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ute conversions
Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 7:02 pm
by Giles
hey im thinking about a ute conversion on my gq
is there any one who sells shells that are already cut or does it
and what would it be worth to get done if anyone has any ideas
cheers giles melbourn vic
Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 10:45 pm
by LOCKEE
Smithies Outback Gear in Cranbourne (Bundyrum4x4) does a few and has an extra cab styleside himself.
Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 7:21 pm
by Cheezy4x4
Got 3 in at work ATM all done different. Drop in for a look.
Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 7:34 pm
by NickR
Grierson engineering have done a few, the ones I have seen are really neat
Nick
Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 7:45 pm
by beretta
Check out Cheezy's thread in the member section. If I was going to do mine again I would be doing it pretty much how Cheezy has done his. I like it!
Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 7:48 pm
by Cheezy4x4
Hay Beretta, are you talking the cut, the twin turbo 403 chev V8 or the coilovered suspension
Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 7:51 pm
by Cheezy4x4
I should also add, I have a SWB that is cut into a cab chassis and a bit and streeeeeched to a MWB that we have built from scratch almost done. If mine comes up 1/2 as good as this one I will be happy.
Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 7:55 pm
by beretta
Cheezy4x4 wrote:Hay Beretta, are you talking the cut, the twin turbo 403 chev V8 or the coilovered suspension
The cut cant.
But I like the rest too!
Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 7:57 pm
by Cheezy4x4
He He
Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 8:04 pm
by beretta
When you gonna update that members thread by the way, would like to see your progress!
Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 9:04 pm
by Cheezy4x4
Sorry man. I am working on it but a bit slow ATM. I have 5 customers race rigs to get finished (full from scratch builds) and also shifting factory .
Fun 16 hour days for me ATM 7 days.
Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 9:07 pm
by stumpyGU
soz for the hi-jack fella's, but how much is it roughly to convert a patrol to a ute?
i'm looking at converting a gq wagon to a dual-cab unless i can find one thats already done at a decent price
cheers
stumps
Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 9:09 pm
by Giles
thanks guys ill look ino them much apreciated but what sort of moola is it worth round about
cheers giles
Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 9:41 pm
by beretta
I've done mine myself (with a lot of help from a mate) and it has cost probably $800 in just steel and welding gear. So you look at labour on top of that and you're in for at least $3k I would think?
Theres an aweful lot of cutting and grinding to do on this job.
By the way Chris Richter from KJ's Offroad in Geelong does a lot of these now, would be worth checking him out too, I've seen two of his and they were very good.
Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 9:48 pm
by stumpyGU
beretta wrote:I've done mine myself (with a lot of help from a mate) and it has cost probably $800 in just steel and welding gear. So you look at labour on top of that and you're in for at least $3k I would think?
Theres an aweful lot of cutting and grinding to do on this job.
By the way Chris Richter from KJ's Offroad in Geelong does a lot of these now, would be worth checking him out too, I've seen two of his and they were very good.
man i've heard of it costing upwards of $13k!
i dont have much mech skills under me belt (yet) so i wouldnt attempt it myself.
Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 10:05 pm
by beretta
Yeah expect it to cost, and I would say it is worth what you pay for, it's a big job and the finish is impotant for most people I guess. Mine is coming out alright, it's not that hard just time consuming and you only get one go at a lot of the cuts! You can't just pull another body out of your rectum and start again!
Heres my thread if you care to see how much work is involved, check out the last couple of pages it has pics of the cut etc.
http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/phpBB2/vi ... hp?t=92213
Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 10:59 pm
by smee2u
Hi mate, have cut my shorty down to a ute body. Cost me approximately $2000 for parts and a mates time and labour. Have a few good photos if ur intrested. The mods look very nice and original. Drop me an email
Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2007 6:15 am
by Milton Park
$3K for a conversion sounds way too cheap to me, unless you do it yourself.
By the time it's cut, panels made, welded, beaten, rubbed, sprayed, tray made & fitted, custom window made and fitted, trim altered, weighbridged and the whole job engineered, I would be surprised if $3K would cover it.
But I think $13K is way too much!
Ive seen a dual cab conversation rocking around with Patrolapart stickers on it. Truck also had Outback 4X4 Challenge stickers over it so I'm guessing it's their work car. It looks great!
Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2007 10:07 am
by offroader-rama
there is a guy that used to have a shop in capalaba QLD he now works from home not shore where jimbomba QLD i think.
but any way he used to charge $2500 choped, welded, in primer with compliance plate. You paint and build your own tray and you just tell him where you want it cut for extra cab, dual cab, style side etc...
as for $13,000 some one may have paid that now either they got very ripped or it included a whole lot more than cut and shut it was probably painted candy apple red, full bar work, custom tray, roll cage blah blah a whole lot of unknowns.
I'm thinking of doing the same thats how i got those prices from the horses mouth I could do it myself but for $2500 I'm happy to pay some one else then paint it myself.