Troopy - Questions

[TimeIsMoney]

I have always liked the troopy and wondering if I can find a decent representation with a 20-30k budget. What I'm looking for is no rust, lockers, dual tanks and would prefer AC.

I am not opposed to importing if I can find someone to help me do that. Those with experience, would you do it again? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[jmylie]

Start with the "Classifieds" for the 70 series:

BJ74 | VZJ95 | HZJ75 | KZJ90

Classifieds: Toyota 70-series / 73-series / 75-series / 78-series / 79-series / 90-series / 95-series Land Cruiser

forum.ih8mud.com

Not in your budget but : For Sale - Portland OR: 1997 HZJ75 Troop Carrier. 66k Miles. All Original 1 Owner Truck. - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/portland-or-1997-hzj75-troop-carrier-66k-miles-all-original-1-owner-truck.1316329/

Also Canary Island Rovers:

HOME - Canary Island Rover

Classic vehicle exports from the Canary Islands Spain. Land Cruisers, Defenders, Unicorns, Dream Cars, and MORE!

www.canaryislandrover.com

Yes they have or will find you a 70 series troopy and from Europe, so many are LHD.

If you are ok with RHD, then:

Classic Car Sales | Imported Cars in Virginia and Tennessee

We boast an array of JDM, classic and imported vehicles at our VA and TN classic car dealers. Buy a classic car for sale nearby at Duncan Imports & Classics.

www.duncanimports.com

 

[TimeIsMoney]

Yep, I've been looking at the one in Portland. Nice low mileage example. Thank you.

 

[jmylie]

For Sale - ATLANTA: 1989 Toyota BJ75 - let's try this again

1989 BJ 75 161,114 kms New ARB roof rack New window tint Brand new batteries Brand new tires Replaced sunroof New Brakes New power steering pump Heat works great $28,900 Purchased as a marketing vehicle to sit in front of my office and be eye candy for traffic going by. My buddy purchased it...

forum.ih8mud.com

$28.9K

 

[TimeIsMoney]

Whats the difference between an hzj75 and bj75? NVM found some information on them.

 

[FJBen]

Whats the difference between an hzj75 and bj75? NVM found some information on them.

IMO I wouldn’t get a BJ75 (3B diesel) troopy unless the body was exceptional and a good price.

They are slooow, hard to find parts for (engine), slow, you will want a turbo on it which is all sorts of other issues, did i mention slow?

A 2H hj75 will be slightly less slow. Personally I’d go for 1HZ and up and possibly 1FZ gasser if were looking for a troopy.


Again condition is everything. I wouldn’t pass up a very nice shape 2H or 3B troopy, but I’d be planning an engine swap.

Don’t mean to leave out @Honger and his 3F troopy. He quite enjoys it and has experience with 1FZ and 3F to compare.

 

[TimeIsMoney]

Thanks for the replies. Rust and body filler is something I do not want to deal with. 1HZ I think is the diesel that I was looking for. I am not super interested in a gas model. I would prefer a LHD, but RHD is something I think is more common. I agree condition is most important. Currently living in the PNW and yes I saw the one in Portland. It's just outside my budget. Keep the replies coming please, I am actively looking.

 

[JuanJ]

Hello,

You should look for either an HJ75 or an HZJ75.

Both are slow for American standards and highways.

The HJ75 is older but chances are you can find one in good shape. Parts for the 2H engine are becoming rare but you can always upgrade to a 12H-T or a 1HZ. However, keep in mind that an engine swap may be hard on your skills and your wallet.

The HZJ75's 1HZ engine is still in production, and parts are not a problem.

Check for rust, especially in the windshield and along the gutter channel.

Most HJ75s/HZJ75s have lived hard lives, some of them in places where labor is cheaper than parts and creative mechanics.

Take your time and go through each truck with a magnet and a fine comb.







Juan

 

[gilmorneau]

My $.02 is that you probably want a 1HZ. It's the best option for a diesel in a 25+ year old Troopy. It's old and slow, but not as old and slow as a 3B or 2H, and parts are readily available for the 1HZ.

People on here talk about motor swaps like it's changing socks. It's not a trivial undertaking. That said, if you have the time, facilities, and budget to do it, have at it. Anything can be done, and if you're buying a car for condition, you may not get the motor you want.

If you want LHD, get LHD. RHD will be less expensive, and there may be more inventory on any given day, but it will never be LHD.

