G'Day G'Day, My names stevo and I have just purchased a 1985 HJ75 Troopy and recently joined these forums, so I thought I would introduce myself a little.
Born in Sydney, straight after HSC, landed a scholarship in computer science but my heart lay elsewhere and took off to Alice Springs, actually canceling my schoolies to start work for Rick Chambers Engineering, I few into town, landed the job, got straight back on the plane and in my old hilux and off I went just me and my RSPCA dog Max. I did all sorts of work from town work, to rural work, desert work, pretty much looking after the roads in the outback.. It was an amazing , then moved up north QLD Townsville doing similar work, then back to Sydney. Due to injurys im settling down doing a IT networking university course & am about to hit the road again, completing my studies with a laptop and trecking it around his beautiful country having lined up a farm in the highlands to help harvest their grapes vineyards, make my way to the Finke Desert Race and the Big Red event for next year. So over the next 4-5 months before I take off, I have a Troopy to give some TLC too, a few nice tweaks, cut some rust out, build some draws, work out my suspension issues, and set up for traveling / studying.
But enough about me, lets talk about Floppy.
I bought Floppy after a 2 year dry spell with no 4x4. I had my 80 series stolen, rolled, set on fire, and my brand new 35" tyres stripped + all my gear taken before they lit it on fire.
After working at the NSW ports for 2 years I have had enough with Sydney and its time to hit the road again.. Why not study as I go. Due to a rugby league knee injury and 10% cartlidge in my right knee, pain at work, it was time I looked at the future and changed careers and set my self up for the long run.
1985 HJ75 Troopy.
2005 1HD-FTE Engine, Gearbox, Transfer case.
Main battery + Deep Cycle battery
2 x 33" BFG tyres on front, new new.
2 x 33" Bald coopers on back.
1 x 33" Mickey Tom spare also bald.
ARB Bull Bar + Wire Winch.
There is a issue tho, the leafs have sagged, and the diff hits on the sump at full compression, Sadly the current measurement between the diff and the sump is 5 cm !.
The current suspension is a 2" iron man lift.
I spent this week going around asking shops for quotes on :
* 3" Leaf lift kit (harder to come by than 2")
* Relocate front diff forward 1" (via drill / reheat method instead of 180 rotation on the front springs)
* Possible sump notch (cut/reweld)
*** in the process of figuring out weights for what leaf spring I should suit*
I have contacted snake racing, carrel springs, Sydney suspension, Dobs, and no one seems to want to do the job.
Going to stay away from ironman due to hearing nothing good about them, perhaps EFS. Maybe you guy's can help me out with this issue? I would love to hear from you guys!! I have never played around with leaf springs before, would really appreciate some feedback!.
I have a engineer ready to go to engineer a 3" lift on 35"s soon as I get it done. Guard issue will probably have to be sorted for full flex, a decent -negative offset.. maybe even wheels spacers for if I do a few decent days out bush and take them back off again when I hit the black stuff..
Not sure what is best, 3" leafs, or 2" leafs and 1" body.. any opinions?
Mod list to do, probably in this order (I lost EVERYTHING! when my 80 was stolen, a good 10 years of accumulation).. Any feed back is appreciated.
*Recovery gear - Purchased
*Air Compressor - Purchased
* Shovel - Purchased
*Suspension - Having trouble finding a place who wants to do it.
*35" mud tyres x 6 good -negative offset. Thinking BFG KM2s
* Recovery points - Not sure what to do about these for a HJ75! There is no where suitable ??
*Crawler Gears
* Rear Locker then front - I HOPE to get old cable lockers. I would really love them. If not maybe a Detroit/tjm rear, ARB front (2nd compressor would come in handy, I have been told you cant winch with Elockers they drain and disengage, and lokka lokkas can be annoying)
*Diff gear ratio - the 75 came out with 32" tyres I think I worked out 5.29 off the equation would be best suited, correct me if wrong
* Cut rust out, Replace roof, Windshield, Respray.
*UHF 80 channel
*roof rack
* Light Bar + Distance Spotties + cab lightning + Lights running down the foot steps + Light for the rear.
* Replace the inside wood with marine ply up the sides.
* Turn rear door into compartment area + Fold down table with marine ply both sides.
* Create back drawer system, 2 parts. Back draws and removable front for if I put the 2nd row of seats back in. Tie down points , nothing wasted, fold up side area's around the wheel arches, Pretty much setting this up for a mattress ontop, pull over at night, go to the tree, then to the back, and sleep within minutes.
* Inverter + waterproof compartment for my Laptop / Studies. I only require internet to get my module, then can go for 3-5 weeks with no internet required, and then just travel out to internet again to submit and receive next module.
