IslanderXJ said:
What are you going to do with the the sliding door? You sure that the leafs on the back can stand up to what most people put in pickups? Why are you doing this again? Just a general reason would clear things up.
I'm sure we'll try to help you but ...uh..., why again?
-Jackson
Great question. When I made my own Cheromanche, I heard the same thing. You HAVE to have a great roll cage to wheel it in the rocks, you NEED to have this and that type of tubing and hardware for it to be stable, and I did my chop, which has survived and served my purpose in a completed version for at least a year or longer. Cost me about $250 which BTW included the matched set of 4 bucket seat for the interior.
Ever seen a 94 Grand Caravan made in to a pickup? Neither have I. Except on paper. I have @ a dozen pictures I've chopped by hand of a 96-01 van but that was done over the course of a year or so. But I couldn't pass up the van $700. Perfect shape. Drives like a dream and gets 25+ mpg.....far better than the 13 in the Jeep. 7 passenger minivan based on the average of 155lbs per person which nets out 775 lbs(5 people)in the rear of the van. This is basically a vehicle for me to drive back and forth to work and to receive weird looks from. I LIKE it!! If I need to haul weight, I'll use the Jeep and my 5x12 trailer. Think of me as the budget, redneck, pimp my ride.
The plan is: Chop the van and bring the liftgate forward with all its functions(washer, wiper, heated glass). Shave the license plate pocket and remove the handle. Also plan on bringing 1/4 rear glasses from a regular caravan forward as well along with their power openers.
The sliding door will be welded shut, the c-pillar seam filled , along with the rear support track, and the door handle shaved.
Use the spare liftgate I have to make a fitted tailgate for the vehicle. This will be the hardest part to make it strong and flush with the bed.
After re-boxing the bed area, use leftover bedliners from work and rivit bedliner material fitted to bed.
Total cost: Van ............................................................$500
parts to repair van which I've done already done
bumper cover, grille, fender................................$200
cost of all the rest...........................................$<100
I have all the parts already plus 4 spools of wire for the welder.
I'm all set except for the exact place on where to cut to bring the best look for me.
Again, Thanks
Bill
