Hi Guys,

I recently bought a '96 Hard top that needs some work. I'll do the basic stuff, paint, 2" body lift, P400, turbo, tyres and bar work. I am thinking of building a steel tube tray and discarding the standard tray body. My problem is that I can't find any pictures of a 4 door ute with a steel tray, they are all full bodies trays as they left the factory. Has anyone ever seen one? better yet took a photo for me? I'm not game cutting up my new car with out knowing what I'm in for!

Cheers, Tristan

 

What all do you want pictures of? I have a 4 door HMC4 or ute. Never heard of anyone cutting the body up. We do run after market steel rocker panel protection to protect the body tub from rock/ledge damage. The aluminum RPP is ok but not strong enough if you are in the boulders and big rock ledges.

 

Hey, thanks for your reply,

With most 4WD ute's the tray body is separate from the main cabin. You can simply remove it and replace it with a flat steel/aluminium tray. I was thinking of cutting my tray off and building a short tube tray with a checker plate top. It would be flat of course and high enough to clear the tyres. I have to respray anyway so the extra body work is not a problem.

I looked hard on Google last night but still nothing, I really don't like the idea of being the first!

Cheers, OZH1

 

Not a great example, or functional, but this is what I mean by tube tray.

 

Yeah, haven't seen anything like that on an H1. Might try searching for some H1 SCORE desert racing pictures. Those guy do more body mods than anyone I know. Rod Hall raced H1 s quite a bit but don't remember if he did anything like you are contemplating.

 

Are you looking to actually make the H1 "tougher" or are you just going for looks? To make it actually tougher I would upgrade to the 12.1K frame, 12.1K iron diff centers, 12.1K cv shafts and 12" brakes. Then I would have your 4l80E built and have the transfercase upgraded as well to the new one. I would also get the reinforcement plate for where the steering box mounts and have it welded to the frame. There is a 4th bolt mount kit we just installed on my business partners h1 too. The other more custom thing we just did because we were having an issue with the tierods moving out of adjustment is machine solid 4140 HT adjuster sleeves with jam nuts for the tierods. There is also a machined idler arm and balljoints made out of chromoly with upgraded bearings but $$$$ I forget which site sells them.

 

Don't forget that the body of an H1 is a unibody. When deciding when/where to cut. Based on his comments I assumes he was more interested in converting the body style of his truck.

 

Hey,

I just want a functional tray. The factory well body is very narrow due to the wheel tubs. This is not ideal for touring, I also drive allot of close country so prefer the durability of a steel tray. I'm not sure about looks, I just want it to look clean.

I only plan on upgrading the axles and installing ARB centers. I will upgrade the steering gear but thats it. My days of redline Hilux are long gone!

I've given up up finding a picture of a H1 with a steel tray. I'm not sure it has been done before!

Cheers, OZH1