And now for something COMPLETELY different...

[zjrog]

I always love a Monty Python intro...

As strange as it sounds, I found a project on Car Domain that I'd like to think about. I don't have a vehcile to start with, but really some serious body work advice.

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3194524/1991-dodge-caravan-cargo/#31945240061

Where would you make the needed cuts and where you split the body and roof.

This van is in Ontario, Canada and looks to be a hoot to drive. Sorry, I just happen to like the Chrysler minivans... Wife even thinks it might be cool. Maybe even add a sliding ragtop on the roof.

 

[STANIMAL]

Damn ! that looks neat . I am guessing projects like this are fairly easy due to the engine and drivetrain being in one spot.

 

[cheap bastard]

I think I need to build one.

 

[bad_idea]

WTF? That is too much time on your hands! Great skills, but I think I could put them to use on a more worthwhile end result.

 

[yucholian]

Old Ford Festiva and Subaru Justy come to my mind.

 

[zjrog]

Stanimal, The only critical things to mess with are exhaust and fuel lines. Well, brake lines. But I would guess cut the floor further back a bit. Sleeve the frame rails like the Jeep guys do after welding it back together. Should be strong as hell. But I'm not a body man and could really use some thoughts. I will probably be looking for a Caravan/Voyager before too long.

Cheap *******, I KNOW!!!!! I saw that the other day and can't get it out of my head.

 

[refried]

I like this better

 

[zjrog]

Old Ford Festiva and Subaru Justy come to my mind.

But much more room, comparitively.

 

[Richard D]

Seems like a lot of work for a mini van that's not useful as a mini van any more.

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

As strange as it may seem, the exterior is just body work and welding. Doable.

The INTERIOR would be much harder since it's all molded plastic panels meant to fit together. That's going to require a lot more work to make it fit.

 

[d_rock]

be a lot easier to just buy a smart car......

 

[racingtadpole]

Before you even think about firing up the grinder/oxy/plasma or whatever you choose to cut it with, spend the time to plan it properly (measure 400 times cut once). The statement below is very true.

As strange as it may seem, the exterior is just body work and welding. Doable.

The INTERIOR would be much harder since it's all molded plastic panels meant to fit together. That's going to require a lot more work to make it fit.

Try to plan re-assembly to use as many of the original parts as possible. Either that or be prepared to spend a lot of time making bespoke interior parts. None of it is difficult if you spend the time to plan it properly and double or triple check every measurement before you cut it.

Once you have worked out where to cut it, weld braces into the shell either side of the cut lines to stop the pieces from sagging/folding. If you dont it will increase the degree of difficulty of re-assembly somewhat.

Looks like a fun project.

 

[CNGsaves]

There's a couple of salvage yards that I've driven by in my area and they've done something similar: one has sac-religiously cut a 57 Chevy down to be a stubby like that . . . . another has cut two fronts off of early 50's cars and welded them back together so car looks like it can go forward or backward.

Good luck in picking your FWD vehicle for donor. I think a super cheap option (and plentiful in junkyards) option might be 4 door Ford Taurus around 1996 & newer when they implemented that "bean" look of super aerodynamic . . . Or a more "hot rod" version would be a SHO Ford Taurus.

 

[zjrog]

Ah, bracing. After watching all the shows, I hadn't remembered bracing. I have no doubt I can put structure back into the chassis, I am a little intimidated with the scope of this. I need to buy some of those clips for **** welding sheetmetal, suddenly regret the hoods and fenders I sent for scrap. They would be darned good practice.

Interior panels look to me like the stockers were cut and filled in with fiberglass. Not my favorite medium, but I've done some in the past.

Next on my thought pallete is dropping the rear. The front is as easy as using struts from a Lebaron or Daytona (FWD). Guess I'll worry about that later.

If nothing else, I'll have a neat car for parades.

If I wanted payments, I would buy a Smartcar. Not in my budget. And I like things that are different.

Before you even think about firing up the grinder/oxy/plasma or whatever you choose to cut it with, spend the time to plan it properly (measure 400 times cut once). The statement below is very true.


Try to plan re-assembly to use as many of the original parts as possible. Either that or be prepared to spend a lot of time making bespoke interior parts. None of it is difficult if you spend the time to plan it properly and double or triple check every measurement before you cut it.

Once you have worked out where to cut it, weld braces into the shell either side of the cut lines to stop the pieces from sagging/folding. If you dont it will increase the degree of difficulty of re-assembly somewhat.

Looks like a fun project.

 

[jameswilson]

try with a used car

 

[bsaint]

I love the practical advise people are giving in a thread about creativity. Obivously there is a million ways and reasons NOT to shorten a minivan. Its not the point lol.

