79-84 Troopy wanted

[Godfather]

I am looking to buy a 79-84 Troopy. Prefer LHD and a gasser. Live in CA. No skills or time to do a full restoration, so looking for one in reasonable/good condition. Just going to be a beach/tahoe weekend cruiser, not a daily driver, so it doesn't need to be mint or built for serious off road. But the family will complain if it is a rusted bucket.

Only place I see them for sale is at Vintage Off Road - but this community doesn't endorse that shop and I would prefer to buy from a cruiser enthusiast.

Any for sale elsewhere that I am missing?
Anyone want to sell their Troopy?
Is importing an option for a novice?

Any thoughts, ideas, warnings would be greatly appreciated - the forum posts have a already been an enormous help as I research the Troopy.

Hopefully I will be a Troopy owning enthusiast soon.

 

[missipboy]

good luck

 

[Bear]

Remember that any 1976 and later gas vehicle used in Calif will have to pass smog tests, and the FJ40s that were sold into Calif during those time periods were increasingly choked-off with emissions stuff that the non-imported Troopies don't have.

 

[Godfather]

Thanks Bear. Are the 1976 and later Diesel Troopies exempt in California from passing smog? Also - i have heard the diesel engine is loud compared to gas - is that noticeable?

 

[Bear]

These are my understandings:

For the time being, California hasn't required smog tests on these kinds of diesels. They are worried presently about newer (mid-nineties and up) diesels, and very heavy-duty diesels.

Required smog tests are fixed currently for 1976 and newer gasoline-engined vehicles--whether the original 2F Toyota engine, or any replacement, such as a small-block Chevy. Most 2F engines that were not installed into vehicles originally sold into the US, won't have the parts and pieces that California wants to see. It could be expensive, time-consuming, and very frustrating trying to meet the demands of a BAR (Bureau of Auto. Repair) referee in getting any 1976 and newer gas engine to meet his demands.

Please don't rely on the assurances of an out-of-state seller as to what is acceptable for highway-use in California. Do your own research and satisfy yourself before you commit to buy anything.

And then... enjoy your new Troopy to the fullest !

 

[missipboy]

not sure what you're willing to spend, but i've been talking to this guy and his work looks pretty awesome. he has a restored troopy body ready for whatever engine/tranny you want to put in it. he had a 2f, vortec and had just sold a troopy with a turbo'd 1hz.

Pilgrim Restorations

he's a vendor here on mud: lomusass

 

[boulder76]

Troopy

Price is always going to be the factor. How soon are you looking to get one? I am restoring my 1984 FJ45 Troopy RHD from the ground up. It should be done around December. If you are interested we can talk more about it.

 

[tlaporte]

Is importing an option for a novice?

I imported mine into California on my own several years ago. It was a long process--not so much because of any particular troubles, just mostly logisitcs. Having said that, I felt particularly lucky on the day when my CA plates arrived in the mail. Until then, I always felt that there might be some gotcha coming my way.

There are a few threads here and/or on the diesel forum that discuss importing pretty in-depth. Not sure what, if anything has changed in the Federal or CA State regulations that would impact things.

Bottom line is that it can be done. You'll have as much difficulty finding the right truck overseas as you will in bringing it home, particularly since you indicated a desire to have a LHD vehicle. Troopies in Europe seem to carry a hefty premium over those found in Australia. They were common in the Middle East but language barriers, among other things, make those generally unavailable to us in the States.

Good luck!

 

[Godfather]

Thanks to the forum for all the advice. Narrowed choices down to two different rigs:

1. LHD 1981 bj45 gasser from John Bailey at C-A-R-S that would need power steering and AC added (and seat belts) and probably a hard top for Tahoe trips and

2. RHD HJ47 Diesel from Restored FJ40 in Oregon that needs full seats installed in back.

Assuming I can get through the DMV on a 1981 gas model which I think I have figured out, anything else I should know about 1981 Gas BJ45 vs. 1984 Diesel HJ47 that makes one a better choice than the other for what I will use it for - simple town/beach/tahoe cruising. Noise/maintenance/parts/highway driving.

Sounds like a 5 speed transmission would be a good addition for either - but is diesel engine harder to maintain than gas regarding parts, etc. Does one have more power for highway driving. Total novice here.

Thanks again.
Gerry

 

[2manycruisers]

If it is gas, it is an fj45, not a bj45. I am not very familiar with CA smog, but I had the impression you would never meet smog for an imported gas cruiser that new.

