1983 FJ45 Troop Carrier Buildup

[Hltoppr]

Headliner is factory...and in pretty good shape. Specter has 'em in stock; however, I'd see if CDan can get 'em.

JJackson,

Thanks for the offer! I'm in the office today finalizing some things, but have a nice Toyota package on my desk!

-H-

 

[Hltoppr]

There are always joys and trials of owning an older rig....got the clutch slave and master replaced; then my wife wanted to take the Subaru to Mexico...'o well, at least we had A/C crossing the desert....

So...my week in a nutshell (Notice the distinct lack of any banditos or pirates!):

So, I get back, and kill the batteries switching from propane to petrol, as the lpg is a bit fussy in the cold...and it's cold here at 7000'...much different from the beach....

I jump the rig, and go to back out of the garage; leaving a line of fluid. I check it....ugh...fuel leak; big one!

Turns out a couple of rubber fuel lines coming off the petrol solenoid need to be replaced.

I notice that the volt meter on my 2M radio is reading the aux. battery at 10.4 volts; and not charging. The dual battery is a simple system with a 75A Bosch relay, which isolates the batteries when the ignition is off, and combines them when on to charge. No charging is going on.

Off comes the voltage regulator and alternator....alternator bench test shows bad diodes. Since the Expedition Trophy is this weekend....I order an aftermarket replacement....due in tomorrow, with an interal regulator. Hopefully I'll be able to use my limited electrical skills to bypass the stock VR and get her up and running!

-H-

 

[MoGas]

You angered her by taking the Subaru.......

 

[Hltoppr]

Yes! New, internally regulated alternator is in and functioning! I can run the fridge for Expedition Trophy!

Thanks to MoGas for his help...and the trip to the auto parts store to buy the "chrome" alternator bracket....:violent-smiley-031:

MoGas has been hounding me to put some bling on the Troopy...and for lack of any other options...he got his way!


-H-

 

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

Chrome on the Troopy? Your lucky it's only one part or you'd be close to getting kicked out of the club.:sombrero:

 

[Jacket]

I'll get a close up shot and post it....

-H-

Thanks Andrew. Lucky for me I got to see it in person. My rear sill is more rust than steel at present, so I went ahead and ordered a replacement.

 

[Hltoppr]

If you measure and put a backing plate on the new sill before installing it, I bet it'd be a lot stronger than stock!

-H-

 

[Hltoppr]

So, post Expedition Trophy...I'm having thoughts....

I'm trying to keep Mr. Jensen's 100 series from being one of them....:smilies27

But... whilst on the Overland Trek, sleeping out by the fire on the paco pad, and getting a massive amount of dust and sand blown in, on, and around me; having to retreat to the Troopy for the rest of the night....

I must configure it to sleep inside if necessary.

So, I'm thinking of ways....and I saw this German troopy on 'mud!

Looks like the factory top has been made to hinge at the front, and a simple canvas setup added....

Hmm.....

-H-

 

[upcruiser]

So, post Expedition Trophy...I'm having thoughts....

I'm trying to keep Mr. Jensen's 100 series from being one of them....:smilies27

But... whilst on the Overland Trek, sleeping out by the fire on the paco pad, and getting a massive amount of dust and sand blown in, on, and around me; having to retreat to the Troopy for the rest of the night....

I must configure it to sleep inside if necessary.

So, I'm thinking of ways....and I saw this German troopy on 'mud!

Looks like the factory top has been made to hinge at the front, and a simple canvas setup added....

Hmm.....

-H-

Drool, that would be a great setup, I can't imagine that the conversion is as easy as it outwardly appears though. Do it!

 

[ntsqd]

Assuming that the roof section unbolts like those on the 40's I can see a custom made assembly that simply inserts between the sides and the roof being very possible. I'm sure that it won't be drop-kick easy, but I'm also sure that it is very possible.

In essence it would be like enclosing the openings around a fab'd lid for a 416 trailer, gas springs and all. I wish that I had the calendar space, it's a project I'd love to tackle.

 

[Scott Brady]

I have a welder and know a few tent makers

 

[Hltoppr]

I'll have to take a look at it and draw up some brainstorming options....

Scott...when does EW's "skunkworks" open? :elkgrin:

-H-

 

[4hilux]

Picture me "Sob - sob", as what you've got at the mo IS so cool, & fairly original.........

Don't do it - ya can sleep in the back of a Troopy without 'hacking' it.....

 

[kcowyo]

^ Yeah, what he said. Don't do that to the Troopy.
.

 

[Pskhaat]

Don't do it - ya can sleep in the back of a Troopy without 'hacking' it.....

The tops are easy on-off from these series LCs. If he did it and used another top and bolted everything to existing locations (which I would think would be perfectly reasonable) it could be reversible.

...or he has my number if Andrew would rather attempt the same on a clean, OME'd & beautiful brown UZJ100.