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Hi,
I am deliberately not going to call it a ute, have been investigating taking a donor 79 series forester (2006/2007) and removing the roof rom the C pillar back. This would leave the rear doors in tact (rear seats removed) but see the tailgate and side windows gone to leave a partially un covered 'tray'.

I have found a certified engineer that thinks this will be a simple process to get approved as the A,B & C pillars will be left in tact so flex in the body will not be a big problem.

Has anyone see something like this done before in Australia? I still have my brumby but crave for some creature comforts like a motor that does not burn oil or sound like a box of nuts in a tin can when trying to drive up a hill.

Peter in S.A

There was the SH Forester Ski patrol / mountain rescue concept in 2008/2009. See e.g.

Motor1 article

Google image search for "forester SH mountain rescue concept"

That's all I can think of and it wasn't in Oz.

You will have to find something to weld in as the rear cab window section.

I'd look at grafting the rear tailgate onto the C pillars, but as a non-opening panel.

Hello L-rex,
had thought of using the existing tailgate but it has a bend in it and that seemed to be a hassle to work with so had gone through the junk yard to measure up other utes. The older Toyota Hilux single cab seemed to have a rear cabin panel and window that might be closer to the mark size wise or the same era Holden Rodeo so I think I have a few choices there, then I get to use a common window style and window rubber should I ned to change it.

Peter.

Paul who used to run Subareck here in Adelaide has a professionally done Forrester ute, about the same vintage as what you are looking at. Don't bother asking him to sell it, there's no way he will He's on bookface, if you happened to buy anything off him you might be able to see it.

I didn't get a good look around it, but he mentioned they only seriously reinforced the floor at the rear so they could hinge the tailgate downwards like a Brumby.

Interesting.

So you’re saying it’ll remain a 4 door?

Could you do something like the style of the mid ‘90s Maloo Ute and keep the C pillar like a stylised sports bar?

I’ll be interested to see where this ends up - and I’d love to see pics!

Also consider having the gmv upgraded so you can actually carry a load in it

Cheers

Bennie

Hello Bennie,
while the four doors will remain in the shell, the rear ones will become fixed in place (welded) if I can swing that through the approval, otherwise just closed with a few tech screws to make sure LOL. I would like to remove the window glass from the rear doors and if needed put in a partial plate across the empty window space to allow me to affix the new rear of the cab about 300 mm behind the front seats so I have a small amount of storage behind the seats for tools and a skinny esky

The only real difficulty I see is if they (rego dept) get narky about air bags but I think that year only has front air bags so it is not like I am removing any passenger safety devices.

How to do the tailgate is still not clear to me, initially it may just be some marine ply on hinges until I get the lightning bolt of idea.

I had been pestering Paul about his rumoured run of Forester utes but his last message a few months ago hinted that would no longer happen, guess it is up to me to make my own bit of heaven.

I saw one on Facebook that was almost done that was being approved apparently. I can’t remember if it was an SG or SH. Looked good.

I’m looking forward to pics of your build.

Cheers

Bennie

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3836939/1 ... -forester/

sg9_offroad on instagram has been converting a foz to a ute and it looks pretty great.