Troopie Mods for long term remote

Submitted: Friday, Jan 18, 2008 at 13:44

ThreadID: 53612 Views:5123 Replies:6 FollowUps:12

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Member - Chris R (NSW)

HI all

Here are some of the mods done to my 2006 Troopy for long term travel. Photobucket was too slow for my dial-up connection. So I've included photos in 'my rig' section with short labels. Also some of the pics from that travel

We planned to travel solo in remote WA/SA for 12 months or longer and free camp to the extent possible without breaking rules.

We wanted to be clutter free; have all heavy items restrained safely, excellent access to most items, to be able to live outside or in the car conveniently and comfortably, to go where we wanted - within our solo capability.

TRAVEL MODS
.Removed all interior fibre panels. Lined cavities with plastic flute board against the body panels (eg estate agents sales signs)
.Install ARB front diff lock (relied on standard LSD at the back)
Install breather attachments and extension tubes to diffs and transmission
.Install 2nd hand bull bar, IPF lights
.Attach 25mm square wire mesh on centre section of bull bar; cover with metal fly wire
.Install 2x65w BP solar panels on TJM full length roof rack – panels in SS frame locked to rack, hard wired through roof to engine bay
.Install dual battery
.Make and install formal tyre carrier for additional tyre in roof rack
.Install HF radio in side cavity high above wheel arch (see pic of control unit)
.Install Self-tune HF aerial on bull bar (now on hinged bracket to lay flat in town)
.Make and install SS axe-holder behind bull bar (no winch)
.Make and install rear storages - ie full length steel sided ‘tubs’ down each side with a 30cm centre aisle. (see pics) This allowed easy access to any area. (Floor of centre aisle can be raised to support a folding double mattress when needed.) (see pics)
.170cm low profile steel roller drawer on passengers side for tools and recovery. (see pics)
.Make and install two full length (190cm x 15cm) steel shelves above side windows. (see pics)
.Install UHF radio in dash space
.Make and install zipped wardrobe behind driver (1m drop) (see pics)
.Install ARB air pump behind driver. Airhose remained connected and stored in back of seat
.2 tubes installed along floor for UHF and HF whip aerials
.Buy Garmin Etrex Legend GPS with preloaded tracks4aust
.Make and install SS fly screens for sliding windows (see pics)
.Make SS straps and J bolts to secure 100mm pipes to roof rack

Cheers all -

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Reply By: Member - Davoe (Yalgoo) - Friday, Jan 18, 2008 at 14:20

Reply By: Member - John and Val W (ACT) - Friday, Jan 18, 2008 at 14:33

Friday, Jan 18, 2008 at 14:33

Hi Chris,

Its always interesting to see what can be done with a Troopy. Enjoy your travels.

Cheers,

Val

J and V
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted."
- Albert Einstein

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AnswerID: 282262

Follow Up By: Member - Chris R (NSW) - Friday, Jan 18, 2008 at 17:21

Friday, Jan 18, 2008 at 17:21

HI Val,

I see we have similar ideas re 'a place for everything...' It really makes long term travel so much easier.

I designed the fitout - but it was left to Dianne to stash things before our start. Eventually, even I knew where everything (except the special treats) was kept. (Well actually I did know - but I wasn't allowed to rat around behind the navigators seat.)

I wanted the centre aisle to allow quick shelter and sheltered access to everything.

One real drawback of centre aisle and only 2 seats - we can't take family on even short trips.

Cheers
Chris

FollowupID: 546790

Follow Up By: Member - John and Val W (ACT) - Saturday, Jan 19, 2008 at 08:11

Saturday, Jan 19, 2008 at 08:11

Hi Chris,

You have put a lot of thought into your set-up, and probably had a fair bit of fun and satisfaction along the way. Good idea about sheltered access. I guess we all come up with our own solutions to things, but seeing how others have tackled the same problems is quite inspiring.
Certainly agree about the "place for everything and everything in its place" business, but even so we carry long lists of what we have and where it is!
I have put in a few more photos of our set up - can't let these young Troopies have all the limelight now can we! Our venerable Troopy is still in very good condition, apart from being a bit thirsty (aren't they all) and is getting ready to explore the Kimberleys and Pilbara this year.
Interested to know how you have done your insect screens. We have put in ordinary metal mesh held in with the rubber seal used for domestic fly screens and apart from bowing out a bit has worked very well. Have made removable screens for the front windows by gluing fibreglass mesh onto strips of magnetic sign stuff (that is used to make fridge magnets). Works a treat.
Now for the bigger special treats compartment...

