Builds 1982 Desert Troopy - Glutton for Punishment

[jgeoffr]

So instead of finishing one project before starting another, I've decided to begin the teardown of the new-to-me 82 troopy.

This one is a GCC-spec troopy that originally came with factory air but no heat and manual steering.

Most recently it was used as a school bus in the mountainous western part of Saudi. It's led a hard life. Everything from the cab back is in some stage of decay. But it does have a valid title, which is of critical importance, because here in Saudi, once a vehicle is deregistered, there is essentially no chance of getting it re-registered.

Fair warning, I'm in no big rush to make progress on this truck, so progress will come in spurts. Also, the damage is great, so prepare for some major surgery.

Without further ado, here is the truck in all its glory.

-Geoff

 

[Spike Strip]

That doesn't look bad at all ... What engine ?

 

[jgeoffr]

That doesn't look bad at all ... What engine ?

Looks can certainly be deceiving. Lots of majoon (bomdo) on this one.

It's got the non-US 2F engine, so it's got the alternator on the lower driver side using the old F mount and the A/C compressor goes on the passenger side next to the engine mount.

Unfortunately the A/C was removremoved before I got it so we'll be adding in an aftermarket system.

-Geoff

 

[cbmontgo]

Very cool truck. Looking forward to this.

 

[JohnnyC]

Lots of good stuff there... wing window doors ... sliding rear windows ...oem pintle... oem jerrycan holder ... oem fog lights ... anti rattle straps galore Lol

PO must have drove her hard

Great looking rig

 

[TCEd]

I have to ask.
What did it cost and will it ever leave KSA ?

 

[Living in the Past]

I assume this means you need to keep it registered as long as you own including time off the road while restoring? Very interesting Toyota badge in the grill, is that from the back corner or something else. If you don't mind what did this cost in US dollars. Figure it was cheap. See another one in a picture. Auction off of old school vehicles?

 

[Michael B]

I like the hood ornament!

 

[Living in the Past]

First I thought it was a Middle East gold Land Cruiser hood ornament like SOR use to sell. I remember the gold package phase on the Land Cruisers. These were a Toyota Option earlier in the Middle East. Would have to dig out old catalogs but believe the package included gold GX emblems.

 

[jgeoffr]

Too cool. Curious about the strapping that goes from the hood aprons to both the bib and the kick-vent panels. Just a PO "fix"?

The ones straddling the apron to the kickvent panels look like a bracket for something

Exactly, just a PO fix due to either degradation of supports it as part of a "repair". Also, the hood had a lock point welded in to help prevent unwanted opening of the hood. I debated keeping some of the mods but instead will take it back to stock-ish.

-Geoff

 

[jgeoffr]

Lots of good stuff there... wing window doors ... sliding rear windows ...oem pintle... oem jerrycan holder ... oem fog lights ... anti rattle straps galore Lol

PO must have drove her hard

Great looking rig

Very hard indeed. These are working trucks for sure. Everything needs work in some form or fashion. Much will be replaced including the the Jerry can and holder and the fogs. I've looked at both and for the Jerry can, new is available in the region, and for the fogs they've led a hard life. I have new OE fogs for my other truck, so might get more for this one or go another route.

This for sure isn't a pure restore like @koxfarm . If you want inspiration on how a troops should be done I would highly encourage anyone to view his build-up thread.

-Geoff

 

[jgeoffr]

I have to ask.
What did it cost and will it ever leave KSA ?

There is an unofficial expat tax over here that is based on nationality so I certainly paid more than if I was a local. Also, costs for the longer wheelbase models are more than the cost of 40's.

I paid a bit more for the troopy than I did for my 1984 FJ40, and this truck is in worse shape. But it's a case of supply and demand. The 83-84 40's are much more common than 43's and 45's.

Yes, both trucks will be containered back to the States when I finally leave here. I've got too much sweat equity in them to let em' go.

-Geoff

 

[jgeoffr]

I have to ask.
What did it cost and will it ever leave KSA ?

There is an unofficial expat tax over here that is based on nationality so I certainly paid more than if I was a local. Also, costs for the longer wheelbase models are more than the cost of 40's.

I paid a bit more for the troopy than I did for my 1984 FJ40, and this truck is in worse shape. But it's a case of supply and demand. The 83-84 40's are much more common than 43's and 45's.

Yes, both trucks will be containered back to the States when I finally leave here. I've got too much sweat equity in them to let em' go.

-Geoff

 

[jgeoffr]

I assume this means you need to keep it registered as long as you own including time off the road while restoring? Very interesting Toyota badge in the grill, is that from the back corner or something else. If you don't mind what did this cost in US dollars. Figure it was cheap. See another one in a picture. Auction off of old school vehicles?

Yeah, I can let the registration not stay current as long as the truck is in my name. No real way of getting it inspected until it's back together in a finished form.

I think the badge in the grill is from a 60 or 70 series truck, definitely not something off the back.

The other one is an 83 40 that is owned by a buddy. We've got a bit of a truck restoration thing going right now. I think at one point we had 6 FJ40's and my 45 in the shop at one time to do various repairs/restoration.

-Geoff

 

[jgeoffr]

I like the hood ornament!

If there's one thing these guys like more than their Toyotas, it's the Chevrolet Caprice. There are more late 70's to mid 80's restored Cparices over here than I've seen anywhere else. Just glad it didn't mean that a Chevy V8 was under the hood. That emblem is going.

-Geoff

 

[jgeoffr]

I like the hood ornament!

If there's one thing these guys like more than their Toyotas, it's the Chevrolet Caprice. There are more late 70's to mid 80's restored Cparices over here than I've seen anywhere else. Just glad it didn't mean that a Chevy V8 was under the hood. That emblem is going.

-Geoff

 

[jgeoffr]

First I thought it was a Middle East gold Land Cruiser hood ornament like SOR use to sell. I remember the gold package phase on the Land Cruisers. These were a Toyota Option earlier in the Middle East. Would have to dig out old catalogs but believe the package included gold GX emblems.

My 100-series has the gold emblem option. I believe you will find that on the "GXR" and "VXR" packages. The 100-series trucks had options with and without the "R".

-Geoff

 

[jgeoffr]

First I thought it was a Middle East gold Land Cruiser hood ornament like SOR use to sell. I remember the gold package phase on the Land Cruisers. These were a Toyota Option earlier in the Middle East. Would have to dig out old catalogs but believe the package included gold GX emblems.

My 100-series has the gold emblem option. I believe you will find that on the "GXR" and "VXR" packages. The 100-series trucks had options with and without the "R".

-Geoff

 

[Michael B]

I thought that looked like an old Caprice hood emblem!

 

[jgeoffr]

Here are some good examples of the damage. Lots of majoon and sheet metal damage.

Roof has seen much better days.

Hinges too. Lots of damage to go around.

-Geoff