Advice for Buying a Toyota Bushcamper

Submitted: Tuesday, Nov 06, 2007 at 15:58

ThreadID: 51340 Views:7631 Replies:4 FollowUps:10

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SimonInAustralia

Hi all, I'm new here, I am considering buying a Bushcamper.

I have just had a $15000 loan approved, after seeing a few Bushcampers in the Trading Post for sale at around that price.

I was originally going to buy a SWB Toyota Bundera, with the plan of putting an imported Toyota V8 in it later on, but have hired Bushcampers in New Zealand on snowboarding holidays there in the past, and figure a Bushcamper might be more useful to me here in Oz for snowboarding and mountain biking trips. A Bushcamper would allow me to pull over and camp where ever and when ever I like.

Can anyone give me advice on what to look out for when shopping for a Bushcamper? Things like particular models/years to look for or avoid, problems with particular models, preferred mechanical gear like engine type/gearboxes/diffs/etc. Also what to look for in terms of condition of the drive train, suspension, and other components on the Bushcamper.

Is the Trading Post the best place to look for them, or are there other places to find them for sale.

Anything else I should consider?

When buying one list at $15000 neg/ono in the Trading Post, what sort of offer should I make for it?

Sorry for the dumb newbie questions, I hope it is OK to ask them here. I just want to make sure I don't make a decision on which one to buy that I might later regret.

Thanks,
Simon
Canberra

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Reply By: The Rambler( W.A.) - Tuesday, Nov 06, 2007 at 16:37

Tuesday, Nov 06, 2007 at 16:37

Hi Simon,
Be carefull of the models between early 2000 and late2002 as there was a problem with the internal spline that fits over the output shaft of the gearbox.This splinewears prematurely and can eventually strip leaving the vehicle with nodrive to front or back.Toyota made a stronger spline as a replacement part which I had fitted in my Troopy but buying second hand you would not know.It does not apply to the factory turbo models.The replacement spline will cost about$900 fitted.Hope this helps as other than that the Troopy will be very reliable.

AnswerID: 270376

Follow Up By: SimonInAustralia - Tuesday, Nov 06, 2007 at 16:41

Tuesday, Nov 06, 2007 at 16:41

Thanks for the advice.

I think the Bushcamper will most likely be somewhere between a 1994-1998 model, the post-2000 models seem to go for more than $15000, at least the ones on the Trading Post at the moment.

I think I'll want one with air conditioning, do they all have this, or only certain year models?

Also, any particular engine type to look for, are the turbo diesels the best engine choice, are there particular years that these were available?

Thanks,
Simon
Canberra.

FollowupID: 533363

Follow Up By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Tuesday, Nov 06, 2007 at 22:09

Tuesday, Nov 06, 2007 at 22:09

Simon,
The troopies were pretty much the same from 1990 to 1998. The only diesel motor was the normally aspirated 1Hz. 96Kw and about 280Nm of torque. Enough to get you around. There was no factory turbo diesel option.

People bolted on aftermarket turbos - I personally would stay clear of them - a badly setup turbo can cause incurable overheating problems, cracked prechambers and piston damage, on a motor that was bulletproof without a turbo.

They almost all have airconditioning - but it was fitted by the dealers, not from the factory. After 1994, they all had the later R134A refrigerant.

The factory Turbos were not available until late 2001, and are worth a lot of $$$

FollowupID: 533435

Follow Up By: SimonInAustralia - Tuesday, Nov 06, 2007 at 23:59

Tuesday, Nov 06, 2007 at 23:59

Thanks Phil.

I guess that is why the earlier models are all around $15000, and the later models up in the mid-$20k and higher.

My loan is only for $15000, so it will have to be one of the earlier normally aspirated models.

FollowupID: 533455

Reply By: Member - Kiwi Kia - Tuesday, Nov 06, 2007 at 16:48

Tuesday, Nov 06, 2007 at 16:48

Hi Simon, I have a 75 series Toyota Bush Camper and love it (we were in Canberra a few months ago).

