Builds The "Red Rocket" Troopy

[theglobb]

Alright... it's been a couple months of radio silence on my behalf, life got pretty busy and progress with the Red Rocket has totally halted. Absolutely 0 progress since June So I'll give a life update instead.

I missed my friends dearly this past summer and since they are all in school up in Boone for one more year, I moved back. One of the deadliest storms in US history, Hurricane Helene, hit the Appalachian mountains 2 days after I had moved up there. It was absolutely surreal to experience the during and aftermath of the storm. Entire communities have been wiped off the map, homes and businesses just disappeared, all from insane flashflooding. No one was expecting the storm to hit us, let alone cause so much devastation. I'm talking like you would turn around a corner on a road and there was either no road left or someone's house was sideways in the road, blocking it.

I'm handy with a chainsaw and my friends were willing to learn how to use them. The university was damaged so all of them were out of school and we had no/limited power for weeks so I couldn't look for a job as no one was in the state to hire anyone, thus we started cutting access to homes/communities so people could either escape or gain access. The longest and hardest 3 weeks of my life, from 7am to 7pm, non stop chainsawing and road clearing. I don't think I even thought about the troopy at all in those 3 weeks other than a couple times where I wished I would have had it running so we could load up all the guys and saws and just go somewhere, instead of organizing a convoy. It was extremely refreshing to quit a pretty horrible job at a Mercedes dealership and end up doing this for 3 weeks straight. Doing work with my best friends, that really had meaning in it and made a huge impact on people's lives during such a horrible time.

 

[theglobb]

From there I ended up getting a job at this ancient machine/welding shop in the area, it's just me and 3 other guys. For a month straight when I started, we didn't have much any "normal" work at all. Mostly repairing/rebuilding excavators, skid steers, trailers, and much more that was all coming in getting constantly damaged during the hurricane cleanup effort. Trailers came in bent and twisted, totally overloaded and we would have to remake the frame from scratch, weld it all back together, and send it on its way. Excavators with buckets cracked in half or the tracks broken off them. Needless to say I have learned A LOT in a very small amount of time.

When I say its old... I mean the machines are ancient. We have a metal shear that came out of a Nazi factory after the allies won WWII, cuts 12ft long metal that's a HALF-inch thick with relative ease. Same goes for our metal brake that's from the late 1940s (US made) that bends 8ft of metal that's half-inch thick. Old lathes that still have LEATHER belts on them, and a ton of old American-made drill presses from the 50-60s. The only new stuff in the shop are some of the welders and our plasma cutter, everything is done by hand. No electronic assistance or computers helping anyone do anything. I am gaining a wealth of knowledge.

I was helping rebuild roads/bridges out near Asheville about a month into the aftermath and kept eyeing up this old Toyota pickup that was in the weeds.

With only 112,000 miles on it and a 22RE under the hood... I had to find the owner. It was quite difficult as his house had been totally washed off the map in the floods but eventually tracked him down and he was dying to sell it. It was wrecked in the front in before the flooding, then flooded in the floods. The perfect truck. It's already been totaled, its already been flooded, I really have nothing to loose, AND its a 90's Toyota. $400 later and it was mine. Replaced all fluids, sprayed WD40 into all and any electrical connectors, took the sparkplugs out to shoot any water out of the engine, winched the frame that was cracked in half back into place, fired it up and drove it home!!! It even has ice cold A/C, never would have guessed my first car to ever have AC would be $400 lol

Beat the hell out of the fender with a deadblow and got it somewhat in shape again, cleans up nice.

Drove it home for Thanksgiving, and the clutch decided it had enough of life after 112,000 miles in a mountain city so I had to change it out. Other than that, it's been trouble-free!

 

[robmobile73]

Alright... it's been a couple months of radio silence on my behalf, life got pretty busy and progress with the Red Rocket has totally halted. Absolutely 0 progress since June So I'll give a life update instead.

I missed my friends dearly this past summer and since they are all in school up in Boone for one more year, I moved back. One of the deadliest storms in US history, Hurricane Helene, hit the Appalachian mountains 2 days after I had moved up there. It was absolutely surreal to experience the during and aftermath of the storm. Entire communities have been wiped off the map, homes and businesses just disappeared, all from insane flashflooding. No one was expecting the storm to hit us, let alone cause so much devastation. I'm talking like you would turn around a corner on a road and there was either no road left or someone's house was sideways in the road, blocking it.

I'm handy with a chainsaw and my friends were willing to learn how to use them. The university was damaged so all of them were out of school and we had no/limited power for weeks so I couldn't look for a job as no one was in the state to hire anyone, thus we started cutting access to homes/communities so people could either escape or gain access. The longest and hardest 3 weeks of my life, from 7am to 7pm, non stop chainsawing and road clearing. I don't think I even thought about the troopy at all in those 3 weeks other than a couple times where I wished I would have had it running so we could load up all the guys and saws and just go somewhere, instead of organizing a convoy. It was extremely refreshing to quit a pretty horrible job at a Mercedes dealership and end up doing this for 3 weeks straight. Doing work with my best friends, that really had meaning in it and made a huge impact on people's lives during such a horrible time.

