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[rcp@mim.com.au]

I have been after a ute for a while, but am now considering getting a wagon and doing a slight modification, ie. chopping the back off, and attaching a ute back (probably shortened), a sort of dual cab.  How easily would this be done?

[Richard Thomas (Guest)]

Your definition of "slight" and mine are very different!  I've never seen this done to an FE or FC, but there are WB and HQ-HZ Kingswoods that have been customised in this way.  It all sounds straightforward enough, but bear in mind that the sides of a ute are much higher than the window-frame level in a sedan or station sedan, so do you build them up so you can use a ute tail-gate, or leave them low and looking 'not quite right'?  And how are you going to finish off the rear of the cab?  I reckon you are going to need a good condition wagon, a donor sedan and a donor ute to have all the bits to cobble together.
Check out Unique Cars magazine for the HQ-WB dual-cabs: that should give you an idea of cost of this style of project.  I've seen three or four utes for sale in the last month - I'd keep looking for one of them if I were you :-)
cheers RET