I hope you get as much enjoyment from your Troopy as we have.

Cheers,

Val

J and V
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted."
- Albert Einstein

Lifetime Member
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FollowupID: 546923

Follow Up By: Member - Chris R (NSW) - Saturday, Jan 19, 2008 at 10:16

Saturday, Jan 19, 2008 at 10:16

HI Val and Others who have asked.

The SS flyscreens are fittted as shown to allow sliding of one window only. This is OK since these sliding windows only ever allow half the width to be open. (There are technical 'issues' to trying to securely screen both window and allow trouble free operation.)

The material is the standard black SS mesh used for home security screen doors and windows (sometimes sold as 'clearview' screens). I got mine as offcuts for $50. It can be cut with snips or guillotine though you will need still to cut good profile of curves.
1. Cut screen approx 4-6mm larger than opening - you will be best judge of that
2. split thin dia plastic tubing to cover the three sides in contact with the window rubbers.
3. drill flat SS strap (mine was 2mm x 10mm) x height of opening) and drill mesh for 2 pop rivets.
4. bend as little as possible to insert screen and force hard into position. (I had to trial fit this a couple of times)
5. apply very thin bead of appropriate clear silicone sealer between edge of screen and edge of glass (to stop the rattles)
6. Pop rivet
7. One more very thin run of sealer along the very fine gap between SS and glass.

Stand back and admire.

Mine have been through really sustained scrapes through dense scrub without failure or need for any attention. Since they are permanent, you'll need to pressure wash them occasionally to get the accumulated dust out.

Cheers

Chris

FollowupID: 546952

Reply By: Member - Graham K (NSW) - Friday, Jan 18, 2008 at 15:54

Reply By: RovingOz (QLD) - Friday, Jan 18, 2008 at 19:43

Reply By: Richard Kovac - Friday, Jan 18, 2008 at 21:59

Reply By: Oznuggets - Saturday, Jan 19, 2008 at 10:57

Saturday, Jan 19, 2008 at 10:57

Hi Chris,
I think I'm the guy who sold you the TJM rack. You have done a great job with your mods, much more professional than my cheap plastic boxes! I am tracking down a water and extra fuel tank at the moment to free up a lot of room inside instead of carrying heaps of containers. I like your portable wardrobe, I'll have to get something like that to better utilise available space. What is with the idea of lining inside the panels, did you do it to reduce noise?
All the best,
Peter

AnswerID: 282468

Follow Up By: Member - Chris R (NSW) - Saturday, Jan 19, 2008 at 12:40

Saturday, Jan 19, 2008 at 12:40

Hi Peter

Really glad to hear from you!! Roof rack is doing well - now has a few more scratches and holes.

Yep I gave thought to the lone ranger fuel tank and under floor water tanks but time and costs eventually got the better of me.

The wardrobe is simply a hanger bolted onto the shelf and a zipped light material attached to enclose it. Works well with standard wire hangers and holds a lot. Good shoes in the bottom.

The lining was to guard the inside of the body panels against excessive rubbing or denting from hard items. But it also has second use: if you fold the bottom and sides of the flute board into a rudimentary box shape, you won't lose small stuff in the deeper recesses. As things have turned out, we only store soft/light stuff against the panels - but I'd still keep the lining. Discovered I could also keep any nice stones etc in these cavities without looking for yet another place.
My shower hose/pump etc is stored in the cavity behind the rear blue water tank in my rig pics.

PS the BP panels have done really great job bolted permanently to the roof rack - though they only need to run the fridge. Thanks for all your early advice on solar and your experiences

Chris

FollowupID: 547001

Follow Up By: Oznuggets - Saturday, Jan 19, 2008 at 20:24

Saturday, Jan 19, 2008 at 20:24

Glad everything is working out for you Chris, it sure is good to have a place for everything. Thats what I am working on at the moment, finding a place for those few items that seem to end up here, there and everywhere during a trip but never find a proper place to live. A wardrobe setup like yours will free up enough space for me to have an empty box for misc items in the back.
Enjoy your next adventure!
Peter

FollowupID: 547087