The New V8 Diesel Troopy tested

[Stacky]

Oh what a feeling,
I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to drive the new V8 Troopy back to Lockhart from Cairns yesterday (work vehicle).

I can say it's going to be very difficult getting back in my own 96 model troopy after driving driving the new thumper.

I drove the 100 series down to Cairns on friday and was very surprised how much fuel it gobbled up. It had the 1hz motor which is exactly the same as my old troopy but it chewed about 190 litres unlaiden where as my old troopy goes through about 125 litres unlaiden same distance with wide tyres. I'm no mechanic and i know there's a lot of things to take into account. The road conditions hadn't changed in the month previous when i went in my own vehicle. It still seems like a lot of difference in fuel consumption and i think it may be because of the large rounded body on the 100 series pushing wind (only a personal opinion, correct me if i'm wrong). The new V8 went through about 145 litres unlaiden and driven pretty hard.

Points of interest that i found;

Negatives;
Upon leaving the Toyota dealership we found the tyres on 50psi.

The spotlights were loosely mounted

I heard a donk at Mareeba and when i pulled up at Lakeland Downs i found the winch rollers were loose and one fell off (the circlips were stretched). i pulled the rest off before i lost them too.

Nothing has changed in the interior design for 20 years i think.

Still no storage space.

The spotlights were not wired up which i did not find out til it was dark on the PDR and i still had 4 or 5 hrs of driving ahead of me.

Skinny wheels

Potentially dangerous for speedsters with that power.

The price

A little rigid (may get a bit better once worn in)

Positives;
The power ofcourse, pulling up the range in 5th gear and it still had more.

Once dropping the tyre pressure the handling was great with little body roll through corners.

Good headlights and high beams.

Surprisingly dust tight, for now anyway.

Although it's still leaf sprung in the back and a little rigid it soaked up the corrugations enough to remain in control at speed. More weight would be better.

Between Lockhart and the PDR it feels as though there is a couple of hundred dips, floodways, washouts and river crossings. It tests your patience winding an old diesel up enough just to get to 4th gear and then your back down to 2nd or 3rd for another dip. The new V8 eliminates that slow process cause when you ask for a bit of throttle it's got more than enough and is very torquey which has you back up to speed before yo've even climbed out of the dip.

It would be good for towing although you may need larger side mirrors.

If you can afford one than i'll be envious. i'll have to keep dreaming or maybe one day i'll find one on it's side and take it's motor out and drop it in my old troopy.

This is just a personal opinion of how i felt while driving this big burbler and it may be of some value to someone. One thing i've learnt quickly is check all the xtra accessories added before you leave a car yard.

Cya

oh, the PDR is like a gravel highway for the most of it as far as the Portlands road turnoff anyway.

[kingchevy]

Believe it or not I just did a trip on the weekend down to yaraden station back up portlands roads and then through frenchmans to bertihaugh then up to bramwell in a new v8 troopy that I just bought it has a 3 inch straight trough exhaust with no muffler or cat also it has a dp chip fitted all I can say is they are an awesome motor anyone that has any complaints with this car has serious issues or there just jelious.

I only got 350kms to a tank but I was really giving it a run for its money I believe if you stayed under 100 you should get around 600kms to a tank but the power is to addictive and the exhaust note is amazing as for the interior I love the fact they are so simple thats what makes them so good. I haven't set mine up properly yet but I have fitted spotties and some other luxuries.

There is no real way they can improve on the toyota landcruiser that I can see you don't need a really flash interior they are designed for work not for city slickers to drive around town

The standard suspension is awful though its sacgged already at 10000kms and it feels like you're driving on bloody big cushions and it does feel a tad top heavy for my liking but nothing a new set of suspension will not fix.

[Scorcher]

Believe it or not I just did a trip on the weekend down to yaraden station back up portlands roads and then through frenchmans to bertihaugh then up to bramwell in a new v8 troopy that I just bought it has a 3 inch straight trough exhaust with no muffler or cat also it has a dp chip fitted all I can say is they are an awesome motor anyone that has any complaints with this car has serious issues or there just jelious.

I only got 350kms to a tank but I was really giving it a run for its money I believe if you stayed under 100 you should get around 600kms to a tank but the power is to addictive and the exhaust note is amazing as for the interior I love the fact they are so simple thats what makes them so good. I haven't set mine up properly yet but I have fitted spotties and some other luxuries.

