I turned my 4x4 Troopy into a full-time home (my brutal mistakes)

New to the 4x4 world, new to tiny home living.

Alright! Time to move into NEILA (Alien backwards) full-time!

My trusty Toyota LandCruiser GXL 70 series, 78 model Troop Carrier (also known as the Troopy here in Oz) is going to take me places.

But this 4x4 world is certainly quite confusing. So here is my first layout (out of many no doubt) of my tiny home on wheels.

It might not be perfect, but it's a start and it's enough to have me living in it comfortably for a while.

Also, let me share some mistakes I've already made with this car that are costing me thousands, that I wish I knew before getting this car. We all have to start somewhere, but I hope you don't make the same mistakes as me!

Get out there, adventure a while and join me for more Troopy life too!

Enjoy!
Sorelle Amore
♥

► MY IMPORTANT LINKS AND SOCIAL MEDIA:

#ToyotaTroopCarrier #OverlandingAustralia #OutbackAdventures

[SorelleAmore]

Anyone else a van-lifer or wannabe van-lifer??

[seabee]

Just got a Troopy myself, but have had many 4WDs, you do not need to change the wheels and tyres to go anywhere in Australia, wider tyres are not better off road, they add weight and drastically reduce fuel economy. Reseach how and when to deflate tyres for offroad, the key is length of tyre footprint not width. Keep your current bull bar and scrub bars as no need for wide tyres and flares. You wont need a lift, the Troopy with standard 33" tyres you have is plenty of clearance, mine is stock and has more clearance than my last 2" lifted 4wd Toyota. Save money on roof rack and just buy the 3 bar rack system not he expensive flat rack systems, to attach awning and Roof Top Tent if you get one. Ive had 4 different RTT variations, best was a side opening aluminium hardshell, more room than rear opening and same external size, make sure your can leave sleeping gear inside when closed. Dont get caught up with Insta Troopy hype. Have fun touring oz

[JerryRigEverything]

Glad to see your channel doing so well! I remember talking with you about it 5 years ago in Northern Ireland. Nice work!

[aromatherapy-integralheali]

I have written comments on your previous videos. Our lives seem to run a parallel or at the very least, have many similarities. We also share many of the same personality traits, values and characteristics. I am a free spirited gypsy, minimalist, nomad fuelled by a boundless curiosity.
I have had 30 different addresses in 51 years.
On Christmas Eve 2023, at the age of 50, I drove the Toyota van I purchased in Newcastle, back to my "home" in SE Qld. On Christmas Day a destructive tornado ripped through the region I was living in. I gave notice to the property owner whose granny flat I'd been living in, whittled down my belongings (and as a minimalist, , I'm constantly surprised that i can a find a few items that i no longer need) packed my life in to the van and hit the road. I had a few pit-stops at various friends homes and have been living a van life full time since January 9th 2024. I continue to explore the Sunshine Coast and Hinterland, the Blackall and Toowoomba Ranges. I did a "pilgrimage" trip to Brunswick Heads mid February for some closure and had a very peculiar moment when I thought you'd parked temporarily on a strange angle behind my van near the beach! The only reason I doubted it was you was because you were in the passenger seat; not the drivers seat (?)
This van lifestyle is a huge learning curve and one that I embrace wholeheartedly (even though it was born out of a heartbreak - I ended my engagement to my best friend).
I achieved in 3 months what I had anticipated would take 12. Ive experienced first hand how trust and surrender play a part in manifesting our dreams.This life is amazing and I've never felt more like a free human. I can remove everything from my van in 20 minutes and it would be an empty shell. I have absolutely no desire to convert it in to a "camper" with permanent fixtures or fit-out at this time (I also wonder if that decision is born from minimalism(?))
Also, as a van (not a camper) my insurance is cheaper 😉
My comfy mattress rests on top of 2 wooden pallets cable-tied together 😂
In any case, I'd love to cross paths with you. I have been enjoying your videos for years and interestingly came across your content at a tipping point in my life (unknown to me at the time) and have found them to be valuable and at times synchronous. As usual, I look forward to seeing how your life unfolds. Wishing you well always and in all ways.

[stevep]

Warning, keep the size of wheels you have, going larger is not always the best. The most common problems going larger, is doing axle seals. The wheels that the vehicle came with, are wheels that the vehicle was designed for. The other problem is diff gear ratios, they should be changed to match the new wheel size but rarely ever done by people going down that route. Toyota's 4x4's, usually have enough clearance but if you want more, just do a body lift, but being a troopy you should be fine. If your not used to 4 wheel driving, I suggest that you do a 4 wheel driving course because any mistakes made in the outback can be your last mistake. Sorry for being so negative, but I had a friend and his dog perish, back in the 80's in the Pilbra region of Western Australia.

[Hamza-bvti]

Don't wanna pressure you. But I honestly can't wait for the new Australia exploration videos with this car!!

