Build The '93 Troopy Hodgepodge

[SNLC]

So here is something I want to share with you all as a resource and for your own restoration.

The original 1993 firewall vin plate was pretty wasted on the Troopy.

So I had a place in France make a new one. I tried a guy here in the states who said he could do it blah blah blah but all he did was cost us time.

Toyota id plate - VIN tag - Body plate

Our workshop is specialized in the reproduction of VIN tags for vintage vehicles. We use marking techniques from the 1880's in today. VIN tags, body plate, cowl tag.

identification-plates.com

I had them change the paint code to Cygnus White, the trans to H152, the axles to K084 and the engine to 1HD-FTE. I also got an additional vin plate made as a replica of the OG pictured above.

We didn’t change the vin number or model number or anything like that on the new vin plate. So I don’t believe there is anything wrong with this, in fact I would think any DMV or LEO would prefer the updates as it represents the Troopy in its current (and probably forever) state.

Anyhow point being I can vouch for the linked company in France. It took them awhile but in my opinion they knocked it out of the park.

We had the local police here in our suburb in Boise come by for a vin inspection today so we can do a remote for the owner. It needs plates and registration for us to do the break in miles. Anyways, when I imported this friggin’ Troopy back in 2018 it was the same lady who does the local vin inspections here in the neighborhood. I found it a bit amusing that she did the first one when it was imported and here she was again doing it before it goes home for the final time!!

We are going to be wrapping up the Hodgepodge Troopy build relatively soon, break in miles, testing, ect and it will be ready to go. The overall “Overland” build out will be done by the owner.

Cheers

 

[Broski]

So here is something I want to share with you all as a resource and for your own restoration.

The original 1993 firewall vin plate was pretty wasted on the Troopy.

View attachment 4011219

So I had a place in France make a new one. I tried a guy here in the states who said he could do it blah blah blah but all he did was cost us time.

Toyota id plate - VIN tag - Body plate

Our workshop is specialized in the reproduction of VIN tags for vintage vehicles. We use marking techniques from the 1880's in today. VIN tags, body plate, cowl tag.

identification-plates.com

I had them change the paint code to Cygnus White, the trans to H152, the axles to K084 and the engine to 1HD-FTE. I also got an additional vin plate made as a replica of the OG pictured above.

View attachment 4011222

We didn’t change the vin number or model number or anything like that on the new vin plate. So I don’t believe there is anything wrong with this, in fact I would think any DMV or LEO would prefer the updates as it represents the Troopy in its current (and probably forever) state.

Anyhow point being I can vouch for the linked company in France. It took them awhile but in my opinion they knocked it out of the park.

We had the local police here in our suburb in Boise come by for a vin inspection today so we can do a remote for the owner. It needs plates and registration for us to do the break in miles. Anyways, when I imported this friggin’ Troopy back in 2018 it was the same lady who does the local vin inspections here in the neighborhood. I found it a bit amusing that she did the first one when it was imported and here she was again doing it before it goes home for the final time!!

We are going to be wrapping up the Hodgepodge Troopy build relatively soon, break in miles, testing, ect and it will be ready to go. The overall “Overland” build out will be done by the owner.

Cheers

It’s all in the details and you and your team never disappoint!
That’s super cool.

 

[chapel gate]

Great find on the VIN plate.
Most British ones are getting crusty and hard to read.

 

[SNLC]

I personally think this is a greeeaaaaattttt look!!

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

Maybe a touch D110 with the center top dash gauge cluster but I think it fits well and looks just fine, good even.

Cheers

 

[cruiserdan]

I personally think this is a greeeaaaaattttt look!!

View attachment 4024543
View attachment 4024544
View attachment 4024545
View attachment 4024546

Cheers

Interesting, I was under the impression that only soft top variants had locking gloveboxes.

 

[SNLC]

Super nice to have brand new OEM seat belts all around up front.

The Recaros have hand pump lumbar support which we mounted like this.

Cheers

 

[ranchero7]

What brand/series gauges did you use in your new cluster. I just ordered the cluster as my first troopy mod.

 

[gilmorneau]

Interesting, I was under the impression that only soft top variants had locking gloveboxes.

Not necessarily. I had a 1988 hard top BJ71 from Italy that had a locking glovebox door. Pretty sure it was original.

 

[cruiserdan]

Not necessarily. I had a 1988 hard top BJ71 from Italy that had a locking glovebox door. Pretty sure it was original.
View attachment 4024590

If the ignition key locked it, it was original.

Could easily be possible that some markets ordered then with locking gloveboxes.

 

[FJ73Texas]

I had ordered a new locking glove box (the one with the lock hole) and a new complete key set that included the glove box lock so it can all be added in.

 

[janyyc]

@SNLC how do you compare those Recaro's with the Scheelmann's? I'm especially interested in the seat height. So many people have noted the Scheelmanns' mount higher than OEM, and that would be a problem for me.

 

[svsisu]

@SNLC how do you compare those Recaro's with the Scheelmann's? I'm especially interested in the seat height. So many people have noted the Scheelmanns' mount higher than OEM, and that would be a problem for me.

I can't give any feed back on the Scheelmann's, but my Recaro's mounted so low that I added spacers to get back up to OEM height. I'll send you a PM with more details. I have the same seats as the hodgepodge troopy and they have been a game changer for comfort/fatigue on long road trips compared to the OEM ones.

 

[Dirk S.]

What brand/series gauges did you use in your new cluster. I just ordered the cluster as my first troopy mod.

Isspro, EV2 mechanical gauges

 

[SNLC]

One of the final pieces to the puzzle!

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

First street drive!!

Cheers

 

[linuxgod]

It’s too nice to drive!

 

[SNLC]

It’s too nice to drive!

Nah!!



Cheers

 

[SNLC]

We just went a couple miles down to the fairgrounds and back in it today. Not much above 40mph.

Initial impressions, WOW this is one incredible Troopy!! There is no shortage of power, it feels different than other builds being full time 4wd, man the Recaros are really comfy seats!! The steering is nice and tight and responsive. Transmission feels outstanding, barley tested brakes but they feel more than good enough for this Cruiser.

A lot of the hold up lately has been getting this Cruiser street legal. It just had to be done remotely since the owner doesn’t live here in Idaho. That has been a bit of a pain. Well, it is plated, registered and insured now so the break in process has begun!!

Cheers

 

[SNLC]

Not very impressed with quality of the overhead lights in the Alu-Cab, mostly the switch on them that seems cheapo. We wired the center one though to turn on from door triggers. The OEM rear at the way back is triggered from back doors.

It’s a blank canvas ready for the interior and camping build out!!

Under the OEM mat in the rear floor and wheel wells are mounting locations for a sub-floor or whatever, mount cabinets directly to it, simply limited by the space and a persons creativity. Or buy a kit overseas and have it shipped to the US.

Cheers