The "Buzz Lightyear" GQ Extra Cab Conversion

So I have been a long time reader but not really posted much and have learned so much knowledge from this website (and others) so i thought it was time to give back a little.

So the story..................

Well I have always loved the GQ, i had a shorty some years ago but i sold it in favour of buying an 80 series which served me well but i never really felt at home like i did in the trusty GQ, so i got rid of the 80 series and i started looking for another GQ but i thought lets go with the wagon, its more practical when it has 4 doors. Mind you im 27 no family or kids so don't ask where that idea came from, i guess i figured i could load more blokes in after a big night out on the turps....

Anyways, as i started trolling for another GQ, i had one major requirement, it had to be an Auto..... Why you ask? well i have owned 10 different 4x4's in the last 6 years ranging from a 1984 4runner to a surf to a 75 series....... after wheeling in an auto, i loved the whole point and shoot method some will disagree but horses for coarses...........

So one day i see an add for a 1990 GQ wagon, TB42 dual fuel, auto, done 270k's for $3500 with no reg no rwc, so i went and had a look, the car looked like it had done some touring but no real offroad work and i fell in LOVE, i had to have her......... $3000 and 3 days later she was in my driveway and this is how she looked the day i brought her home!!!!!!!!!!!







Anyways so the story goes i was sitting around in the garage one weekend with a mate downing a few admiring the car and i thought you know what, i always wanted a ute but with enough room behind the front seats for a fridge and what a perfect specimen this car was for the realisation of the vision...... the always say the best ideas are always founded over a few cans........

So monday came and i decided to do the ring around at vicroads and engineers to find out what the requirements would be to get this project under way..... Vicroads put me onto an engineer not far from me who i proceeded to call....... he said bring the car around and let me have a look at it and discuss what you want to do......... HERE WE GO WHEELS WERE IN MOTION!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOHOOOOOO

So i take the car to him, first thing he asks is whose going to do the work, i say well im going to do the cutting, someone else will do the welding........ second question is where is it going to be done, so i say in my garage hahahaha........... he turns and says "what makes you qualified to know what your doing or how to do it and what materials to use?"..... MY VISION WAS WITHERING AWAY............

A bit of background, im a Materials Engineer, i specialise in steels so basically a glorified metallurgist if that makes sense..... so i tell him this, he smiles and says well you should have told me and the ball was rolling again............ So 2 hours later im on my merry way with a clear plan in mind............ i get home call around to see who will do the welding of the back section........... Most i ring say get a back panel of a ute cause it makes things easier and looks more factory.............

Unfortunately, everyone i ring doesnt have one and the one i find is rusted to the [email protected]#kin ****house and they want $1000 for it, so i ring back a couple of places and tell them this and they say well we can do it..........

Anyways the coming weekend, i call the same mate around and say im having a BYO angle grinder party, he laughs and says are you kidding, i say nah 2 will be better than one.... so we start stripping it.........



All stripped and ready....... discussions with engineer lead to me having to cut behind the rear body mount otherwise i would have to move the mount forward which was going to be more trouble......... so i though a bit more room and makes life easier...

NOW MEASURE, MEASURE, MEASURE AND KEEP MEASURING..... YOU ONLY GET ONE SHOT HAHAHAHAHA



The roof comes off



And there goes the rest!!!!!!!!!!!!



You will notice in the next picture melbournes fine 4 seasons in one day!!!!



Looks kind of cool with the doors out...... looks kinds tough hahaha



Anyways the wonderful blokes at OnTrack4x4 agreed to weld the back up so it was on a tow truck and out to keilor to get the work done, engineer required bracing in the top of the roof and discussions was had about just cutting the doors down.....