Your Opinion on this PZJ Troopy

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MarkBC

MarkBC

Joined
Nov 2, 2017
Threads
16
Messages
854
Location
Vancouver, Canada
I'm looking for a 75 or 78 Troopy and I don't have a lot of money so that will probably make the 78's out of reach. @GooSe77 pointed me to this PZJ75 for sale in the Netherlands. Apparently the frame and axles and underside are good and the only damage is to the bodywork. I'm not sure how the accident happened since the top of the roof above the windshield is also damaged which has me concerned, but it doesn't look like it was rolled otherwise. What is your opinion of the amount of work to get this thing back up to snuff? I have a welder and I welded up a roof rack but I haven't done any bodywork which is trickier because the metal is so thin. The hood and front fender can be replaced (availability in North America?) but the rest of the damage is on the main body itself and would need to be repaired.

Assuming the vehicle is fully functional and decent otherwise, the bodywork repairs could be an ongoing project even though the vehicle would be functional. I want to build it up as a nice camping rig, hoping for a poptop at some point.

Would you invest in this one? Keep in mind, I'd have to get it shipped to Canada which will add a couple thousand. What would you pay for it? The clutch is good apparently but I hear they go bad.

20171026_105358_resized.jpg
 
Way to much bodywork on this one, 3 different export dealers have offered this one to me and if you ask more pictures you will find out it is not even a decent parts donor. I believe it rolled over the damage is everywhere.
 
In Australia these become windmill and fencing maintenance trucks on cattle stations. That's how they like them, ugly but still going forward.
 
Hi there, I didn' mean this truck, more the dealer. He gets new trucks every couple of weeks.
I'm shure the dealer can suply some used body parts for the front. But the side looks like a lot of work.
Keep in mind that you probaly will need new springs after converting it to a camper.
And, the 1PZ engine is not that strong, I have it in mine and am savon money to put a turbo engine ( 1HDT ) in it together with a new tranny ...
 
GooSe77 said:
Hi there, I didn' mean this truck, more the dealer. He gets new trucks every couple of weeks.
I'm shure the dealer can suply some used body parts for the front. But the side looks like a lot of work.
Keep in mind that you probaly will need new springs after converting it to a camper.
And, the 1PZ engine is not that strong, I have it in mine and am savon money to put a turbo engine ( 1HDT ) in it together with a new tranny ...
Click to expand...


I have dealt with this dealer before and if you buy used bodyparts from him they will not be much better then the ones on it, export dealers are used to send the left overs to Africa.Any car that runs is in perfect condition, I buy from him once every while a Cruiser to part out and even that is hit and miss.

Getting a plainticket to check it over in person is cheap insurance
 
I actually found some nice ones in the 10-15K Euro range in the link you provided before. But the sellers don't respond to me, I guess they don't want to deal with someone out of country.
 
So is it a crazy idea to take a month off over the holidays, go to Australia, buy a 75 or 78, vacation a bit, then sort out shipping to send it back home? They seem significantly cheaper in Australia than Europe and shipping would be easier. Only thing is whether I can handle the RHD but there are so many JDM vehicles over here it is super common. I'm liking the no-CPU concept of the 1HZ except I do like cruise control.
 
coldtaco said:
cruise control is not a big deal, I drove my HJ-75 from southern Georgia to Anchorage, AK :) If you get anything other than a pickup you will have more leg room than I have.
Click to expand...

Yeah but CC allows me to sleep while driving... I need my rest.
 
MarkBC said:
Yeah but CC allows me to sleep while driving... I need my rest.
Click to expand...

are you set on the 70 series trucks?
whats your budget?

It seems comfort, LHD, and affordability seem of importance to you, you may be want to look at an FZJ80 or LX450 instead of a 70.

I think sometimes people can get carried away in the thrill of an import, but a local offering is usually worth the viewing as well.
 
I want manual transmission, diesel, and I really like the space in the back of the Troopies with the potential for a popup top if I get the funds.

Weather is kind of the sh!ts up here in Canada, plus the bugs can be bad so I like the idea of taking 5 seconds to pop the top, and you're ready to sleep; fully contained 4x4 camper that keeps the bugs out.

I don't know whether RHD would be an issue for me, I doubt it. I heard that they aren't allowed in Saudi Arabia however... wonder if there's any other countries that forbid them.

There are no Troopies available in Canada, I could probably bring over two and sell one for profit. I like the solid front axles and heavy build of the 75's and 78's. I'm thinking up to around $15K.
 
MarkBC said:
I want manual transmission, diesel, and I really like the space in the back of the Troopies with the potential for a popup top if I get the funds.

Weather is kind of the sh!ts up here in Canada, plus the bugs can be bad so I like the idea of taking 5 seconds to pop the top, and you're ready to sleep; fully contained 4x4 camper that keeps the bugs out.

I don't know whether RHD would be an issue for me, I doubt it. I heard that they aren't allowed in Saudi Arabia however... wonder if there's any other countries that forbid them.

