WarDamnEagle
SILVER Star
I have kept my eyes open for a late model ('79+) Troopy the entire 3 years I have been living in Saudi Arabia. Not long after I got here I found one on the side of the road but in hindsight am glad that I could never get in contact with the owner. I did manage to occupy my time however with a 1994 FZJ75 for the last 2 years but have more or less ran out of things to tinker with on it so onto the next project.
I had help finding this one as Khamis Mushait is several hours drive from Riyadh but with WhatsApp and FaceTime we managed to get the deal done. Troopy was delivered to Riyadh 3 days later via car carrier (really cheap btw) and here we are. I haven't done much other than drive it home from the depot (about 30 km) but have started ordering parts. It drove reasonably well although I didn't take it over 100 km/hr given the traffic. It does seem to oversteer just a tad but otherwise tracks and brakes very well. Power steering works really well at low speed.
So it's a 1983 (12/82 build date) with 126,400 kilometers on the odo. It has factory A/C, power steering, and no heat. Original interior but exterior was repainted a few months ago. I have checked the outside with a magnet and looked extensively under all the sheet metal I can access. Very pleased so far and haven't found any area that has excessive bondo. Khamis Mushait is very high in the desert mountain in Southwest KSA and as such I didn't expect any rust; and so far I haven't found any. The floor pans, rear seal, etc. are all in excellent shape.
I've already started a list and, as already mentioned, started ordering parts from KSA, Dubai and Yemen. Here's my initial list:
Door weatherstripping missing all around - OEM on the way from PartsSouq
Rear left door locks missing and inside right handle - on the way from Yemen
New door cards, pulls, bezels, and window cranks - some in hand and some on the way
Spare tire - New OEM split rim in hand but need to source a matching tire
A/C doesn't work. I knew it was missing a hose or two going in but the compressor, dryer, etc. are all there.
Blinkers aren't working but all other lights (including hazards) are - I think I have a new stalk sourced
Wiper switch appears to be bad - think I have that sourced as well
Washer is there but tubing missing. Probably needs new nozzle and who knows about the pump?
Hood pads - on the way
Hood rod - haven't found one yet. Might have to go used.
Seat belts - all are missing or broken. Not sure what I will do about that.
I think the biggest impediment to progressing these items will be the heat. Summer has come early and brutal this year and Riyadh routinely hits 115 these days. I live in a nice spacious villa but unfortunately only have shaded parking and no garage.
I had help finding this one as Khamis Mushait is several hours drive from Riyadh but with WhatsApp and FaceTime we managed to get the deal done. Troopy was delivered to Riyadh 3 days later via car carrier (really cheap btw) and here we are. I haven't done much other than drive it home from the depot (about 30 km) but have started ordering parts. It drove reasonably well although I didn't take it over 100 km/hr given the traffic. It does seem to oversteer just a tad but otherwise tracks and brakes very well. Power steering works really well at low speed.
So it's a 1983 (12/82 build date) with 126,400 kilometers on the odo. It has factory A/C, power steering, and no heat. Original interior but exterior was repainted a few months ago. I have checked the outside with a magnet and looked extensively under all the sheet metal I can access. Very pleased so far and haven't found any area that has excessive bondo. Khamis Mushait is very high in the desert mountain in Southwest KSA and as such I didn't expect any rust; and so far I haven't found any. The floor pans, rear seal, etc. are all in excellent shape.
I've already started a list and, as already mentioned, started ordering parts from KSA, Dubai and Yemen. Here's my initial list:
Door weatherstripping missing all around - OEM on the way from PartsSouq
Rear left door locks missing and inside right handle - on the way from Yemen
New door cards, pulls, bezels, and window cranks - some in hand and some on the way
Spare tire - New OEM split rim in hand but need to source a matching tire
A/C doesn't work. I knew it was missing a hose or two going in but the compressor, dryer, etc. are all there.
Blinkers aren't working but all other lights (including hazards) are - I think I have a new stalk sourced
Wiper switch appears to be bad - think I have that sourced as well
Washer is there but tubing missing. Probably needs new nozzle and who knows about the pump?
Hood pads - on the way
Hood rod - haven't found one yet. Might have to go used.
Seat belts - all are missing or broken. Not sure what I will do about that.
I think the biggest impediment to progressing these items will be the heat. Summer has come early and brutal this year and Riyadh routinely hits 115 these days. I live in a nice spacious villa but unfortunately only have shaded parking and no garage.
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