There is no real way they can improve on the toyota landcruiser that I can see you don't need a really flash interior they are designed for work not for city slickers to drive around town

The standard suspension is awful though its sacgged already at 10000kms and it feels like you're driving on bloody big cushions and it does feel a tad top heavy for my liking but nothing a new set of suspension will not fix.

Hey Kingchevy,

Good to see:
1) Your posting again &
2) Your doing your bit for the environment !! :D

Btw, don't they have laws about having an exhaust pipe on a vehicle???

Scorcher

[campdog]

Yeah thats disgraceful sam,no muffler or cat,think of the neighbours.I hope the RACQ bloke doesnt find out.

[kingchevy]

You wait till you hear the exhaust note you will be sold on it I might let you go for a strap in it when we go for the tag along tour of the cape :)

[Scorcher]

You wait till you hear the exhaust note you will be sold on it I might let you go for a strap in it when we go for the tag along tour of the cape :)

Hey Campdog,

You should take kingchevy up on that! Maybe you could fly to Weipa, and the King can drive the fuel truck :D

Scorcher

[campdog]

That depends on the date for the tag along.It will be the last leg of a Kimberley trip for us.Not sure if we will drive from the gulf and get permission to drive through Kowanyama or get the barge from Karumba to Weipa or Bamaga. Might trade the patrol in on one.

[Scorcher]

That depends on the date for the tag along.It will be the last leg of a Kimberley trip for us.Not sure if we will drive from the gulf and get permission to drive through Kowanyama or get the barge from Karumba to Weipa or Bamaga. Might trade the patrol in on one.

Hey Campdog,

You may be able to buy an exhaust system for what you sell the Patrol for :D

You keep talking about buying a Landcruiser!! It will only be a matter of time me thinks :rolleyes:

Scorcher

[campdog]

Hey Campdog,

You may be able to buy an exhaust system for what you sell the Patrol for :D

You keep talking about buying a Landcruiser!! It will only be a matter of time me thinks :rolleyes:

Scorcher
Funny you should say that. Got the insurance renewal for the patrol today and the extras,turbo,winch , roof rack etc are worth more than the patrol.Have to keep it insured in case I run over an old cruiser again.

[kingchevy]

Funny you should say that. Got the insurance renewal for the patrol today and the extras,turbo,winch , roof rack etc are worth more than the patrol.Have to keep it insured in case I run over an old cruiser again.

Thats not hard for the extras to be worth more
ie winch 700 roof rack 700 turbo 700 secondhand
that makes a you're nissan worth about $2100 sounds about right to me
hell I don't even know why you bother insuring it??? :)

[campdog]

Thats not hard for the extras to be worth more
ie winch 700 roof rack 700 turbo 700 secondhand
that makes a you're nissan worth about $2100 sounds about right to me
hell I don't even know why you bother insuring it??? :)
Have to insure it ,cant afford to repair all the tojos I wipe out.
Dont forget the tyres are worth 1200 bucks and a full tank of fuel.

[ant]

Have to insure it ,cant afford to repair all the tojos I wipe out.
Dont forget the tyres are worth 1200 bucks and a full tank of fuel.

Campdog-you have more money than sense! What sort of tyres are you running?

[campdog]

Campdog-you have more money than sense! What sort of tyres are you running?
Mickey Thompson Bajas. Put them on before last cape trip.Probably still be on on next trip.Worth every cent.

[Stacky]

Geez Campdog gonna love this and as much as i'd hate to say it, I spoke to soon,

Now the new v8 troopy is suffering a serious power loss before the turbo kicks in. It only happens now and then and mostly when it's a cold start.

Luckily we have a new service mob in Weipa which is nice and close and don't have to take it all the way back to Cairns.

Next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday we'll be taking 2 of the new v8 Troopy's over there for work reasons and i'll let you know what caused the problem.

[campdog]

Geez Campdog gonna love this and as much as i'd hate to say it, I spoke to soon,

Now the new v8 troopy is suffering a serious power loss before the turbo kicks in. It only happens now and then and mostly when it's a cold start.

Luckily we have a new service mob in Weipa which is nice and close and don't have to take it all the way back to Cairns.

Next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday we'll be taking 2 of the new v8 Troopy's over there for work reasons and i'll let you know what caused the problem.
Dont let it near Sam, he will have the muffler off in no time and shoven potato chips in it. must be a kiwi thing.all noise and no go.

[xina]

Gave myself a stitch, and nearly fell off my chair that time Campdog,
Cheers,
xina.