View attachment 3797147View attachment 3797148View attachment 3797156View attachment 3797155View attachment 3797149

It is quite a blessing to have youth, needed skills, and time to help people in need. Be careful in whatever you do especially doing random tasks in an old shop with old tools. Keep all your fingers, toes, limbs, etc. untill you are a lot older. A family friend has recently become handicapped at 21 operating heavy equipment and doing something dumb. Take care of yourself first, you get complacent after working too long/hard and that's when things happen. You can get more done in 20 years of steady work than you can in a short dash toward tracer burnout.....good job and stay safe!

 

[theglobb]

The last update would be the fact that I bought a 1983 Toyota Dolphin... It was so cheap ($1500) that I couldn't not buy it!! Most likely will just end up fixing up the mechanical, electrical, and interior some then flip it for profit. I don't need another project Toyota by any means and this money could go to helping sort out the Red Rocket's windshield frame situation that I'm still just totally stalled at.

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I still do tree work/cleanup on the weekends with my friends. However for money now and not just for free like we were doing right after the hurricane. Had the opportunity to camp out on these peoples property who lived 2 hours away and do tree work during the day. So we loaded up our chainsaws, guns, and all slept in the Dolphin! Honestly it was such a fun time

My buddy with his OM606 swapped 80 series was a major help this past weekend with just moving fallen trees out of this massive ditch

 

[Felde]

Wow, that's been a roller-coaster trip for sure.
I hope your family and property is OK.
Thank you for reporting.
But what happened to you other rigs, the MB 240D and the blue 4Runner?
And: Any progress in sourcing a new windshield for the Red Rocket?
Cheers Ralf

 

[theglobb]

Wow, that's been a roller-coaster trip for sure.
I hope your family and property is OK.
Thank you for reporting.
But what happened to you other rigs, the MB 240D and the blue 4Runner?
And: Any progress in sourcing a new windshield for the Red Rocket?
Cheers Ralf

Thanks for the kind wishes! Myself, family, and the majority of my friends were luckily unharmed in all the chaos.

My 240D was actually the "hurricane response vehicle" for a 3 day period until I was able to get in contact with and cut access to my buddy who has an old Jeep XJ. I was out driving around in the middle of nowhere during the peak of the hurricane and found out then, that my fuel gauge is off! It was at 1/4 tank but ran out of fuel, there was a gas station nearby and I was able to glide the 240 to it. Obviously there was no power as all of the power lines were ripped down in the wind and flooding. Luckily there was a smalltown restaurant across the street so I walked over behind their dumpsters, low and behold they had the used cooking oil bin aswell. I had an empty jug of oil in the back of the 240 that I dunked into the waste oil bin, then took off my socks and filtered the nasty oil through my socks into the gas tank. Primed the fuel system, started it up, and drove it 25 miles back to Boone! Having an old mechanical diesel in that moment absolutely saved me. I had no connection to contact anyone and the entire road washed away 1 hour after I had got back into Boone.

Some photos of the muddied MB in the direct aftermath of the storm

and a clean photo too!

Now for the windshield update... I have had multiple different people at this point say they are more than willing to search for one overseas or even that they have one they would be willing to sell and ship to me. Then they just ghost me and I hear nothing. Dead end each time. It kept happening over and over that it kinda just defeated me and my will to keep searching. Then all of the stuff mentioned above happened and I didn't have a spare second to even think about it.

Now as everything dies down, I got a job, and life is becoming somewhat more normal again I'm gonna begin my search again. There's a couple people I have been meaning to contact and haven't got to it yet but I still have no real clues or leads on how and who could hook me up with one. Same thing as this past summer, if anyone has any possible leads or clues or ANYTHING I will be more than happy to hear. I miss driving it, and the worst part is that its mechanically fine. Starts right up and drives around, just torn apart into a bunch of different pieces. I've even considered throwing it back together in a half assed manner, putting the glass back in, spraypainting it red, and driving it around until I can find a windshield frame! It's already been sitting for 8 months!

 

[OGBeno]

The last update would be the fact that I bought a 1983 Toyota Dolphin... It was so cheap ($1500) that I couldn't not buy it!! Most likely will just end up fixing up the mechanical, electrical, and interior some then flip it for profit. I don't need another project Toyota by any means and this money could go to helping sort out the Red Rocket's windshield frame situation that I'm still just totally stalled at.

