Can a vy 1 tonner rear chassis be bolted onto a vy crewman ?

[wayco]

Hi -I've just become the proud owner of a 05 sting red avalanche xuv.
I'm not too fancy with a computer but have tried to follow "IJ" & his cross 6 to cross 8 -especially the rear suspension change to irs.-but couldn't access pics.
Chocco's mods to his cross 8 were also of interest.
I would like to lengthen the wheelbase of my ute & possibly put either irs or 4 link live axle rear.
I have had a pretty hard time with vic roads over mods to a motor cycle even with vass certificate, so want to use the "kiss" method if possible ie bolt on factory parts etc
As I believe both the vy 1 tonner & crewman use the torque arm method of attaching the rear chassis to the body are they (A) removable -they describe it as bolt on & (B) interchangeable?
If they are I reckon that would give me a bolt on chassis extension that should be relatively easy to get Vass approval.
Also does any body have any recommendations regarding a user friendly engineer?
Any suggestions greatly appreciated.
Also can you send private messages to other members on the forum? if so how?
cheers Wayco.

[Micks]

I'm sure it's doable. I previously had a VY tonner & now a VZ Crew that I removed the Tub from & installed a 6x6 ally tray to.
The other thing to keep in mind there are instances of structural cracking with these mono chassis so loading/weights maybe an issue?
You will be building a very long vehicle though & parking it a real Pita!
Both the VY I had & the Crewie with the tray are identical in length.
Good luck with it & keep us posted of your progress.

[edelbrock1]

Send IJ a PM. Find a post with his name at the top, hover the mouse over the name and it will give you a list of options. One of those is the Private message option.

You can not see the pics until you have posted 20 times.

But no doubt IJ will chime in here.

[whitels1ss]

Send IJ a PM. Find a post with his name at the top, hover the mouse over the name and it will give you a list of options. One of those is the Private message option.

You can not see the pics until you have posted 20 times.

But no doubt IJ will chime in here.

The guy is a new member who has only made 1 post so he cannot send a Private Message,

he will just have to wait until IJ sees this thread & posts on it.

[IJ.]

Haven't pulled enough parts off the Cross8 I have here to be 100% certain but on initial inspection the Chassis attaching points look totally different between it and the Tonner so I can't see it being a Bolt up, just wondering why you want to lengthen an already long wheelbase Wayco?

[whitels1ss]

just wondering why you want to lengthen an already long wheelbase Wayco?

Many people did not like or buy the crewman because they wanted a tray/tub
as big as the one on the tonner/ute.

IMHO...If it did have a bigger tray on the back I think it would be way too long and a PITA to drive around many streets.;)

[IJ.]

I thought the Tray version used the same tray just with a heap more overhang?

Only ask as these things have a stupid long wheelbase, the Tonner is the same as the crewman, I can see moving the axle forward and adding a second like a 2 Tonner as being useful ;)

[whitels1ss]

I thought the Tray version used the same tray just with a heap more overhang?

Only ask as these things have a stupid long wheelbase, the Tonner is the same as the crewman, I can see moving the axle forward and adding a second like a 2 Tonner as being useful ;)

There are a few sizes of trays on the market,

I don't know the actual lengths but I am pretty sure you can only fit the largest trays on the utes.

Yeah, I have seen the small trays overhanging on the crewman, even the small trays don't look right :lol:

[whitels1ss]

I just had a very quick look on Gitsham's website, they have a 2400 x 1850 "extended tray" option for the Falcon

& I know they used to have an "extended tray" option for the Holden as well.

Just imagine the overhang with a 2400 x 1850 tray on the back of a Crewman?:eek:

[XUV]

The guy is a new member who has only made 1 post so he cannot send a Private Message,

he will just have to wait until IJ sees this thread & posts on it.
avert your eyes IJ

Haven't pulled enough parts off the Cross8 I have here to be 100% certain but on initial inspection the Chassis attaching points look totally different between it and the Tonner so I can't see it being a Bolt up, just wondering why you want to lengthen an already long wheelbase Wayco?
TOO LATE.

Many people did not like or buy the crewman because they wanted a tray/tub
as big as the one on the tonner/ute.

