My MK lwb converted to utility

[Abarnes1]

Hello everyone I would like to share my long time awaiting project that me and my father started back in 2007 when i was 18.

Not sure where to begin I guess with what it looked like when i first picked it up back in 2007.

1983 series II - L28 petrol - standard everything (broken everything more likely ) with an extraction system. It was in such a bad shape that I decided to just chop it in half and make a ute out of it. So we started rebuilding anything that was broken or needed replacement. Which was just about everything except for the major running gear that being engine/gearbox/diffs.

So the big chop was done, not much to say here. To get it started we had to buy a new 2nd hand carb that sat in a wrecker for several years down Sydney way. we put that on and away she went. replaced spark plugs and leads. New battery to.

I did some practicing cutting on sheet metal before attempting this. We actually got a string and put across and drew a line on the roof around the sides worked ok. Pretty rough way of doing things i guess. :|

So since neither of us had really any experience in metal fabrication or had any bending metal machines (don't know what there called really). We used the back of the body for the corner. Oh and those edges are straight just the paint chipped off.

You will notice above part of the rear door is actually used to make the cab longer behind the b-pillars. Reason was i figured there would be no room one bucket seat went in there. Spot welded them in place. Learned how to weld to only a few days before trying any of this. That does sound crazy but I guess back then i thought i could do anything if i put my mind to it.

Alright now ive skiped a bit here because At the time if i remember i was taking these photos from a mobile phone and half of them are lost when the phone broke some time ago. I did manage to save some to the computer like ones that i have here. Anyway Here I measured and cut posts for the tray to sit on. This took some effort because at the time the stupid suspension was sagged on one side and getting levels and stuff took a bit longer.

So since losing my phone we fixed up the panels and got the windscreen replaced/new rubbers. Actually new rubber for doors to and quarter vent windows are new from japan. The rear window was later after this picture taken from a ford van side windows, one of the sliding ones. Bought some working headlights a rear view mirror, New door locks, new 2nd hand instrument panel.

We bought a big rubber thick mat and cut it up to make huge mud flaps suspended by chains, the front to got new rubber wheel arches and flaps. It got led rear lights wired up to go. The tray we made was mainly tubing similar to fence posts with aluminium grate sheets, which took ages to cut to size using a grinder and cutting disk lol.

Now the suspension was completely wreaked so we had to get the whole set new. We went 2inch lift over standard, king springs efs i think they are, and raw nitro shocks. 7leaf on the front and 5 on back. the wheels are just 31/10.5 to get it registered. I want to put larger on at some stage.

Now it wouldn't of been very good if i had left it how it was without getting brand new carpet and underlay. Went black everywhere. Foam padding and reinforced the panels to stop any bad vibration from loud music. Since i love music.

Yep i plan to do the whole thing in camo. I will take more photos of under the tray to show what it looks like. We also did make a custom under the tray wheel carrier which has the wider wheel support unlike the original.


Its a great truck until it went like it died from no fuel last week. It spent 1 week in a workshop and the mechanic replaced the dizzy, points, fuel filters, and a new carb kit. I asked what was wrong with it to make it break down. He did not really know he just replaced everything. A process of elimination. (of my wallet basically)

It returned to me not going good. In fact the mechanic told me he does not know how i managed to live with no brakes going to Sydney and back 2 times. Apparently i drove it with no brake fluid as the brake master cylinder is leaking and very low clutch fluid. Which i know both were fine the day it broke down. And the brakes hardly work at all now. But yeah that's another story in it's self.

The fact is this car now will idle ok, it sure won't start good, it takes ages to start it now so I'm guessing the guy who put the carb kit in did not re-tune it right. When i go to rev it, it dies and then comes to life every time, cold or hot does not matter. It never use to like choke on to start now it requires full choke and gass pedal planted to start. Any ideas?

[taslucas]

Nice job on the cut mate And a great write up too. Yeah everything probably needs a good tune up. Make sure all hoses are in the right places on the carby. Goodluck with it mate, hopefully someone will be along soon with a bit more specific advice.

Love the camo too!

[growler2058]

Sh1t hot mate well done, one of the MQ/MK guys wilkl sort ya out im sure

[Abarnes1]

Ah thanks guys : )

[MQ MAD]

Looks the goods, and well done ...
Just wondering did you brace the rear wall in any way ???
The fuel issue, could be dizzy out a touch, dirty fuel filter (inline or the one just inside the carb)fuel pump not right,there electric,blocked fuel line ,dirty plugs???
Procees of elimination im afraid
Start with the easiest and cheapest first,in line filter(should be at the rear near the fuel pump,or many put them in the engine bay,but check either and replace either)
Were the fuel line goes into carb, undo it there and pull the little filter out and replace it,if that gets blocked itll run like a pig
Take the plugs out, give em a clean , if there old/oldish throw em and get new ones , there not overly dear
First things id do

[Abarnes1]

Hi MQ MAD, yes the rear wall was braced with thin steel bars in a cross pattern to stop vibration and give it rigidity then an inch thick foam padding applied over the bars inside.
The roof i forgot to mention has extra strength to with bracing.

As for your suggestions thank you. Alright so it has a new inline rear fuel filter which is a clear one and i can see it is only half full all the time? Not sure if that is meant to be that way. All the fuel filters you mention are checked and clean.

I'll check some of the other things out later today. cheers.

Oh and here is couple extra photos i took this morning.

[GQ TANK]

Nice finish - what paint did you use?


I would suspect your fuel pump has died - looking at the filter. Also your fault hints at the same problem, idles ok - revs will die - lack of fuel.

hard to start - dou you have a manual or auto choke- I ended up fitting a manula choke, the truck used to start stright away when I pulled the choke out.

[Abarnes1]

The paint was from Eastlands shop, It's car acrylic matte finish with a hardener in it to if i remember.

I got a Manuel choke, The lead it's ok is kinda stiff to and needs new one. But it still pulls out and requires it all the way out to start now even in hot day. Odd cause never needed it.

I bought a new battery today 700amps, since the one in it is from 2007 lol.

[MQ MAD]

Fuel pump is easy to check, undo the fuel line somewhere,and turn the ignition on ,(ensure the fuel line its pointed away from things like point the line to the ground)
There not a massively high pressure pump,if it comes out it should be fine
The main problem with anything 30 odd years old,is there is junk in the tank,this can block lines, filters real easy
Even thou the filter can look clean it mite be ineffective
With my L28 i run 2 inline filters,and when theres an issue ,they get replaced staright away
If in doubt replace the filter/filters and buy a new fuel pump

[Abarnes1]

Well its seems to be running fine now after giving the lines and carby a clean out with carby cleaner. Just got a new master cylinder in and bleed the brakes but i took it for a test and now my oil
pressure gauge reads 0. Idk