[LifebyBertie]

Hija Sorelle, I would definitely think about going for a roof-rack and a rooftent! You would also free up a lot of space in the back if you don't sleep there. Thule has got some amazing roof-tents, they are the way to go on an Overlander. Takes nothing more then like 10 minutes to fold out and you get an amazing view with the made in windows. Cheers Bert 🙏🏻❤

[ReMonet.]

Im so hype your doing van life, I’m so hype I found you again too. I’ve been following you since your travel content. I love your transition in life and how authentic and genuine and vulnerable are with us. You’re a beautiful soul.

[addlurch]

I'm looking forward to watching this chapter unfold. I do have a question. How do you shower and wash your cooking utensils?

[deworldexplorer]

I had a 60 series. Originals wheels and all never had a problem to go anywhere.
Don't stress to much about the milles lol the engine will must probably outlives the body like mine. For this reason I would invest more into things to protect the body and learn to drive off road, basic mechanic, flat tyre first aid maybe an electric winch, ect.
Air flow when you set camp is also very important. Top roof could help.

I had an heavy duty roof rack and it was great to chill for sunrise and sunset.
Keep it simple. Have fun

[HammerRocks]

I also highly recommend you seriously consider putting paint protection film (PPF) on your rig. To keep your paint as fresh as possible. That way you don't have to worry too much about stone chips and bush pin stripes. DIY kits can be had from Bushwrapz. Or you can get it professionally fitted by the various businesses now offering PPF service.

[ambatious]

Living the dream! Long time dream troopy owner and recently new vanlifer… 100% do the Alucab pop top conversion! Keen to see your travels and upgrades 😊

[Viking]

Standard wheels and suspension will be fine while you are learning about driving off-road - if anything consider more robust tyres on standard rims. Have a look at upright fridges - great for saving some weight, good volume and economical footprint. I was a sceptic but mine has been great - Tanami, Gibb, across Australia. Fine in heat and humidity.

[grahamnielsen]

Don't go nuts on rims or too wide tyres, steel rims are the cheapest strongest and can be repaired out in the bush plus the wider you go = more fuel more problems, grip and good side wall's a tyre repair kit for a start

[richwhetton]

I bought a new Troopy almost exactly a year ago, and I’m slowly fitting out. Love what you have done with interior. I agree natural wood looks best but I have seen some amazing fit outs in black and white from a WA company Odessey. I’m hoping to do some long trips in mine, and I’m doing a roof conversion with Headspace (plus awning) but I still work full time. My lovely wife also says she’ll only come if I get a caravan so there is that….

You can remove the scrub bars without removing bullbar (side steps may be a problem but probably OK) that will allow you to fit the flares. For tyres I wouldn’t go too big, for some stuff it improves off roading capability (mud and very rocky up hill) but it is actually worse down hill and will destroy your fuel economy. It also puts more strain on a lot of stuff and lifting the car to do it makes you less stable and more likely to tip sideways which whenever I do hard tracks in mine is the only thing that ever worries me. I put Toyot 285/75 R16s on mine but wish I had gone 255/85 R16 which would not need a flare but only come in Mud Terrain (so noisier, faster wearing and worse performing on tarmac in the wet but would be awesome off road. You want longer not wider in your tyre footprint so for most off roading these would be better than my wider tyre.

One thing I didn’t see but you will need is recovery gear - you may have them already but some Maxtrax or Tread boards are a very good investment along with some straps. There are a number of companies that do tables to hold Maxtraxs on the side of the car - but you would need to put some holes in it for that.

[DaveShap]

Watching this i just have Born to be Wild by Steppenwolf playing on repeat in my head

[madelaineeriksson]

I wish you all luck in the world 🙌. I have also a van that soon will be out driving, just wait for a more stable weather 😉. I can't stop asking myself if you're never afraid? You seem to have so much courage. ❤

[karengiles]

Jack and Megan are Aussies on YouTube. They fitted out a troopy with rooftopper with cut out. Checkout their earlier videos. They are transitioning to caravan after 2yrs ft travel. You could message them any questions Sorelle, they are amazing with replying. I think their fit out would work for you.

Screw down you will need especially on the corrugations here.

Hope this is helpful for you.

We purchased a waterbladder for our off grid adventures, when we unhitch the caravan.

[alexxhamilton]

Ok so a few things you wanna do ASAP

1. Get the largest ser of wheels and tires possible. Mount 2 full size spares on the roof and 2 on the rear with a wheel carrier.

2. Install the highest suspension lift kit you can possibly find. This will greatly assist crossing all types of terrain, improve handling and comfort.

3. Install the largest bull bar and heaviest winch you can find on the market. Again, this will greatly improve the driving comfort and also fuel efficiency. 👍

[anyawilding]

Woo van life! I'm in a van too but a little bit different- 1990 VW Horsebox I converted with my partner, she's huge! (6 wheeler) - I do miss the days of a smaller van for ease of travel but for two people and a dog it doesn't work that well long term sadly!