*awning + sides
*tarps
*PVC Pipeing for washing clothes attached to roof rack
*3 Jerrys of water
*1 Jerry of diesel
I will be taking
*Oils,
*coolant,
*Break Fluid
*Engine hoses,
*Belts,
*Bearings,
*Tools (just what suites the vehicle and what sizes I need), socket set, long series spanners, hammer, pliers, screwdrivers, different tapes, multimeter, wire,
*Wire,
*wd40
*grease
*zip ties
*jumper leads - to help others out.
*fence wiring
*grease gun
*Rope
*fire extinguisher
*padlocks
*first aid kit
*mozzie stuff
*1hd-fte and 75 series manuel loaded on my computer. (already have a lot of handy tips/situational advice / procedures / UHF channel list / help service numbers / free camp sites /what to do incase of roll over
*tapes,
*fuses,
*12 V Rachet gun + accessories,
*Air Comp, Front Locker Comp,
*tyre repair
*High lift + Winch access
*2 sets of max trax + replaceable nobs
*knead it
*Nice size camping tent for me and my 12 year old dog for extended stays.
*12v coffee maker,
*Travel oven,
*All the camping cooking goodies,
*Fishing rods,
*External HDD to backup my studys and store in the top compartment in waterproofed area incase something happens to my laptop.
*Spare Cheap $20 Phone pre loaded with credit for a year, Emergency incase something happens to my Microsoft Lumina (operates on windows 8.1, My laptop will run windows 10 but be running virtualization of windows 8.1 and windows server 2012 R2 for my studies, so this phone is great with cloud service technology and syncing with both my PC and the university/Computer power industries who provide the course)
* Little solar power USB Charger + Panel, aswell as additional cords for phone/laptop incase anything happens.
* Huge Eski + Cool Box (if I can find dry ive in a local town before I head bush ill use it in the cool box, an last upto 10 days if looked after right.
*Fishing rod + Gear + Licence
*go pro
*Torches
*Juicer - I love juicing fruit, so easy
*the thunder box chair
* Contemplating taking my light weights bench, dumbells, skipping roap, small speed ball.
* hide a spare key in the car
The list goes on and on, however i'll leave it at that for tonight.
I would really appreciate any feedback on :
*my suspension issue
*best anti theft, immobilizer? kill switch? that fancy GSP tracking stuff where you can shut down the car from a PC or phone? The Spray which lets police idenfity it on the spot?
* is a mud anchor any good ? or will the old shovel, some max tracks do the job
Anyways guys, Keen to hear from ya's so grab a beer and mash some keys ill be leaving from Sydney, down to Vic highlands, then across to SA, then up thru alice/birdsville way, then might go visit WA, Studying and living it up with my 12 year old mate Max.
Cheers guys,
Kind Regards,
Stevo
Born in Sydney, straight after HSC, landed a scholarship in computer science but my heart lay elsewhere and took off to Alice Springs, actually canceling my schoolies to start work for Rick Chambers Engineering, I few into town, landed the job, got straight back on the plane and in my old hilux and off I went just me and my RSPCA dog Max. I did all sorts of work from town work, to rural work, desert work, pretty much looking after the roads in the outback.. It was an amazing , then moved up north QLD Townsville doing similar work, then back to Sydney. Due to injurys im settling down doing a IT networking university course & am about to hit the road again, completing my studies with a laptop and trecking it around his beautiful country having lined up a farm in the highlands to help harvest their grapes vineyards, make my way to the Finke Desert Race and the Big Red event for next year. So over the next 4-5 months before I take off, I have a Troopy to give some TLC too, a few nice tweaks, cut some rust out, build some draws, work out my suspension issues, and set up for traveling / studying.
But enough about me, lets talk about Floppy.
I bought Floppy after a 2 year dry spell with no 4x4. I had my 80 series stolen, rolled, set on fire, and my brand new 35" tyres stripped + all my gear taken before they lit it on fire.
After working at the NSW ports for 2 years I have had enough with Sydney and its time to hit the road again.. Why not study as I go. Due to a rugby league knee injury and 10% cartlidge in my right knee, pain at work, it was time I looked at the future and changed careers and set my self up for the long run.
1985 HJ75 Troopy.
2005 1HD-FTE Engine, Gearbox, Transfer case.
Main battery + Deep Cycle battery
2 x 33" BFG tyres on front, new new.
2 x 33" Bald coopers on back.
1 x 33" Mickey Tom spare also bald.
ARB Bull Bar + Wire Winch.
There is a issue tho, the leafs have sagged, and the diff hits on the sump at full compression, Sadly the current measurement between the diff and the sump is 5 cm !.
The current suspension is a 2" iron man lift.
I spent this week going around asking shops for quotes on :
* 3" Leaf lift kit (harder to come by than 2")
* Relocate front diff forward 1" (via drill / reheat method instead of 180 rotation on the front springs)
* Possible sump notch (cut/reweld)
*** in the process of figuring out weights for what leaf spring I should suit*
I have contacted snake racing, carrel springs, Sydney suspension, Dobs, and no one seems to want to do the job.
