austin 6cwt van converted to pickup

[sean01597]

hi,

I have a austin 6cwt van converted to a flat back pickup. it has a marina engine and gearbox, mk3 escort disks. various other minor mods . it is in poor condition and i want to restore it. i am thinking to buy a new chassis and transfer stuff over, replacing where required and servicing and restoring if i can.
i would like to fit a 5 speed gear box for better economy, electronic ignition, alloy wheels, so need to think about gathering those parts.

can anyone give me some advice about this? i plan to start end of november.

first of all which chassis should i buy and from where ?

sean

[sean01597]

would i get any answers if i posted in a different forum?

[philthehill]

As regards the chassis:-
Doing a quick search of the major suppliers I cannot find a full van/pickup chassis listed. That does not mean that they are not available.
I would suggest that you 'e' mail the major suppliers and see what their response is.

Until you have sourced a replacement chassis I personally would do nothing about the rest of your proposals.

Here is one for sale on 'e' bay but you would have to satisfy yourself that it is sound and what you want.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Morris-Minor ... SwtM1bo44B

[palacebear]

Just spotted this post. I believe van and pickup chassis are the same, but to satisfy yourself I suggest you double-check with one of the usual suppliers. ESM stock replacement chassis so maybe give them a call...?

http://www.morrisminorspares.com/body-i ... ed-p829236

[philthehill]

palacebear

Well done for finding the chassis listing.
Unless the hyphenated 'Pick-Up' is used the item is shown as 'Not Found' using the ESM parts list search box.
That may be the same for other main suppliers.
Phil

[les]

There is someone making an lvc chassis, or at least they were, see link.
Regarding other forums you ask about try the lcv register, not as active as here but dedicated to vans and pickups.
If you like it as a flat bed, fair enough but the correct side panels etc, make for a nicer looking machine and remove that 'scrap merchant'. appearance, in my opinion, of course
http://www.unseenprojects.com/unseenpro ... assis.html

[midget]

Yes they certainly are available from Esm. I bought one earlier for my restoration project. Very well made by "Future Projects" in Dorset.
Excellent product, but as with most things worth having these days, is not cheap.
They do have a galvanised version too, which in hind sight I wish I had chosen. He will (at extra cost) build a lengthened version in order to use a traveller cab for extra leg room.
Highly recommended.

[sean01597]

hi,

thanks for the help.

i will do lots of measuring and contact the supplier to see which chassis is correct.

i will also have a look at what advantages a longer chassis would give me.

i like the idea of a wooden back rather than the traditional metal one. mine was done in cheap wood and painted black, but i would like to make a new back and sides of varnished wood.