setup they could show me???

Bandicoot

I've got a 75 series RV troopy with over 400k on the clock and still going strong. I did have her blow up on me recently and it cost a pretty penny to get her back on the road but well worth it. I've since added a cage roof rack, 9500lb winch, UHF CB and Waeco 35ltr 3 way fridge so I am better setup for the bush. It took me a year of looking before I found THE ONE Keep looking you will find it or it will find you if that is your destiny

I own a HJ75 1985 2H Diesel troopy .What a great piece of gear !!!!
Only God knows how many klicks are on it. Still going strong [not fast....just strong]
Just a word of warning Bandicoot, there are some misguided people on the forum that will try and sing the praises of other types of 4WDs but its all "smoke and mirrors". There can be only ONE real 4WD and that remains the domain of the Toyota Troopcarrier.
Mine is a basic setup. Registered as a 6 seater, PTO winch, Cooper tyres and a radio. Everything else fits inside or on the roof.

Bandicoot said:

Any troop carrier fans in here??

I havn't looked at troopies in a long time, but would like to consider one as my next vehicle. I like the idea of getting a poptop, but finding a low KM one is going to be the hard part!

Anyone got a nice troopy setup they could show me???

Bandicoot

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I use to have pop top troop carrier many years ago. They are great but you have to consider that the roof is fiberglass so no roof rack can be fitted. You could be limited with how much gear you can take with you. Great vehicle.

Good choice Bandicoot. Infact the only choice I might add. The secret to their longativity is regular servicing. Change engine oil and filters every 5000 kms. Check diffy and transfer case oils especially if you'v been through the odd stream. I might add that it helps if you can carry out this work yourself. Apart from the satisfaction of knowing that the jobs been done properly, you can save a good quid in labour costs. I'd say forget the pop top and go for the top rack, invaluable when you need to carry extra fuel. Not the most comfortable vechicle,but the reliability out ranks any negatives.
Regards, Bulldog.

Cheers, i've never been too worried about comfort and in terms of going remote and living on the road, well I reckon the troopy is the pick of vehicles.

I currently own an old 90 Ln106 Hilux. she's a slow old pig but man have I taken her places. She just wound over 333,333km's recently, but I suspect that she may be on her second trip around the clock

Gedday there Bandicoot .. A good choice vehicle and everything that Bulldog has posted above is spot on with regards Landcrusers whether they be a Troopy or a Trayback.

Personally, I'd be very carefull with the pop-ups .. Most of these will be ex hire campers and that usually means flogged to buggery and probably poorly serviced.

Like any thing mate, take your time and research the market. It's all about your budget and consider as well that you will probably want to have an extra two or three grand up your sleeve to bring the vehicle up to your required personal specs.

A well presented, lovingly maintained diesel powered 75 Series with as few previous owners as possible is the go .. Without being silly about about it, odometer reading, older 2H or later in the series 1HZ power plants aren't as important as the maintenance and care history.

And whatever you do .... Check for rust! .. and especially in the chassis members. Never, ever buy one of these things from someone who spends every other weekend surf fishing! .. (Or beach detecting).

Get the right one, from the right owner and at the right price and you'll have a vehicle that with still have many years left in it to take wherever you want go.

Good luck to you mate.

Probably the best troopy I have driven was the HDJ78R RV turbo diesel, plenty of grunt for towing and overtaking, and even better with airbags fitted to the rear leaf springs to dial out that plow understeer on cornering, and for towing. I'd consider this engine any day over the any cruisers fitted with the current common rail v8 for reliability and piece of mind.

Troopies are a great vehicle, a mate has a "Trakka". The Trakka company converts troopies into campers. The turbo version would be the pick. As goldpick said they are top heavy and a suspension upgrade would fix this. The mates also has twin lockers, diff breathers, sliders, bull bar and a winch. The only thing I don't like about it is that you can't fit a roof rack but for a person traveling solo like myself it shouldn't be too much off a hassle. Another couple I know has the petrol troopy with a roof top tent and they say it has plenty of room and they do carry plenty of gear. It's thirsty if you put the foot down.
This is my mates troopy.

Nice but pricey!!!!
http://www.mynrma.com.au/motoring/reviews/caravan-camper-motorhome-reviews/trakka-bushman.htm
Mick

Just keeping my eye out at the moment, getting ideas etc. What are the sites to watch???

