Possibly buying a 75 series troopy - would love advice

[rjhdog]

Hey crew -

Met some aussies deep in Baja 6 months ago and they are wrapping up their trip. Long story short, we got to know them, they stayed at our place back in CA, and now he offered to sell his troopy to me before they head home in a couple months. It's a 1990 1hz 75 series troopy.
385km
5 speed

A few questions:
1. It was origanlly set up with the forward facing rear bench seat. If I purchased the side facing troopy seats are there already partitions to simply bolt the seats in? Or do I have to fab up mounting brackets? It's been converted to camp in the back so I couldn't see the interior walls to confirm.

2. Did these troopies at this year only come with only one trans option? I hear there were a couple different gear boxes and the heavier duty one was the one to have as the other had many issues.

3. Any idea on a fair price/value. Things like this are all over the map in my research. She is well used but mechanically sound. It will be a great beach/baja rig for the family. Not looking for a show pony.

4. Anything you recommend to check/be weary of?



Cheers.

 

[rjhdog]

 

[coldtaco]

That transmission should be a good one, plus lots of support for that here in the US.

 

[77cruiser77]

H series is the heavy duty while the R series are the lighter duty transmissions that had a tendency to go.

No turbo so the engine is probably healthy.

 

[SNLC]

Rear sill and rear quarters seem to be the first places to rust-rot on a troopy.

They also came with a 4spd behind the 1HZ but you want the 5spd.

Cheers

 

[Mookies]

First of all....congrats! Good find.

Rear seats....it depends on how the Troopy was originally sold/ optioned. I would be prepared to make brackets.

Tranny.....that Troopy has the good one I wish I had. Based on the data plate it was delivered with an H55.

Ditto on the rear sill and quarter rust. Take out the rear lamp assemblies to see how much metal needs replacing. You WILL have to tackle some rust but it looks in decent shape otherwise. Check compression on the 1HZ before committing. Check for excessive drivetrain noise or whine/rattle in the transfer case. Look at the coolant and for any leaks around the water pump. These are built like tanks and outside of bodywork, most issues are fairly obvious when poking around.

I would say that since it's not a 'market' sale and face to face I would say $10-15k. That is a 7K AUS truck back home for them and they are not as rare here as they were 5 years ago. Having the previous owner face to face answers a lot of questions fast. Most never have that luxury. Just ask about general use and abuse that they are aware of.

If they have any registration paperwork from Australia make sure you get it. Will make your title approval go way faster.

Bottom line.... buy that sucker and start enjoying it!

 

[gkanai]

It is past the 25 year mark, so it can be registered in the US. I too would probably jump on that if I were in your shoes. I do see some oil leakage near the drive shaft in that image you posted, so that's clearly one area to dive into post-purchase. Also unless the current owners have done the regular maintenance, I'd probably go through and replace most of anything rubber in the engine bay (belts, hoses, etc.) I'd switch to stainless brake lines if they're not there already, replace those shocks, clean the engine and undercarriage to check for any other leaks, and probably redo the wheel bearings/repack hubs if they haven't been done recently. That's a fair bit of work unless you do it yourself, but that would get you a reliable Troopy that would go for another long while.

 

[JuanJ]

First of all....congrats! Good find.

[...]
Bottom line.... buy that sucker and start enjoying it!

Hello,

x2.

The Troopie looks good for its age.

It has the H55F, which is a good thing. Spares are easier to get for this transmission in North America. On the other hand, it is more robust than the R151F that equipped later units.

The H55F slips gears in old age. Check it.

The transmission and transfer do not show oil leaks, nor the universal joints.

K085 suggests a limited slip differential in the rear axle. You should check that with the current owner.

There is rust in the usual spots, nothing to worry.

Does it have dual fuel tanks?

Let us know if you buy it.






Juan

 

[roscoFJ73]

4. Anything you recommend to check/be weary of?

Can they bring a vehicle into the USA and then sell it before they leave? I was wondering if the vehicle has to leave the country and reimported before you can get your hands on it. I think when they brought the landcruiser in they would have signed an agreement that it has to leave after 6 months.

The forward facing rear seat option is uncommon. I think its the best option to have as it comes close to making the troopy car like when needed. Side facing seats are not kind in frontal impacts.
The front passenger seat should also fold forward and swivel to allow rear passengers to enter/exit.

 

[rjhdog]

Yes, it has dual tanks. The range is pretty impressive with the diesel.

Was limited slip an option? Any downfall if it does?

 

[Mookies]

It was a factory option. They are great until the clutches wear out at which point it just becomes an 'open' diff. They take a specific LSD diff oil. Only downfall is replacing it after it's worn as there are not easily procured e-locker assemblies for the larger rear diff. I'm replacing mine with a Harrop.

 

[rjhdog]

Thanks for the advice Mookies.

So it sounds like the rear diffs are hard to come by and this 5 speed trans is easier to acquire and have lots of support in NA.

What is the general life expectancy of these Limited Slip diffs?

