Troopy build

[drthe]

Hi all

We recently bought a Troopy and I am about to start off with the conversion into an over-lander, we intend going for the flip top and will then start building the interior.

Guys what material is suggested / recommended for the floor, is ply-wood still the best option and what is the preferred way of securing this to the base?

 

[tmarx]

Welcome, are you going for the Alu Cab flip top ?

I always try to use the OEM mounting points/bolt holes to secure anything !

 

[drthe]

Welcome, are you going for the Alu Cab flip top ?

I always try to use the OEM mounting points/bolt holes to secure anything !

Yep in the queue at alu-cab, very excited about that, and agree going to only use OEM mounting points/bolt holes.

 

[Mighty690]

Alu-cab Troopy? I'll just drool from across the pond.

 

[Hiace4wd]

I also have a really thin floor of plywood, maybe only 4mm thick.
I'm guessing there are better option then plywood, not sure what. Aluminium would be kind of cold I guess.

When you drive through a river and some water is coming in, it would be nice to have something different.

 

[drthe]

I agree, one would think there are better alternatives, but it seems the norm is marine ply, I will probably settle with 12mm and decent sealent.
@Mighty690, yes we are very fortunate to have the Troopy (although recently discontinued in South Africa) and alu-cab here, they're a super bunch of guys with top quality products (Proudly South African

 

[Hiace4wd]

I think 6mm would be enough, it's less weight.

 

[Jespervangfalkenberg]

Hi ZA

Sounds like a nice build is coming up! A question - what are the price for an Alu-Cab flip top i ZA? I have some thoughts about the system for my HZJ75 build

Best regards Jesper Denmark

 

[cruiserpilot]

What??!! No pictures!?? Lets see this troopy!

 

[wildphoto]

Hi all

We recently bought a Troopy and I am about to start off with the conversion into an over-lander, we intend going for the flip top and will then start building the interior.

Guys what material is suggested / recommended for the floor, is ply-wood still the best option and what is the preferred way of securing this to the base?

Hi Drthe,

Lucky that you found a Troopy in SA! I have been looking for weeks and found nothing. Love to know where you got yours and condition/mileage/price, etc. ?

I went to AluCab here in Cape Town while they were fitting a flip top to an almost brand new 78, and have to have one of these tents myself. Now trying to establish if they can fit one on a 76 station wagon as they seem to be more readily available.

Sorry cant advise on floor, but it looks like most people do ply, attached to existing points.

Cheers.

 

[Troepadoer]

Hi Drthe,

We will be putting in our 12mm plywood floor over the next two weeks. We have decided to stain the marine ply to a dark teak colour, and then seal with elvolac (a two part epoxycoat). We have used this product on our kitchen countertops, and it is completely water and heat proof. It is sold by Technipaint, and they have a branch in Joburg. I can really recommend this product, since I regularly spill boiling water on it, and it has not made any marks in 8 years.

 

[drthe]

Thanks Troepadoer looks good, have you decided yet where the join will be?

@wildphoto, try one of the camper hire Co's they may have something for you

 

[Troepadoer]

Our basic layout will be a 900mm high cupboard on the left hand side for clothing, food and kitchen utensils, with an induction plate and sink on-top, and a seat/bench running along the right hand side with the fridge behind the driver's seat. The join will probably run underneath this bench, since we plan to stop the high cupboard about 250mm short of the little door to accommodate folding chairs etc.

I hope this makes sense?

 

[Troepadoer]

We have stolen most of our build ideas off of these guys - Home What are you planning???

 

[wildphoto]

View attachment 1253853

We have stolen most of our build ideas off of these guys - Home What are you planning???

Hi, just a thought .... I will be making my high cupboard on the right (behind the driver in SA) as this is definitely in my blind-spot, leaving the left side lower/open so that I can see out that side when game watching. Would like to hear maybe why you are doing it on left.

One other, is that I would try to make the pull out stove plate also accessible if you are forced to cook while actually inside the vehicle. So maybe a flip up cushion/lid over the pullout stove section?

Cheers

 

[Troepadoer]

Wildphoto,

I have started another thread on this forum - "Cape Town Troop Carrier" - so as not to hi-jack Drthe's thread on his car-build

 

[wildphoto]

Thanks Troepadoer looks good, have you decided yet where the join will be?

@wildphoto, try one of the camper hire Co's they may have something for you

Hi drthe, tried some camping guys but not getting any luck yet. Did you buy yours new or also via camping people? If you know of any up there, please let me know.

WildPhoto

 

[drthe]

Hi @wildphoto try bushlore or KEA they both had Troopy rentals on the road some time back, perhaps they still have them in their fleet ...... drop them a line?
We bought new

 

[wildphoto]

Thanks guys, have tried Bushlore and Kea - no luck at the moment, so I will have to keep looking. So until then it is "Troopy Hunt" until I can officially be part of "Troopy Build", but keep the ideas flowing.

 

[Troepadoer]

Hi drth!

I was at Alu-cab yesterday to buy an awning. They are putting a tent on a Troopy at the moment. Is it your Troopy loosing its head in the shed?