i would be pleased for advice buying a troopy

[malte_berlin]

hi there, i already gave some infos about me in the "members" section. again shortly: i am a backpacker from germany and want to buy a landcruiser here to come around. as i am on a quiet low budget, unfortunately there aren't that many possibilities for me, but now i found a troopcarrier on gumtree that is more or less what i want. it's a 1986 diesel model with 347000km, roofrack, bullbar and plenty of camping stuff, a toolbox, some spare parts and so on.

no my questions about that car:
-it has a crack in the front window. can anyone tell me, how much it will cost to get a new one (doesnt have to be new, but one without cracks)?
-what are the really expensive spare parts on such a car, so what should i look after when watching the car (like wheel bearings, shocks, bushings...)?
-what are the known typical weak points of such a car (typical rust spots that can get dangerous...)?
-is there something like a checklist that i can download as a guideline when having a look at the car, maybe something like a checklist to follow when making the car ready for a roadworthy check (it has a WA rego, so will sell without roadworthy)?
-how much will a snorkel for that car cost? are there cheap aftermarket solutions?

now another very important point for me:
-the car has only the front seats fitted, so, to travel with some comfort, it's only a 2-seater. i would really like to take 2-3 people with me, so i am wondering about the possibilities to fit a rear seat-row (not the longitudianl type). i read, that the car was originally built with 3,5 or 11-seat options. i already saw a section about that topic here on the forum, but i am wondering if there is the possibility that the one i found may once have already been the original 5-seater version. is that possible at all, or am i wrong that such a version did exist here on the australian market? what should i look after to make sure that the build-in of a rear set is possible? and how much would it cost to that (any estimations?)

hopefully that was not too much text for the first time, so some of you pros did read that through and can give me one or the other answer to at least some of the questions. that would be really much appreciated. i will have a look the car in the beginning of next week, so i need some information about that, besides what i already read on wikipedia and that stuff.

many many thanks in advance and with the best greetings

malte

[SCANAS]

New Windscreen under $200

They did come with a factory bench across the front, very easy to get from this site or wreckers. Although 3 across the front would be for good friends only

A non longitudal rear seat will be rarer and require some $$$ for mod plating I would imagine. A rear seat would seriously take up your sleeping space in the back. If you don't intend on sleeping in the back look at a 60 series better offroad and cheaper to buy than a troopy.

Snorkels can be purchased from as little around $300 new.

In regard to weak points or expensive repair items your looking at a really old car ( can still be good ) so both lists are long.

When you find one you like you should ask on this site for one of the members to come and have a look. A lot of WA members drive cruisers.

[malte_berlin]

hi there, at first many thanks for the answer.i didnt have the opportunity to check here first, so i had a look at the car today. things i saw:

-concerning the rear-seat thing: there are two seatbelts left (right and left hand side on the third pillar from front, the one between the two small rear-windows. it looks as if they are for the 5-seat version. where were the seatbelts in the 11-seater? unfortunately i couldnt have a look in the inside to look for the attachment-points because they had all their stuff in the rear.
-around the powersteering it is greasy/oily. looks as if the powersteering leaks. how much could it get to replace it (just the parts) or what problems could arise else then that i would have to do a good workout to get the car to the next workshop if the powersteering would fail?
-the car has a AC, but though you can hear the compressor working, it doesnt get cold. if it only needs regasing, how much would that be?

is there anyody here who has experience with this car (HJ75RV-MRQ) and who lives in brisbane and could have a look at the car to give me a second opinion or can anybody recommend a good mechanic/workshop here in brisbane that is specalised in 4wd (meybe even in landcruisers)?

again many thanks in advance for the answers

greetings

malte

[SCANAS]

Sorry Mate thought you where looking at one in WA. I could take a look with you if in brisbane, I am no mechanic but i know what the common problems are and what they cost to fix. For something more in depth I can recomend a mechanic probably a couple hours labour so $150 to $200 for a mechanic. Be good to do a compression test if the owner is happy to let you take it to a shop.

With an old troopy there are going to be lots of problems. It will come down to your available budget, value for money future costs etc, resale etc.

Send me a PM if you want. In the PM send me the advertisment for the car.

Is it a dealer or private (personal seller)

Sprechen Sie bald

[DIRTY ROCK STAR]

did you check the rust in the roof gutters? also in the back on the floor and rear quarter panels.
but being old and used i'd look carefully for rust. maybe the gear in the back was hiding some rust?

id make calls to check that WA rego is still ok and how long it has to go until re-rego?

maybe dont replace the windscreen if you dont need an inspection. save your coin.

[malte_berlin]

@ scanas: i just sent you a PM.

i couldnt really check the inside of the car due to all the stuff they had in it. but i already spoke to them and said that when i come to see it the next time, that they make sure to put all their stuff out.
they just paid the rego, it is valid until august, i just checked it online.

i will see, what a mechanic will tell so i can estimate what costs are still to come. i already negotiated with them so the actual price would be 5000aud. as i said, i will see. i will write, when i bought the car (or didnt).

thanks very much...great forum here.

[SCANAS]

Sent you a reply. The vehicle is very good value for money ie you would have no problem selling it for that price in a year or two. It will come down to it's condition and repairs needed. Without a WA drivers license you will need to transfer the vehicle into your name at some stage which will require a safey certificate or RWC certificate and no doubt the vehicle will require repairs and money to pass.

[SCANAS]

Nice to meet you mate!

Make sure you get a receipt for the vehicle from the sellers and their full names etc.

The troopy has lots of rust but is very good mechanically. I am sure it will serve you well in your travels. Just keep an eye on the gear box leak. As mentioned clean the area with some petrol and degreaser then use some grey silicone (which you can buy from supercheap auto or repco) to try and patch the leak little. If it still leaks badly you should get it fixed by a mechanic before you travel.

Remember to drive slowly on corners and (especially on the beach) as the troopy is very heavy on top and would roll over easily. I would consider moving some weight off the roof and into the car.

If you ever need parts for the Troopy ask on this website, lots of helpful people here.

Keep my number in your phone and don't hesitate to call me if you need any help.

[stan]

when are you thinking of taking off, i am currently finnishing a troopy whichn will be up for sale,6 months rego plus road safty certificate,ready to go, deisel twin factory tanks,air con ,registed 8 seater,if interested ring 0415672822 brisbane,

[malte_berlin]

@scanas: yeah, there really are lots of helpful people here, so thank you again for the help. i won't forget that bottle of scotch. i bought the car, got the receipt and all that. didn't have much time yet for the car, but i will get that leak fixed soon.

@stan: thanks for the offer, but now i already have a car.