[kingchevy]

Geez Campdog gonna love this and as much as i'd hate to say it, I spoke to soon,

Now the new v8 troopy is suffering a serious power loss before the turbo kicks in. It only happens now and then and mostly when it's a cold start.

Luckily we have a new service mob in Weipa which is nice and close and don't have to take it all the way back to Cairns.

Next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday we'll be taking 2 of the new v8 Troopy's over there for work reasons and i'll let you know what caused the problem.

I hope you're not taking it to kowari.... Beside's if you need us to we can service and do warranty work on new toyotas the warranty dep in cairns has given me approval to service and repair all fleet vehicles etc.

[Stacky]

I hope you're not taking it to kowari.... Beside's if you need us to we can service and do warranty work on new toyotas the warranty dep in cairns has given me approval to service and repair all fleet vehicles etc.

Sorry Kingchevy,
The school already set their business up with Kowari...... i am still yet to see what they did on the invoice.
I will mention to the school about your service though.
Thanks

[loxsmith]

Anyone got a recent opinion on these V8 weapons??

Is reliability as good as the 1HZ??

[ant]

There have been a few unconfirmed reports that the uneven wheel base can cause some concern particularly when in the mud or running through ruts.

Good to hear some other reports on this too...

[loxsmith]

I knew this thread was here somewhere.

OK after investigating a new Troopy I have discovered the following

The 30% ATO Investment Allowance by or generous Gubberment will only be available 'til the end of June, ie the purchase contract must be in place by this date
Read here http://www.ato.gov.au/taxprofessionals/content.asp?doc=/content/00175431.htm

Delivery on new Troopies is approx. 12 weeks. There must be a rush on! Yeh right.

All 70 series Land Cruisers will be updated later in the year with air bags and maybe a new dash to match. The mining companies hate the fact that the current models don't have air bags.

Toyota has a price rise on 200 and 70 series in June

I just took a 5 door wagon Work Mate for sale and was suprised by the grunt of the new V8 diesel

The new V8 diesel is very susceptable to dirty fuel, each injector is said to cost around $3000!!!!!!!!!

My old 75 series Troopy with 430000km on the clock has developed a drive train whine, so by the time I fix that it is not worth selling and to be honest I want to keep it. It has character that I doubt the new truck will be able to match

More soon

[Stacky]

I knew this thread was here somewhere.

OK after investigating a new Troopy I have discovered the following

The 30% ATO Investment Allowance by or generous Gubberment will only be available 'til the end of June, ie the purchase contract must be in place by this date
Read here http://www.ato.gov.au/taxprofessionals/content.asp?doc=/content/00175431.htm

Delivery on new Troopies is approx. 12 weeks. There must be a rush on! Yeh right.

All 70 series Land Cruisers will be updated later in the year with air bags and maybe a new dash to match. The mining companies hate the fact that the current models don't have air bags.

Toyota has a price rise on 200 and 70 series in June

I just took a 5 door wagon Work Mate for sale and was suprised by the grunt of the new V8 diesel

The new V8 diesel is very susceptable to dirty fuel, each injector is said to cost around $3000!!!!!!!!!

My old 75 series Troopy with 430000km on the clock has developed a drive train whine, so by the time I fix that it is not worth selling and to be honest I want to keep it. It has character that I doubt the new truck will be able to match

More soon

Does the 5 door workmate have a narrower rear wheel base than the front? Like the Trayback and Troopy. Apparently the story i was told is that they widened the front to fit the motor in the bay therefore widening the front wheel base but left the rear wheel base the same as the previous 79 Series models.
Resulting in the rear fighting to stay in the front wheel ruts when off road but i didn't notice it when i was driving the troopy v8's last year. They have plenty of grunt though! Won't surprise me if you start seeing a few on their lids with inexperienced drivers going to fast on the dirt. I witnessed one last year lose it on a bend and slide sideways for sometime well off the road, luckily there were no trees on the shoulder of the road...............h'mmmmm I'd love to fit a v8 in my 80 series if one was wrecking

[ant]

Stacky,
I have heard similar unconfirmed reports regarding the different wheel base models of the V8 cruiser.
I think a lot of the problems are either due to inexperienced drivers and also differing road surfaces.
Haven't had the opportunity to get behind the wheel of one myself so can't really say too much.

[geoffjy]

A guy up here has just got his hands on a new V8 troopy. He only just started his job and he told the big bosses down south that he wanted 4'by with winch, roof rack, radio, laptop ect. Sure enough, they sent him a brand new V8 troopy with a nice big custom made aluminium roof rack and a few extras.

