Hardtop 109 --> ute conversion?

[ashhhhh]

Hey all,

I'm looking to convert my hardtop to a ute and get a canvas type canopy setup for the back.

I think it will be a lot more practical for what I do, plus look cooler. :cool:

How readily available are the parts to do this and what sort of cost is likely to be involved?

Cheers,
Ash

[series3]

Hi Ash,

for the cab, you will need a cab fill panel (LandRover Series 88 109 2 3 Truck Cab Spacer Panel on eBay (end time 02-Jan-10 17:36:24 GMT) (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LandRover-Series-88-109-2-3-Truck-Cab-Spacer-Panel_W0QQitemZ300382423083QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxq20 100101?IMSfp=TL100101217002r20983))

and, of course a ute cab. Ute cabs aren't too hard to come by, but the fill panels are. as for 'tarping up', you need the bows and the canvas to suit lwb single cab, and may have to get one custom made. (fairly expensive i think, but i have never personally looked into it.)

[bcj]

Dependingon year of 109 ,top seat belt mounts are required ,I think it was '78 though not sure, mines got inertia real- if yours are mounted up high will need engineer to sign off on it & blue slip. Seat belt mounts easily made from rhs or angle.Hardtop ones don't fit.
Talk to your local engineer & see what he want's- easier to compliment his idea than convince him of yours.
Parts should be easy.
If not worried about rego takes an arvo to do, I used to put my roof back on for rego:angel:
I do have a spare cab suit restoration but roof no good-PM me if interested.
Check out reinforcements on 110 cab - I always thought I would do these to my 109, but it's retired now I have a 110 c/chassis
Brett

[lro11]

My brother in law is wrecking a ute

[JDNSW]

Hi Ash,

for the cab, you will need a cab fill panel (LandRover Series 88 109 2 3 Truck Cab Spacer Panel on eBay (end time 02-Jan-10 17:36:24 GMT) (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LandRover-Series-88-109-2-3-Truck-Cab-Spacer-Panel_W0QQitemZ300382423083QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxq20 100101?IMSfp=TL100101217002r20983))

and, of course a ute cab. Ute cabs aren't too hard to come by, but the fill panels are. as for 'tarping up', you need the bows and the canvas to suit lwb single cab, and may have to get one custom made. (fairly expensive i think, but i have never personally looked into it.)

Cab fill panel is only needed for the 88.

John

[series3]

whoops!

[ashhhhh]

Excellent, thanks for the info.

So (bcj) your saying if you have inertia reel belts there is no change needed?
I do have those and the reel mounts low, behind the seats.

Thanks again, sent PM's :cool:

[JDNSW]

Excellent, thanks for the info.

So (bcj) your saying if you have inertia reel belts there is no change needed?
I do have those and the reel mounts low, behind the seats.

Thanks again, sent PM's :cool:

You still need the top mount in the cab. This is likely to be in the cab you get if it is from a fairly late Series 3.

John

[bcj]

If you have inertia reel you must fabricate top mount for cab & get certified by engineer to be legal- not many cabs have this mount as ruling came in in '78 I think- most cabs you find will be off earlier models with low mount seatbelts.
If your series3 was made pre '78 and has had inertia reel belts fitted aftermarket you may get around this-regardless , change of body shape still requires engineer to sign off on to be 100% legal.
I ran around for several years as a ute and didn't worry about this though I never had a accident- I don't think your insurance company will be to helpful if you have a accident and ute conversion not fully certified.
Brett

[Sleepy]

Interestingly my Hardtop is registered as a "Utility" in Victoria. I wonder if anyone would notice a change in configuration :angel:

Probably still pays to change the seat-belts for safety reasons.

[isuzurover]

I did this years ago. I was lucky enough to get a cab with the factory seat belt brackets. However they are not much more than a couple of pieces of angle - so would be very easy to fabricate.

I spoke to an engineer (approved officer) - and he told me that in QLD no mod plate is needed, as it is a bolt on/off mod so not covered by the mod codes in QLD. It took QLD Transport about 45 mins of discussions with their engineers and mine before they agreed though...

I am not sure what the rules are in other states.

[JDNSW]

Interestingly my Hardtop is registered as a "Utility" in Victoria. I wonder if anyone would notice a change in configuration :angel:

Probably still pays to change the seat-belts for safety reasons.

I have an ongoing argument with the NSW RTA who insist my 2a must be a dropside ute as this was the only model made in 1970! I have given up arguing with them. When it was moved from Victoria it was inspected by the RTA and they wrote out the description, not me. These are the same people who got the number of seats in the County wrong.

John