Been watching Gumtree, ebay, carsales and explore oz. The best ones are on ExploreOz. I'm a bit sceptical about the ebay/gumtree stuff and see it as a quick way to push on something with problems.

Now for some more troopy porn hahaha......

Also found this informative read while browsing the web for troopies: http://www.outbacktravelaustralia.com.au/buyers-guide-wagons-large/toyota-landcruiser-troop-carrier

Bandicoot said:

Just keeping my eye out at the moment, getting ideas etc. What are the sites to watch???

Been watching Gumtree, ebay, carsales and explore oz. The best ones are on ExploreOz. I'm a bit sceptical about the ebay/gumtree stuff and see it as a quick way to push on something with problems.

Now for some more troopy porn hahaha......

https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/forum/img/member-images/2453/1393495711_img_7276.jpg

Click to expand...

not knocking troopies but the manufacturer has a reason to put those nice big radiators on the front of them and guys want to go and stick bigarse driving lights there to block the airflow ?

whats wrong with just mounting an LED lightbar somewhere and let the air flow through ....

poor little engine ..... 8.(

Yeah true. The photo is probably pre LED light bar era. Not sure

Took my 75 series high top around oz a couple years back. Was an ex-hire BRITZ camper conversion with 350,000 on the clock. It still runs with 390,000 but is on it's way out now. Slipping clutch and worn engine as a result of tourists riding the clutch in the sand I'd imagine along with generally being thrashed have resulted in a shortened engine life but I'm still pretty impressed it racked up as many miles considering it's history.

They are a serious 4x4 and if I had to trust my life to the reliability of my 4X4 on remote outback adventures I don't see a better option. Slow (N/A model), diesel guzzling unless babied but unbelievably tough vehicles which can really take a beating and just keep going (look at how thick the steel is on the chassis) Low K's is indeed going to be difficult to find but they do pop up occasionally if you're not in a hurry. Very sought after mind you.

Mate as a mechanic I would have to advise you to buy a Nissan patrol cheaper and better stronger and more comfort , :8

Has a Prospector and 370.000Klm on my 1998 Troopy and trouble free I went out a bought a new one again.

Ideal for my Prostecting trips. Like all Just maintain them and any vehicle will service you well.

Work for a drilling company and they only run landcruisers . Have 2 nissans converted to 6 wheelers and they ok but not as reliable . Both on 3rd motor . BUT a a landcruisers chasie cant legally be cut and shut to make a 6 wheeler . Nissan do have a stronger chaisy than the landcruiser . A poptop with a fiberglass top is no good for a roof rack but a troopy is abit top heavy anyway and do u need a lot of weight on top of the roof as well when doing tricky creek crossings etc ,.
One off the best setups i have seen was a 80 series ute ,fiberglass canopy with a trailor behind that thhe lid lifted to sleep in ,rear kitchen , slide out containers under the bed . 100 lt water storage in 2 50 lt tanks (in case one gets a leak ) 120 solar panel and deep cell battery . Cost him under 4500 bucks to build

Hey Old Fred,

Look at this link, Just waiting to win lotto and I'll buy one. 8.(

http://www.multidrive.com.au

Looks like a good conversion, certainly has a better GVM and lockers all round. Just waiting for the day to order one.

Cheers

Doug

Rockhunter62 said:

Hey Old Fred,

Look at this link, Just waiting to win lotto and I'll buy one. 8.(

http://www.multidrive.com.au

Looks like a good conversion, certainly has a better GVM and lockers all round. Just waiting for the day to order one.

Cheers

Doug

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Looks nice . Get my boss to look at them . Later models must have stronger sub frame . Another prob with our 6 wheelers is they only 4x4 not 6x6 and in rough coountry the lazy axle at the back can decreese u traction if they are holding u drive wheels up especially on creek crossings .

Hey Fred,

I believe that I read somewhere that the 6x6 work vehicle was about $180,000 but don't quote me on that. This link shows the Scorpion version which is very similar to the Mercedes 6x6 AMG63

https://www.4x4australia.com.au/reviews/road-tests/1408/mdt-southern-scorpion-6x6

Don't think it has the same price tag as the Mercedes though. Looks very similar.

Cheers

Doug