CREW CAV . com

The ute was born in Japan in 2003 then shipped to Australia and sold early in 2003 to QR.  In November 2006 the ute changed ownership to the Cav family.  In March 2007 I took over ownership of the stock 2003 GU Coil Cab from my old man.  The vehicle was fitted with aluminum tray with canopy, redarc dual batteries and uhf.

 March 2007 Picked up the ute.

Easter 2007 a slight hicup with Main Roads Qld has occured with the construction process.  Creative Conversions (www.creativeconversions.com.au) can no longer produce the aluminum skined mulitcab with 3 seats so a new manufacturer is required.

 After two months of search SVM Qld (www.svmqld.com.au) answer the call so the project is underway again and now delayed by 3 months.

On the 01 July 2007 the first modification was completed with the upgrade of the wheels with some Coopers STT 285/75R16 on Mickey Thompson Classic 2 rims.  The wheels and tyres are both individually rated to 1400kg. ERPS is fitted to the vehicle and the rear fuel tank is also upgrade to 145L by mistake instead of the sub tank by On Track 4x4 Center at Slacks Creek.

Ute preproduction with new axle on tray 01 Jul 07

 Ute Preproduction parked at a mates place 01 Jul 07

02 July 2007 the ute is taken to multiaxle conversions (http://www.creativeconversions.com.au/) for Phil and his team to do some magic. His team remove the tray and extend the chassis 350mm. The chassis strength is increase with the tail shaft extended.  The rear axle is replaced with a unit from a leaf sprung ute.

18th July 2007 New airlines for airbags fitted

Notice for the above picture the airbags are installed and the long range sub tank is also installed with the compressor mounted behind the sub tank. The 9L airtank is mounted on the passenger side.  So at this stage of the project the ute has a 2 ton payload and the originial tray could go back on.

18th July 2007 Ute is nearly ready for surgery.

The is nothing scarier than cutting the back out of a good ute. The multicab is nothing to look at right now but does make you think... Did I make the right choice??

Floor being trimed.

 Back wall needs some work.

10 Sep 07 the ute is over with Smashcare Brendale for a nice coat of Caterpillar yellow.

The rear seats have been fitted and look really good.

On the 28th Nov 2008 the ute emerges from SVM Qld to get the tray refitted with out much overhang.

 Crew Cab Chassis

17 Nov 2007 Pick up day after transformation.

 Fitted with sides and ladder racks (temporary).

 Roof Top tent fitted at full height.  A bit of a squeeze.

Dale at www.2dextremefabrications.com.au made me a custom pair of rock sliders and steps.  Heavy but add strength to the whole vehicle, ties in the whole look, protects the sills and povides two highlift jack points.

Being the first multicab manufactured by SVM Qld there where a few bugs to work out. For example the rear bench after some testing was too high.  Also the floor height has been reduced to create more leg room.  It also make egress much easier and safer.

 Modifications being painted.

 Floor height being trimed.  Hump is for long range sub tank.

This is what the airbags look like. They are only held in by a single bolt at the top so no jumping for this ute.

To make the ute more finished the bullbar is letting her down.

Dale does some great work even if it is scary when unpainted.

Final Product.

New tray with ladder racks means a new temporary home for the roof top tent. Can not wait for the canopy to be constructed.

This is the prototype canopy for the crew cav.  This model is for a single cab ute and has extra windows.