It was a factory option. They are great until the clutches wear out at which point it just becomes an 'open' diff. They take a specific LSD diff oil. Only downfall is replacing it after it's worn as there are not easily procured e-locker assemblies for the larger rear diff. I'm replacing mine with a Harrop.

 

[rjhdog]

It is past the 25 year mark, so it can be registered in the US. I too would probably jump on that if I were in your shoes. I do see some oil leakage near the drive shaft in that image you posted, so that's clearly one area to dive into post-purchase. Also unless the current owners have done the regular maintenance, I'd probably go through and replace most of anything rubber in the engine bay (belts, hoses, etc.) I'd switch to stainless brake lines if they're not there already, replace those shocks, clean the engine and undercarriage to check for any other leaks, and probably redo the wheel bearings/repack hubs if they haven't been done recently. That's a fair bit of work unless you do it yourself, but that would get you a reliable Troopy that would go for another long while.

Yeah , that sounds like a great to do list.
It appears that the excessive oil leak is likely do to the seal between trans and transfer case. It looks like at one point it has one of the aftermarket bypass hoses that sends fluid from trans to transfer case so transfer case is fuller and seeping out of the o ring at top of transfer case. From what I could tell and what one of my mechanic buddies told me quickly... if anyone knows what I am taking about, let me know (I think specter sells them but don't even know what it's called). It looks worse than it actually is from the photo.

Also, clutch assembly was replaced and most rubber/bushings were replaced before they took the rig across the world some 30k km's ago.

Some other known Issues:

1. He did mention that some o ring gave up the ghost in the injector assembly that was replaced.

2. the water pump was fixed temporarily in mex but he wants to replace it,

3. It could use a new timing belt.

4. The tach needle isn't operating - he mentioned a loose wire.

5. Has AC but isn't hooked up at the moment. Not sure if I have to convert it.


It cruises fine on the highway and was actually surprised it would go 65 fairly easily. .

I don't notice any alarming whining from trans or transfer case, but to be honest it's the first one I have ever driven so who knows...

Almost too much information but thankful to know some of the history and it's known issues.

Thanks for all the advice thus far.
Cheers.

 

[Mookies]

Water pump and timing belt should absolutely be the first on your to do list.

Double check for leaks around the injection pump, it should be an obvious leak out of the top or on the wheel well side.

Those bypass hoses work fine...as long as they aren't leaking.

 

[LS1FJ40]

If you are able to buy it without it being exported and then imported you can use this to your advantage in negotiating the price. If that is a $7k rig in AUS then I don't know why it wouldn't be a $7k rig here. You are saving them $1500-2000 in shipping fees to ship it back to AUS. When they get home they can just go buy another one, if they want.

 

[rjhdog]

Well, looks like my Aussie seller is having a heck of time getting the rig registered in CA.

Apparently, his hang up after multiple attempts is acquiring a letter from Toyota for compliance. Toyota wont issue a letter without physically seeing the rig and the seller doesn't have the time to go through any more hoops. He is now opting to sell it out of state.

Does anyone know if its actually possible to have a 1990 HJ75 legally registered in CA? I personally haven't seen any plated in CA - only out of state...

Any advice?

 

[MarkBC]

I am considering a vacation to Australia and buying a 78 series Troopy (started in 1999, and up to 2002 is what I can import -- 15+ years old) and bringing it back to Canada. This "letter of compliance from Toyota" note has me concerned. Can anyone elaborate on what this is? I have researched the import requirements in Canada and didn't see anything flagging this as an issue.

 

[Bossman]

Well, looks like my Aussie seller is having a heck of time getting the rig registered in CA.

Apparently, his hang up after multiple attempts is acquiring a letter from Toyota for compliance. Toyota wont issue a letter without physically seeing the rig and the seller doesnt have the time to go through any more hoops. He is know opting to sell it out of state.

Does anyone know if its actually possible to have a 1990 HJ75 legally registered in CA? I personally haven't seen any plated in CA - only out of state...

Any advice?

I'm "out of state" and in the market BTW

You might check with Georg at Valley Hybrids in Stockton, CA. He has imported a few and knows the system pretty well. He can also hold it for me until I can come get it out of CA's way...

 

[Mookies]

It seems like Sacramento has gotten smart in regards to these. I've heard from lots of folks in Cali that new registrations are being denied. Even out of state registered non USA Cruisers are being denied. Might be worth trying to make friends with someone in Reno! Either way, that seems to be the wrong state to try and circumnavigate the system. The only thing I know from living in Oakland for years is that using a DMV from a non urban center is always a better bet. Bottom line is you will NEVER get a letter of compliance from Toyota. Try and register it another state and try your luck but once the VIN is in the system it will keep getting flagged by Sacramento. It's a shame as a Troopy in good tune blows better smog numbers than a Civic and is way safer than any econo-s***box.

 

[Tennessee Jed]

Letter of compliance for what? I've never heard of this. What is being complied with?