I absolutely agree that you want to stay away from rust in a Troopy if it can at all be avoided. Not always easy and it helps a lot to know where to look. Most will have some.

For the sake of argument, let's say you're looking in Europe for a LHD HZJ75 Troopy. Working the numbers backwards, you say your budget tops out at $30,000. If you figure about $5,000 for import/transport (which should be about right), that leaves a maximum of $25,000 for the car, which is about 23,000 Euro today. Finding a rust-free 1HZ Troopy in Europe for that budget will be challenging. I suspect those days are already behind us.

Bottom line = to get what you want, you may need to stretch your budget.

 

[TimeIsMoney]

Thanks for the advice

 

[janyyc]

I agree you should be looking at the classifieds regularly. One never knows what pops up there, and there’s a distinct advantage of having it in the US already.
Likely @gilmorneau is right, you’ll have a difficult time finding a LHD rust-free 1HZ. They are very much in demand in Europe.
In Australia you might have more luck. Here’s a nice example that is a bit too young (one year) but would fit in your budget:

Check out this 1999 Toyota Landcruiser (4X4) 11 Seat for sale

It's a great buy at $27,999!

www.autotrader.com.au

 

[flx]

Finding a rust-free 1HZ Troopy in Europe for that budget will be challenging. I suspect those days are already behind us.

They exist but the difficulty is to buy them in time... There are a Belgian and Dutch companies that buy almost immediately any HZJ75 troopy in the 20k€ range that looks stock-ish, clean them up and export them (mostly to the US I'm guessing). Obviously those land in the US at 40k$+...
Even being local it's very hard to beat them, they are anywhere in less than 24h, cash in hand (which in illegal here but does not seem to stop them) to take the vehicles.

Weirdly enough, currently I find it easier to buy a good HZJ78 than a HZJ75 here, because they are not yet exportable to the US.


This the last one to disappear yesterday, in half a day, 60kkm on the odo, no visible rust in any picture (professional vehicle that lived in a hangar), 1 owner, 20k€:

Expect it to re-appear without the stickers and light for export...

 

[TimeIsMoney]

That's discouraging. RHD is ok too. I stumbled upon a video series "half million mile troopy" by Andrew of 4xoverland. I've watched a number of his videos over the years.

Ok RHD, 5sp, 1hz engine, rust free.

 

[janyyc]

That's discouraging. RHD is ok too. I stumbled upon a video series "half million mile troopy" by Andrew of 4xoverland. I've watched a number of his videos over the years.

Ok RHD, 5sp, 1hz engine, rust free.

Don't be discouraged. 30K should be enough for a decent vehicle landed. Problem is you'll need another 10K or so to bring it up to spec, as you can see with ASPW.
ASPW got a pretty good example in that 500k km model, and additionally he's getting all the replacement parts free

 

[TimeIsMoney]

Don't be discouraged. 30K should be enough for a decent vehicle landed. Problem is you'll need another 10K or so to bring it up to spec, as you can see with ASPW.
ASPW got a pretty good example in that 500k km model, and additionally he's getting all the replacement parts free

That is why I set the budget where I did. Now, if I could just get my mechanical labor for free. Basics I can do, but certainly not as involved as ASPW. I need to make sure whatever I buy has parts easily available.

 

[gilmorneau]

Had some time tonight so snooped around on the Googles. Here's a few I found in your budget range that are currently for sale around the world:

In France, listed for 20,000 Euro. 1997 build date. 350,000km's. Has dual fuel tanks, snorkel, and air conditioning. Rust visible at the bottom of the windshield, so I'd want to check elsewhere for it. This is representative of what you might find at this price point in Europe.

This one's in the Netherlands. 22500 Euro asking price. 535,000km's on it. 1999 build date, so you'd need to wait a bit to import it. Looks relatively unmolested. No obvious signs of rust, but it being from northern Europe, I'd check it thoroughly. Again, fairly typical of what you'll see.

In Colombia. Appears to have fresh paint. Cartel tint on the windows. Dual fuel tanks, air conditioning, 594,000km's. $29,000US. I'm not a fan of South/Central American cars, but they have them there and they can (and are) imported to the US.

This one's in Sweden. Only US$16000. 450,000-ish km's. No obvious signs of rust, but Sweden (Scandinavia generally) is the land of salted roads, so I'd want to see lots of photos of the underside of this one. Another 1999 build date, so you'd need to store it for a while prior to import.

