VE one tonner

[ajs]

I have been thinking about up grading my VZ one tonner and would realy like another V8, but nothing is available. Has any one see or heard of someone builing a VE one tonner from a ute or know if it can be done and where to find a donor car preferably a SSV, the problem would be to find one hit from behind but still a repairable wright off.
Any info on this conversion would be welcome as Im seroursly thinking about making my own VE one tonner.
The plan would be to get the rear ended SSV ute, a VZ one tonner rear chassis and tray back then get an authourised repairer to build it.
Also any info on the best places to look for the donor car.
cheers Allan

[ajs]

No ones got any idears. I know the earlier VR/VS utes have been converted to one tonners so I assume that a VE ute could be converted aswell. I have started looking at the auction for the donor car, havnt found anything yet, early days

[SS317]

Sounds like a big job mate good luck with it

[HOTSV8]

I didn't think repairable write offs were able to be registered again in NSW ?? Since about January ?

[brae]

Sounds like a great concept, but wouldn't it need a full chasis rather than the uni body cars now have? I don't believe you could weld a vz tonner (full chasis) rear onto a ve (uni body)...

[IJ.]

Sounds like a great concept, but wouldn't it need a full chasis rather than the uni body cars now have? I don't believe you could weld a vz tonner (full chasis) rear onto a ve (uni body)...

Front half of a VZ Tonner is unitbody construction, it's NOT a full chassis car like a HQ/X tonner was.

[VL Executive]

Correct, The VY - VZ Tonner did not have a full chassis. Only a half chassis that bolts to the cab / front half

Holden chassis frame has additional reinforcement beams and webbing that allow a robust separate frame structure to be bolted into place.

The heavy duty torque arm system has two vertical uprights at the front of the chassis frame which bolt to the back of the cab. Each is bolted top and bottom and stabilised to make an extremely rigid connection

http://www.hrt433.com/images/holden/vy/onetonner5.jpg

Source - www.hrt433.com

There was a place that made Commodore's into one tonners called the "New one tonner company" But I dont think they still operate. They were in Boolaroo NSW. Holden's idea was basically from new one tonner and I think they bought them out, or stopped them building them when Holden started production of the VY Tonner.

[VL Executive]

Here is an article about the New One Tonner Co

http://autospeed.com/cms/title_The-New-One-Tonner (http://autospeed.com/cms/title_The-New-One-Tonner/A_1394/article.html)

[IJ.]

When I first started looking at Cross6 Tonners I came across a few reports of them breaking their backbone after being loaded with a Tonne and taken off road.... :(

Very interesting post thanks VL Exec!

To the OP: I think if you go ahead it'll be a unique and interesting vehicle!

[blu ute]

Here is an article about the New One Tonner Co

http://autospeed.com/cms/title_The-New-One-Tonner (http://autospeed.com/cms/title_The-New-One-Tonner/A_1394/article.html)

Great read :goodjob:

[planetdavo]

What about "reimagining" your VZ Tonner?
Stroker engine, different front, custom interior etc...

[Micks]

I have been thinking about up grading my VZ one tonner and would realy like another V8, but nothing is available. Has any one see or heard of someone builing a VE one tonner from a ute or know if it can be done and where to find a donor car preferably a SSV, the problem would be to find one hit from behind but still a repairable wright off.
Any info on this conversion would be welcome as Im seroursly thinking about making my own VE one tonner.
The plan would be to get the rear ended SSV ute, a VZ one tonner rear chassis and tray back then get an authourised repairer to build it.
Also any info on the best places to look for the donor car.
cheers Allan

I'm all for this too, cause atm it's either upgrade to a shitty VE ute or spend some dollars on the Tonner! eg. Paint job & stroker.
Holden needs to think like the opposition do & build an Aussie Tonner!
Great thread.

Cheers
VYT

[planetdavo]

I'm all for this too.
Holden needs to think like the opposition do & build an Aussie Tonner!
Great thread.

Cheers
VYT

Unfortunately for Holden, they did think like the opposition when creating the Tonner.
The Tonner was a sales failure. Crewman did ok though, but it was a serious compromise in the back seat.
The regular ute, however, has been a good seller to the recreational tradie market, which traditionally they are more than happy to spend extra money on the good looking, higher level options, whereas many complain about the Falcon cab/chassis design leading to ugly side on looks.

[Micks]

Unfortunately for Holden, they did think like the opposition when creating the Tonner.
The Tonner was a sales failure. Crewman did ok though, but it was a serious compromise in the back seat.
The regular ute, however, has been a good seller to the recreational tradie market, which traditionally they are more than happy to spend extra money on the good looking, higher level options, whereas many complain about the Falcon cab/chassis design leading to ugly side on looks.

Maybe, I don't mind the look of the later Ford Tonners as much better than their previous ones! Who knows an Ls conversion could be the way to go :idea::shock:

Cheers
VYT

[hallyoz]

If a trayback is essential, why not look at an FG GS, with the styleside removed and a tray installed?

[brae]

Well, you learn something new everyday!

I seen the chasis from rear and assumed it went straight through.

It would be possible to do then by looking at that picture, I don't think I would want to undertake it though. Would be a masive task for not much outcome.

[IJ.]

Well, you learn something new everyday!
I seen the chasis from rear and assumed it went straight through.

It would be possible to do then by looking at that picture, I don't think I would want to undertake it though. Would be a masive task for not much outcome.

<< Almost 50, been playing fast cars for 30+ years and learn something each and every day! :)

Anyone that says/thinks they know it all is lying to themselves!

Hardest part of the conversion if you had a VE Donor and a VZ chassis would be the rear panel and making it structural enough so it doesn't fold up in the middle! (i.e. factory cars breaking when loaded)