Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Hi all, i've currently got a 1988 4runner that is getting a bit tired and proving to not be very capable offroad.

I've always loved the look of the 75 series troop carrier. But then it seems the 80 series offer some advantages such as coil springs.

My main requirements is something to drive around town in (don't mind a rough ride, used to old cars), that is pretty good offroad also with some articulation factory without too many mods. Something more torque than the 4y 4runner as on the beach its no good.

Prefer a deseil for rivers but not necessary.

I would like to only spend $10,000.

I also like the fact in the 4runner i can chuck a matress in the back for camping. The troopy would be awesome for that.. Never really seen inside a 80 series, can the seats fold down for a matress?

Any info on the pros and cons of the 80 vs the 75 would be great.

Thanks
Joel

Either will do what you want but they are 2 completely different cars. One will do it in complete comfort the other will not.

If youre not in a hurry you'll find an 80 under 10g and you will never look back

I have a troopy and now have an 80. My thoughts....

Troopies: heaps of room, reasonably cabable off road, basic, very tough
80 Series: much nicer to drive, more cable off road, plenty of room, 2nd row of seats fold forwards giving reasonable room, but not as much as troopy. 80 Series easy to modify without large expenses (in terms of suspension at least).

If you are after a diesel the 1HZ is the only option in your price range, but these are great motors and will last many years. If nothing else through some extractors on it, or you can bolt on a turbo.

I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Stinger

Why is everybody still so dead set that desiel is the best?

Its funny, I hear more and more people finally starting to wake up to desiels being crap and going for petrols.

You'll get a GXL 4.5 petrol 80 for about 10g if you look around and don't be in a hurry.

troopys r great for camping cos u can sleep in the back with the doors closed if u stand over 5.5ft u will need to keep the lower tailgate in the 80 open to stick ur feet out. wich isn't nice when it's frrezing cold.

the extra longwheelbase in the 75 makes it hard to park around town, but they just feel like a tougher truck to drive and corogations don't bother them. as with the 80 the dash will start to come loose. wich sucks believe me.
i own both, and driven the right way stock they will both go prety simaler places but the troopy will allways be a little less stable and a bit harder to manuver.

If you need the room, troupy, otherwise 80, and an early t/d arnt that exy anumore....i would buy one of them in gxl over a 1hz. check ebay at the moment...

I'd like to mention that with the right mods a troopy will go anywhere a 80 will go. I follow 80's and gq's all the time and manage to do anything they do with only a 3 inch lift and lockers.

As for suspension i have tried all sorts of stuff and incurred a lot of expense along the way, but also learnt a hell of a lot along the way. If i had done it right the first time it wouldn't have cost a lot. They aren't as top heavy as you might imagine. I have had mine at some crazy (pooing my pants) angles and it always seems to have more than i'm game to give it. The drama is in the track width which is fixed by using spacers when off road combined with a set of offset playtime rims.

Right now i'm getting 16 inches of travel each corner and should get more after a few more mods. I have travelled in it and sleeping in a fully enclosed space with mozzie nets on the windows secure from the crocs is a great feeling. I don't have any thing against an 80 series they are fantastic trucks but dollar for dollar i'd have a troopy as long as you don't mind the ride comfort

rockcrawler31 wrote:I'd like to mention that with the right mods a troopy will go anywhere a 80 will go. I follow 80's and gq's all the time and manage to do anything they do with only a 3 inch lift and lockers.

As for suspension i have tried all sorts of stuff and incurred a lot of expense along the way, but also learnt a hell of a lot along the way. If i had done it right the first time it wouldn't have cost a lot. They aren't as top heavy as you might imagine. I have had mine at some crazy (pooing my pants) angles and it always seems to have more than i'm game to give it. The drama is in the track width which is fixed by using spacers when off road combined with a set of offset playtime rims.

Right now i'm getting 16 inches of travel each corner and should get more after a few more mods. I have travelled in it and sleeping in a fully enclosed space with mozzie nets on the windows secure from the crocs is a great feeling. I don't have any thing against an 80 series they are fantastic trucks but dollar for dollar i'd have a troopy as long as you don't mind the ride comfort

what have you done to get that kind of travel? especually at the front i'd love some more travel from my middy

Why is everybody still so dead set that desiel is the best?

I wouldnt say there the best but compared to the 4.5 petrol, id have to take the 1hz anyday, purely on economy alone.

Severly lightened spring pack, 2 inch extended shackles, 100mm extended main and wraps, mildly shortened bumpstops, longer shocks, flogged bushes help too

Drive both, then decide that you don't need to sleep in the back and buy an 80 You'll probably find the Troopy to be far more truck-like, even compared to the 'ole 4runner.

80s will be much nicer to drive around town very day.

In saying that, Troopies rock the house

-Stu

sorry - forgot to mention that the main and wraps are the next mod along with a coil overriders and track bar.

dogbreath_48 wrote:Drive both, then decide that you don't need to sleep in the back and buy an 80 You'll probably find the Troopy to be far more truck-like, even compared to the 'ole 4runner.

80s will be much nicer to drive around town very day.

In saying that, Troopies rock the house

-Stu

Oh maaannn, that is sooooo (insertgaywordhere) dude

I thought you were a true afficionado - but you're turning into a toorak pinko

Ok - Drive a perentie around for 4 years and you'll decide that after that, driving a troopie is silken blissful comfort.

ahh- all jokes mate

Thanks all for the replys.. Left me just as confused haha nah good to know that I should be content with either.

My old man has a extended wheel base troopy that was used as a offroad tour bus kinda thing. So I have an idea from that what the ride is like, also a mate has a Bundy but that is coil sprung so probably not the best comparision.

Just never had the opportunity to drive a 80 series.

I'm thinking of taking a troopy for a test drive tomorrow, the price and extra's seem right. Will have to find a 80's series to get a feel for that.

Thanks
Joel

so what are the details of the troopy you're looking at tomoz

Its advertised for $11,500 but he sounded negotiable on the phone.
I went around for a look but the owner wasn't there so couldn't take it for a drive.

Its got 230,000km on the clock.
4.2ltr diesel engine that from appearance looked alright, no oil leaks etc.
New radiator.
Has dual fuel tanks
Dual batteries
Snorkel
Electric winch
A/C
CD player
Good tyres lots of tread (desert duelers).

There are some patches of rust, a bit along the guttering/roof. Behind the rear wheel in the bottom of the arch. A bit around the base of the front window. Seems to be common spots on the troopies.
I've got a mate who is a panel beater who i'll get to check it out and i've had my far share of experience repairing rust but I don't want to get something that requires too much work as thats half the reason i'm upgrading from the old 4runner.

Forgot to mention it's also got a 2" suspension lift kit fitted (unsure of anymore details than that).

You can still sleep in the back of an 80 I remove the rear seats (very easy to do) and put a double mattress in, fits two people, I've been doing it for years now.