A Troopy over the Rubicon

[4WD Toyota Owner Magazine]

Anyone done this? I'm thinking about taking my HJ47 over the Rubicon this year and wanted to hear from anyone who has done this. If so, how was yours set up?

Right now it has no sway bars, 33" tires, SUA, 2.5" OME, rear locker, winch, sliders, bumpers. 4.0L 2H diesel, soon to be turbo diesel.

Interested in opinions on this, pics if ya got 'em, etc. Cheers,

 

[Chamba]

Phillipe Trottier (sp?) from Finland I believe did the Rubithon in a brown BJ45 troopy many moons ago- perhaps in about 1997 or 1998. He then drove the rig to Alaska and sold it up there. Last I heard, it lived in Anchorage. Somewhere I have pictures of it. I am sure there are guys who know more about this than I do.

Cheers,

Josh

 

[4WD Toyota Owner Magazine]

Cool! Thanks HJ47.

Bump for further input.

 

[RockDoc]

My opinion: You have two rare (in NA), desirable rigs in the HJ47s, don't risk beating one of them up.

 

[DomSmith]

Use it. Anything can be fixed...

 

[Chamba]

4WD,

I believe good skids are the key to wheeling a troopy. I did Jenny Creek, Co in Patches before I put skids on, and caused some pretty impressive Colorado Body Work. Since then, I made skids all the way around and I have done Jenny Creek doing nothing worse than leaving a bit of black paint from my skids on the rocks.

Phillipe Trottier bashed his troopy up pretty nicely, but he had no lift and no skids. The fellow up in Anchorage who bought Phillipe's troopy wound up cutting the bottom 3" off of the entire tub because it was all crushed beyond saving.

Perhaps link this thread to the FJ45 section and see if anyone there has any further input. Personally, I think you should do it!

Cheers,

Josh

 

[pardion]

I remember the Rubithon that Phillip and his girlfriend came to visit, we could'nt talk him in to leaving the top and doors in Placerville. he had a tough trip compared to our FJ40's sprung over with at least 35" tires. I remember after the trip he came by the house and we put in a replacement right rear corner window, and fixed something on his steering, Becky might remember what broke. But back to your Troopy, it sounds well set up, don't go alone, take your time, roll some rocks if you have to. You will get a ding or two, or not. Seriously if you would like to leave your top and doors off, I have a safe place to store them. Please PM. I am 1 hour away from Loon Lake. John Pardi, Camino, Calif.

 

[orangefj45]

john's advice is golden.


if you're silly enough to take the troopie to the con, then definetly leave the top and doors somewhere else. rocker protection will be a must, or the sides and rear of the body will never be the same.


personally, i don't think that it's a good idea at all. sure it can be done, but why force the issue?! bring something that's built for the rocks and have a good time instead of being subjected to constant stress for 3 days because you're driving a rig that truly has no business up there.............

 

[4WD Toyota Owner Magazine]

John, Georg, everyone, thanks for the input and kind offer, John, too. Decision is up in the air; I must admit it's about 80-20 to NOT do it, and the arguments all make sense. We'll see!