For the Love of Vintage Trucks | Why We Drive Troop Carriers

While exploring Northern Arizona in our vintage 70 series Land Cruisers, I got a chance to sit down with ‪@allterraintrails‬ to discuss our love of these old trucks. We talk through the highs and lows of our own journey with our Troopies, and share a couple tips if owning an old truck is something you're thinking about doing.
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[@BenStinnett]

There’s just something special about these old trucks. All the effort and issues I’ve faced are instantly worth it whenever I’m able to hit a trail and explore somewhere new!

[@gabyherrmann9894]

In honor of all Troopys I join. Something is going happy with these trucks. You climb inside, turn the key and start with happiness. This continuance exists since over 32 years. My first one was from 1992 and the succeed from 2008. During crossing the great Sahara the last 27 years and all others journeys they never made problems. Thanks for sharing and happy days, greetings from my TLC from Germany.

[@BenStinnett]

Thank you so much for sharing your story and being a part of the journey!

[@buschtaxi75driver55]

Your comments on the vintage 70 series are spot on chaps and your intro is exactly what I feel when driving my HZJ 75 ! I have got one with 4 seats having 2 kids. So, we just had a roof top tent when traveling but they now got older and live their own live. So, I will get a pop top roof and all that. Big shout from Switzerland ! Cheers, Bruno

[@BenStinnett]

Oh I’m glad to hear that! Thank you so much 🙏

[@overland_adventure_nz]

The driving experience and comfort have improved drastically in the last 20 years. I love my 2023 Troopy and sorry you’re unable to have a new one in North America. Extremely comfortable standard Seats for all day comfort. V8 diesel and a manual transmission is a love affair ❤ 180 litres of diesel fuel tanks standard. Keep your videos coming

[@BenStinnett]

You’re living the dream! I’ll keep being jealous until I’m able to get my hands on one 😂

[@overland_adventure_nz]

Hi @@BenStinnett don’t be jealous, just enjoy the one you have. I have tried to buy one for years, but with the once extremely long waiting lists in New Zealand over four years in some cases and the lack of colour options for years stopped me from buying one much earlier. Then it turns out that they have now deleted the Troop Carrier from the model range of the Land Cruiser 70 series available in NZ I thought I’d have to go and buy a new one from Australia and pay for all the costs involved in importing and then getting on the road in New Zealand. But I’m one of the number of very lucky New Zealanders who have managed to secure one of a number of the very last shipment of Troopys to NZ and that because of the extremely long backlog of waiting list and cancelled backorders ten or more become available just before Christmas last year and I managed to get one of the very last of these. Other words, the stars aligned for me. I have been very lucky to have been paid to travel the world driving adventure buses and Overland trucks back in the 1990s and now glad I have managed to do this in the past because despite having the vehicle in my dreams, I also have a severe traumatic brain injury from an accident from over seven years ago and the Troopy is perfect for me because I have to stop and have a rest every hour because of Brain fatigue. That’s life and I’m lucky to live in one of the last countries in the world to have freedom down under in New Zealand.

[@saginawdan]

Ben, An excellent video with an outstanding background. The intro was nicely delivered, too. I've always had a love for vintage trucks. I started driving them as a teenager. My current truck is 21 years old, so it's fairly new. I've made 4 crossings across the country with it, and it's never failed me. It was a pleasure listening to you guys talk about your Troopys. Thanks - Dan 🌲

[@BenStinnett]

Thanks so much Dan! Keep treating that truck right and it will take care of you for many more years to come!

[@allterraintrails]

Nice to chat with you about these old trucks! 😄

[@BenStinnett]

Such a great time man! Can’t wait to do again at some point 🙏

[@michaelbradley3907]

I would imagine it provides you with some self accomplishment as well. Working through and pushing through all the issues no matter how hard or big they were goes away once you hit the trails I bet!

[@BenStinnett]

Oh you’re so right Michael. At each step of the way, the sense of accomplishment once things are working right is totally next level! Thanks so much man 🙌

[@nasseral-momen1463]

In the process of restoring my troopy. We all go through the same but still wound up getting a troopy. Just get a trailer if you want more room and that way you can still go off reading leaving the trailer in a park

[@BenStinnett]

Great point! Thanks for watching 🙌

[@t0nit04]

Ha, yeah ... driving this things is the best but very exhausting. I am driving my swb BJ70 since 2004 and to make it a little more enjoyable i added a 4° wedge between the front axle and the spring to change the caster angle. That helps a little to keep the old beast straight on the road and forces the steering wheel to center itself due to more self-aligning torque. The pinion angle gets a little worse but beeing a part time 4wd with unlockable hubs makes this less a problem for the driveline.

[@BenStinnett]

Oh that sounds like a great setup!

[@OutdoorAuto]

Awesome Video

[@BenStinnett]

Thank you so much man 🙏

[@LuaiADV]

Ben I loved the intro. Amen brother!

[@BenStinnett]

Thank you so much 🙌

[@johnwebb2232]

Well, Ben, that was a really informative video. I can't say my 2016 4runner trail has the same history and hardware as your troopy, but I've always loved the 4runner since it came out and have always wanted one. Like your troopy, the 4runner has always been an old school, very reliable, dependable vehicle to own, and like the troopy, there's something about driving these vehicles that no other vehicle can offer. I truly wished the 6th gen would have stayed closer to the 5th gen, but I guess that's the way the world is going now. Take care, and again, I really enjoyed this video. Keep up the great work 👍

[@BenStinnett]

I couldn’t agree with you more John! But hey, keep treating it right and it’ll be 32 years old before you know it 😂 thank you 🙏

[@iheartlazers2]

Great talk about your Troopys! Honestly I am thinking about making the switch and diving into a Troopy. Been rocking a Vanagon Syncro for many years. They are also a van which makes the Troopy very compelling but with Toyota reliability. The syncro is really fun and simple and raw as well but they breakdown all the time it's starting to feel like driving an antique. Any advice on making the leap?

[@AdolfAdolfovich1375]

🎥👍👍👍

[@BenStinnett]

Thanks man 🙌