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CONVERTING SOFT TOP ZOOK TUB TO A UTE? HELP WANTED
Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2009 1:45 pm
by Driver91
I WAS WONDERING HAS ANY ONE GOT ANY DRAWING OR ADVICE ON HOW TO CONVERT A SOFT TOP TUB INTO A UTE EG CONSTRUCT THE SOLID ROOF AND REAR WALL OF THE CAB, ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED.
Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2009 2:35 pm
by lay80n
Stop yelling. There are quite a few buildups and ute conversion threads. Have a browse through the members threads and in the bible.
http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/phpBB2/vi ... c&start=30
Layto....
Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2009 2:36 pm
by dank
buy a ute cab and bolt that on....Much easier and a lot neater looking I reckon. the Swb sierras look a little dicky if you don't also extend the wheelbase at the same time.
Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2009 2:39 pm
by v840
Buy a windjammer from MU canvas. Cheap, less hassles and can still rock the soft top.

Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2009 2:40 pm
by lay80n
+1 to what Dank said. Unless your planning to stretch the WB a SWB ute looks a bit retarded.
Layto....
Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2009 3:22 pm
by joeblow
dank wrote: the Swb sierras look ABSOLUTE SHITEFULL if you don't also extend the wheelbase at the same time.
fixed.................

Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2009 4:08 pm
by greg
comon guys... Driver91 is looking for some good and proper advise here from the experts... i think we should make sure we give it to him - otherwise, there is a risk he could end up with something resembling a sierra lwb ute (styleside) - and nobody wants that.
i agree with what the others have said - you need to score either:
1. a lwb trayback body (but you'd be better to use the whole body and chassis), or
2. a swb with stock removable hardtop and back (not very comon), or
3. get a custom soft top built with a tournou cover for the back.
Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2009 4:54 pm
by GRPABT1
joeblow wrote:dank wrote: the Swb sierras look ABSOLUTE SHITEFULL if you don't also extend the wheelbase at the same time.
fixed.................

In you opinion....
In my opinion you ute looks shithouse too but who cares?
Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2009 5:27 pm
by Gwagensteve
I think Joeblow's ute is ugly AND ute cut SWB's are ugly.
You can't offend me because I KNOW my ute is ugly.
IMHO the issue is functionality. Cut down SWB sierras are useless, and have a significantly higher COG than a normal soft top. All that air between the chassis and the load deck is just another way of saying "my COG is too high" - and yes, I think the COG is too high in my factory tray too.
My ute is moderately useful (although I keep shrinking the tray and you can't fit anything inside the cab - even normal sized people

) and I'm sure Joe's car is very practical indeed, I just can't stand the look of it.
Steve.
Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2009 9:07 pm
by mr green

you guys are funny.. your ugly, i'm ugly. we're all ugly. Drover91 was asking about asolid roof and back wall. there was no mention of cuts, chops, or cogs
maybe something like this
zookprojectfnq wrote:
check the build thread for details
http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/ftopic169485-0.php
Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2009 9:13 pm
by mrRocky
Just chop it, the answers will become obvious once you do

Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2009 9:21 pm
by Driver91
the only reason i ask as im looking at using a already cut tub just behind rear door pillar and a spare narrow track chassis.
Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2009 9:36 pm
by mr green

maybe you could have mentioned that a bi tearlier
Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2009 10:39 pm
by Gutless
joeblow wrote:dank wrote: the Swb sierras look ABSOLUTE SHITEFULL if you don't also extend the wheelbase at the same time.
fixed.................

I don't agree

Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 6:59 am
by lay80n
Driver91 wrote:the only reason i ask as im looking at using a already cut tub just behind rear door pillar and a spare narrow track chassis.
How is the cut done. You will need to fabricate a bracing setup across the back of the cab to stop it flopping round, then sheet over it. Get a rear window and cit it into the sheet then seal round it. The roof is simillar. The thin factory sheet gets its rigidity from the shapes pressed into it during manufacture. Just having a flat sheet of thin metal will not provide enough rigidity in the panels you are making. I will try to get some pics of the half wall behind my brothers seats, you cn see the RHS frame pretty easy there.
Layto....
Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 7:05 am
by joeblow
the style-side look is fine. its the post 9 inch grinder cab chassis look that is wrong.
Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 4:06 pm
by GRPABT1
I think Joes talking about this piece of poo

Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 5:53 pm
by atari4x4
with the chopped SWB's something needs to be done with the left over wheel arch bit...
Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 7:25 pm
by mrRocky
i agree thats what i will be addressing with mine, i think it looks stupid with the left over bit of the arch, even some checkerplate over top would look better, still not exactly show cars are they now ?
Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 9:32 pm
by GRPABT1
atari4x4 wrote:with the chopped SWB's something needs to be done with the left over wheel arch bit...
I think they just need to be filled with tyre

I've made mine so it has enough clearance for 34" swampers next time

Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 9:45 pm
by grimbo
GRPABT1 wrote:I think Joes talking about this piece of poo

which does showcase everything wrong with the mod. Move the wheelbase back and it would start looking and performing a whole bunch better. I have never seen the point in that mod at all. It doesn't add one iota of function and in many ways will take away performance by taking what little weight there was over the back.
Anyway what the OP was on about appears to be like Gutless' Sierra is. If so then you need to try and track down a very rare Maruti fibreglass cab back or an even rarer Suzuki one. Failing that, which I think you will, go the soft top route with the windjammer and touneau or like mr greens neat little effort
Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2009 12:41 am
by GRPABT1
But I have extended the wheelbase
It's got much better approach and departure angles than a stock zook.
I'll have to get a pic of it loaded up next time I go camping and see if you still doubt the practicality, I must play tetris better than you guys

Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2009 6:41 am
by 11_evl
this is what was done with mine
the back bit is cut to suit the fiberglass back.
and gives the seat a bit more room to flod back for comfort

Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2009 10:18 pm
by Gutless
11_evl wrote:this is what was done with mine
the back bit is cut to suit the fiberglass back.
and gives the seat a bit more room to flod back for comfort

HA!! Thats Matts old rig! Get rid of that F$#@ing sticker on the door
Is it still running the GTI donk?
Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2009 4:44 pm
by 11_evl
yes all stickers are gone.
didnt come with a motor or box.
im running an SR20 auto.
like most builds its sitting in the shed pulled apart, im doing coils and hydro