Outer Limits 4x4 Board

I'm back from 18months overseas and have dusted off my GU Patrol Ute and started getting it ready for the new life...

Got a rear main leak to sort mechanically which I'm onto, but more to the point my wife is due with our first kid in a few weeks.

We have bought a little safe sensible car which it will travel in 99% of the time, But I am really keen to still be able to go camping using the patrol to get more interesting places with the family. a weekend away for the cost of fuel is

I figure I have a few options:

Sell it and buy a wagon - would love to but its a work ute and the commercial rating is a godsend tax wise, and a wagon is less useful for work - though i could survive. wagons cost a bomb and 4.2's don't seem to exist!

Sell it and buy a dual cab - this would solve the tax issues - but dual cabs have pathetic trays so its effectively a wagon for me work wise, and i cant get very excited by many of the dual cabs on offer, except maybe a new landy dual cab but they are scary money still.

Keep it for a few more years - be squished with baby and wife in the front at least i will be comfortable. but also on rarer occasions i can take the kid somewhere in the truck if my wife is out in her car, this means my set up ute with lockers etc doesn't go to waste or the hassle of swapping them onto a wagon or having to buy new stuff for a dual cab. ideal for work.

I know legally a baby in the front of a single cab is OK - provided i have the seat fitting points... Does anyone know if they have them? Can they simply be bolted through the rear wall of the cab if they are not already fitted? or can a fitting station fit an attachment point?

I'm new to the whole baby thing so...

thehanko wrote:Sell it and buy a wagon - would love to but its a work ute and the commercial rating is a godsend tax wise, and a wagon is less useful for work - though i could survive. wagons cost a bomb and 4.2's don't seem to exist!

...

I've got the reverse problem, got a 4.2 wagon but need a ute.

Got an ad on Patrol forum.

haha, I need an excuse for a road trip! Swapsies?

You can have them in the front as there are no other seats available. single cab Ute obviously there isn't. You will need a mounting plate fitted to the rear wall. Your best bet is to contact Little's at Black town as they will tell you what is needed and they can fit it.

I've just been through this over the last 5 years.
I had a GQ ute and sold it thinking I needed a duel cab for the young bloke but really could have gotten away with the ute.
Other than the first bit where a baby capsule is probably the only time they can't really be set up in the front (impractical). This time will pass super quick and to sell a car for the short period is not worth it.
I bought another GQ ute when he was about 18months old, seat in the middle or when mums not round on the side.
Did a Cape trip when he was 3. Lots of time in the front since then.
You just have to make sure you get a seat that has clearance for the transfer stick to come all the way back.
Now he is just on a booster seat. Loves being up front and is more 'part of it' when he is.

Thanks Fellas.

I will contact the guys at the fitting station mentioned.

I have even wondered about modifying a gear stick so that it is effectively further towards me to make gear changes better in the 3 seater.

Cheers
Ben

If your after a dualcab..
a patrol is sitting in the wrecker yards in albury..

abecorn wreckers if you were chasing a dual cab..

Looked straight..

sounds like your keen on keeping it but.

just a thought

CRUZAAMAD wrote:If your after a dualcab..
a patrol is sitting in the wrecker yards in albury..

abecorn wreckers if you were chasing a dual cab..

Looked straight..

sounds like your keen on keeping it but.

just a thought

Thanks for the tip, Might chase them up and see what the go is.