Builds Portland Troopy Build

[umpqua]

The water system is now complete. 25 gallons with a shurflo pump and an Elgena water boiler. Hot, running water. Nice!

The folks at Total Composites were very helpful with the Elgena. The pump was putting out too much psi (50) and the boiler has a pressure relief valve that kicks in at 36psi. Total sent a pressure reducer that was installed yesterday and viola, everything works great.

The idea is to turn the boiler on an hour or so before reaching camp and let it heat with the truck running in order to keep the battery fully charged. I will turn the boiler off when I turn off the truck. The boiler seems well insulated and at 160 degrees the water should stay hot for quite a while. Temperature will be controlled at the sink faucet and I have a hose with a vegetable sprayer that will screw into the faucet. I will run the hose out

the window to the En Suite for a shower. This seems like it will work to me and I guess time will tell.

If anyone has intel on how to install a heat exchanger that would be my next project so that I can get hot water without using battery.

Pics attached of plumbing and the Elgena living near the Espar heater. The Elgena pic seems misleading as the boiler is mounted in a horizontal position.

 

[umpqua]

I’ve heard of the struts struggling with weight, and know over time they definitely lose their potency.

Alucab will lighten your wallet for around $250 for some uprated struts, but again not sure how much extra they will hold, and even then they will struggle over time, especially in cold conditions.

You’d really need to mount all the weight at the front of the ro for it to be feasible.

Alucab already replaced struts on the bed platform as it fell down with a bang a couple of times in cold weather.

As I continue to think though this I really don't want that much weight on the roof. The troopy handles like a Fiat now and I don't want to disrupt the sports car like cornering with a high center of gravity.

The next project is to install 200w of solar on the very front and the spare tire behind that. Before doing so I am going to put the spare in the expected spot and make sure that I'm able to raise the top.

Hopefully this will all end soon but I'm doubtful.......

 

[Don Lacer]

I'm thinking Rixen for the heat exchanger/heater. Not cheap but I don't have space for a heater and boiler in my setup. Expeditions7 used the truck's heater core to heat the inside of the truck and a separate heat exchanger (Rixen) in the back for hot water. I contacted Rixen and it may be doable with a relay on the fan. That's what I'm planning to do at the moment. I contacted AT Overland about the setup and they claim that they spent many hours designing it, but ..... after having a look at Rixen's I think they used the same setup.

 

[tmarx]

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Are those OME shackles ? Do you perhaps have the OME part number please because my local guy claims OME does not have anti-inversion shackles for the 75 ser ??

 

[umpqua]

Are those OME shackles ? Do you perhaps have the OME part number please because my local guy claims OME does not have anti-inversion shackles for the 75 ser ??

The part numbers should be CS007F for the heavy front and CS007R for the back.

The guys at Cruiser Outfitters can help you ID parts. info@cruiseroutfitters.com

 

[tmarx]

The part numbers should be CS007F for the heavy front and CS007R for the back.

The guys at Cruiser Outfitters can help you ID parts. info@cruiseroutfitters.com

Thank you, much appreciated.

 

[umpqua]

I'm thinking Rixen for the heat exchanger/heater. Not cheap but I don't have space for a heater and boiler in my setup. Expeditions7 used the truck's heater core to heat the inside of the truck and a separate heat exchanger (Rixen) in the back for hot water. I contacted Rixen and it may be doable with a relay on the fan. That's what I'm planning to do at the moment. I contacted AT Overland about the setup and they claim that they spent many hours designing it, but ..... after having a look at Rixen's I think they used the same setup.

I see that Rixen is located in Sandy, OR which is close to me. I don't know if that would be helpful in any way.

 

[Don Lacer]

I'd give Jim a call and see if he has any suggestions. In my case, I want to replicate what Expeditions7 did in order to be able to heat the engine, interior, and water with one system. I sent him a email before I purchased my truck and he said that what I want to do is possible - at least in theory. The Troopy is already limited on space, even though my wife thinks that it is huge - maybe huge for Japanese roads. The turning radius is horrible - I have to constantly reposition in order to turn the tight corners here. Other than that, I'm quite happy with it. The turbo is nice, when needed. I've got about 2500 kilos on the engine so far and I now I'm trying to figure out what oil I should use over here. Everything is Japanese and geared towards gasoline engines. I still need to figure out a fuel cutoff, but I purchased a clutch lock for the time being. It's already turning into a hassle every time I need to go somewhere.

 

[Paulrotterdam]

I’ve heard of the struts struggling with weight, and know over time they definitely lose their potency.

Alucab will lighten your wallet for around $250 for some uprated struts, but again not sure how much extra they will hold, and even then they will struggle over time, especially in cold conditions.

You’d really need to mount all the weight at the front of the ro for it to be feasible.

I had similar issues. I mounted a Zarges alu box on the back with the idea to load it with all my tools... couldn't open the roof anymore. So decided to move all the tools into jerry can on the back and stuff the Zarges with light stuff - hammock, snorkeling gear etc. The Tom's Fahrzeug roofs have box all the way in the front of the roof, seems like the smart solution Tom's Fahrzeugtechnik

Or could we devise a load dependent strut solution?

