Build FatherSonSJ45 Troopy

[Kmehr]

Finally put together a bracket for the passenger side bucket seat. Sooo much better. I was on the fence about the cheapo Amazon center console given the color difference, but seeing it sitting in there and resting my elbow on it, I’m going to go for it, very comfy and the color doesn’t look that bad. It also has some plates on it for change and another little front pocket that will be perfect for putting the heated seat switches on instead of drilling my dash. Might put some light switches there too.

Have a plan to move the drivers seat back 2in and down 1in, and that should be another big improvement.

 

[Kmehr]

Haven’t worked on the troopy much lately, just been enjoying driving it.

Used it to haul a big load of manure since my truck has the camper loaded. Nice to have options!

I’ve definitely got a brake dragging when things get warm. I had a brake line about an inch from the exhaust manifold, so bent it out of the way, hopefully that’s all it needs.

Really need to get my gauges hooked up for EGT and boost so I can see what’s going on. I do get a decent haze of black smoke if I let boost fall and I need to wind it up pretty good to shift from 2-3 or it’ll bog until the turbo spools. The Gturbo is definitely a bit laggy on stock fuel.

 

[Kmehr]

And a glam shot since it just looks so nice

 

[Kmehr]

jacked up the front and rear axles respectively. Front wheels spin free, which is a relief since the front brakes are all brand new. The back passenger spins free, but back driver is stuck tight. I can't get it to spin at all. Guess it's time to pull the drum apart and see what's going on. Shame I'm so busy at work the next couple of weeks!

 

[Kmehr]

Finally had a minute to check out the rear brake. When I got the drum off, there were a couple of springs and retaining washers loose inside. Moving the shoes back and forth had one side squeezing fluid out and the other dry as a bone. Sooo definitely due for a rebuild! Should have parts here Wednesday and hopefully can get install handled Thursday.

Also picked up a new muffler. The straight pipe exiting before the rear wheel is too much. It gets old fast. Maybe will have time to get that going this week too. Unfortunately it’s going to require pretty much redoing the whole thing.

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Finally put together a bracket for the passenger side bucket seat. Sooo much better. I was on the fence about the cheapo Amazon center console given the color difference, but seeing it sitting in there and resting my elbow on it, I’m going to go for it, very comfy and the color doesn’t look that bad. It also has some plates on it for change and another little front pocket that will be perfect for putting the heated seat switches on instead of drilling my dash. Might put some light switches there too.

Have a plan to move the drivers seat back 2in and down 1in, and that should be another big improvement.

View attachment 4139862

View attachment 4139864

Specs/ link on center console pls! What is the width? I just put in procar seats in my 40 and that console could work well!

 

[Kmehr]

Specs/ link on center console pls! What is the width? I just put in procar seats in my 40 and that console could work well!

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It’s the same width as the 8in wide tuffy in my 40. Certainly not as secure as the tuffy as it’s made of wood, but I find it quite a bit more ergonomic and less than 1/3 the price

 

[NOSAJ]

Scrolling back through your thread where are the seats from? They look nice!

 

[Kmehr]

Scrolling back through your thread where are the seats from? They look nice!

They’re corbeaus with seat heaters

 

[Kmehr]

Got my rear brake cylinder replaced and a short test drive has things feeling good. We’ll see after some longer drives.

Also started working on the exhaust. I picked up a Walker brand diesel 31in muffler and am basically just adding it to what I have now with it running out the rear passenger side. Have most of it tacked in place and should get it wrapped up tomorrow.

Asa result of a muffler being where the under body spare tire is, I now don’t have a spare tire underneath anymore. I’d really like to just put it on the swing out that currently has my Jerry can. Do they make an adapter for that? I can’t seem to search the right thing to not just get a bunch of aftermarket’s swing out bumper combos.

Also, just so it’s preserved here’s a “before” video of the exhaust as it sits now. Really looking forward the quieting this beast down, despite how great it sounds in a 30seconds clip.

 

[clrussell]

Picture of your Gerry can swing out?

 

[Kmehr]

Here’s what I’ve got. Jerry can looks cool, but I’d way rather have a spare tire there.

 

[clrussell]

That appears to be an OEM carrier.

Take the can mount off, I’m sure it’s only bolted on.

This one looks very similar.

 

[pb4ugo]

It looks like someone altered your carrier by adding square tubing for the gerry can holder. You may have to source a replacement tube carrier. Search or Put a wanted ad in the classified section. They come up quite often.

 

[Kmehr]

It looks like someone altered your carrier by adding square tubing for the gerry can holder. You may have to source a replacement tube carrier. Search or Put a wanted ad in the classified section. They come up quite often.

If mine is modified, I won’t care so much about modifying it again. Is there a tire size limit to the OEM hinges? I’m running 33x10.5s

 

[clrussell]

If mine is modified, I won’t care so much about modifying it again. Is there a tire size limit to the OEM hinges? I’m running 33x10.5s

You will be fine. Plenty of people hanging those on stock carriers.

I bet with your skills you can easily make a mount

 

[pb4ugo]

No problem, I have a 33-10.50 hanging on mine.

 

[3_puppies]

the later 81+ carrier has larger upper? hinge with larger bolt pattern and an extra bar for strength than the earlier model

 

[Kmehr]

Got the exhaust 95% wrapped up today, man what an improvement! Certainly not the badass rumble anymore, but you can still tell it’s a diesel and it’s soo much nicer to drive. Quieted the turbo down a good deal too. But of course, now I can hear a very loud pitched squeal as RPMs get up there. It happens clutch in and out and in and out of gear, so something engine side. Uhg!



My brakes though… the rear driver was just about locked up again when it was hot. The passenger side was a little tight when hot, and freed up a lot once I let things cool. Same with the drivers side. I did have the EGT probe braided metal line coiled and zip tied to the brake line up by the master, but man that seems a hell of a long way up to be sending heat all the way to the rear drums. Maybe my master is bad? It’s like things heat up and something is turning into a one way valve. Maybe it’s air?

 

[Kmehr]

Few more of the exhaust. Also should mention I’m still getting some pretty good black smoke all the time on accel. Noticed my intake boot is kinked pretty good, so need to get that sorted. Hopefully it’s some thing simple like that!