I'd be inclined to just give the ute a nice tidy up ....and if you're really wanting a van, look at purchasing a van.
I'd be inclined to just give the ute a nice tidy up ....and if you're really wanting a van, look at purchasing a van.
AgreeOriginally Posted by Alien DNA
I'd be inclined to just give the ute a nice tidy up ....and if you're really wanting a van, look at purchasing a van.
100% it was born a Van and putting back to one is no big deal. This will give you greatest satisfaction and dollar return. You're far better off with a replacement turret over a replacement body for originality.
Your purchase all those years ago is a total bargain by todays standards. Good top tailgates are getting near that price today!
There is internal structure on the side vented HQ and people like your mate Byron would be all over it if spotted. Water escape channel, top breathing etc. It could all be removed.
Selling HJ 253 Engine
Engine Number QR718*** | 19M5 Clock Casting at 6 O'Clock
19th December 1975 Suit HJ Late Dec 1975 to April 1976
Really? I thought forced ventilation was only to do with the vents in the B pillars below the door catch and a different ventilation system for the fan and dash vents? I didn’t realise the roof turret was different between forced air and flow through.
Anything is possible if you have the desire and budget.
8D56D334-F7D7-40E0-A09D-FD8B42E6C5B5.jpeg
Last edited by wbute; 16-12-2018 at 05:41 PM.
It seems to be a lot of work to be going through if you are not going to keep ...
If it has been done properly into a ute ....it looks absolutely great in the photos id just leave it .
There was a fella my way with a hq that had been changed from a van into a ute that was a sandman that had been done correctly ....you would have to be really committed to put it back.
Last edited by pj350; 16-12-2018 at 06:54 PM.
There's your answer...10 years still in a shed suggests you are happy enough with the status quoI bought that turret about 10 years ago for $1000.
I'm in the "keep it as is" camp, despite loving vans...who knows what the finished product will be and what it will cost.
When I purchased my sandman back in 1992 for $5600, it didn't come with a engineer certificate so I got one and registered it as a ute ever since. The engineer said the conversion had been done properly. When they did it they were careful not to touch the rest of the body even managing to keep the original stripes as far as I know.
I have got a recent quote to fit the turret only (No painting other than undercoat - for $4,500) Seemed like a fair price to me ? The bloke seemed to know what he was doing. My main concern about having work done on the sandman is leaving it in some one else's garage. I'm paranoid about 'losing' original parts off it or just having the whole thing go stolen.
Return her back to the way she was born.
Cheers Kiwivan
It is not about the journey,It is the style we travel in!
Sound's about right as far as price goes. It's not that big of a job, a competent panel beater wouldn't even find it much of a challenge. Basically a staggered cut to the windscreen pillars and the rest sits on the original body. If you were to have the roof re-installed and painted for under 10K you are 100% on a winner. As for being paranoid, find a beater who will do it your house or shed. Get your insurance up to date and remove the easy stuff. Don't go tell the beaters about it being a rare Sandman etc. Take photos of everything in place when dropped off at his shop. Life's a risk!
Selling HJ 253 Engine
Engine Number QR718*** | 19M5 Clock Casting at 6 O'Clock
19th December 1975 Suit HJ Late Dec 1975 to April 1976
If you can get the ute back to the van the way it came from the factory for $4500 mate go for it ... but be very disappointed.
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