White+Nerdy
Active member
- Joined
- Nov 18, 2017
- Messages
- 34
- Reaction score
- 0
Though totally impractical for living out of, I turned a $600 VW Jetta into a little pickup truck using a kit by Smyth Performance. I did this before I got interested in becoming a nomad, or I would’ve chosen a different vehicle. But the project was fun, and gave me a great deal of confidence about future vehicle conversions more relevant to that goal.
Here’s what I started with.
And here’s how it sits now. Still a work in progress - I need to make the panels fit better and maybe some paint or Plastidip other than primer. But it runs and drives great. The aluminum bed structure actually makes it stronger than the original car, which is saying a lot!
The kit comes with everything required, including a Ford Ranger tailgate, Ford Explorer Sportrak tail lights, and a Chevy Colorado back window. I added a trailer hitch and 2” adapter to act as an extension, since the kit adds a few inches to the original length.
Unfortunately, being a custom kit, there are no off the shelf caps that fit the bed. Plus, the bed is much smaller than even a Ford Ranger, only 68” long. So this will likely not become my nomad vehicle.
But it’s still pretty cool.
Here’s what I started with.
And here’s how it sits now. Still a work in progress - I need to make the panels fit better and maybe some paint or Plastidip other than primer. But it runs and drives great. The aluminum bed structure actually makes it stronger than the original car, which is saying a lot!
The kit comes with everything required, including a Ford Ranger tailgate, Ford Explorer Sportrak tail lights, and a Chevy Colorado back window. I added a trailer hitch and 2” adapter to act as an extension, since the kit adds a few inches to the original length.
Unfortunately, being a custom kit, there are no off the shelf caps that fit the bed. Plus, the bed is much smaller than even a Ford Ranger, only 68” long. So this will likely not become my nomad vehicle.
But it’s still pretty cool.