 

[umpqua]

Put up a new mosquito net from Top Gear 2 go Magnetic Insect Screens - Top Gear 2 Go on this weekend. I ran into Fabian on insta: little_roadtrip in the Baja and he had one on his troopy. We had a LOT of flies in the truck so I copied him on this. Best ideas always come from others....for me at least.

The fit on the screen is perfect and I think that I'm going to really like it.

Top Gear also makes some very nice window shades. I bought a pair for the front windows and will post pics later.

Doug at Top Gear is easy to work with and makes

a nice product.

Edit: Top Gear contacted me and let me know that the Top Gear Label should be on the inside of the truck. I had it mounted incorrectly and it was an easy fix to reverse the screen. It comes out easily with the mount that is used.

 

[tmarx]

Put up a new mosquito net from Top Gear 2 go Magnetic Insect Screens - Top Gear 2 Go on this weekend. I ran into Fabian on insta: little_road_trip in the Baja and he had one on his troopy. We had a LOT of flies in the truck so I copied him on this. Best ideas always come from others....for me at least.

The fit on the screen is perfect and I think that I'm going to really like it.

Top Gear also makes some very nice window shades. I bought a pair for the front windows and will post pics later.

Doug at Top Gear is easy to work with and makesView attachment 2207426View attachment 2207427View attachment 2207428View attachment 2207429 a nice product.

Is that the 3 piece screen in the rear ?

 

[umpqua]

Is that the 3 piece screen in the rear ?

Yes.

They have one with zippers and one with magnets. I went with the magnet screen. Haven't used it yet but I think I'll like it. As mentioned, there were a LOT of flies in the truck in Baja.

 

[umpqua]

I had similar issues. I mounted a Zarges alu box on the back with the idea to load it with all my tools... couldn't open the roof anymore. So decided to move all the tools into jerry can on the back and stuff the Zarges with light stuff - hammock, snorkeling gear etc. The Tom's Fahrzeug roofs have box all the way in the front of the roof, seems like the smart solution Tom's Fahrzeugtechnik

Or could we devise a load dependent strut solution?

Paul I appreciate the lead on the box from Tom's. I'm trying to not have to go up on the roof very often for "stuff". I have a box that I will mount on the rear bumper that will be shipped to me in March. The box measures 26w x 37tall x 12 deep. I'm planning to put things that I would use frequently in the box. Chairs, stove, toilet, etc. Probably recovery gear. Since I have the aux fuel tank the spare that's currently on the rear bumper will need to go on top. At the very front I'm planning to put the solar panel and then as close behind that the spare. I've had the spare on the roof one other time in the middle part of the roof and didn't experience any issues (as I recall) with raising and lowering of the top.

I'm going to know a lot more about that in about another 4-6 weeks and of course will post here.

Appreciate your help.

 

[umpqua]

I ordered a set of sun screens for the front of the troopy from Top Gear 2 Go Magnetic Insect Screens - Top Gear 2 Go I had already purchased a set for the rear from another company before I discovered Top Gear. The ones in the back attach with suction cups and I found that they we always falling off/down. To remedy this I ordered the magnets that Top Gear uses on theirs and sewed the magnets onto the suction cup screens. I haven't used them yet to determine how they will work. I will very likely order the rear ones from Top Gear as they pack smaller and that's always an issue for me. If you'd like a set of suction cup with magnet screens for the back I might consider making you a deal.

I attached the receipt for everything I ordered from Top Gear. All in Rear Bug Screen, two Sun Screens, Magnets and Freight was $410.40 USD. As mentioned, Doug at Top Gear is great to work with and makes a super nice product.

 

[umpqua]

Another Mud member asked about the air deflector on the front windows of the troopy. I have included a photo. I like them.

 

[umpqua]

Camped at the stormy Oregon coast this weekend.

 

[umpqua]

The victories get smaller but I haven't posted in a while.

Kurt from Cruiser Outfitters sent new door gaskets for all the doors. Rear door lower stopper. Upper door striker assembly. Rear trim plate.

I got around to putting on the trim plate and it looks a LOT better than the rusted one that it replaced. The weather has turned nice in Portland so I should be able to get the rest of the "stuff" on soon.

This week I expect to receive a very nice custom box that will mount on the rear bumper from Highway Products in White City, OR. Really looking forward to seeing it and using it.

Crazy times right now. Hope all are well.

 

[umpqua]

More small stuff while I'm still waiting on the Highway Products box. Supposed to ship again....this week. We'll see.

Velcro hook sticks really well to the bottom of the AluCab sleep floor.

Camped this weekend in the Mt Hood National Forest. I get it that they don't want people to camp right now but I don't stop as I go through any small towns. Seems harmless to me.

 

[Don Lacer]

And why wouldn't they want someone to camp, especially if they are a lone? Bizarre! The campsites in Japan are all packed for that very same reason. The grocery stores are packed too, but there is no shortage of food. People just like to spend time away from home as much as possible. Watching TV all day long is not common here. Abe-san is at home enjoying the solitude while the majority of Japanese are having to trudge into work. Working at home is not common here. I'm one of the lucky few!

 

[Don Lacer]

By the way, the fuel cut-off arrived from the UK, but now I'm having difficulty trying to figure out where to put it. All of my fuel lines are metal and there are also return lines to the fuel tanks. This truck is a lot more complicated than I thought it was going to be

My PDP second fuel filter kit should arrive today, so maybe I can attach it between the fuel filters.