Builds The "Red Rocket" Troopy (6 Viewers)

[theglobb]

You tricked me by bumping the original for sale thread... got my hopes up that this Troopy was back for sale. I shoulda bought it when I had the chance.

Looks like you are getting some great use out of it.

Also, the main take-away I've got after reading this whole thread is: "This truck needs a turbo."

Is Jefferson machine still doing turbo kits for the 3Bs? How about Diesel42?

hahaha oooooops, my baddd, I am getting some amazing use outta it. As for the turbo... does it need one? No, it will get you where you wanna go without one, just much slower than any other vehicle on the road besides a Model T, a fully loaded semi, and maybe a moped. I've put 19,000 km on it since March and I only receive a few middle fingers here and there, if tailgaters are a problem, I'll just roll a bit of coal and they usually get the hint. However, it would be extremely nice to be able to keep up with modern traffic and not have to go up long hill climbs in 2nd, even 1st gear sometimes. Once I get enough money saved up, a turbo will be the next major thing I do to it without a doubt. Especially if I go to a college that is at altitude with many hills. I may just bite the bullet and cash out on Diesel42's kit, I've read a lot on it and it seems great. I trust myself with a premade kit that has loads of threads and instruction on it, but trying to do it DIY without fully knowing what I'm doing scares me cause I'll most likely mess something up or forget to add some crucial part, etc etc.

 

[gilmorneau]

dang, looking back at those pics of your Troopy, those split rims look better and better every time I look at them, I'll have to add that to the "Way In The Future" list

I just remembered that your truck had split rims on it when I sold it to Jamie. He's the one who put the wheels you have now on there. What I don't remember is what (if anything) he did with the split rims. Might be worth getting in touch with him.

First photo in the original "for sale" thread:

 

[theglobb]

I just remembered that your truck had split rims on it when I sold it to Jamie. He's the one who put the wheels you have now on there. What I don't remember is what (if anything) he did with the split rims. Might be worth getting in touch with him.

First photo in the original "for sale" thread:
View attachment 2461280

Hmmmmmm, might just send him a message now, thank you!

 

[theglobb]

Update on the sketchy vibration ~ sooooo I had just remembered @gilmorneau's for sale thread (in Oct of 2018) and Jamie's (PO) of the Troopy mentioned it needed a front axle rebuild. Welllll, that means it's needed a front axle rebuild for the past 2 years. I must have just ignored that and totally looked over/forgot it when and after buying the Troopy. Now I'm not sure if that could cause or lead to something else causing the vibration but regardless the driver side knuckle needs some real attention, you can see the grease flung out all over the inside of the tire lol. There is also the driver side wheel bearing I believe, which is shot, you can see it moving here


On top of that, after kicking some of the steering components I found these 2 nuts loose, very loose, like I could spin them with my fingers loose. (they are in the bottom photo with the arrows) So I tightened them back down, took it for a test drive and the vibration is still there. Also sorry for the quality of the images, they got to be the worst I've put on this thread so far haha.

 

[OGBeno]

You need a full front axle rebuild and I would highly recommend a new set of TREs.

Call Cruiser Outfitters on Monday and the guys manning counter will get you what you need in a jiffy.

 

[FJBen]

Totally agree with @Onur

Consider it $250 and a rite of passage.

and a crap ton of paper towels.

 

[theglobb]

You need a full front axle rebuild and I would highly recommend a new set of TREs.

Call Cruiser Outfitters on Monday and the guys manning counter will get you what you need in a jiffy.

I saw the front axle rebuild coming, not the tie rod ends though. It was listed in Jamie's for sale thread that it had "New Tie Rods". How exactly can you tell that it needs some new TREs? I've never messed with them before so I can't really tell.

and a crap ton of paper towels.

Haha, the seals are probably non-existent by now, gonna be alottttt of diff oil.

 

[Forerunner]

Late to the party - love the build thread and content. Carry on.

By the way, @theglobb, you tricked me too by bumping the FS thread.

 

[Honger]

I saw the front axle rebuild coming, not the tie rod ends though. It was listed in Jamie's for sale thread that it had "New Tie Rods". How exactly can you tell that it needs some new TREs? I've never messed with them before so I can't really tell.

Haha, the seals are probably non-existent by now, gonna be alottttt of diff oil.

With the TRE's you may not need new ones if they've been replaced recently. With the front axle lifted, try to "turn" one of the wheels and see if the steering linkages have a bunch of play/slop. You can also do this with the vehicle on the ground. Have a buddy turn the wheel side-to-side... and you watch the links to see if there is slop in the end joints. If the steering is nice and tight, no need for new TRE's.

The bolts you showed as loose are for the clamps that keep the tie rods fixed in place on the tie-rod ends. Those bolts being loose could lead to your alignment being off... worth getting it checked.

Cruiser ownership isn't JUST bikini'd girls on the beach...

 

[Gun Runner 5]

All of the above information is spot on except for this part .... “Cruiser ownership isn't JUST bikini'd girls on the beach“ ...... ignore that last comment.

 

[FJ73Texas]

All of the above information is spot on except for this part .... “Cruiser ownership isn't JUST bikini'd girls on the beach“ ...... ignore that last comment.

Cruisers...at least in my own experience aren't exactly "chick magnets". Perhaps I should live in Colorado rather than Texas. Here it is all about ugly lifted trucks with terrible offset wheels.

