Sunday Garage The Four Wheel Drive Enthusiast Journal

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2004 TroopCarrier

2004 Landcrusier TroopCarrier

Engine - 4.2L Diesel 1HZ w/ Aftermarket Turbo
Transmission -5 Speed Manual
Suspension Lift - 2inch
Tyres - 33inch Maxxis BigHorn Mud Terrain
Equipped for - Work & Touring

What’s this Troopcarrier set up for? 

Right now the troopy is set up for a combination of work and touring, its a 2 inch lift with 33s so bit more clearance for most tracks and a winch up the front for any hard tracks, we carry a solar panel and a water tank for bush showers, on the inside we’ve got the bed setup on the inside with a slide out fridge and draw system and plenty of storage, also swap out all the camp gear for my tools during the week. 

 

How did you like the turbo on the 1hz? Have you noticed the difference?  

Big difference from the slug that it used to be, running a pretty standard turbo kit with a Mitsubishi turbo, it is tuned safely running only 10 psi, it is intercooled with a fan assisted top mound HPD, defiantly still a big heavy car weighing 3.25 ton getting up to speed is the hard part, once up there she runs well no over heating. 

 

What made you pick the troopy over another 4x4 or van.

I’ve always loved the look of the troopy. There’s something about sleeping in your car that is way to appealing for me compared to a tent or Ute setup, I used to sleep in a swag when I had an old 4x4 hilux, the troopy is like having our little house on wheels. There’s a few 4x4 vans going around but none as tough and reliable as the troopy, plus they look bloody good. With landcruisers being so common there’s plenty of knowledgeable people willing to help us out with any troubleshooting. 

 

What’s your favourite thing about the troopy?  

Probably the fact that it will go anywhere you point it, drive all night, pull up, chuck on a feed out the back doors, sleep in the back and wake up somewhere beautiful, that never gets old.

 

What do you dislike about the troopy?

Claud(Girlfriend) said it’s too loud(exhaust). But I’d probably add that to the question above being a third or fourth hand car I’m always chasing gremlins around with stuff that’s been installed poorly or is just old and worn out, but that’s part of the fun. 

 

Do you have anymore plans for the troopy? 

The list of stuff to do is endless and ever growing, I don’t think it’ll ever be finished, the very near future is probably lockers, because most of the time when we 4wd, we’re alone, and setting up the 12v system better incorporating a solar panel on the roof, the list is huge but I’d rather focus on getting away. 

 

 

Photos by Sunday Garage & Words by Joel Yorke