sdr00y replied:

I think it would be a waste of a good troopie to be honest with you! May I explain further before I am howled down!!!

There are troopies that have had all this done to them available. Granted you would have to buy one as an ex-hire vehicle, but that may be the way to go.

Quick think about the figures...

troopie = new $50,000 or so
conversion of roof = $5,000 at a guess???
Internal bed, boxes, sink, electrics etc = $5,000 guessing again???

Total about $60,000

If you went the other way and picked up an ex-hire one with what you want, bed, hightop roof, awning perhaps, etc etc etc it might cost you $20,000 tops. Then if you were worried about the km on the ex-hire one go and get your self a reconditioned or new engine which may cost you up to $10,000 (once again guessing).

Total about $30,000

Then you have saved yourself $30,000 which you can use to buy food and fuel for your year's worth of travel around Australia!!!!!!!!!

Seriously though, I would look around at ex-hire ones first before I committed to doing one up exactly like the hire ones.

If you are seriously looking at doing it yourself you could ring Trakka

look up trakka.com.au

Their showroom is at Mount Kuring-gai NSW about an hour north of Sydney.

sdr00y

SA_Patrol replied:

It also might pay to ring your insurance company and see if they will insure it. Many won't touch them.

Member - Bill F (VIC) replied:

Hi Guy

Buy an ex rental unit and put your savings to any problems (minimal)
But before you change anything think three times you change it

BillF

Member - Barry B (WA) replied:

G'Day Guy,bought an ex Britz troopcarrier 3 years ago,had hi roof,got it chopped off,put a pop top ,($3000) 125,000 km $32000 total (incl pop top) now done 178,000 km ,not an ounce of trouble.Included engel etc.Barry

Member - Phil G (SA) replied:

I think the more popular option now is to buy a 75/79series traytop and fit a camper/canopy. You get more room, and better access, and its removable.

sdr00y replied:

Some links to look at for a guide on prices...

You could also ring the guy selling the cupboards and ask him where he got them from.

Go to ebay australia and search item number

260092120186

140091448865

longJohn replied:

I bought an ex-hire one for only 11000 although it was an ex fraser island one and it does have rust, but its not too bad and I can keep on top of it with plenty of anti rust oil/compounds. I then spent 5k on it with new suspension and a turbo kit and im more than happy with it, altho now i plan to get the entire fuel system checked and retuned. I fitted a towbar (second hand cost 150) and added a fridge, solar panel, second battery, under body water and pump and im quite happy with it, Ive done a ten day trip to fraser in it and even towed a boat on that trip, (that was before the turbo tho, found it needed it) and i couldnt be happier with it.
All up ive spent about 18 to 19k. The only problems ive had is the engine leaked oil when i bought it, (spent a week pulling down the motor to change the oil pump gasket) and it pops out of 5th gear sometimes ( i just live with it), and I had to change the bearings in the diff (did it myself and only cost around 150 dollars in parts)
Feels reliable and dependable now and is just the perfect thing for quick trips away fishing or long trips on fraser.

I did actually buy it to quit my job and plan a trip round oz which I almost started but my recurring back problems put a stop to that.

cheers
John.

Mainey (WA) replied:

the 'girlfriend' owns a Troopie high roof camper version with the kitchen sink and fridge, dbl bed etc.
I drive it often, it's a real truck in the city, but ok on the dirt.

Was an ex-rental, has done the usual hard work but it's reliable.

They are all prewired and gassed up and all the cupboards are there for the initial purchace price, you may just need a fridge.