IMHO...If it did have a bigger tray on the back I think it would be way too long and a PITA to drive around many streets.;)

The tray option on a crewie is plenty big enuff for a palet and look o.k.
this one looks as if it been extended a bit and looks right.
http://www.boostcruising.com.au/database/carsforsale/files/2006_Holden_Crewman_Ss_Thunder_Vz_My06_11753788.jp g

this one must be full size and looks a it wrong
http://www.brisutetraysandracks.com/wp-content/gallery/ute-trays/thumbs/thumbs_crewman-tray.jpg

[whitels1ss]

Quite a number of people want the larger ("extended tray" option) on the Falcon because they hold 2 pallets.

I have owned, advertised & sold a couple of them over the years.

[whitels1ss]

IMHO...If it did have a bigger tray on the back I think it would be way too long and a PITA to drive around many streets.;)

Reading my post again I did not really get across what I was trying to say:doh:

What I was talking about was not just a longer tray but as the OP was talking about lengthening the already long
chassis/wheelbase so it would be able to fit the long trays safely without excessive overhang to carry the extra load.

[XUV]

Reading my post again I did not really get across what I was trying to say:doh:

What I was talking about was not just a longer tray but as the OP was talking about lengthening the already long
chassis/wheelbase so it would be able to fit the long trays safely without excessive overhang to carry the extra load.
but you can do that without extending the chassis , makes hitching a trailer a pain but.
You could go to 6 foot with no probs , which is only 15 inches longer, more or less the same with the tailgate down.

[whitels1ss]

but you can do that without extending the chassis , makes hitching a trailer a pain but.
You could go to 6 foot with no probs , which is only 15 inches longer, more or less the same with the tailgate down.

You might be able to bolt a slightly longer tray on but it would not be ideal & certainly not the 2.2 meter long tray.

But....the question & the purpose of the thread from the OP was the question about the possibility of extending the chassis/wheelbase.;)

[Micks]

I think a few here are missing the point anything can be done! But not legally. In our Utes/1 Tonnes you are generally governed by the rear overhang of the vehicle. eg the distance from the centre of the rear axle to the further most part of the end of the Tub/Tray!!
This distance needs to be checked in your local State or Territory!!
When I did my Crewie back in 2013 (NSW) the only Legal tray to fit without Re engineering the vehicle was an 1800mm that's it.
My old VYTonne had a 2100mm long O'Brien tray & was identical overall length to my current Crewie with the 1800mm tray.

[Micks]

avert your eyes IJ

TOO LATE.


The tray option on a crewie is plenty big enuff for a palet and look o.k.
this one looks as if it been extended a bit and looks right.
http://www.boostcruising.com.au/database/carsforsale/files/2006_Holden_Crewman_Ss_Thunder_Vz_My06_11753788.jp g

this one must be full size and looks a it wrong
http://www.brisutetraysandracks.com/wp-content/gallery/ute-trays/thumbs/thumbs_crewman-tray.jpg

Btw XUV that Turismo Thunder SS is almost identical to my ride, nice example!!

[wayco]

Thanks guys - I am only new to the car ,but have built a 85 F350 4x4 double cab ute that i put a 6 foot factory tray after the wheelbase was extended by a about just under a meter-that was a big car -with a 20 foot caravan it was nearly 50 feet long-the car alone was approx 20 feet long.-6 meters.-it was a beast to drive in the city but superb on the highway.
The object is to get a slightly longer tray -about 1800mm -1900 long with reduced rear overhang-all legal.
Depending what is involved ,possibly adapt a irs rear as i believe "IJ" has.
I was also planning to make it bolt on so the car can be restored to stock ,thats why the tonner chassis that can be trimmed to suit rather than a crewman extended to suit.-hoping to make it simpler to get engineering approval.
I am still unsure if the rear chassis crewman or tonner unbolts or is welded ? Tried to look at the torque mount system but couldn't get a pic.
An alternative is the "Quick hitch system " from Tassie-i have tried to contact them but they are difficult to catch & don't seem interested.-http://quickhitchsystems.com/
Also with what i believe is a change in the engineering approval system alot of "engineered " cars are no longer approved because of these changes,so I am unsure if a quick hitch system would be legal in Victoria.
The blue crewman posted above by micks is about the size I'm after but I don't like the overhang.
Even if the diff was moved 3-400mm rearward ,reckon it would be spot on.
Cheers wayco.