 

[racingtadpole]

Next on my thought pallete is dropping the rear. The front is as easy as using struts from a Lebaron or Daytona (FWD). Guess I'll worry about that later.

That car you posted up looks like its leaf rear end. Some lowering blocks to do it cheap and dirty, or send the springs to a spring works and have them reset to do it properly. If you buy something with coils holding the bum up the cheap and dirty way is just heat them with an oxy while they are under load (the weight of the car), or send them to the spring works to have them reset to do it properly (not sure about you but I kind of find consistent ride height and springrate somewhat desirable).

 

[thaxboyd]

I always love a Monty Python intro...

As strange as it sounds, I found a project on Car Domain that I'd like to think about. I don't have a vehcile to start with, but really some serious body work advice.
Where would you make the needed cuts and where you split the body and roof.

This van is in Ontario, Canada and looks to be a hoot to drive. Sorry, I just happen to like the Chrysler minivans... Wife even thinks it might be cool. Maybe even add a sliding ragtop on the roof.

If someone told me they wanted to shorten up a minivan I would burst out in laughter and poke fun. But after seeing one I think it looks pretty cool too.

But then I just can't help but to poke fun.....

TOOELE??? You'd be doing your community a huge disservice if you didn't incorporate 4" stacks on each side of it. Sorry, it was meant in fun.

 

[Thunderbisciut]

First thing I thought of:

 

[zjrog]

Yes, it is leaf. The axle ends have a 6-8" drop from the factory. I had a 87 Grand Caravan years ago, dropping the rear is not easy as there isn't a lot of room over the axle. The leafs are outside the "frame rails", and the factory drop axle allows the van to sit fairly low and keep a flat load floor. The axle sits under the springs. Since the van is a unit body construction, I'm not sure how much stuctural integrity would be lost notching the rails and moving bumpstops. After that, maybe use just the main leaf to locate the axle and slip airbags in somewhere.

One solution I've seen, might be something more to look into.

http://www.turbominivan.com/lower.htm
But I don't like the idea of using the bumpstop as part of the suspension. Here you can also see the drop in the axle. A few extra gussets in the U bolt block might make me feel more secure, and a C notch might be possible. Its not like I'm going to have lot of weight in the thing but plenty of suspension travel is nice on bumpy potholed streets.

I heated springs once, under my 68 Thunderbird. One of the biggest mistakes with cars I've ever made. (****, has it really been 32 years since I had that car?) I replaced them with junkyard springs shortly after that.

Thanks a TON for the ideas guys. I I can find the right van locally, I might give this a whirl. I need to find some sheet metal and start practicing my welding. Did I mention I'm NOT a body man?

That car you posted up looks like its leaf rear end. Some lowering blocks to do it cheap and dirty, or send the springs to a spring works and have them reset to do it properly. If you buy something with coils holding the bum up the cheap and dirty way is just heat them with an oxy while they are under load (the weight of the car), or send them to the spring works to have them reset to do it properly (not sure about you but I kind of find consistent ride height and springrate somewhat desirable).

 

[zjrog]

Heber? Must be the altitude getting to ya!!! Sorry, no 4" stacks, but now you have me thinking a side exit exhaust in front the rear wheels...

Its all good brother!

If someone told me they wanted to shorten up a minivan I would burst out in laughter and poke fun. But after seeing one I think it looks pretty cool too.

But then I just can't help but to poke fun.....

TOOELE??? You'd be doing your community a huge disservice if you didn't incorporate 4" stacks on each side of it. Sorry, it was meant in fun.

 

[Mat Mobile]

I like this Frankenstein van better:Never enough

But that's still pretty cool.

It's funny. These cool cars appear sometimes out of the blue from some crazy idea, or bet, or whatever. These guys usually work alone and don't care what other people think. Then one day, they bring it to a car show.

Props if you embark on this project!

 

[dittle fart around]

This is the handyman way to split and reattach car sections. Should be very helpful. Red Green

 

[ilovevocs]

^ lmfao!!

 

[anthony666]

 

[zjrog]

I love seeing the minivans used for that sort of thing too. I've seen but can't find, where the minivan was used with an enclosed trailer to carry dirt bikes and such, that guy built another one to carry small cars for his repair shop. Somewhere else I saw one that was barely more than a "T" trailer for carrying a dunebuggy.

Oh yeah, Red Green is always good for a laugh or ten! I think I need something a little more sturdy.

 

[ilovevocs]

That mini van trailer thing would be a great dirt bike hauler. I'm just about dumb and redneck enough to rock something like that too. As long as the gas milage is good and I can sleep in the cab I'm good to go. Braaaaaaaap!!

 

[FastKat]

Love the idea OP - you should go for it!!!