 

[FJBen]

Cruisers...at least in my own experience aren't exactly "chick magnets". Perhaps I should live in Colorado rather than Texas. Here it is all about ugly lifted trucks with terrible offset wheels.

In Colorado, I believe every 3rd person moving in is given a Jeep. In a few mile drive, I bet I see 10+ Jeeps easily, ranging from stock to Quadratec edition. Angry eyes, highlifts on roof and more accessories than most even know what they do. They do however rubberneck quite a bit at my Land Cruiser. The "real" gear heads will give thumbs up and wave, and I'm cool with that. I wave back, and usually wave at Broncos or other cool rigs.

I will say, the 4 runner with roof-top tent crowd is strong here as well as the Overland edition tacoma.

 

[Gun Runner 5]

In Colorado, I believe every 3rd person moving in is given a Jeep. In a few mile drive, I bet I see 10+ Jeeps easily, ranging from stock to Quadratec edition. Angry eyes, highlifts on roof and more accessories than most even know what they do. They do however rubberneck quite a bit at my Land Cruiser. The "real" gear heads will give thumbs up and wave, and I'm cool with that. I wave back, and usually wave at Broncos or other cool rigs.

I will say, the 4 runner with roof-top tent crowd is strong here as well as the Overland edition tacoma.

I’m respectful of the Jeep. Every doctor, lawyer, accountant, teenage girl and middle aged women can‘t be wrong.

 

[theglobb]

With the TRE's you may not need new ones if they've been replaced recently. With the front axle lifted, try to "turn" one of the wheels and see if the steering linkages have a bunch of play/slop. You can also do this with the vehicle on the ground. Have a buddy turn the wheel side-to-side... and you watch the links to see if there is slop in the end joints. If the steering is nice and tight, no need for new TRE's.

The bolts you showed as loose are for the clamps that keep the tie rods fixed in place on the tie-rod ends. Those bolts being loose could lead to your alignment being off... worth getting it checked.

Cruiser ownership isn't JUST bikini'd girls on the beach...

Sounds good! I'll do that. I also went back to school this Monday and the first thing I did was go to my automotive teacher, we are lucky enough to have the only automotive shop/class in the county. He checked out our 40 and 55 last year and loved seeing stuff that wasn't computerized come through. He said to bring it in next week and he will point out anything that I need to get (or don't need to) before I spend $$$ on parts and shipping. The best part about all of this is he does it all for free!

Here it is all about ugly lifted trucks with terrible offset wheels.

Yeaaaaa, sadly here we also have those except they are also squatted... Thankfully everyone and anyone makes fun of them and mocks them wherever they go. There is no mercy when it comes to roasting them haha.

 

[FJ73Texas]

Yeaaaaa, sadly here we also have those except they are also squatted... Thankfully everyone and anyone makes fun of them and mocks them wherever they go. There is no mercy when it comes to roasting them haha.

I admit I had to look up what a "squatted" truck is. Never seen that here. At least not as extreme what google images is showing me

 

[theglobb]

I admit I had to look up what a "squatted" truck is. Never seen that here. At least not as extreme what google images is showing me

LUCKYYYY! also known as the “Carolina Squat” probably explains why you have never heard of it. All of the fake country/country wannabes are the usual culprits of squatting their truck. Typical insults to them are as followed: Where’s the other half of your lift kit? How’s your husband? Awwwww, could daddy not afford the rest of the lift? etc etc. They drivers are usually douches, not to make a general assumption but I haven’t met one that isn’t, yet...

 

[WarDamnEagle]

I first encountered this odd genre of truck/suv owners this summer when about 30 or more of them invaded Gulf Shores for a long weekend. They spent the entire weekend riding around town in convoys of 5 to 10 vehicles. Most of this group had Mississippi tags. Some of the ugliest trucks and SUVs I've ever seen.

 

[FJ73Texas]

LUCKYYYY! also known as the “Carolina Squat” probably explains why you have never heard of it. All of the fake country/country wannabes are the usual culprits of squatting their truck. Typical insults to them are as followed: Where’s the other half of your lift kit? How’s your husband? Awwwww, could daddy not afford the rest of the lift? etc etc. They drivers are usually douches, not to make a general assumption but I haven’t met one that isn’t, yet...

You should ask them how do they drive? Must be hard looking at the clouds instead of the road.

 

[Honger]

I admit I had to look up what a "squatted" truck is. Never seen that here. At least not as extreme what google images is showing me

Had to look it up also... have seen a few around here believe it or not and, silly me, thought it was a mechanical issue. Wow...

 

[theglobb]

Some of the ugliest trucks and SUVs I've ever seen.

Couldn't agree more, generally, there is no hate towards other people's cars/builds in the car community (here at least), but there is no tolerance for squatted trucks. They look horrendous and have horribly obnoxious loud exhaust. It's just loud and sounds like crap. I, along with many others, think they are just looking for the attention their parents never gave them...

It's pretty much the only thing I dislike about living here.

You should ask them how do they drive? Must be hard looking at the clouds instead of the road.

I see about an average of 4 on the road every 30ish minutes, so it shouldn't be too hard to get an answer. God forbid a Miata was in front of them in traffic, wouldn't be good...