I will have to hit him up one weekend and go for a drive.

[ant]

Nice. wish I had a boss like that!

[loxsmith]

The 5 door wagon is the 76 series and is the original body shape of the Overseas Prado. Downside is it is delivered with a 90 litre tank, no genuine sub tank available. I had previously purchased some wing mirrors from this model for my old Troopy as they are the only ones that remain stable on corrugated roads.

The wheelbase is the same as the old model but not sure about the front track compared to the rear track width. It is certainly a lot more stable than the older trucks.

They must have had a lot of injector issues due to crap fuel as there is a warning brochure in the glove box stating it is vital to maintain fuel filter maintenance and fuel quality.

K big spender Rudd upped the incentive overnight increasing the Investment Allowance to a 50% rebate in your first tax return.
On top of this you claim back your 10% GST component in your first BAS and you still get the standard 15% depreciation each year.
It appears in the first 12 months of ownership the total rebate of 75%.
Soon Toyota will be paying me to drive one out of the showroom.

Here is the link to the budget http://www.budget.gov.au/2009-10/content/overview/html/overview_09.htm read for yourself.

With that in mind I will wait for the updated model due in either the 3rd or 4th quarter of this year.

Glen

[ant]

The LC76 does have a different wheel base between the front and rear diffs.

Those incentives look pretty good.

[loxsmith]

The wheelbase is the same as the old model but not sure about the front track compared to the rear track width. It is certainly a lot more stable than the older trucks.



I knew I would find it as soon as I hit "Submit"

The track is the same for Workmate Utes, Troopies, and 76 Series Wagons

Front track is 1515mm
Rear Track is 1420mm

The track is the same for GXL Utes, Troopies, and 76 Series Wagons
Front Track 1555mm
Rear track 1460mm with the Troop Carrier it seems the track remains at 1420mm regardless of Workmate or GXL guise

Good to see they have added a drivers left foot rest, that was a pain in the arse in my old truck on long runs.

[loxsmith]

The LC76 does have a different wheel base between the front and rear diffs.

Those incentives look pretty good.

I was comparing old to new Troopies

Here is what the new wheelbases are

Cab Chassis 3180mm
Wagon 2730mm
Troop Carrier 2980mm

It's a suprise the ute is longer than the Troop Carrier

Maybe I should buy 5 at that price sell 4 and make a profit??

[loxsmith]

Does the 5 door workmate have a narrower rear wheel base than the front? Like the Trayback and Troopy. Apparently the story i was told is that they widened the front to fit the motor in the bay therefore widening the front wheel base but left the rear wheel base the same as the previous 79 Series models.
Resulting in the rear fighting to stay in the front wheel ruts when off road but i didn't notice it when i was driving the troopy v8's last year. They have plenty of grunt though! Won't surprise me if you start seeing a few on their lids with inexperienced drivers going to fast on the dirt. I witnessed one last year lose it on a bend and slide sideways for sometime well off the road, luckily there were no trees on the shoulder of the road...............h'mmmmm I'd love to fit a v8 in my 80 series if one was wrecking

Stacky this is the best money you could spend on an 80 series http://www.marks4wd.com/products/part-time-4wd/lc-80SERIESPT4WD.html a part time 4WD kit will transform the car. I did this on a 100 series I had a few years ago and you would not believe how much better it was.

To simulate it just remove the front drive shaft and push the centre diff lock button to maintain rear wheel drive. See what you think!

Less front tyre wear, better fuel economy and no torque steer

Glen

[Stacky]

Stacky this is the best money you could spend on an 80 series http://www.marks4wd.com/products/part-time-4wd/lc-80SERIESPT4WD.html a part time 4WD kit will transform the car. I did this on a 100 series I had a few years ago and you would not believe how much better it was.

To simulate it just remove the front drive shaft and push the centre diff lock button to maintain rear wheel drive. See what you think!

Less front tyre wear, better fuel economy and no torque steer

Glen

Thanks for the tip Glen,

I already have part time 4wd in my 80'. It saves on front end wear and tear. All i need in my 80 is one of these new v8's and a heavy duty Clutch.

I would have thought the wheelbase specs for front and back on the v8's would have been more of a difference than that. When you follow one of these vehicles you can really notice the difference from behind when looking at them. As i said earlier, i had the pleasure of driving 2 seperate v8 troopies while in Lockhart River the last couple of years and i never really noticed the back wheels fighting to stay in the front wheel ruts. I guess it would be noticable in soft sand ruts or soft mud ruts.

