Soft top troopy newby

[Troop Toter]

I sold my 2012 Tacoma several weeks ago when I got an offer I couldn't refuse. It was a short bed and I really needed a full size pickup. I have been looking at GMC's, Tundra's etc. I happened upon an article about old Land Cruisers and thought I'd check eBay to see what kind of price range they occupied.
I wasn't really serious about a Land Cruiser because I really wanted a full size pickup bed. And then I saw John Bailey's listing for an FJ45 soft top troop carrier. I looked at the pictures, went to his website and looked at more pictures, came here to do a little research and decided I needed to call this man.

I bought a new FJCruiser in '06, an '07 model, and kept it for five years. I've often regretted selling that dude. I was known as CarolinaFJ on the FJCruiser forum. I put a sunroof in the FJ and the thread became a sticky. So I know the value of a good forum and here I am. I wired the money for the troopy to John today and I expect delivery sometime later this week. I've never laid eyes on a real troop carrier and when this one gets here, it will be the first. It's an '81 and I read where someone said that FJ40's after '76 had disk brakes, is this true? I hope so. I don't even know if this one has brakes. I used all my savings, sold the dog and when my wife called it a Land Rover, I sold her too. I then had just enough to purchase this one. I'll try to post a picture but it can be seen on John's website. It will be my daily driver and I'm sure I'll be relying on you guys for information. When it gets here, I'll post more pictures. Thanks, rog

 

[tag3]

Smart move getting rid of the wife.

 

[chappohj47]

1980 on disc brake front end drum brake rear

 

[whitey45]

Factory left hand troopy is a rare rig. This is most likely from south america, pretty sure its 4 wheel drum brakes, non full float rear end, 2f, 4spd. They generally lead a rough life as most were well used. Looks pretty decent, but alot can be hiding under the paint. Good luck with the new rig and welcome to the forum.

 

[cult45]

X 2 from whitey. But don't fret on the drum brakes. Boosted 40 series drums stop great. Welcome.

 

[Troop Toter]

This is most likely from south america.

Yep, John said it was from Chili.

Boosted 40 series drums stop great.

Well, that's good news. And thanks for the welcomes. BTW, I saw that city slicker that bought Rover looking under my front porch this morning when I got up. After he left, I went out back and there was Rover hiding under the back porch. Gooood Rover.

 

[cult45]

Yep, John said it was from Chili.

I've heard it's hot down there.

 

[Troop Toter]

Ya know, I can see in the pictures the heater hose is not connected to the copper tube going thru the firewall. I was wondering if they didn't disconnect it due to the heat. Anyway, I've found the heater water control valve and heater core on ebay and a couple other places so I'm ready for the worst possible scenario. The guy brought my wife back and paid me to take her back so now I have enough money to buy the heater equipment if I need to.

 

[FJ404345]

Hi Rog, welcome to the madness !

It nice you pulled the trigger on a FST fj45.

Imho a soft top troopy is even better then an pick-up, as you are not seperated from your transported goods and can even access the area from the front of the bed.

One of mine has a full float rear axle special ordered by the Dutch Marine, but both has drum brakes all around.

Have fun with it and let us know as it arrives !!

 

[ozcrusier]

Welcome to the forum mate good to see a left hand drive soft top troopy. 10 more posts and you can show us some more pics of your new toy.

 

[FJ43 1980]

I used all my savings, sold the dog and when my wife called it a Land Rover, I sold her too. I then had just enough to purchase this one.

Great purchase, probably a good move getting rid of the wife, but you should get the dog back. Dogs love trucks...