One in Switzerland. US$28000. 250000km's.

That's just Europe, I counted maybe 30+ Troopies in Australia that meet your budget, but of course, they're all RHD.

They're out there.

 

[flx]

In France, listed for 20,000 Euro. 1997 build date. 350,000km's. Has dual fuel tanks, snorkel, and air conditioning. Rust visible at the bottom of the windshield, so I'd want to check elsewhere for it. This is representative of what you might find at this price point in Europe.
View attachment 3367550

This one was bought by a Belgian exporter.
Had a fair bit of rust sadly, if it shows up in the US I would check rust has been treated correctly and not painted over.

One in Switzerland. US$28000. 250000km's.

View attachment 3367567

This a 78 so probably slightly too early to import in the US but this one has factory lockers as a nice bonus (as all Swiss 78/79).

This one's in the Netherlands. 22500 Euro asking price. 535,000km's on it. 1999 build date, so you'd need to wait a bit to import it. Looks relatively unmolested. No obvious signs of rust, but it being from northern Europe, I'd check it thoroughly. Again, fairly typical of what you'll see.

View attachment 3367563

The same Dutch company is also selling this one with 205000km and ARB lockers and a lot of body damage all around.

It's just another example of a truck that was for sale in France for 20k€, but was on a trailer for the Netherland in less than 48h and now for sale at 29.5k€.

 

[TimeIsMoney]

Thank you for the write-ups, they are appreciated. I have a few for sale car websites bookmarked, but if you have some I would appreciate the links. I'm not sure I'm the type of person that can just buy with a few photos and hope for the best.

Either upping my budget and waiting till I find something Stateside or find a trusted company to work with. Please keep the information coming, rust is definitely not something I want. RHD will be fine, seems LHD is not going to work out.


What are the options available on HZJ75 vs standard equipment? Are front and rear locker standard, dual fuel tanks, AC optional?

 

[gilmorneau]

I have a few for sale car websites bookmarked, but if you have some I would appreciate the links.

AutoScout24 Europe's car market for new and used cars - https://www.autoscout24.com/ Europe-wide

https://www.mobile.de/?lang=en Germany

https://www.leboncoin.fr/ France

https://en.comparis.ch/carfinder/default Switzerland

Subito.it - https://www.subito.it/annunci-italia/vendita/auto/ Italy

MILANUNCIOS | Coches de segunda mano y ocasión - https://www.milanuncios.com/coches-de-segunda-mano/ Spain

② Tweedehands & nieuwe auto's kopen en verkopen | 2dehands - https://www.2dehands.be/c/auto-s/c91.html Belgium

Gumtree Australia - https://www.gumtree.com.au/cars Australia

https://www.carsales.com.au/ Australia

New | Used Cars for Sale in UAE | Cars & Machineries Auction - https://www.emiratesauction.com/en/Cars/OnlineAuction.aspx UAE Auction site

Home - Japan Car Direct - JDM Export Import Pros - https://www.japancardirect.com/ Service for buying cars at Japan Auctions

Used cars for sale - https://www.ooyyo.com Many countries (use the drop-down menu)

I'm not sure I'm the type of person that can just buy with a few photos and hope for the best.

Me neither. It's always best to have someone on the ground where the car is so they can look at it for you. In most of Europe, this guy can help:

Busman: VW T3 syncro specialist and car buying service for Defender, Land Cruiser and Mercedes G

busmaneurope.com

In Japan, the place listed above (Japan Car Direct) can help.

I don't know of anyone in Australia who offers a similar service, but I'd love to hear about it if anyone does.

What are the options available on HZJ75 vs standard equipment? Are front and rear locker standard, dual fuel tanks, AC optional?

That's going to be market-dependent. These were generally sold as utility vehicles, and as such they aren't often laden with options. For instance, most of the ones sold in Europe, where the climate is cooler and fuel readily available, won't have a/c or dual tanks. Troopies of this age (25+) originally sold to civilians in Europe will rarely have locking diffs, but some sold to government agencies will. That said, by now there are many Landcruisers in Europe that originated elsewhere, so you may find just about anything.

OTOH, in places with warmer climates and less fuel availability, like the Middle East or Australia, dual tanks are common (maybe even standard equipment?), as is air conditioning. Sometimes the really warm climate areas got a/c but no heat, which is awkward for most places in the US.

 

[TimeIsMoney]

Wow, thank you for all the information, much appreciated.