[Micks]

Thinking the tray on the Thunder above is longer than a 1800mm, will put up a pic of mine directly & will measure the overhang as well.

[IJ.]

Wayco: On the Tonner it unbolts, again haven't had the Tub off the Cross8 here but it "looks" like it unbolts as well.

[wayco]

Guys-I know the tubs unbolt ,but I am asking about the actual chassis.
Also wondering ,if any one has seen a Quick hitch system in the flesh or even better driven one-
I believe that a poorly designed 6 wheel conversion /2 tonner /lazy axle conversions ,ride extremely hard & hang up the rear drive axle -that isn't as big an issue as i have awd.
I'm guessing that would be the best of both worlds long tray & gvm increase & removable when not required-but I'm buggered if I know how it would be classed by vic roads-close coupled trailer ?? It would be interesting for tollways -one minute 4 wheels next trip 6 wheels.
Thanks Wayco

[IJ.]

I only mentioned unbolting the Tub as it hides where the Chassis would bolt to the Cab totally, different on the Tonner it's all out in the open and easy to see.

I think if I were doing it I'd use 2x IRS and power them both this with an Air ride system on one axle and conventional coil springs on the other should negate the horrible ride of the normal 2 Tonners.

[Micks]

I would avoid @ all costs going the bogey wheels! Unless it's absolutely needed as the Reg xp will go up dramatically!!!

[XUV]

I would avoid @ all costs going the bogey wheels! Unless it's absolutely needed as the Reg xp will go up dramatically!!!
really,bugger, well there goes my idea , anyone wanna buy a diff ...... ;)

[Micks]

really,bugger, well there goes my idea , anyone wanna buy a diff ...... ;)
Yep, adding the bogey could be looked upon @ being a 2 tonner! If you do it as a removable setup you could be unlucky enough to get pinged or worse have an accy & the Insurers refusing to payout on a non compliant/registered vehicle!
BTW if the Diff is a 2wd unit yes very interested, if awd no thanks!

[wayco]

Wayco: On the Tonner it unbolts, again haven't had the Tub off the Cross8 here but it "looks" like it unbolts as well.
IJ -I have a pic of a avalanche xuv rear chassis but not sure how to post pics-I can't see much because the fuel tank is right at the back of the cab where it attaches.
Was just wondering how much work was involved with the "irs" conversion,& how did your engineer treat you-if i may ask also who did you use?
Was there much surgery to the chassis involved & is it obvious ?-
I want to preserve the hsv value of the car & therefore make the mods removable if possible.
Is it possible for you to PM me your email address as I believe I can't message you because not enough posts-I caan then send you a pic of a avalanche xuv naked rear chassis.
Cheers wayco

[IJ.]

PM sent.. ;)

[seldo]

IJ -I have a pic of a avalanche xuv rear chassis but not sure how to post pics-I can't see much because the fuel tank is right at the back of the cab where it attaches.
Was just wondering how much work was involved with the "irs" conversion,& how did your engineer treat you-if i may ask also who did you use?
Was there much surgery to the chassis involved & is it obvious ?-
I want to preserve the hsv value of the car & therefore make the mods removable if possible.
Is it possible for you to PM me your email address as I believe I can't message you because not enough posts-I caan then send you a pic of a avalanche xuv naked rear chassis.
Cheers wayco
I'm happy to refer you to my Bro-in-law who is both a licenced/certified compliance engineer and also was one of the design engineers at GMH during the conception of the AWD project. Rowan Carter - Cartech -email: info at cartech dot com.au

[wayco]

I'm happy to refer you to my Bro-in-law who is both a licenced/certified compliance engineer and also was one of the design engineers at GMH during the conception of the AWD project. Rowan Carter - Cartech -email: info at cartech dot com.au

Thanks for that seldo-appreciated.