Hello,
IN between other projects namely a mini 850 that hates me, I decided to brush up a bit on my welding skills, and what better way to do this than turn a van (which is beyond saving as a van) into a ute.

The big question is just what and where do I need to reinforce in peoples opinoin, or from people who have done them before.

I was thinking the following
Rails around the top of the sides braced to the wheel wells
Thick back panel with a bit of bracing and maybe a few guessets here and there.

I did a seach but aside from convincing myself it needs to be motivated by a toyota motor, I couldt find much information about it at all.

I will do a search and work out how to post some pictures and put a few of the progress to date up.
Chris

I think Betty on here has got a friend who has just made a ute out of an old van. Maybe do a search and it might come up. good luck with it, it will be great to see your progress.
Put where your from too in your avatar and someone close to you may be able to help.
Enjoy Ausmini! we're all a friendly bunch

I had a search through, and I did find the pictures of the mini done by Betty's friend, but there didnt seem to be much if any information on it.

As it stands I wanted to use the van rear pillars and back part of the roof to make it more rounded, however at 6'7ish or a tad over, I ended up having to go for maximum cab height. The plan is to use A ute, probably datsun 1000 or 520 rear window (depending on what the wrecker has lying around)

Ignore the fact that its sitting outside, that will change at some point, as soon as I get round to putting the front subframe from another 850 wreck into it so I can wheel it round, my back is not made for carrying .

I think it has potential, the front end you can see sitting on the ground will become a steel flip front, because the previous front was damaged beyond economical repair. That and I had a lot of angle grinder rage because I still cant get the stupid other mini right in the clutch department.

Here is my attempt at posting pictures





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Ignore the fibreglass mould thats for a giant spoiler (to suit some toyota crap, but I will resist the urge to put it on the mini ute)
Chris

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I can only please one person per day,
Today is not your day,
Tomorrow is not looking good either.

[img=http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/8730/shrunkmini36by.th.jpg]


Still trying if not I give up

_________________
I can only please one person per day,
Today is not your day,
Tomorrow is not looking good either.

Like this:

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Too many cars, and too little time.

Will watch you project with interest.
The guy I just bought my Countryman from is making a ute too
- will try and get some pics when I go around there next month

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Too many cars, and too little time.

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[quote="CJ_DT"]

Hmmmmm utes can end up with very limited leg and head room....a King Cab might be more suitable for you CJ_DT

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"Show me the Mini!"

Here's the secret - php script doesn't work in the IMG
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Too many cars, and too little time.

Thanks for the link to the other ute, that back end looks awesome, however doing it like that requires a heap more skill (and has a big weld in the centre of an unsupported roof) and loses 3-4inches of head clearance right where I need it.

I shall endeavour to put up a few pictures each time I do some work on it to keep you posted on how its going.

Also keen on any opinions on whether or not to refit the roof vent, in its original location it was in the way, but was carefully removed so it can be resited if the need arises?

As for the rear lights, I was thiking along the lines of simple lucas style dome lamps like the front indicators, on for brake/sidelight and one for indicator, but once again I am open to all options.

Chris

_________________
I can only please one person per day,
Today is not your day,
Tomorrow is not looking good either.

The simple tail lights sound great, and in keeping with the simple theme I'd vote to lose the roof vent

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Too many cars, and too little time.

If that works thankyou for the explanation awdmoke, because if I couldnt get it to work, I was going to go get the little kid from next door to come do it for me. Damn technology.

I think, and this is a big I think that I will fit in it with a little half bucked mounted right back and way low (similar location to my seat in the 850) But jeez is it a bastard to get out of a car when your seat is back that far behind the door and that low. Even worse is the passenger seat is set in the same position, which leads to the concern of female passengers who are tying to get out in a skirt with grace and without showing the world what they had for breakfast.
Chris

_________________
I can only please one person per day,
Today is not your day,
Tomorrow is not looking good either.

One tip from my experience would be to consult an engineer as soon as you have decided on how you are going to reinforce it. Put it in writing/drawings/pics and go & get his input before you get too far along.

Oh, and pick an engineer who will still be in the game 3 years down the track

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Too many cars, and too little time.

Engineer whats that, I was just going to bolt the plates back on and go . I already rang the RTA and they are supposed to be supplying me with a list of approved engineers and from there I am going to try and find one that is a bit sympathetic to my cause.

I have this inkling feeling that engineers in SA do not like flip fronts on cars, nor do they like engine conversions, I will had to hire the motorsport park for half a day to do stopping and lane change tests etc if I upgrade the motor. Might be able to avoid it by staying small and non turbo, but wait and see. Its a long way from even thinking about a motor at the moment.

3 Years, I trust thats the inital estimate so we can at least double that time. Nothing ever goes as fast as you want it to.
Chris

_________________
I can only please one person per day,
Today is not your day,
Tomorrow is not looking good either.

are you gonna see if you can get the back of the payload vertical? you can always pick a cut down van by the way the back slopes forward

looks like a nice job so far