I've been dreaming far too long about getting a 70 series. I finally decided to stop wishing and sold all my projects I didn't truly love for one that I really did. After @6070toyetero texted me(by accident he claims) about a Trakka converted Troopy he had found, I made moves to sell my FJ62 and Defender 110. A 1985 HJ75 with 425,000 kilometers, rough around the edges but no frame rust and it had the Trakka Bushman conversion I really wanted. After giving Lukas some cash, I started the long wait.
I've been keeping everything documented along the way so I can hopefully chronicle the progress here.
More photos can be found on my Instagram: @ericalexanderwillis
Or my shop Instagram: @fitgarage
Day 60 BTE (before troopy era), two months before it arrived in the states.
As I waited, I accumulated some parts to go on. I own a small Wheel, Tire, and Suspension shop in Bend, Oregon so I was able to source a bumper for a good price, and picked up some Powdercoated 15x8 Wheels with 33x10.50r15 BFG KO2 tires. I also sourced a set of Recaro seats, but ended up skipping installing them for the time being because I like the stock seats and my dog would absolutely destroy the cloth.
At last, it arrived after spending a few weeks in customs in Portland. Lukas picked it up from Seattle and delivered it down here in Bend, arriving at 9:30pm. First drive was awesome, it ran great, tons of power, very tight and shifting perfect despite having over 400,000 kilometers. I tried to fall asleep, but absolutely couldn't. I ran to the shop and stayed up until 1am installing the wheels, tires and bumper.
Before:
After:
Morning after, very pleased.
Legendary Aussie Bumper removed with the 31s in the background, replaced with an ARB unit. ARB is gaudy on it's own, this was just too much.
Bend was(we still are) experiencing a summer of fires, so I snapped some photos near the shop, and was able to get it out on it's first venture. It did swimmingly.
I've been keeping everything documented along the way so I can hopefully chronicle the progress here.
More photos can be found on my Instagram: @ericalexanderwillis
Or my shop Instagram: @fitgarage
Day 60 BTE (before troopy era), two months before it arrived in the states.
As I waited, I accumulated some parts to go on. I own a small Wheel, Tire, and Suspension shop in Bend, Oregon so I was able to source a bumper for a good price, and picked up some Powdercoated 15x8 Wheels with 33x10.50r15 BFG KO2 tires. I also sourced a set of Recaro seats, but ended up skipping installing them for the time being because I like the stock seats and my dog would absolutely destroy the cloth.
At last, it arrived after spending a few weeks in customs in Portland. Lukas picked it up from Seattle and delivered it down here in Bend, arriving at 9:30pm. First drive was awesome, it ran great, tons of power, very tight and shifting perfect despite having over 400,000 kilometers. I tried to fall asleep, but absolutely couldn't. I ran to the shop and stayed up until 1am installing the wheels, tires and bumper.
Before:
After:
Morning after, very pleased.
Legendary Aussie Bumper removed with the 31s in the background, replaced with an ARB unit. ARB is gaudy on it's own, this was just too much.
Bend was(we still are) experiencing a summer of fires, so I snapped some photos near the shop, and was able to get it out on it's first venture. It did swimmingly.
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