The Fit Garage Troopy

With countless 70 Series trucks already built and out of the shop doors, we decided it was time to truly splurge on a complete Toyota Troop Carrier build. A Sandy Beige 1985 FJ75 was the chosen candidate. Rust free with a perfect interior; it was easy to fall in love. Immediate upgrades included light weight alloy wheels and new 285/75r16 tires. Fifteen52’s Analog HD fit the truck, hearkening back to the split rim style that came stock on early 70 series. Our first Troopy to receive M/T tires, we chose the Falken M/T01 for their quiet road manners and ability in the sand.

Alucab in South Africa supplied a shipment of their Hercules Pop-Top Conversions. The excitement of cutting into a clean roofline is subdued only after the first opening of the Alucab system test fitted on the vehicle. Interior space is doubled once the hydraulic bed platform is pressed upward into the poptop’s wedge. Flimsy tincan steel is replaced with a braced and reinforced aluminum structure capable of holding hundreds of Cargo Lbs.

Two days later the pop-top is complete.

In the cabin, original bench seats were replaced to ease back strains on long drives. The best orthopedic seats on the market: Scheel-man Vario are equipped with Heat and 11 adjustments. The color is specific to match Toyota Brown interior common in 60/70 series trucks.

Dobinson Suspension supplied new springs and grease-able shackles paired with their new MRR 3Way Adjustment Shocks - one of the only external reservoir options available for these leaf sprung vehicles. Tunable with compression, rebound and valving.

Prep work begin for the engine transplant: The carborated 3F currently in the truck had over 400,000KM with a fair share of problems, most notably it’s gas consumption. Toyota’s 1HD-T was sourced as a replacement - the fully mechanical turbo varient of the legendary 1HZ engine. Maintenance work included all new Bottom End Bearings, timing bits, gaskets and accessories. All Manifolds were ceramic coated for heat protection.

A month later the engine is installed, plumbed and wired. A G-Turbo pushes the heavy troop down the road with ease, the diesel quietly rumbling under the spool of the exhaust.