Going to stay away from ironman due to hearing nothing good about them, perhaps EFS. Maybe you guy's can help me out with this issue? I would love to hear from you guys!! I have never played around with leaf springs before, would really appreciate some feedback!.
I have a engineer ready to go to engineer a 3" lift on 35"s soon as I get it done. Guard issue will probably have to be sorted for full flex, a decent -negative offset.. maybe even wheels spacers for if I do a few decent days out bush and take them back off again when I hit the black stuff..
Not sure what is best, 3" leafs, or 2" leafs and 1" body.. any opinions?
Mod list to do, probably in this order (I lost EVERYTHING! when my 80 was stolen, a good 10 years of accumulation).. Any feed back is appreciated.
*Recovery gear - Purchased
*Air Compressor - Purchased
* Shovel - Purchased
*Suspension - Having trouble finding a place who wants to do it.
*35" mud tyres x 6 good -negative offset. Thinking BFG KM2s
* Recovery points - Not sure what to do about these for a HJ75! There is no where suitable ??
*Crawler Gears
* Rear Locker then front - I HOPE to get old cable lockers. I would really love them. If not maybe a Detroit/tjm rear, ARB front (2nd compressor would come in handy, I have been told you cant winch with Elockers they drain and disengage, and lokka lokkas can be annoying)
*Diff gear ratio - the 75 came out with 32" tyres I think I worked out 5.29 off the equation would be best suited, correct me if wrong
* Cut rust out, Replace roof, Windshield, Respray.
*UHF 80 channel
*roof rack
* Light Bar + Distance Spotties + cab lightning + Lights running down the foot steps + Light for the rear.
* Replace the inside wood with marine ply up the sides.
* Turn rear door into compartment area + Fold down table with marine ply both sides.
* Create back drawer system, 2 parts. Back draws and removable front for if I put the 2nd row of seats back in. Tie down points , nothing wasted, fold up side area's around the wheel arches, Pretty much setting this up for a mattress ontop, pull over at night, go to the tree, then to the back, and sleep within minutes.
* Inverter + waterproof compartment for my Laptop / Studies. I only require internet to get my module, then can go for 3-5 weeks with no internet required, and then just travel out to internet again to submit and receive next module.
*awning + sides
*tarps
*PVC Pipeing for washing clothes attached to roof rack
*3 Jerrys of water
*1 Jerry of diesel
I will be taking
*Oils,
*coolant,
*Break Fluid
*Engine hoses,
*Belts,
*Bearings,
*Tools (just what suites the vehicle and what sizes I need), socket set, long series spanners, hammer, pliers, screwdrivers, different tapes, multimeter, wire,
*Wire,
*wd40
*grease
*zip ties
*jumper leads - to help others out.
*fence wiring
*grease gun
*Rope
*fire extinguisher
*padlocks
*first aid kit
*mozzie stuff
*1hd-fte and 75 series manuel loaded on my computer. (already have a lot of handy tips/situational advice / procedures / UHF channel list / help service numbers / free camp sites /what to do incase of roll over
*tapes,
*fuses,
*12 V Rachet gun + accessories,
*Air Comp, Front Locker Comp,
*tyre repair
*High lift + Winch access
*2 sets of max trax + replaceable nobs
*knead it
*Nice size camping tent for me and my 12 year old dog for extended stays.
*12v coffee maker,
*Travel oven,
*All the camping cooking goodies,
*Fishing rods,
*External HDD to backup my studys and store in the top compartment in waterproofed area incase something happens to my laptop.
*Spare Cheap $20 Phone pre loaded with credit for a year, Emergency incase something happens to my Microsoft Lumina (operates on windows 8.1, My laptop will run windows 10 but be running virtualization of windows 8.1 and windows server 2012 R2 for my studies, so this phone is great with cloud service technology and syncing with both my PC and the university/Computer power industries who provide the course)
* Little solar power USB Charger + Panel, aswell as additional cords for phone/laptop incase anything happens.
* Huge Eski + Cool Box (if I can find dry ive in a local town before I head bush ill use it in the cool box, an last upto 10 days if looked after right.
*Fishing rod + Gear + Licence
*go pro
*Torches
*Juicer - I love juicing fruit, so easy
*the thunder box chair
* Contemplating taking my light weights bench, dumbells, skipping roap, small speed ball.
* hide a spare key in the car
The list goes on and on, however i'll leave it at that for tonight.
I would really appreciate any feedback on :
*my suspension issue
*best anti theft, immobilizer? kill switch? that fancy GSP tracking stuff where you can shut down the car from a PC or phone? The Spray which lets police idenfity it on the spot?
* is a mud anchor any good ? or will the old shovel, some max tracks do the job
Anyways guys, Keen to hear from ya's so grab a beer and mash some keys ill be leaving from Sydney, down to Vic highlands, then across to SA, then up thru alice/birdsville way, then might go visit WA, Studying and living it up with my 12 year old mate Max.
Cheers guys,
Kind Regards,
Stevo