So, when are you gonna test your new beast out up here Glenno?

Cheers
Stacky

[loxsmith]

So, when are you gonna test your new beast out up here Glenno?

Cheers
Stacky

Stacky, I have a few other little excursions planned for later this year so if the 2010 Tagalong is on then you can count me in.

Got a call yesterday inviting me to compete in a new Postie bike race series at the old Lakeside Raceway.
Now how much fun would that be????????

Glen

[Stacky]

Stacky, I have a few other little excursions planned for later this year so if the 2010 Tagalong is on then you can count me in.

Got a call yesterday inviting me to compete in a new Postie bike race series at the old Lakeside Raceway.
Now how much fun would that be????????

Glen

Rev the ol Postie up to 60km's an hour and hold it flat for the Whole circuit, i'd doubt if you need to brake at all, not exactly a spectators sport. Chuck some AvGas in her or Nitros then it would be good to go watch.

[loxsmith]

Rev the ol Postie up to 60km's an hour and hold it flat for the Whole circuit, i'd doubt if you need to brake at all, not exactly a spectators sport. Chuck some AvGas in her or Nitros then it would be good to go watch.

I probably couldn't stop laughing for the entire race. No brakes required, you can corner them as hard as the foot pegs and crap tyres will allow. Until you have ridden 1 of these things you have no idea how much fun they are. It's even more of a challenge getting off the Postie and back on to my 1000cc regular ride.

There should be another Forum on the Cape Yorker site for stuff other than the Cape, or un Cape related. Imagine the shit we could talk then!!!!!!!

[loxsmith]

My old 75 series Troopy with 430000km on the clock has developed a drive train whine, so by the time I fix that it is not worth selling and to be honest I want to keep it. It has character that I doubt the new truck will be able to match

More soon

The 75 lives on, rebuilt rear LSD centre and all is good again. $1100 lighter but that's heaps better than a box and transfer case rebuild!

Prado 120 series is stripped and ready to trade, anybody want any aftermarket bits for the 120 Prado?????

[loxsmith]

Glen we have been given information from Toyota last week about the new Troopy. I can tell you that the technical change will start in July 2009 for cars arriving the following month.

The expected changes to the Troop Carrier Workmate Ian quoted for you are as follows:

Driver and front passenger airbag
Airbag warning lamp & driver’s seatbelt warning lamp
Protruding front bumper (to allow for airbag sensors)
200mm wide 2DIN audio unit
Bluetooth handsfree
USB & 3.5mm audio input jack
Telescopic steering column adjustment
4 spoke steering wheel (from the current 200 Series GXL)
Multi-function clock
Cup/bottle holder below dash
Meter illumination controls
New dash and combination meter design and layout
Revised interior pillar and header garnish
V8 decal replaced with chrome V8 badge
Visible exterior A pillar garnish/reinforcement


If you want to buy the new Troop Carrier you can now order the vehicle as we are currently in the July production term.

There will have to be some new bullbar designs to go with this model

Glen

[geoffjy]

I had a couple of test drives of the v8 cruiser over the last couple of days on the tele track. Definitely had some grunt. The only problem was that it had skinny tyres. It wasnt treated the best as mud guards were ripped off and other minor damage was done.

[loxsmith]

I had a couple of test drives of the v8 cruiser over the last couple of days on the tele track. Definitely had some grunt. The only problem was that it had skinny tyres. It wasnt treated the best as mud guards were ripped off and other minor damage was done.

Hey Geoff, I hope you mean mud flaps!

Glen

[geoffjy]

Hey Geoff, I hope you mean mud flaps!

Glen

Haha. Yeah, mudflaps. :confused:

[loxsmith]

I had a couple of test drives of the v8 cruiser over the last couple of days on the tele track. Definitely had some grunt. The only problem was that it had skinny tyres. It wasnt treated the best as mud guards were ripped off and other minor damage was done.

Did you find the skinny rubber bad because you couldn't get the power down or was there another reason?

Glen

[geoffjy]

Did you find the skinny rubber bad because you couldn't get the power down or was there another reason?

Glen

I found that when travelling the tele track, it could have done with wider tyres. There was noticably less traction through mud holes as well as creek crossings.

[loxsmith]

I have just seen a pic of the new Troopcarrier air bag equipped dash. It resembles Matt Shirvington in lycra pants. No pretty!!!

Glen