Camper conversion troopy
Submitted: Friday, Mar 02, 2007 at 13:18
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42848
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GuyBruens
Hi,
I am thinking about buying a Toyota Landcruiser Troopcarrier and then converting it into a camper. I atleast want to put a bed, fridge, gas stove in it and maybe even put a poptop/hitop into the roof. The only trouble I have is that I cannot seem to find any company that does such a conversion for just the roof. Maybe someone here has had this done before?
And what about insurance, can I just put a bed and stove and everything in or do I have to have it checked officially?
I would be very grateful for any
information anyone has who maybe did something similar to their 4WD.
Cheers Guy
Reply By: sdr00y - Friday, Mar 02, 2007 at 14:53
Friday, Mar 02, 2007 at 14:53
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
AnswerID:
224931
Follow Up By: Member - John L G - Friday, Mar 02, 2007 at 16:38
Friday, Mar 02, 2007 at 16:38
I'm inclined to agree.
Why would you chop up a perfectly good troopie just so you can stand up inside and foul the interior with cooking smells.
If you want to get out of the weather, build a raised bed or better still swing some pipe cots down from the sides as we do in a racing yacht. Take up bugger all room and very comfy.
I have always wondered what happens to a troopy when this done to it. I would have thought there would be lots of creaking and groaning without the structural strength from the roof - chassis do twist.
FollowupID:
485923
Reply By: Member - Barry B (WA) - Saturday, Mar 03, 2007 at 13:07
Saturday, Mar 03, 2007 at 13:07
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
AnswerID:
225072
Reply By: longJohn - Monday, Mar 05, 2007 at 10:47
Monday, Mar 05, 2007 at 10:47
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.
AnswerID:
225372
Reply By: Mainey (WA) - Monday, Mar 05, 2007 at 18:36
Monday, Mar 05, 2007 at 18:36
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.
AnswerID:
225478