School me on 1HZ Landcruiser Troopys

1HZ is lacking in power if that is important to you that is to keep up with the traffic flow and so on then budget for an upgrade such as a motor rebuild and turbo or change of motor. Had a 1HZ with aftermarket turbo in my wagon and had a piston crack at 300,000 turbo had been installed at 150,000. I believe if the motor had been rebuilt with turbo ready pistons different big ends would have been fine although IMO as with all aftermarket turbo installs heat can be an issue.
I reckon the coils in the front would be a big improvement. Know a guy with a 1HDFTE in a troppy he tows a large van with a chip in the engine and handles it all very nicely, and he is loaded to the nines.
As i said budget for an improvement allow for some of that in the price and you will have a capable vehicle, wouldn't worry about the aftermarket seats send the originals or try and exchange them with Chris at Trimcare in Perth for one of his upgrades (high density foam and pump up lumbar supports) and you will be very happy, at a fraction of the cost. Not affiliated just a happy customer.

Remember they have a high C of G and roll to easily Road Warrior.

Very poor articulation as standard also. Coil spring ones do handle better.

We have had a few though our groups , and at least one was got rid of because of back troubles from seats/hard suspension.

But like my tractor , you can leave'm in a paddock for years and count on them to go when needed.

The only driveline weakness with Cruisers of that vintage and fitted with the venerable 1HZ engine was the R150 gearbox. The factory turbo diesel and the petrol (if you could find one) were fitted with a much stronger H150 gearbox. Some seemed to hang on OK unless a turbo was fitted and the extra power used often. Others let go prematurely.
Other than that and the lack of grunt from the standard 1HZ, a good honest vehicle.
Some say fitting a turbo causes no dramas. Personally I wouldn't.

Cheers
Pop

FWIW I've owned a 1HZ troopy camper for 4 years and for my purposes and budget it does the job just fine. If I knew more about your intended usage I might be able to comment more on its capability as a 4WD but for what I need it's more than adequate.

If I wanted to tow a van I would probably look elsewhere.

To corroborate what Pop said about the standard gearbox (actually the R151) mine now sports an H150 box and transfer case. Turbo? Not for me either. Don't believe the gods favour those who assume greater wisdom than the design engineers who produced the 1HDT and FE after the 1HZ.

Mine is a 2002 model and it has the coil sprung front end so you should be ok on that score if the ex SES ones are 2003.

Seats. I mostly travel alone. I got some foam cut to the driver's seat shape, added a strap on lumbar support (easy folks) and a cheapy sheepy seatcover. Good enough for me and I often do 500-600km hauls in a day.

I might have a different perspective if the troopy was my daily drive, but as my trip vehicle I actually quite enjoy the "different zen" of slow but sure, especially when I get past the travel section to the main game.

Cheers
Mark

Own a 2000 model Troopy and as with any vehicle they all have issues of some sought. I dont think Troopys are any different. I have not had any troubles with gearboxes or overheating or "invented problems of Rollovers". It's a load of rubbish, yes their centre gravity seems high but not much different to a 80 or 100 series. Yes the seats are not the best on the market and the suspension is a bit harsh. But remember you are buying a "Truck"/commercial vehicle not a pussy Patrol or 200 series that drive just like cars. I dont have a turbo but did install Extractors 3inch exhaust and a thru-flo muffler and that did make a big difference.......Buy it you wont be sorry.

jeff

Hmm now they've pulled the lot of them from their website. Oh well. Thanks all for the input.