Modified rear bulkhead/transom - rego issues in NSW?

[oneten]

Hi all,

Currently looking at a 2a 109, and the rear bulkhead behind the seats (also seen it referred to as a transom) has been cut down to the seat base height / floor of the load area. It has been capped and generally doesn't look too bodgey, though has no extra reinforcement added. I like the idea, but has been done lower than I would have preferred, would rather have gone halfway down to where the bend is, good trade off between ingress/egress, stopping loads from flying through into the cabin, and I imagine it would help stopping water from sloshing through (the vehicle doesn't have a roof/canvas over the cargo area at the moment). That said I am sure the dog will like it at floor level and quickly claim it.

So the question is, is it still structurally sound, and can I expect some grief when I go to get it registered?

Thanks

[bemm52]

Could you post a photo?

Cheers Paul

[JDNSW]

In my view, unlikely to be rego problems by itself - the inspector is unlikely to realise it wasn't built like that. But the seat back relies on this bulkhead, so presumably it does not have original seats? These are much more likely to attract attention, and any change is likely to raise eyebrows - the originals don't meet current standards, but the inspector is likely to expect that any changes do.

Structurally, I would worry about how rigid it leaves the door closure - the strength of the support to the door post is very dependent on this bulkhead, although the effect on this depends on how it has been cut.

[oneten]

Could you post a photo?

Cheers Paul

Hi Paul/JDNSW,

What do you think?

Yes, was thinking it might need reinforcement later on, although in a older thread someone mentioned that the 4 door vehicles don't have this bulkhead there anyway.

[JDNSW]

Structurally that may be OK, as far as I can see provided the framing on the cut bits is sufficiently rigid. The issue will be whether they can withstand the driver pushing full strenth on the brake using the seat back as a brace without flexing. - and they look like original seats. If it withstands this test I think it should be OK, but the inspector may query it. It definitely would be only two seats, which may require placarding, and input from an engineer.

The four door vehicles do not have this bulkhead, but they have a very substantial steel pipe cross bar instead!

[Cap]

Hi Paul/JDNSW,

What do you think?

Yes, was thinking it might need reinforcement later on, although in a older thread someone mentioned that the 4 door vehicles don't have this bulkhead there anyway.

I like that idea! Perhaps as a camper conversion its great as you have access to the back easily. If you put some kind of door there following the profile then it would help with cargo... that and perhaps a screen mesh (like cargo barrier) behind driver and passenger.

[Johnno_p]

My S2 is a Carawagon and it doesn’t have any bulkhead there at all. It would’ve had a half height wooden panel when originally converted but has since been removed. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190503/2b1dc91e2cb1d080fbc9b3b34182c88b.jpg

There is a lot of flex where the upper and lower sides meet

[oneten]

You know, I ended up passing on that vehicle, mostly because of the cut bulkhead and possible problems getting it through a blue slip because of it.

Then I found this, couldn't pass it up, even though it has the same issue... :)

https://i.postimg.cc/JGBJVprL/6.jpg (https://postimg.cc/JGBJVprL)

oneten's 2a 2 door 109 - former mobile repair vehicle (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/members-rides/271091-onetens-2a-2-door-109-former-mobile-repair-vehicle.html)

[JDNSW]

I wonder if that other one also had a welder or generator or compressor mounted there?

[oneten]

I don't think so as the seat base was intact, whereas on my one the seat base has been cut open to let the v belts for the PTO through.

I think the green one was used as a shooting vehicle, it had holes in the shortened, cab length roof for a spotlight, so the cut out in the bulkhead was prob to allow a someone to get into the rear quickly, and/or shoot off the top of the roof using it as a support.