My gut feel is that the Troopies sold in Australia will exceed the overall requirements for safety and emissions, but will fail in other areas, it will be something niggling and expensive like tyres. The best thing I can advise is that you have a look at www.dotars.gov.au who control the design rules (ADRs) for new vehicles imported into Australia. They have a checklist for private import vehicles (email me and I can send you a copy its large so hope you have broadband) which you should be able to check off against the UK construction and use regs (do they still exist). Australia has had side intrusion protection, seat belts, etc since the late 80s.

There are RoRo services available ex all major ports, containers in my opinion are an extra hassle and often an extra cost by the time its loaded. Advantage is that you can stuff the container with other spares.

Just be aware that a lot of Troopies lead a hard life - mine work is common in my part of Queensland and coal dust rots out a Troopy very quickly. Beach driving is also fairly common - and if you thought road salting is hard on a vehicle just drive down a beach for 80kms and see how much bare metal appears.

The RACQ (equivalent of the AA/RAC) do pre purchase inspections and its a good way of knowing what you are buying.

Exporting a vehicle is dead easy - you put it on a boat.

Last time I was in Dubai I saw a couple at the huge secord hand car place (can't remember the name of the place, perhaps someone from there knows?), and they were new - left over from a larger order IIRC. They looked great, and were about USD 25k IIRC, which even with shipping and tax is a bit cheaper than GBP23k... And you can have a nice holiday while you're out there. You could also drive it back, if you could get hold of an elusive Saudi transit visa...

Nick.

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Nick Taylor, a Colorado Mack'em
blog | vehicles

Earlier this year I again thought about bringing in a 78 or even a 79 from Australia where I go regularly and know the TLC scene. But they're no bargain out there despite their popularity and overall it's just too expensive compared to what you get here or in Europe - I think that's why so few go through with it.
Dont forget you're paying VAT + 5% on the car and the shipping.
In the end, as LHD would not be a bother I'd sooner buy from Europe (new from France or Belgium for about the same price new as Frogs - http://www.sealandsafari.com/) as the emission - which I believe could be the main hurdle from Au - is at Euro standards (see below*). In fact there is a guy - ?Charlesworth? in Stanford, who can bring them in. Or scour the Fr, Be and NL car web sites with "HJZ78 a vendre" and you'll soon find something a few years old just over the channel and easy to check out for around 15k. Often with twin tanks, a/c, etc.

And then you end up thinking well what's so bad about 5ks worth of VX easily found in the UK, even if everyone else has got one. Or even a 60 in good shape? Pigs would feel right at home in the back of that one ;-)

Chris S

* Actually I see on SLS that the C02 from a new non-turbo Troopie is the same as a 110 after they fit this Euro 3 gadget: http://www.sealandsafari.com/IMMOTEUR/EURO3
I guess it could be fitted to any old Troopie.

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Morocco Overland 4 (2025) • Trans Morocco Trail

http://www.cruiser-connection.de
for second hand (little) and new Landcruisers.
They also send parts worldwide.

Hi Ian

have you got any further with this or given up??

Chris

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ChrisC

Ian,

Hi there, I am from Australia and thought you may like some comment about your plans. If you are only having two people in the vehicle there is another option to the troopie.

I have been building up a decent overland vehicle based on 79 series Toyota cab chassis. It has a custom built steel framed and colorbond canopy suitable for sleeping of two peolple and all the gear. No tent required.

This 79 series 4.2 di turbo was $AU30k with 125,000km on the clock 12 months ago. The canopy was made in Victoria and cost $AU10k including an 80L installed gravity feed water tank. The balance of the fitout has been about $AU2-3k.

Cheers Chris

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Chris

Hi Ian

have you taken this any further????

Chris

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ChrisC