SEMA coverage put Theme Tuesdays on a bit of a hiatus, so to welcome them back I’ve decided to go with a new topic versus continuing something I’ve previously touched on.
I’ve been on a bit of a truck kick on Instagram lately, but I’ve posted plenty of trucks before, so I decided cars turned into trucks would be a great compromise.
Pick up (or ‘ute’ if you’re outside of North America) conversions have been attempted on many a platform but surprisingly BMWs and Nissans seem to be some of the most common, with many winding up as drift vehicles.
This is actually one of the first build’s I posted to the site (the e30 not the Unimog) and I completely forgot about it. The owner still has it and actually recently started working on it again
This 2002 (well 1600) has a lot of good things going for it, and a little lower with wheels a little wider (or smaller overall diameter with fatter sidewalls) would be perfect on itAn M20 motor powers this custom creationI like the rear of the car, though I’m not actually sure if there’s any back glass. The exhaust isn’t my favorite but that’s a fairly easy fixThe vaders inside are a nice touch and I’m actually surprised they fit in the 2002 so well! More info on this 2002 can be found in its for sale listingBased on the looks of the cars in the background I’d put this photo around 2007/8 making it one of the oldest selections of this postJapan has never really been afraid of any sort of modification so it totally makes sense truck conversions are popular thereSpeaking of old this M5 conversion has been around for a whileThis was a real deal, undamaged M5 that became one of the most well executed, and great looking over all ute conversions ever. Also note the plate, ‘Muted’ pretty slick! A build thread is here many of the pictures are downThis E36 came together after the owner wrecked his M3 but wanted to use the power plant in something else and a cheap e36 shell came alongs38 powered initially, the now truck sports an LS motorA lot of BMX riders end up as e36 owners so I was not entirely surprised to find a few BMX references in the build thread (shadow half link chain bed chain for example)Not just for show this car gets driven. Photo via: Driver Mod Industries
Bouchard racing built a m60 powered e30 drift truck that’s pretty darn good at sliding around
I know very, very, little about Micras but I know enough to say a flared, uted, slammed Micra on SSRs and Wats is pretty coolMore about this home-built project can be read here on Minty. FreshPhotos of this car are somewhat scattered across the internetMotormavens had the most photos in my Google search but the associated article 404’d However Build-threads has a bit of info on this car if you’re looking for moreRemember when I said these truck conversions were popular among drifters? This is another one, and the source is again Build-Threads.comGoing back in time I picked up this conversion from the H.A.M.BAnd this wicked combo came from pinterest, I’d love to see more of it if anyone has some linksThis Nomad gives me bad (good) ideas for a Nomad scale model I have sitting around…Going to end this first ute conversion Theme Tuesday off with photos of the ‘Siltruck’ taken by Team BushidoI actually follow the owner (@siltruck) on instagram and have always found the car pretty cool, as you can imagine it gets driven hard as wellThe side profile of this really demonstrates just now much the rear of a car changes its look. The sloped pillars here were a nice way to transition into the very flat new bed addition
I’m sure I missed a wicked conversion or two so feel free to add your favorites in the comments below!
The Smyth ute conversion for the mk4 VWs is an awesome kit as well. A little throwback to the old VW caddys. They have a few more conversion kits coming out too. I’m just waiting for the B6 A4 kit.
The Smyth ute conversion for the mk4 VWs is an awesome kit as well. A little throwback to the old VW caddys. They have a few more conversion kits coming out too. I’m just waiting for the B6 A4 kit.
Ah yeah that’s the one I’ve been seeing all over facebook forgot that one!