Andy's New Ute

[Cervantes]

Just a quick post to show off my new (to me) ute.

2001 GU Extra Cab TD42T.

It's an extended cab chassis rather than a cut down wagon and so has coil front and leaf rear.

The photo is as bought, with Bull Bar; Warne Winch; Side Steps and Toolboxes. I added the roof racks and have just installed a rear view camera.

My wife kindly cleaned it and brought it back from a dusty rusty off white colour, to something more closely resembling the original white.

Still a lot of work to do. But am not in a hurry. Will potter away and get there in the end.

Cheers

[happygu]

Love the concept of an extra cab .... will be very handy. Hope you get great service out of it.

Looks pretty clean too.

Mic

[Gu777]

Nice looking ute mate

[Drewboyaus]

Looks nice mate....very tidy.

[Clunk]

Liking that very much, there's just not enough room in a normal cab...... Well not for me anyway

[Cervantes]

Thanks guys.

She's done 375,000 kilometres, so getting on a little, but drives well.

The gearbox has been reconditioned recently, so that's all good and apparently fitted with an upgraded fifth gear. It was that that went.

Ultimately I'd like to re-work the canopy, give her a two inch lift and stick some 33's under her, and maybe diff-locks of some description.

But all slowly and as I can afford it.

I'll post as I make any changes.

First off are some reversing sensors to compliment the rear view camera that I have already fitted.

Cheers

[threedogs]

any plans for coils in the rear or happy as is.
Is it a fibreglass extension?? very handy space
and as you said different than a cut down wagon
Can get extra leg room now eh.

[Cervantes]

Threedogs,

Thanks for the interest.

I don't think that I'll bother with coils in the rear. Having come from an HJ75 with very heavy leaf springs all around, the leaf/coil GU is like a limo in comparison. I also plan to add a drawer system and a few other bits and pieces to the tray, so the extra weight should make sure that the leaf springs behave.

I will be looking at a 2" lift at some point though. Nothing radical, but would like to run 33's and get a little bit extra ground clearance.

The extension is all steel and was apparently done pretty well from new.

Not a lot of extra leg room as behind the drivers seat is a raised section over one of the fuel tanks but I'm 180cm and don't have the seat right the way back for driving anyway.

Behind the passenger seat is a tool box that could be removed to give the wife a bit more legroom, but I have plans to install a compressor there, so I haven't mentioned the extra leg room opportunity and as she hasn't complained, the box will stay.

The extra space in the back will be used for the dogs, and probably a small fridge.

Cheers

[megatexture]

Nice one! How's the overhang off the rear ?

[threedogs]

Know the feeling from, 400k in a 75s troopy to the GU , as you say like a limo.
I take it you still run the full length tray.??

[Cervantes]

Gents,

The tray is apparently 2200 long (I haven't measured it) so 200mm shorter than standard.

The chassis is standard length, so I'd guess that as the cab extension is about 300mm, then there is about 100mm more overhang than a standard ute.

I'll take some pictures of the rear end next time home (I'm working FIFO) and post.

The overhang doesn't seem excessive and the departure angle should be adequate for the sort of four wheeling that I do. Nothing hardcore, but lots of beach work to get to fishing spots, boat launching duties and occasional touring.

I've just notice that the water tank behind the rear wheel on the driver's side could hang up and affect the departure angle. Will have to have a look at this and consider installing a poly tank either tucked up under or on the tray. I have one stashed in the shed, so should be a cheap fix.

Cheers

[MudRunnerTD]

Looks near mate, look forward to some close up pics of that cab extension inside and out.

Looks good