View attachment 3797247View attachment 3797248
View attachment 3797249View attachment 3797250

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I still do tree work/cleanup on the weekends with my friends. However for money now and not just for free like we were doing right after the hurricane. Had the opportunity to camp out on these peoples property who lived 2 hours away and do tree work during the day. So we loaded up our chainsaws, guns, and all slept in the Dolphin! Honestly it was such a fun time
View attachment 3797246

My buddy with his OM606 swapped 80 series was a major help this past weekend with just moving fallen trees out of this massive ditch

The new shag wagon!!

 

[jblueridge]

Depending on your desperation…
Have you tried to find a fabricator shop that can help you?

If you have a scrapyard that will let you walk around (unlike me) I’d cut out a paper template of the glass and try to find a vehicle with glass of a similar size. Cut out the junker frame and fab bits as required to make it work with its own windshield glass.

If you have money you could buy a 70 series fold down frame and glass and make that fit your modified opening.

 

[Owyhee Jackass]

What's the deal with your windshield? You can't find one or you can't find one that you can afford? Or just re-fabricating your rusted out frame is the issue?

Reason I ask, is I'll be tackling mine soon (probably next summer) as I have a windshield (was about $500 through local dealer and thanks to SNLC for hooking me up with a 'mis-order' (dealer said they couldn't get it so he ordered from overseas, then they call him and ask if he still wants the windshield they ordered for him) and a gasket, just need to have a month of good weather to pull mine and do the rust repair.

 

[jblueridge]

I believe Rust is the problem.

 

[Felde]

Regarding the 240D story: Another twisted looping in that roller-coaster. Amazing.
But very creative thinking.
We know you are a great photographer; ever considered writing a book from all your stories? Glad to hear all are good.
Bummer concerning the windshield.
Merry Christmas

 

[FJBen]

Thanks for the kind wishes! Myself, family, and the majority of my friends were luckily unharmed in all the chaos.

My 240D was actually the "hurricane response vehicle" for a 3 day period until I was able to get in contact with and cut access to my buddy who has an old Jeep XJ. I was out driving around in the middle of nowhere during the peak of the hurricane and found out then, that my fuel gauge is off! It was at 1/4 tank but ran out of fuel, there was a gas station nearby and I was able to glide the 240 to it. Obviously there was no power as all of the power lines were ripped down in the wind and flooding. Luckily there was a smalltown restaurant across the street so I walked over behind their dumpsters, low and behold they had the used cooking oil bin aswell. I had an empty jug of oil in the back of the 240 that I dunked into the waste oil bin, then took off my socks and filtered the nasty oil through my socks into the gas tank. Primed the fuel system, started it up, and drove it 25 miles back to Boone! Having an old mechanical diesel in that moment absolutely saved me. I had no connection to contact anyone and the entire road washed away 1 hour after I had got back into Boone.

Some photos of the muddied MB in the direct aftermath of the storm
View attachment 3799743View attachment 3799740View attachment 3799741

and a clean photo too!
View attachment 3799744


Now for the windshield update... I have had multiple different people at this point say they are more than willing to search for one overseas or even that they have one they would be willing to sell and ship to me. Then they just ghost me and I hear nothing. Dead end each time. It kept happening over and over that it kinda just defeated me and my will to keep searching. Then all of the stuff mentioned above happened and I didn't have a spare second to even think about it.

Now as everything dies down, I got a job, and life is becoming somewhat more normal again I'm gonna begin my search again. There's a couple people I have been meaning to contact and haven't got to it yet but I still have no real clues or leads on how and who could hook me up with one. Same thing as this past summer, if anyone has any possible leads or clues or ANYTHING I will be more than happy to hear. I miss driving it, and the worst part is that its mechanically fine. Starts right up and drives around, just torn apart into a bunch of different pieces. I've even considered throwing it back together in a half assed manner, putting the glass back in, spraypainting it red, and driving it around until I can find a windshield frame! It's already been sitting for 8 months!

Always an adventure! Enjoy these times. Before you know it, you’re old and enjoyment means you didn’t have to wake up and pee in the middle of the night.


I’m sure you have reached out but @joekatana could Probabaly hook you up with something or maybe even a lead?

 

[Broski]

Enjoy these times. Before you know it, you’re old and enjoyment means you didn’t have to wake up and pee in the middle of the night.

So true !! And that’s not the worst of it

 

[robmobile73]

Thanks for the kind wishes! Myself, family, and the majority of my friends were luckily unharmed in all the chaos.