There are no Troopies available in Canada, I could probably bring over two and sell one for profit. I like the solid front axles and heavy build of the 75's and 78's. I'm thinking up to around $15K.
Click to expand...

What does Saudi Arabia have to do with this?

I have heard of that Canadian weather. Are you allergic to DEET?

All 70s have Front Solid Axles, 80s as well. You can get an 80 cheaper and cut that roof up too, will hurt your initial cost of investment LESS.

There are troopies in Canada, but yes, they are rare.

Yes you could bring two, sell one and make a little money off of it (maybe), I guess you'll have to decide if you want to be a cruiserpeneur, and if you do, I think it's a lot harder than it seems, otherwise more of us would be doing it.

Are you looking at spending 15,000 CANADIAN with the top fab or just the vehicle?

Your idea of a pop top is not bad, If you are interested in importing why not focus on importing one that's already been used for these purposes. You may spend another 10,000 on it, but at least it's done and ready. Another option is importing a diesel manual hilux with a camper in the bed.

How much experience do you have Fabricating stuff? A pop up conversion mod will take most people quiet a bit of cash, quite a bit of time, and quite a bit of grey hairs. there are some wonderful examples here of guys who have done this, most of them seem like fantastic fabricators.

good luck! and please share some pictures of what you find if you are looking at importing, we do like to dish out advice.
 
decoco said:
What does Saudi Arabia have to do with this?

I have heard of that Canadian weather. Are you allergic to DEET?

All 70s have Front Solid Axles, 80s as well. You can get an 80 cheaper and cut that roof up too, will hurt your initial cost of investment LESS.

There are troopies in Canada, but yes, they are rare.

Yes you could bring two, sell one and make a little money off of it (maybe), I guess you'll have to decide if you want to be a cruiserpeneur, and if you do, I think it's a lot harder than it seems, otherwise more of us would be doing it.

Are you looking at spending 15,000 CANADIAN with the top fab or just the vehicle?

Your idea of a pop top is not bad, If you are interested in importing why not focus on importing one that's already been used for these purposes. You may spend another 10,000 on it, but at least it's done and ready. Another option is importing a diesel manual hilux with a camper in the bed.

How much experience do you have Fabricating stuff? A pop up conversion mod will take most people quiet a bit of cash, quite a bit of time, and quite a bit of grey hairs. there are some wonderful examples here of guys who have done this, most of them seem like fantastic fabricators.

good luck! and please share some pictures of what you find if you are looking at importing, we do like to dish out advice.
Click to expand...

DEET will give you CANCER man!!!

There are manual 80's here, diesel?

$15K Australian which is the same as Canadian. Then later on down the road add a popup top after I win the lottery, Alu-Cab or Trakka. The popups available pre-installed seem to be the vertical push-ups but I want the hinged ones.

I fabricated a welded contoured roof rack for my 4runner.

Looky here for examples:

https://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Toyota-Landcruiser-1995/OAG-AD-15359159/?Cr=6

https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Toyota-Landcruiser-1999/SSE-AD-4967132/?Cr=8

Do you want one? I can get both of them for us.
 
MarkBC said:
DEET will give you CANCER man!!!

There are manual 80's here, diesel?

$15K Australian which is the same as Canadian. Then later on down the road add a popup top after I win the lottery, Alu-Cab or Trakka. The popups available pre-installed seem to be the vertical push-ups but I want the hinged ones.

I fabricated a welded contoured roof rack for my 4runner.

Looky here for examples:

https://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Toyota-Landcruiser-1995/OAG-AD-15359159/?Cr=6

https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Toyota-Landcruiser-1999/SSE-AD-4967132/?Cr=8

Do you want one? I can get both of them for us.
Click to expand...

There have been examples of manual 81s RHD in BC being sold, not common though! The Automatic Transmissions on those are better than any manual. So there's that. I was just trying to talk you out of a 70 because it seemed that you were a) cost sensitive b) looking for more luxory -both which can be had with an 80 or 81, and if you're chopping the roof anyway... with the exception of a diesel and manual in both circumstances.

However, a nice pz or hz manual troopy will be good for your intentions.

It also sounds like you have Fab Experience- which I did not clue into initially; not sure what skill level is needed for the pop top; probably pretty in depth.

As far as getting one of those Australian examples- Always wanted a troopy, but out of those two examples thanks but no thanks at this point.... If I ever get another 70 series, and it's my second car, AND If I stay in Canada and I would work on acquiring a 4.5 EFI 71 Series. LHD.
 
15k for a rhd with close to 400k on the odometer ?

By the time it has landed an you payed all your duties and fees you are over 20k for a rhd truck with 400k on it.

The 1HZ's are great engines but that R151 after 400K bushmiles probably is ready for replacement or rebuild.
 
I mean.. I want one
joekatana said:
15k for a rhd with close to 400k on the odometer ?

By the time it has landed an you payed all your duties and fees you are over 20k for a rhd truck with 400k on it.

The 1HZ's are great engines but that R151 after 400K bushmiles probably is ready for replacement or rebuild.
Click to expand...

:popcorn:
 
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