Converting commercial back to passenger

case_sensitive

Odd sort of a request; the mother's been offered a commerical Land Cruiser, and want to convert it back to a passenger vehicle. Thought I'd ask; obvious seats, seat runners, belts and rear windows would need to be sourced. Anyone ever done this? where'd you get the work done?

Also, it hasn't been started in 10 years. Yeah... I told her it'd be a giant hassle, but I get the impression the thing is either free or very cheap.
So there you have it, any thoughts?

Victor

Sounds like madness. If it hasn't started in 10 years, there may be a very good reason.

There may be a problem with the seatbelt anchors.

Theanswers

Victor wrote: »

Sounds like madness. If it hasn't started in 10 years, there may be a very good reason.

There may be a problem with the seatbelt anchors.

It's very well possible.

The conversion would be handy, I'd imagine the seatbelt points would be ok, they usually are. Worst case scenario they can be re drilled/ threaded. However I imagine this will not be necessary.

I'd be far more worried about the state of it having sat up for ten years.

Keep an eye on Donedeal Seats do come up from time to time. Otherwise breakers, eBay or the north would be your best bet.

They should be very cheap.

mgbgt1978

Your mother would also be liable for VRT (and possibly excise duty).
Cutoms can, and often will, seize the vehicle on the spot unless she changes it from commercial to passenger after the conversion.

Probably end up more hassle and dearer than simply buying a passenger version from the same year.

Theanswers

mgbgt1978 wrote: »

Your mother would also be liable for VRT (and possibly excise duty).
Cutoms can, and often will, seize the vehicle on the spot unless she changes it from commercial to passenger after the conversion.

Probably end up more hassle and dearer than simply buying a passenger version from the same year.

Yes I forgot the extra VRT.
However I still think of she getting it cheap or free it will still work out cheap. Installing seats, windows etc doesn't take long. It can even be done at home.

You may have to pay an engineer to say its safe. This will cost around 100 euro and your done.

VRT wont be that expensive on a car of that age.

mgbgt1978

Expensive Motor Tax too.
What's she driving at the minute ?

DanielGibbons

I'm fairly sure if your converting it the opposite way (passenger to commercial), you have to weld up the seatbelt anchors, to such a state that they can't be reused.
May not be the case with a factory commercial though, if it is one.

Also, the MkIII Landcruisers (which I'm kind of guessing this is) were a very very thirsty girl indeed.

Road tax and running costs are one thing, but what about the VRT, combined with whatever you may need to do to get her running again.. God knows whats seized/built up in the different systems :P

I'm not trying to discourage you, I'm all for saving a few squids... Just make sure you've added up all the possible costs before you get too involved in it

case_sensitive

Yeah, she said it was a 1999 but they didn't make them between 99 and '02 according to Parkers, so I'm guessing it's a '99 reg'd 98 build. About 12k miles on it, it's been parked underground for 10 years unused by a friend of hers.

It'll be the max tax under the old regime, I'm guessing €1809 a year to tax, and a decent wedge to VRT too. Still, she wants something to pull timber and well as people (she's using her 1.6l 307SW, I kid you not, at the moment), so she's looking at 2L+ diesel of some sort. It everything I've been able to do to dissuade her from buying another Pug.

And you needn't think I'm getting too involved in all this, I've already advised her not to do it, but she's keen, and won't be told, so I've got to help now.

Assuming I can get it on a transporter, I'll bring it down to my guy for a looksee. I think even if it could be got going, it'd be worth doing.

In terms of the commercial conversion, who knows, one step at a time!

DanielGibbons

case_sensitive wrote: »

Yeah, she said it was a 1999 but they didn't make them between 99 and '02 according to Parkers, so I'm guessing it's a '99 reg'd 98 build. About 12k miles on it, it's been parked underground for 10 years unused by a friend of hers.

It'll be the max tax under the old regime, I'm guessing €1809 a year to tax, and a decent wedge to VRT too. Still, she wants something to pull timber and well as people (she's using her 1.6l 307SW, I kid you not, at the moment), so she's looking at 2L+ diesel of some sort. It everything I've been able to do to dissuade her from buying another Pug.

And you needn't think I'm getting too involved in all this, I've already advised her not to do it, but she's keen, and won't be told, so I've got to help now.

Assuming I can get it on a transporter, I'll bring it down to my guy for a looksee. I think even if it could be got going, it'd be worth doing.

In terms of the commercial conversion, who knows, one step at a time!

Fair enough, I suppose it's not you paying for all this :P

I suppose with low mileage, and seeing as she was parked underground she'd be out of the elements. Means the brake discs wont be destroyed

Flush all the systems out, you never know, you could be onto something good

Theanswers

DanielGibbons wrote: »

Fair enough, I suppose it's not you paying for all this :P

I suppose with low mileage, and seeing as she was parked underground she'd be out of the elements. Means the brake discs wont be destroyed

Flush all the systems out, you never know, you could be onto something good

If it's an old landcruiser you will have no bother. They are ultra reliable. I've seen people put seats back into commericals. I'd be nearly willing to bet the seat belt angor points are ready to go. They are in most commercials.

The seats will go in no prob. Only problem you got is windows. That's the most work. Defentely though, she's onto a good yoke for sure. She'd be better leaving com though me thinks, will keep the costs down in terms of VRT and and mainly road Tax.

aujopimur

If it was originally registered as a passenger vehicle in the ROI before its conversion, no VRT will be due.

PaudyW

Alot of jeeps changed to commerical only had windows blackened or painted and seats remove and a box fitted in the footwells and re carpeted or rubber matt, all seat/ belt etc fittings will be there, hardest part will be getting matching upholstery, Change fluids and get her serviced, depending on the condition of the yoke she could well be on to a winner, Not to sure about the paper work, But she could have a great yoke on the road for next to nothing

101sean

If it was originally an Irish registered passenger vehicle there will be no VRT to pay and the original work to convert it to commercial may have been minimal. If it was converted by an importer before Irish registration in theory the seat belt mounts should have been welded up and the windows plated etc and you could be liable for VRT on re-conversion.

You may find these days that you will have to get the vehicle assessed before it can be re-registered as a passenger but this also seems to vary from county to county :rolleyes:

Guy:Incognito

If she decides against it I'd be interested in it if it's cheap. I've a 00 one and could do with it for parts .