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Buying a HZJ78R (troopie) - advice needed
Hi
What with import duty, tax etc and the generally high price of LC200's in Kenya we've decided to start out with a secondhand NGO vehicle: a 78 series troopie. It's the same as the standard ICRC HD 4x4 but with a HD bullbar and full length roofrack. Instead of bench seats its got 5 "normal" seats facing forward - one passenger side door (ambulance). Never having owned one of these before - 1HZ etc, what can I expect, what do I need to look out for etc? All advice welcome! Regards, Enzo |
Tried and tested vehicle, all parts should still be available from Toyota.
1HZ will be glacially slow on the highway if faced by a hill or at altitude, but fine for local roads and dirt tracks. Very simple and dependable engine, though neither very powerful nor efficient. Condition wise, I would imagine that local mechanics prefer to use hammers than a service manual and decent tool set, so it's a case of how much abuse it has had. See how it drives, check things like wheel bearings, steering joints, differental flanges. If it feels fine then just give it a good service and run it. |
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Hey, sorry man! Will take a look and sort it out as that wasn’t meant to be!
Email me at: enzo@africa4x4cafe.com if all else fails! Thank you! |
Got it! Thanks again!
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All 1Hz (and 1Hd) engines are known for premature big end (conrod) bearing wear. 1992 and earlier engines are the worst, but it is still a problem with HZJ78 and HZJ105 engines. Listen for bottom end knock, especially at start up. If the bottom end knock gets out of hand it can spin a bearing, meaning new crankshaft and conrod/s. Major engine rebuild in other words. If I was planning to drive a long way, I'd replace the big end and main bearings, even if I couldn't hear any knock.
Several years ago I drove a HZJ105 Landcruiser up Cape York (northern Australia). It had an aftermarket turbo kit on it with an intercooler. I thought it was inferior to my Y61 Nissan Patrol with 3 litre ZD30 turbo diesel engine in every way. Power, torque, fuel economy, suspension performance off-road, driving position, manual gear shift quality. Patrol was also better on corrugated roads but that is more dependent on shock absorber selection than anything else. A HZJ78 without a turbo would be like driving a car from the 1980s. Actually a 1986 HJ60 with 12HT would be better. A lot of people who are used to driving "modern" cars would get pissed off at the lack of power, not being able to keep up with traffic up hills, having semi-trucks (which are speed limited to 100km/h in Aust.) tailgating you on the highway etc.. Also Troopies are tall, heavy and have a very narrow track for their size and weight - a recipe for roll-overs. Some drivers tend to carry a bit too much speed into corners, because if you slow down for the corner, you have to accelerate after the corner, and with the 1Hz acceleration is almost non-existent. Be very careful about how you pack your gear with a HZJ78, don't overload it, and place the heaviest items as low as possible. |
Great advice! Thank you!
I've only driven a 70 series vehicle off road and at fairly modest speeds (game viewing speeds!) so the advice on cornering, crawling up hills etc, is appreciated. If you've driven in Nairobi lately you'll know nothing moves very fast and the potential for collision is huge as most drivers just see a gap and squeeze themselves in. I have to learn self control and patience! Think of a usual round about with two lanes of traffic and everyone giving way to the right...this is not Nairobi! Think 4 or 5 vehicles abreast jostling for advantage on a two lane roundabout and with no-one giving way! Luckily the 78 comes with bullbar etc and so maybe the matatus will avoid me! Thanks again! |
Well we've bought it! HZJ78 with safari conversion. TJM roofrack, TJM bullbar and 12500lbs 12v T-Max winch. We bought it fairly cheap so there is work to be done on it however the TB was changed at 150k (now 160k) that that'll save a few shillings! Pics and report as soon as I pick it up.
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nice looking truck, enjoy it.:thumbup1:
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Thanks for all the advice guys!
I've broken into the piggy bank and started doing our troopy up. Usual items: Tie rod ends; front propellor universal joint and a rear differential sensor & socket. Had to replace the missing sump guard and I got the bullbar off and serviced the winch: T-Max 12500 - now looking for things to tow/recover etc! Full service next and I'm hoping the rear breaks don't need doing - just hoping the squeeking they're doing is a bit of rust I picked up going through a river last week. Still looks like sh*t inside but we'll sort that out asap...pole, pole as the say in Kenya. https://scontent.fnbo9-1.fna.fbcdn.n...sw&oe=68046FF3 Many thanks to all again, safari njema! |
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