Pick up

S

Spaceranger

New Member
Hi people
I'm new here and this is my first posting. I am rather excited to have just bought a dodge space van. It seems pretty robust, the chassis looks to have been completely restored. The rest of the panels are pretty good except for some small rust holes in the floor around the pedals and some starting to show in the bottom of the doors so I feel it's a good project. It was originally a camper but is now 'naked' just a backless cab and the flat bed. I am planning on turning it into a pick up. I plan to replace the rear of the cab with marine ply and using fibreglass to seal it in. Is there any reason this cannot be done? I figured the chances of getting a replacement panel are pretty blummin slim! I am used to working on boats so I am confident that I can get it watertight etc. I am curious about safety and mot's etc but it has to be more robust than the fibreglass shed that was originally mounted there. Any help, observations, pictures etc would be great fully received!!!!!
 
Hi Ranger and welcome to the Madhouse:D
Interesting project, was it the one on Ebay a little while back? There's no reason why you cant block the rear of the cab off as you suggest, if fixed properly it will give great rigidity, but do ensure the inner cills are intact all round as these are the main structural members of the chassis. Which pick-up design are you going for? there where a few - the drop sided wooden variety, the steel sided builders truck and, nicest of all, the canopy pick-up. Obviously the last two would involve a lot more work but which ever you choose you will end up with a cool ride and a useful tool.
Good luck and let's see some pics:)
 
I think it will probably end up with drop sides. It's going for a 'rat rod' look although I'm not keen on that term. Using a Matt black paint will give it a supermean look but more importantly it will give it a quick and easy protective coating from the elements and be easy to touch up again. I think it will contrast nicely with a varnished wooden bed. I may even run to painting the wheels red and putting some white walls on in the future. We shall see, it's a long way off.
 
Sounds good, for that style it would look even better if you loose the big plastic grille and bumper and fashion something simpler:cool:
 
I've spent a bit of time looking at my purchase today, good and bad all around. It was running when parked up 6 months ago but the last owner 'borrowed' the battery. Clutch master cylinder has gone but new clutch seals come with the van. Wheels roll freely. Hand brake brakes! Brakes appear to have pressure and appear to work. Front valance is missing and a puzzle working out how to install the pipe to the petrol tank. Underneath looks good and solid!
 
Concentrate on the positives;)
The filler would have been attached to the bodywork of the camper but as you've no bodywork that could be a problem. I guess you will need to make something for the pick-up sides to fix to on the rear corners so that seems the place for the fuel filler.
 
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