My 240D was actually the "hurricane response vehicle" for a 3 day period until I was able to get in contact with and cut access to my buddy who has an old Jeep XJ. I was out driving around in the middle of nowhere during the peak of the hurricane and found out then, that my fuel gauge is off! It was at 1/4 tank but ran out of fuel, there was a gas station nearby and I was able to glide the 240 to it. Obviously there was no power as all of the power lines were ripped down in the wind and flooding. Luckily there was a smalltown restaurant across the street so I walked over behind their dumpsters, low and behold they had the used cooking oil bin aswell. I had an empty jug of oil in the back of the 240 that I dunked into the waste oil bin, then took off my socks and filtered the nasty oil through my socks into the gas tank. Primed the fuel system, started it up, and drove it 25 miles back to Boone! Having an old mechanical diesel in that moment absolutely saved me. I had no connection to contact anyone and the entire road washed away 1 hour after I had got back into Boone.

Some photos of the muddied MB in the direct aftermath of the storm
View attachment 3799743View attachment 3799740View attachment 3799741

and a clean photo too!
View attachment 3799744


Now for the windshield update... I have had multiple different people at this point say they are more than willing to search for one overseas or even that they have one they would be willing to sell and ship to me. Then they just ghost me and I hear nothing. Dead end each time. It kept happening over and over that it kinda just defeated me and my will to keep searching. Then all of the stuff mentioned above happened and I didn't have a spare second to even think about it.

Now as everything dies down, I got a job, and life is becoming somewhat more normal again I'm gonna begin my search again. There's a couple people I have been meaning to contact and haven't got to it yet but I still have no real clues or leads on how and who could hook me up with one. Same thing as this past summer, if anyone has any possible leads or clues or ANYTHING I will be more than happy to hear. I miss driving it, and the worst part is that its mechanically fine. Starts right up and drives around, just torn apart into a bunch of different pieces. I've even considered throwing it back together in a half assed manner, putting the glass back in, spraypainting it red, and driving it around until I can find a windshield frame! It's already been sitting for 8 months!

On the windshield frame and fabricating from a fold down, you could start from this maybe: Land Cruiser FJ70 FJ73 FJ75 LC70 LC73 LC75 HZJ70 HZJ73 HZJ75 Car Auto Body System Parts Steel windshield frame - https://m.alibaba.com/x/xwN5qIK?ck=pdp

 

[theglobb]

I sold my Toyota Dolphin a week or so ago. Made about $4000 of profit so I have some spare change in my pocket to put towards the Red Rocket.

Check out the video for my for sale ad below.


I have 2 options, there is a guy in Australia I have found who makes replacement A-pillars for $250 USD per pillar, then shipping ontop of that aswell. OR as @robmobile73 and @jblueridge have mentioned,I could get a fold-down windshield and mutilate it... I think I'm going the fold down windshield route unless someone more knowledgeable can chime in about how bad of an idea that may possibly be. I'm excited to finally get a move on with this all, saddens me that the troopy has sat this long yet life happens.

What's the deal with your windshield? You can't find one or you can't find one that you can afford? Or just re-fabricating your rusted out frame is the issue?

Reason I ask, is I'll be tackling mine soon (probably next summer) as I have a windshield (was about $500 through local dealer and thanks to SNLC for hooking me up with a 'mis-order' (dealer said they couldn't get it so he ordered from overseas, then they call him and ask if he still wants the windshield they ordered for him) and a gasket, just need to have a month of good weather to pull mine and do the rust repair.

Refabbing the rusted-out frame is the issue, beyond repair of any sorts. I appreciate heads up of a windshield itself, mine is fine however. Wish my windshield was destroyed and not the frame of it!! haha

 

[onemanarmy]

story on the Dolphin? was it cheap for a reason or were you just in the right place at the right time to snag it?

 

[flx]

I have 2 options, there is a guy in Australia I have found who makes replacement A-pillars for $250 USD per pillar, then shipping ontop of that aswell. OR as @robmobile73 and @jblueridge have mentioned,I could get a fold-down windshield and mutilate it... I think I'm going the fold down windshield route unless someone more knowledgeable can chime in about how bad of an idea that may possibly be. I'm excited to finally get a move on with this all, saddens me that the troopy has sat this long yet life happens.

I don't know how difficult the adaptation would be for the fold down windshield but just want to get your attention on the door.
They are not the same between the 70 series with an integrated roof and the ones with a softtop or removable hardtop.

So just making sure you have a plan to adapt this part.

 

[onemanarmy]

70 series windshields are NLA?

 

[lacalvette]

What about swapping to an american windshield? The 75 glass is expensive, I glued mine, too afraid to break the new one.
the windshield weatherstrip is not the best thing in the world, I initially tought that gasket was necessary to allow movement but I did some good offroading since mine is glued and did not break. The newer version of troopy are glued for safety.

I wonder if there is an american truck that have a similar flat glass that you could cut the frame and weld it to your troopy. Don't think it would (in general) change the look.
That could be easier to source new glass, no more water ingress..
The exterior part of your A pillar are still good?

 

[Shyrock]

70 series windshields are NLA?

It's not the glass that's the issue. He needs a new complete frame.