Go west young man, or how a Troopy found it's way to Portland

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Found some seats out of a Honda that match the dash color just right. A couple of quick brackets and I suddenly have room behind and below the seats. Got the center console bolted down too. Mapping out the shape for a console that allows the sun visors to stay where they are.

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Mocking up stainless 2.5" to 3" exhaust for the upcoming turbo instal....

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Found some grey vinyl that matches the dash and seats well and made a quick overhead console. Space for glasses and random stuff. Eventually the USB charger will live up there. Glued some non slip rubber on top and so far nothing has hit me in the head. Might figure out a stretch mesh solution for the front opening but so far so good. Also tracked down a stash of 24v bulbs and rewired a few of the original sockets.


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FWIW the bulbs a local NAPA could round up are from their heavy truck catalog....Wagner 17643 are the brake and signal bulbs and Wagner 17181 are the smaller bulbs for the reverse lights and various other interior placement.

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Why didn't you go with led bulbs? I bought a bunch of them off fleebay and have been slowly replacing, I think there is also a mud vendor that sells high quality led kits but cant remember their user name.

Do you have any more pics of the overhead console, been thinking about making one for my pickup.
 
colby1979 said:
Why didn't you go with led bulbs? I bought a bunch of them off fleebay and have been slowly replacing, I think there is also a mud vendor that sells high quality led kits but cant remember their user name.

Do you have any more pics of the overhead console, been thinking about making one for my pickup.
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Perhaps you're thinking about Odd Iron Off Road's LED products.
 
:cheers:LED is on the menu for the next round of re-wiring. Odd Iron will be getting an order for those and a cup holder ASAP! I'll get some shots of the brackets tomorrow. I do know that I used 2 of the factory holes on the transmission hump side (the right front of the bucket seat hole and the tapped over middle support hole for the factory bench) Console was super simple. Cardboard template traced onto some 1/2" oak wall panel I had in the basement. Its nearly a press fit after the vinyl is installed but I have a few small steel L brackets to keep it up there.
 
Water pump went in without incident. Nothing like some clean parts in an engine bay...
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Also, @unfortunately stopped by to help me finish up (and get a snorkel installed) and helped figure out an easier way to install the damn spring. If you do the process in reverse with the spring attached you have good leverage off of the pivot to the spring plate which allows you to locate the hole for the 8mm pivot bolt. No swearing and no tools flying.
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Didn't thought about this option at the moment .. would give a go in my next life ( I'm not gonna replace another water pump in those motors again in this one / while motor in the Cruiser .. )
 
Shake down run up in Brown's Camp. @billybongo63 showed @unfortunately and I around. Take aways are in no particular order:
1. I need some new front springs!
2. Listening to Zac's 12HT made me really miss my turbo setup.
2. There is no way anything taller than 285/70/16 will work with some rubbing.
3. This big ass Troopy is damn near as capable as my built Hilux was.
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Found some proper Toyota seats out of an older RV conversion that are much nicer than the Honda ones. Mr T really does do everything better!
Some quick 1" square tubing brackets and I was in business (they have since been painted)
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Decided that the 30A alternator is just not going to cut it so I tracked down a 60A aftermarket Denso for a Caterpillar wheel loader that required very little modifications to fit. Swapped the pulley and now I have reliable generated power.
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Stumbled upon 4 nearly new 33 x 10.5 BFG AT KO's (still my favorite) that have maybe 300 miles on them. Still had the paper label remnants.
Ordered some stock steel rims and caps. Going a bit old school but it will look amazing.
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Last but not least. No more sketchy climbing up the spare to get to the roof....

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Aluminum square tube with steel brackets that use the stock holes for the license plate light trim. The hooks up top are slotted to allow adjustment tight on the upper door lip. Weighs less than a six pack. Next is the layout for the interior build.....
 
Sunrise solid axle run with @unfortunately and our buddy Leland.
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Lelands '75 FJ40 was stretching her legs after a full OME suspension refresh...
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Zac is learning the capability of a twin locked SOA HJ61...
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The Troopy continues to impress me. Comfortable and capable.
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Her new shoes get mounted up tomorrow. Beginning the frame for the rear storage this week. :beer:

BTW my lady has started to call the Troopy 'Shirley' and I think it will stick.
Never ending Airplane references.:rimshot:
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What country did the troopy come from? Curious to hear what country offered the PZ engine in the troopy.
 
Sheesh, life happens! Been a while since an update!

Cut the top off, built my own pop top roof. Got hitched shortly after.

Dutifully been my daily driver this whole time. Just regular maintenance.

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Finally slapped a turbo on this last year and it is a hell of a difference.
Interior build out has stalled somewhat due to a toddler, but I am finally getting around to it.
 
Mookies said:
Sheesh, life happens! Been a while since an update!

Cut the top off, built my own pop top roof. Got hitched shortly after.

Dutifully been my daily driver this whole time. Just regular maintenance.

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Finally slapped a turbo on this last year and it is a hell of a difference.
Interior build out has stalled somewhat due to a toddler, but I am finally getting around to it.
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Nice to meet you here too, and not just running into you in the neighborhood grabbing a Christmas tree! We should make a PDX 70 series run happen soon. Our Troopy is at the in-laws shop while I fix a turbo and we put our top on next weekend.
 
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