FTO AUSTRALIA

Supplanter wrote:Don't forget the "Real Aussies drive utes" sticker

Lol I hate that sticker.

This is a good project cos you're doing something different and it'll be truly unique. Personally though, I will never ever see utes as anything other than a necessary vehicle for work which I wouldn't want to be seen driving around in. I will never ever be able to understand people out there that think utes look good, some bogans go as far as lowering and putting rims on it (you know, those flat back utes you see)

I'm not giving sh*t to your project, it's great to do something like this and be truly unique (i know i'm repeating myself) was just talking about normal utes in general.

nice work doing something original mate..

not exactly my cup of tea .. actually, it almost brings a tear to my eye seeing an FTO being turned into a *gasP* ute .. but each to their own..

will be interesting to see it take shape anyways..

OK,

heres the progress from today. The tailgate was rather fiddly. Am going to have to destroy the other rear bar to get rid of the gap as ive cut the plastic too far in, but you get the idea. Tray folds down nicely and swings back up into place nicely.




Didnt get any more work done on the cage today in the end. Did start to lay a floor though (one strip). Im going to make a platform to lay the checkerplate on. But more progress will have to wait for next weekend.

You sir are a nutter...

To say I have never thought of the idea would be a blatant lie, but you have far more testicular fortitude than I. I could never cut my baby up like that

Loving the progress mate, good luck

FTEvolution wrote: I could never cut my baby up like that

I don't think he would if he only had 1, but he has 8-10 =P

I've never thought to do a ute back, but have surely thought of doing a cabrio.
Meanwhile, would never do it with an import.
Maybe a local car as easier for parts.

Love this project, can't wait to see it in the flesh.

I could never cut my baby up like that

I would never do this to my daily driver. Not in a million years. Admittedly, this ones is white as well, but its not the version R, its a GPX tip. It was a repairable writeoff which wasnt as damaged as anyone thought. Was hit in front and back. The front was an easy fix - just replace panels and lights. The back was a little bent, but as I was chopping out the rear beaver panel anyway, it didnt matter. Just used the beaver panel out of another white wreck I had that didnt have a damaged rear.

I can see this project coming out real nicely... People have chopped up silvia's and turned them into utes, so this will definitiy work and look sexier. Are you planning on having a handle for the tailgate?

very inteesing indeed as so i've got heeps of questions.

1/ what material are you using for the roll cage?
2/ are you going to put a cover for the back? Like the hsv utes?
3/ how are you doing the rear window? And housing for it?

dstocks wrote: beaver

Hehehehe ... You said Beaver ... Yes i know .. Grow up ..

I am really loving this ute though mate ... Your skills never cease to amaze me .. I hope with everyone down there in April, we all might be able to participate on creating this unique beast ...

havent got an issue with people that want to lend a hand....

dstocks wrote:havent got an issue with people that want to lend a hand....

two hands up pick me pick me

rock_it wrote:

dstocks wrote: beaver

Hehehehe ... You said Beaver ... Yes i know .. Grow up ..

Either that or you're high!!

Edit:

^^^ LOL

1/ what material are you using for the roll cage?
2/ are you going to put a cover for the back? Like the hsv utes?
3/ how are you doing the rear window? And housing for it?

guess I should try and answer these

As for rollcage, I have some metal lying around. Most of the cage will be internal (inside the covers), so it wont be visible once finished. Im using a rectangular RHS for the framework behind the seats. Most of this will be hidden behind the panels.

I hadnt thought of putting a cover on the back. If I was to do that, id make it from fibreglass. Not sure that there is any benefit in that atm though as this will only be floating around the block and there is not much need for a cover.

As to the rear window beading, I havnet come to a landing on that yet. Cant decide if ill just cut the join back a bit and cover it with door bead, glass a section into it or bog it. Thats one of those fiddly bits to get done at the end though. Have to get it functional first.

Hey D, I wouldn't worry about the cover and window etc (I am assuming this car isn't for the road any more, other wise ignore what I say)

If it works out nicely, turn it into a dedicated show car, no need to be road registered then and just go nuts

There was an R32 coupe here that won many awards at Autosalon as it had been converted to a ute with mean paint job.

Yep, thats the general direction im heading

Looks sweet dstocks

dstocks wrote: As to the rear window beading, I havnet come to a landing on that yet. Cant decide if ill just cut the join back a bit and cover it with door bead, glass a section into it or bog it. Thats one of those fiddly bits to get done at the end though. Have to get it functional first.

You know what ... If I were doing this project, I would put in like a limo rear window.. That way you can roll it down ... If you are pretty handy with chopping, you could also make like a targa top style roof (Like the Nisan Exa), and you would basically have a convertable too ... But without loosing the structural integrity of of the roof...

an Aero top!!!
like the supra

Now THAT would be awesome!