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what am I going to waste my money on now?

blackohio

Generous jaywalker
Mar 12, 2009
2,773
122
Hellafornia. Formerly stumptown.
I had been using audi a6 on air to mountain bike and taking the rack off/on I had doing it. So I set forth to buy another Trooper. This time earlier than my previous '95. I want something to take camping with the bikes, pup and lady. I found a decent sounding 1990 on CL in Los Angeles. Went to look at it, and like most the body was kinda rough. It had been a media truck at one point for a new agency. It's got some rust w/ the worst being on the A-pillars that had been bondo'd. I wasnt concerned really. I want a camper/hauler not a parking lot queen. Besides thats what the A6 is for. The tires are a bit dry rotted and I'd say the clutch has 10K left on it. Interior smells like you might expect from one. musty. But it's a manual 4 cylinder with 189K and it runs pretty good. It'll do 75 on the highway at about 3K. Far cry from the 150mph autobahn cruiser the audi is. But camping is about the destination not the drive right. I was offered the truck at $700. I had recently received a forgotten freelance check of $500 and it turned into a $200 trooper. However. 30 minutes after buying it the alternator died 50 miles from home. too far to tow on my AAA. Found out the hard way I dont have 100 miles. Got it to a shop, new alternator later. It's now a $475 trooper.

I'll begin to document my process of upgrades and mods. Going to repaint and build some interior stuff. Leaving the engine alone for awhile or until it gives up.

As you can see theres some minor paint issues. All to be remedied soon. Im thinking of plastidiping the truck yellow with black trim.




made it home after my first 50 mile highway jaunt.


even came with a frame for a makeshift bike rack. Which we'll be building a real one down the road. Also included was the safari ladder and roof basket.


Began a few things. First off I washed it. Paint looks/feels like I might be the first human to do so in many years. many. Then I sat about to seeing what crap I could get off the paint. Gonna be a full sand/wetsand and polish. Even then it's gonna have to get painted/dipped/wrapped before i'll be happy. but must remember camping rig, not show car. After the wash I set about to build the storage/dog bed. I decided against drawers (rollout or slide) As it was not my intention to spend more money than the truck is reasonably worth. Next step will be to remove the box unit and wrap the top in outdoor carpet then put the dog bed in.












It's got some oil leaks so depending on where what they are it'll determine what i do next.
 
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blackohio

Generous jaywalker
Mar 12, 2009
2,773
122
Hellafornia. Formerly stumptown.
if they made truck wheels i'd probably do it. On that note. Dealer stepped up, paid the $560 to split and re-finish the wheels. So my car just sits at the dealership. I'll probably go get it tomorrow.
 
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stevew

resident influencer
Sep 21, 2001
40,496
9,527
if you don't spend more money on it than it's worth...it's never fun.

if it's just going to be you/gf/goofy lab on trips....ditch the backseat all together.

if you know some one with a welder....make some bumpers for it.
 

blackohio

Generous jaywalker
Mar 12, 2009
2,773
122
Hellafornia. Formerly stumptown.
Kid at work welds quite well. We're going to make a hitch rack to utilize my existing yakima highrollers i think so I don't have to buy a 3rd rack in a year.

So far it'll just be us 3 and a few friends (all of which have an SUV of some kind. But they all have kids and I wouldnt put kids and 4 adults in this.
 

Toshi

Harbinger of Doom
Oct 23, 2001
38,037
7,555
How did you end up with such ridiculous taste in cars? Audi with bling and a total ****box Trooper?
 

blackohio

Generous jaywalker
Mar 12, 2009
2,773
122
Hellafornia. Formerly stumptown.
I've always loved old troopers and things like them. Just never needed one. As long as I'm trapped in Southern California I want to go do some camping and an Audi on air isn't good for that.

I have auto add
 

blackohio

Generous jaywalker
Mar 12, 2009
2,773
122
Hellafornia. Formerly stumptown.
In the 2-door variety im a much bigger fan of the montero. I like how short it is. However 2-door troopers are few and far between and this one was the right price for a cheap toy to play with. If it blows up, oh well.
 

jimmydean

The Official Meat of Ridemonkey
Sep 10, 2001
40,945
13,137
Portland, OR
Nice rig. My brother-in-law bought one like it for $500 of cl, put everything he could into it and drove it to Costa Rica. Ran like a champ from what I heard and he left it there at the "beach house" for transpo when it was finished.
 

TN

Hey baby, want a hot dog?
Jul 9, 2002
14,301
1,353
Jimtown, CO
sweetness.
I have a 99 trooper. love it.
still a WIP.


I need a ladder like yours though.
 
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Caussiecan

Chimp
Mar 9, 2012
59
0
Over the hill.
We call them Holden Jackaroos in Australia, I have one sitting in my dads garage while I'm busy lapping it up in the States for the last 8 years.
ARB in Melbourne make some decent Roo bars for them.
 

blackohio

Generous jaywalker
Mar 12, 2009
2,773
122
Hellafornia. Formerly stumptown.
So, trooper sold. Audi might be sold or just the wheels. In yet another monumentally bad decision im looking at older Disco's and Rover classics. No time like the present to burn through any profits from audi sale.
 

stevew

resident influencer
Sep 21, 2001
40,496
9,527
So, trooper sold. Audi might be sold or just the wheels. In yet another monumentally bad decision im looking at older Disco's and Rover classics. No time like the present to burn through any profits from audi sale.
if you sell wheels seperate from audi....use profits from wheel sale for spare heads/engine in case you do buy disco/classic.
 

Samoto

Guest
Dec 16, 2013
402
0
So, trooper sold. Audi might be sold or just the wheels. In yet another monumentally bad decision im looking at older Disco's and Rover classics. No time like the present to burn through any profits from audi sale.
yes!!! :D :D

i think that unreliability is overrated, with newer motor and replaced parts, it is going be like watch. As stock, it sucks since factory ppl cannot do things properly.
 
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bean

Turbo Monkey
Feb 16, 2004
1,335
0
Boulder
How about a Land Cruiser? As cool as a Land Rover, and will burn just as much gas, but might actually take you somewhere.
 

maxyedor

<b>TOOL PRO</b>
Oct 20, 2005
5,496
3,140
In the bathroom, fighting a battle
FWIW, my old Disco1 was the most reliable vehicle I've ever owned. Even my Tacoma has had more issues. Get a late 1996 or newer D1 that's been reasonably well maintained and they're great trucks.

Stay as far away from a Dakota as possible, unless the other option is an S10, then by all means, get the Dakota.