For Sale For Trade: 1979 HJ45 Trakka Pop-top campe

Due to a little one joining our family, Ive switched needs and I'm looking to trade for a first or second gen. Tacoma - double cab, 4x4, manual transmission. If you have a one in good shape with decent miles, let me know. I'm really not interested in other trades at this time.

The Hj45 just had an engine replacement in the form of a lower mileage 2H. It runs great, has new brakes, hoses, belts, fluids, electric cooling fan, and plugs. It's expedition ready with dual fuel tanks, stock steel wheels with skinny 33"s, a fresh water tank, rear power outlets, privacy curtains, and a period Trakka camper Pop-top. This was converted at the manufacturer in Australia. The top and fabric are in excellent shape.

 

[athensrep]

Sorry for the misspelling on the posting. Should never use a cracked phone.

The original camping interior was gutted at some point and four long benches (with lap belts) were put in. Rust in bubbling in the rear corners but the rest of the truck is straight and in surprisingly good shape. The frame is excellent. Spare is sitting underneath along with a new exhaust when the 2H was put in a couple weeks ago.

 

[overton]

Price and location please?

 

[athensrep]

Truck is in Atlanta and asking would be 17k. I'd really like to trade for a 5/6 speed, 4WD, double cab Tacoma though.

 

[athensrep]

Here's a couple shots of the bubbling on the rear along with the benches (I'm thinking they're factory) and the 2H.

 

[Hoz FJ40 CO]

AWESOME TRUCK! DO YOU HAVE INTERIOR PICS OF THE TOP POPPED?

 

[athensrep]

ill get some shots of that for you.

 

[Hoz FJ40 CO]

Thank you!

 

[thenative1]

Hi - wish I had a Tacoma to trade but am very interested in additional pictures of the interior/exterior or anything else you might have.

Thanks in advance!

 

[gearguywb]

Love it!

 

[athensrep]

Sure. I'll get some pictures up for you guys when I get a chance.

As a side note, I've been in contact with the good folks over at Trakka and they've given me a wealth of info for putting the interior back to original.

 

[lt1fire]

not 100% sure but I think the stick never came in a double cab (4 door) taco of that vintage. Auto only..... may be wrong but that is what i've been told before.

 

[acy76]

Great truck. I also like the split-window VW bus hiding in the background of that interior shot (I used to have a 21-window back in the 90s). Good luck!

 

[athensrep]

Good eye! It's a '67 Sundial camper that's pretty much original minus the PO slamming it - thus fitting in the garage with a roof rack. I wish I could afford a 21 window and I bet you wish you still had yours!

 

[acy76]

Good eye! It's a '67 Sundial camper that's pretty much original minus the PO slamming it - thus fitting in the garage with a roof rack. I wish I could afford a 21 window and I bet you wish you still had yours!

Mine was a '66 and I sold it for $1500 20 years ago. That's my biggest automotive regret--prices are insane on them right now. I suppose it would be worth at least an order of magnitude more money today. But, I've had no storage for so many of those years it may not have survived. Oh well. I'm sure it's still out there somewhere.

 

[athensrep]

Just think, you could probably buy it back for the low price of 60k (or much, much more).

 

[2manycruisers]

Sweet rig. GLWS.

Did it come in through Cali? I saw a pic on Mud of a yellow '79 a few years ago when I had mine and the owner didn't respond when I pm'ed him.

Trakka is the best pop-top IMHO, largely because it looks so stock. If whoever buys it wants to put the original camper setup in it, it's possible the guy that bought mine would sell his stuff. I rearranged it and was only using one of the two cabinets (but he has both) and he wants to put some kind of forward facing seat, so he would lose the jump-seat/bed combo.

 

[athensrep]

I don't know if it was in Califronia or not. Possibly at some point. I know it lived in Arizona for a stint.

I'd be very interested in putting the cabinets back in. Let me know.

 

[uglybaby]

A few questions: how does it ride on the highway? How does the diesel do in daily driving? MPG? Looks like a cool rig.

BTW, I have a 2008 double cab short bed Tacoma with a 6-speed manual - it took me a while to find it, but they do exist.

 

[athensrep]

It does fine daily driving with the caveat of it being a life-sized Tonka truck. So, stating the obvious that it's not a modern vehicle and it has all the quirks of antiquated technology. That said, I think it drives very well on the highway and it keeps up ok with traffic. I prefer driving this over my '83 mini truck. The weight and long wheel base makes for a surprisingly comfortable ride. As far as MPGs, it's hard to say. The engine is new to me and I haven't taken the 2H on a long stint - longest being 90 miles. Guessing I would say 20-25? The diesel guys could tell you more.

They are out there, but seems like most folks around here are in love with automatics. I'm yet to see more than one manual second generation. Let me know if you want to give yours up for a trade.