The '84 has a nicer dash and a few other little options that are minor improvements. The diesel is noisier and in my experience less powerful/road friendly than the 2f. But the mileage is a little better and you have the cool factor of a diesel. LHD is obviously preferred over rhd, but rhd is not a problem to drive. Power steering and aircon can be installed in either. Finding a hard top for one probably wouldn't be easy. I'd confirm whether or not I could get it legally registered before making a decision.

good luck

Thanks to the forum for all the advice. Narrowed choices down to two different rigs:

1. LHD 1981 bj45 gasser from John Bailey at C-A-R-S that would need power steering and AC added (and seat belts) and probably a hard top for Tahoe trips and

2. RHD HJ47 Diesel from Restored FJ40 in Oregon that needs full seats installed in back.

Assuming I can get through the DMV on a 1981 gas model which I think I have figured out, anything else I should know about 1981 Gas BJ45 vs. 1984 Diesel HJ47 that makes one a better choice than the other for what I will use it for - simple town/beach/tahoe cruising. Noise/maintenance/parts/highway driving.

Sounds like a 5 speed transmission would be a good addition for either - but is diesel engine harder to maintain than gas regarding parts, etc. Does one have more power for highway driving. Total novice here.

Thanks again.
Gerry

 

[tlaporte]

Mileage for me in my HJ47 is about 23MPG, which is probably at least a good 50% better than a 2F, and I haven't done anything resembling a tune-up since bringing it over. I would agree about the less powerful/road friendly aspect of the 2H versus 2F, though (where power is defined as pick up, etc., and not in terms of towing or torque). It's slow going whenever I encounter an uphill climb.

I've read on some of the Aussie forums that you'd be much better off simply upgrading from 31" to 33" tires rather than putting a 5-speed into the HJ47. It's a lot cheaper and it ends up getting you very close to the same RPMs in top gear.

If it is gas, it is an fj45, not a bj45. I am not very familiar with CA smog, but I had the impression you would never meet smog for an imported gas cruiser that new.

The '84 has a nicer dash and a few other little options that are minor improvements. The diesel is noisier and in my experience less powerful/road friendly than the 2f. But the mileage is a little better and you have the cool factor of a diesel. LHD is obviously preferred over rhd, but rhd is not a problem to drive. Power steering and aircon can be installed in either. Finding a hard top for one probably wouldn't be easy. I'd confirm whether or not I could get it legally registered before making a decision.

good luck

 

[2manycruisers]

Wow, that's pretty stellar mileage! My bone-stock '84 HJ47 got about 16. I think Bull said he got as good as 17 in his troopy.

I think 33s are a good upgrade for any cruiser with 4.11s and an H41 or H55. 1st gear is just low enough to be too low and 2nd isn't low enough to start in easily with 31s, IMO. I have 33s, 3.73s, and an H55f with my 350 and it is a perfect combination for the street.

Mileage for me in my HJ47 is about 23MPG, which is probably at least a good 50% better than a 2F, and I haven't done anything resembling a tune-up since bringing it over. I would agree about the less powerful/road friendly aspect of the 2H versus 2F, though (where power is defined as pick up, etc., and not in terms of towing or torque). It's slow going whenever I encounter an uphill climb.

I've read on some of the Aussie forums that you'd be much better off simply upgrading from 31" to 33" tires rather than putting a 5-speed into the HJ47. It's a lot cheaper and it ends up getting you very close to the same RPMs in top gear.

 

[Chamba]

Wow, that's pretty stellar mileage! My bone-stock '84 HJ47 got about 16. I think Bull said he got as good as 17 in his troopy.

I think 33s are a good upgrade for any cruiser with 4.11s and an H41 or H55. 1st gear is just low enough to be too low and 2nd isn't low enough to start in easily with 31s, IMO. I have 33s, 3.73s, and an H55f with my 350 and it is a perfect combination for the street.

My HJ47 which, was turbo-charged with a 5 speed and 3:73s, rarely got better than 17 MPG, so I agree, you are doing really well at 23 MPG. I eventually took my turbo 2H out and replaced it with a new Vortec 350, and I love it. I get about the same fuel economy (a bit better on the freeway if I keep it slow) from the Vortec, and I manage to keep up with traffic.

As for the 5 speed - it was the best thing I ever added. Aussies only say they prefer the taller tires because speed limits here are very, very slow (62 mph max, mostly - and with the cameras everywhere watching our every move, that truly is the max). I have 33" tires with my Vortec, and I can actually use 1st gear, butonly because I also have 3:73 gears. On my FJ40 LX, I have a 5 speed with 4:11s and 33" tires and I still don't use 1st gear.

I know of a RHD Troopy here on Mud which has the whole 2F drive train out of a US Spec FJ60 in it so that he can pass California smog inspections. Seems like a awful lot of trouble to go to for a 6 cyl. gas engine.

Josh