1996 Toyota Land Cruiser HZJ75 Troopy :: Premium Classified

A few years ago, I took the leap and bought a Toyota Troopy, and it remains one of the best decisions I ever made. Prior to owning my Land Cruiser, I’d spent almost a decade on the road in my 1986 Vanagon Syncro, and while I love my old Volkswagen, I was growing tired of spending so much time, energy, and money at the garage. It was time for a vehicle that placed the emphasis firmly on experiences, and that was, in all regards, over-engineered for exploration. I spent years researching the ultimate overland vehicle, and while there’s no such thing as the perfect rig, the consensus was clear: the 70 Series remains one of, if not the greatest, platforms for travel. For these reasons, and more, it’s been the vehicle of choice for some of the most ambitious overland trips, including the rig of choice for Scott Brady and Greg Miller’s around-the-world trip (learn more about Expeditions 7). “Deciding which vehicle to drive around the world was actually pretty easy, especially for Greg. Without a doubt, there are several base vehicles appropriate for round-the-world adventures, but few have the reputation for the reliability and durability of the 70-Series Land Cruisers. Within the 70-Series lineup, the most utilitarian of the fleet is the Troop Carrier, or “Troopy,” a high-roof three-door with a full metric-ton payload capacity. This model offers enormous interior volume, and the security of glass and sheet metal surrounding the occupants and cargo. It also serves in most of the world as an ambulance, backcountry taxi, or UN/NGO transport.” It’s a true global chassis with international parts availability and community support, field serviceability, legendary durability, huge aftermarket care, and an exceptionally long-lived engine and drivetrain. To that end, meet today’s 1996 Toyota Land Cruiser HZJ75 Troopy (303,000 kilometers), which boasts a plethora of premium upgrades and a rear sleeping platform with a drawer system. It’s no secret these are rare, with fully equipped campers regularly listed for the best part of ~$100,000, which makes today’s turnkey package an impressive value at $40,000.

From the Seller:

“Up for sale is my overland-ready 1996 Toyota Land Cruiser HZJ75 Troopy. A right-hand-drive Australian-market Troop Carrier, originally registered in New South Wales. It was imported to the US in April 2021, and I bought it in 2022. It has a clean Florida title in my name and a clean Carfax with no accidents. It has the legendary 4.2-liter 1HZ diesel inline-six, a 5-speed manual transmission, a dual-range transfer case, and manual locking hubs. The engine runs great, with no timing issues. The odometer shows 303,000 kilometers (about 188,000 miles), and I have put roughly 10,000 kilometers on it. The previous owner set it up for long trips, and it’s ready to go. Recent work has included tie-rod ends, an aluminum radiator, a water pump, a battery, front rotors and pads, and a clutch slave cylinder. The timing belt light is on and is the only maintenance I plan to do. The frame and body are solid, with some surface rust underneath and in a few spots on the body. It has no rear seats and no auxiliary fuel tank. It comes with the owner’s manual, spare parts, service records, and import documents. I can send more photos and videos on request.”

1996 Toyota Land Cruiser HZJ75 Troopy

The Land Cruiser is powered by the legendary 4.2-liter 1HZ diesel inline-six motor, which produces 129 horsepower and 210-pound-feet of torque, and is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. This exceptionally long-lived engine is matched with impressive capability thanks to a body-on-frame architecture, part-time 4WD, high and low range, solid axles, manual locking front hubs, a Safari 4×4 snorkel, and a lifted, uprated suspension. Inside, these rugged backcountry attributes are balanced with driver comforts that include:

Air-conditioning
Heater
Sony CarPlay head unit with Rockford Fosgate speakers
Midland two-way radio
Sliding rear side windows and manual crank windows
Gray and light blue cloth interior
Two-door wagon with rear barn doors
Metric gauges: 180 km/h speedo, 6k rpm tach

Distinguishing Features

Australian-market, right-hand drive
Factory white paint (color code 045)
Imported April 2021 (documents included)
ARB front bumper with brush guard
Ironman 4×4 Monster 9,500-pound winch with synthetic rope
KC HiLtes driving lights
Safari 4×4 snorkel
ARB awning
Rhino-Rack Pioneer roof platform
Rear bumper with swing-away spare tire carrier
Ironman 4×4 Nitro Gas suspension with 2-inch lift
Ironman shackles and steering stabilizer
Rear sleeping platform with drawer system
Iceco fridge on slide-out
Renogy battery system with 12-volt outlets and USB ports
ARB onboard air compressor with quick connect
Magnetic blackout curtains for all rear windows
Service records, owner’s manual, and spare parts
Clean Florida title, clean Carfax, and no accidents
Receiver hitch with Reese 3-way ball
Black alloy wheels with BFGoodrich KO2 tires (5)
Interior LED lighting
Hood bonnet deflector

This 1996 Toyota Land Cruiser HZJ75 Troopy is listed for $40,000 and is currently located in Barnardsville, North Carolina. Check the full vehicle specifications via the original Expedition Portal forum post here.