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PATROL CONVERSION - from Wagon to Ute

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Stretched and Uted

Ron reports on the conversion to our GU Patrol from wagon to ute.

It’s a great option for a second hand or used wagon, I reckon. I mean who would want to chop up a brand new wagon and make it into a ute – who could afford it you may also ask? I let my GU Patrol clock up a few miles and it was three years old when I decided I could do the dastly deed!

I had always wanted a ute, but she-who-is-to-be-obeyed wouldn’t have a bar of any of those no-storage-space, single cab configurations and I didn’t like the smaller 1-tonne rigs available, while the big Ford F250 was out off the range of my wallet.

Of course, there were some serious advantages to modifying the Patrol with most of the options I had already fitted to it being able to stay on the vehicle. Secondly, I could modify the vehicle to whatever I had in mind, while lastly … and not unimportantly … I knew the Patrol would be a tough and reliable performer, whatever I chose to do.

I started my search in Perth a few months ago where a number of companies modify both Land Cruisers and Patrols for the thriving mining industry and for the state’s sprawling pastoral businesses.

Back closer to home in the suburbs of Melbourne I went on the prowl looking for some hint of a vehicle customiser who knew what I wanted, had the runs on the board as far as experience with such a mod was concerned and who could deliver in a given time frame. I came away very disappointed!

My eyes turned north to sunny Queensland where there is a healthy choice of businesses modifying Patrol and Cruiser wagons into all forms of utes and tray backs. I liked what I saw and before long committed my dollars, the Patrol being sent away on transporter for the trip north.

 

The brief to Creative Conversions, my chosen modifier, was simple enough. Cut and stretch the chassis 500 - 600mm, cut the back off the wagon at the C-pillar and put an alloy tray on the back.

                  

 

 

 

 

 

We then got a bit carried away and added a few options such as a 60-litre water tank under the tray and two alloy toolboxes. Then a full alloy canopy with lift-up mesh sides were added and then to finish off the whole deal, I wanted the whole lot painted the same original colour as the vehicle and while they were at, they could paint the Patrol from front to rear as well. Yeah, we got a bit enthused by it all, but the results were well worth it, I reckon.

For their part, Creative Conversions have been doing a range of mods to mainly Cruiser and Patrol wagons for ages, having started of as a crash repairer and spray painter, but have done nothing else for the last nine or so years but 4WD wagon modifications. And the range of modified wagons they produce is as wide as the imagination and desires of their hundreds of customers.

For example when we picked up our finished Patrol, there were six vehicles in varying stages of being modified. One Patrol was being made into a dual cab, having an 800mm chassis extension with a tray and an in-built heavy-duty, fifth-wheel tow coupling; two Cruisers for a well known hire company were simply having their backs cut off with a short tray fitted; another 100 Series and a GU Patrol were being cut with a chassis extension of 500mm with a standard steel tray fitted to both; another Patrol was being cut into a dual-cab, having a 350mm chassis extension, a lazy axle with air-bag suspension being fitted to both rear axles, the rear chassis being extended to take a 2.5-metre tray and a GVM upgrade to 4.8 tonnes.

But it is the attention to detail and the fine work that is attracting people from all over Australia to Creative Conversion’s workshop in the northern suburbs of Brisbane.

The chassis cut is arguably the most important aspect of the mod and there is no skimping on the details. In fact, I’d hazard a guess and say that the final product from Creative is probably stronger than the original.

The wheelbase extension is achieved by cutting the chassis in the area below the rear seat position, forward of any existing suspension mounting points. By using this method they are able to move the entire rear suspension and pick up points back as one.

As far as the chassis goes, most of which are formed by two channels welded to form a box section, Creative first cut the chassis then add a new section of inner channel, according to the amount of extension needed, then a new section of outer channel is then welded in place to overlap the ends of the original inner piece. To finish the job an angled fische-plate (or plates depending on the length of extension) is then welded over the entire joint area, extending beyond each end to form the final structure.

Nearly everything else remains standard including fuel tank, mounts, suspension, towbars, etc. The original exhaust pipe gets lengthened while the handbrake cable is extended by adding a new one-piece inner cable. The initial tail-shaft is used in combination with a centre bearing and lay shaft to gain the extra length required.

All wiring and brake lines are lengthen and extended, with most of the cable joining and junction work ended up tucked in behind the kick-board, inside the cab, on the very back wall. You’d be surprised at how much cabling there is too – especially on the latest 100 Series Cruisers.

Adding a great touch is what Creative do with what was the wheel arch of the wagon body. With a bit of deft metal work they turn these into two, smart looking and handy toolboxes.

A standard steel tray is then fitted to the back of the wagon – the size really depending on the length of the chassis extension and how much overhang the owner can live with. I wanted to go as light weight as possible, so opted for an alloy tray and not wanting the tray to overhang the rear of the chassis or a towball by too much, kept the tray length to 1.85 metres.

The tray is 1.95metres wide while there’s space for two spare tyres in the canopy, carried mid-ship, which maybe a bit of a pain to get to but they are in the right place as far as weight distribution is concerned.

The all-alloy canopy was a work of art, being built by EDS Fabrications, Creative’s normal supplier of alloy canopies.

Now such a mod and the great work it entails, doesn’t come cheap. A wagon converted to a dual cab including a steel tray with a chassis extension of basically any length, costs from around $11,915. An all-alloy canopy like mine will set you back over $5500 while toolboxes and a watertank will add $995 and $295 respectively.

For the final accolade of Creative Conversion’s work we’ll go to the report on the Vic Roads Engineering Certificate, inspected and written by Enkelman Consulting Engineers. It stated in part: ‘This is a well-proven design; the workmanship is most professional’.

 

 

While the ‘new’ stretched Patrol makes for a fine touring and towing machine there is a price to pay. For starters the turning circle is larger while the ramp-over angle is less. The turning circle adds another dimension in city carparks while the difference in ramp-over angle has decreased the 4WD ability and agility slightly when in tough offroad conditions. A small price I’ve got to say.

For more information on Creative Conversions and the range of modifications they can do, pricing, etc, ph: (07) 3881 0577 or check the web at: www.creativeconversions.com.au.

 

See you in the bush.

 

Ron and Viv.

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