Turning a 4x4 pickup into a swb van?

[Agent Green]

Ive been pondering a solution to a short wheel based 4x4 for use in forestry. The old 90 defenders were good off road, albeit lacking in refinement, and the Jimneys are great off road, but very small for load carrying of tools. 

So it got me thinking that a 4x4 pickup (2 door) could have it's chassis shortened with the rear tub removed, and either a tray back or workshop body installed?

 

Has anyone done such a project? I'd be keen to hear any snags or problems encountered.

[Stihl123]

300tdi disco 1 with a manual.

rip out the rear seats and deck out and put heavy duty springs on the back if you need to carry that much weight 

 

got yourself a pretty capable 'workshop' that can get most places and cost you a fraction of what a pickup would by the time you've done all that work

[Bob_z_l]

20 minutes ago, Stihl123 said:

300tdi disco 1 with a manual.

rip out the rear seats and deck out and put heavy duty springs on the back if you need to carry that much weight 

 

got yourself a pretty capable 'workshop' that can get most places and cost you a fraction of what a pickup would by the time you've done all that work

Plus 3500kg tow. Not many pickups can do that.  Plus no frigging the insurance with a "modified" truck. Plus spares and no unusual bespoke parts....

[Joe Newton]

https://www.parkers.co.uk/vans-pickups/news/2021/yomper-4x4-jimny-utility-pickup-conversions/

[doobin]

Shogun commercial. 3.5t towing, van body, extremely short.

[LGP Eddie]

Be some tool this with a nice tray back setup, and I’ll go first with the “it’ll be easier to carry a spare engine!” jibe!😀

 

 

 

 

[LGP Eddie]

1 hour ago, Stihl123 said:

300tdi disco 1 with a manual.

rip out the rear seats and deck out and put heavy duty springs on the back if you need to carry that much weight 

 

got yourself a pretty capable 'workshop' that can get most places and cost you a fraction of what a pickup would by the time you've done all that work

You could possibly still drop on a half tidy commercial version, they were very popular in their day and a real handy truck.

[Stihl123]

37 minutes ago, LGP Eddie said:

Be some tool this with a nice tray back setup, and I’ll go first with the “it’ll be easier to carry a spare engine!” jibe!😀

 

 

 

 

posting a pic of anything with that dreadful 2.7 is a serious sin Edd. i'd be careful 

[LGP Eddie]

9 minutes ago, Stihl123 said:

posting a pic of anything with that dreadful 2.7 is a serious sin Edd. i'd be careful 

These babies in all variants keep my Nephew and his family in a comfortable way I can tell you!

 

4 ramps in his place and generally 2 with bodies off every time you walk in!

 

Absolutely beautiful to drive, fantastic tow motors, but you need 12k spare at all times for the inevitable!🤦‍♂️

[Matthew Storrs]

4 hours ago, doobin said:

Shogun commercial. 3.5t towing, van body, extremely short.

I think the swb versions are only 3 ton whereas Lwb are 3.5t. they tow flippin well (should do with the 3.2) but I've had issues with mine- limp mode etc. Been to Garage several times, but can't seem to get to the bottom of it. Im a big fan of the stripped out 300tdi disco myself. Cheap to buy, comfortable, cheap and easy to fix and mines been super reliable in the 3 years I've had mine. Finding a rust free example is going to be the hard bit though.