How many km on the clock and what is it's history.

If its got high km and you want to go to remote places you may want to spend some extra dollars for your own peace of mind.
The only thing I had to do with mine was clean the injectors as it had a slight engine stumble at about 90 kph. but at 250,000km I also decided to;
Change all fluids and filters, repacked all wheel bearings, replaced water pump, all belts and hoses, overhauled starter and alternator and replaced drive shaft uni joints.

AnswerID: 270379

Follow Up By: SimonInAustralia - Tuesday, Nov 06, 2007 at 16:52

Tuesday, Nov 06, 2007 at 16:52

Hi Kiwi Kia,

I'm not looking at any particular Bushcamper as yet, just checking what is on the trading post, and getting my head around what to look for when then loan money is ready to draw on in 7-10 days and I am able to go buy one.

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated.

I guess that an NRMA inspection would be useful. Should I get it looked at by a 4WD specialist in the city I buy from as well, or would an NRMA inpection be enough?

Simon
Canberra

FollowupID: 533368

Follow Up By: Member - Kiwi Kia - Tuesday, Nov 06, 2007 at 17:02

Tuesday, Nov 06, 2007 at 17:02

Simon I don't know any mechanics in Canberra. As has already been mentioned above (good advice that I forgot!) there was a couple of years when they had a gearbox problem but the earlier ones seem to be almost bulletproof. I think I am right in saying that if it has leaf springs all round then it is not a model that had gearbox problems. Ask around in the 4wd fraternity in Canberra for a good Toyota mechanic and I am sure the mechanic will go straight to the bits that are known to play up occasionally at high km. I have recently changed the seats to more comfortable buckets for the long hauls and will probably add a second spare wheel carrier to mine.

FollowupID: 533369

Follow Up By: SimonInAustralia - Tuesday, Nov 06, 2007 at 17:06

Tuesday, Nov 06, 2007 at 17:06

Probably will buy interstate somewhere, not in Canberra, as I doubt I'll find one here.

So will have to find a 4WD mechanic in the city where I buy it.

Will have to replace the seats, as I assum this would give allow a little easier internal access from the front seats to the rear area, without having to climb over the passenger seat. Do your replacement bucket seats give enough room to squeeze between to climb into the rear area?

I am looking through the forums, and these responses, and getting together a wish list of accessories, plus a list of maintenance type issues to have checked.

Thanks.

FollowupID: 533370

Follow Up By: Member - Kiwi Kia - Tuesday, Nov 06, 2007 at 17:46

Tuesday, Nov 06, 2007 at 17:46

Simon you do not have to change the seats as the originals are quite good but inside access to the camper is handy. We don't use it that way normally though as we now have a box full of drink bottles, cameras, mp3 etc mounted between the front seats. If you should want a mechanic to give a possible purchase the once over in Melbourne I can recomend someone, or just ask here on this forum and someone will help.

If you should buy a vehicle get back to me and I can show you pics of a couple of mods I have done inside to help with access into cupboards and extra storage.

FollowupID: 533373

Follow Up By: SimonInAustralia - Tuesday, Nov 06, 2007 at 17:48

Tuesday, Nov 06, 2007 at 17:48

Thanks, will ask you and here about a mechanic once I decide on which one to go for. And will ask you about your interior mods once I buy one.

FollowupID: 533374

Reply By: Member - John and Val W (ACT) - Tuesday, Nov 06, 2007 at 18:21

Tuesday, Nov 06, 2007 at 18:21

Hi Simon,

We have had our 1987 model petrol Troopie since it was 3 years old and we love it. Now has about 333,000km and still going strong, has been into the Simpson the last 2 winters. Although not set up as a Bushcamper, it is set up for camping and works very well for us.

If you wanted to have a look/talk you could come to the next meeting of the Southern Tablelands 4WD Club that will be at the Deakin Football Club, 7.30 (or earlier) next Tuesday 13th Nov.

Cheers,

Val.