 | Home > Maintenance & Modifications > Chopping down a 110 tub to fit a 130 chassis |
 
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| Bradders130 Member Since: 27 Nov 2021 Location: Southampton Posts: 82   
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Ok, so I have just bought an ex-environment Agency 130 complete with a useful, but hideous beacon on the roof and a double-doored box on the rear.
I will be selling the box once it comes off in the next couple of months and replacing it with a tub. Now as I'm sure you are all aware, 130 tubs are like unicorns, incredibly rare (to find for a reasonable price anyway). I have managed to find a 110 tub, but will need to try and cut it down to fit and then weld it back together. So according to all the specs, a 110 has a load bay length of 2010 mm although nothing actually says where this distance is measured from and to. However, using a laser measure, it would appear to be the distance from the inside of the tailgate to the inside of the front panel (on the apex of the ridge, if you know what I mean). The 130 measurement is supposed to be 1670 mm. So with this known, the method is the only thing left to work out, and I have a couple of ideas. 1) Remove the 110 inner side panels (the ones without any profile) and replace with 130 panels, pop-riveting at the rear corners. Then cut out the right amount from the tub, such that the inner side panels will pop-rivet onto the corners at the front. 2) Cut a 1670 mm long rectangular wooden frame and place this inside the tub against the tailgate, then chop out the right amount so that when re-connected, the inside front panel will butt up against the frame. 3) Make up a rectangular frame that fits onto the vehicle chassis and onto the tub fixing brackets and once the 110 tub is approximately cut down to size, place it in the frame, fix it in and weld back together. What do you think of the ideas or is there an easier way? I know that this is going to be more difficult than it sounds, but I am after all the help and advice I can get. Has anyone tried this before and if so How did you do it? Failing that, can anyone take measurements from their 130 tub for me? Here are some photos which show the dimensions that might help out (re. the dimension from the front of the wheel arch to the back of the front panel - the photo shows a 110 tub). Anything would be helpful. Cheers  Click image to enlarge The measurement here is between the yellow arrows and is the total length from the very rear top edge to the very front top edge. Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge And here is the 130 itself. Click image to enlarge |
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27th Nov 2021 10:27pm |
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| Bradders130 Member Since: 27 Nov 2021 Location: Southampton Posts: 82
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Thanks for that Co1, I’ll see if I can find it.
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28th Nov 2021 10:41am |
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| kenzle8a Member Since: 12 Feb 2020 Location: None Posts: 1074 
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I'd start with a bit of Cardboard Aided Design, work out where the mounting points are and the wheel arch needs to sit and start seeing if you can un pick the tubs rivets etc before cutting.
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28th Nov 2021 11:03am |
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| Bradders130 Member Since: 27 Nov 2021 Location: Southampton Posts: 82
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Thanks Lord Haggis. Great idea, I will probably try and incorporate that in with the wooden frame idea.
👍🏻 |
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28th Nov 2021 11:25am |
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| Shroppy Member Since: 25 Feb 2016 Location: Shropshire Posts: 866 
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AFAIK the only area which differs between the two tubs is the section between the wheel arch and the bulkhead. The construction of the tubs makes shortening one quite a headache, you would need to cut the necessary length out of the panel and reconnect somehow, either by welding or riveting with a plate behind for strength. Neither are straightforward due to the profile. This would be a lot of work/cost on top of buying a 110 tub and I think there are better options out there. Incidentally, the tub I bought for my 130 was advertised as a 110 tub so it's worth keeping an eye out.
I have a 130 hi-cap tub which I'm more than happy to measure for you, just let me know where you want them taking from/to. An alternative which might be easier is to replicate the body used on some 130s destined for Europe, as shown in this photo from the web. You could use a 110 van body as a basis which will be easier to find. Click image to enlarge I personally really like the look and had considered going down this route before I found my tub, you lose the wider tailgate though which ruled it out for me. I'd also consider a trayback like the Aussies often have, much more versatile than the Hi-cap tub in my opinion. 1985 127 V8 Build Thread Series 2 109" Series 1 80" |
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28th Nov 2021 3:19pm |
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| Bradders130 Member Since: 27 Nov 2021 Location: Southampton Posts: 82
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Hi Shroppy, thanks for that. I have PM'd you.
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28th Nov 2021 4:59pm |
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| Bradders130 Member Since: 27 Nov 2021 Location: Southampton Posts: 82
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Hi Shroppy, thanks for that. I have PM'd you.
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28th Nov 2021 5:14pm |
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| blackwolf Member Since: 03 Nov 2009 Location: South West England Posts: 17363 
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You could stretch the 130 to fit the tub, rather than shorten the tub to fit the 130.
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28th Nov 2021 10:22pm |
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| PCM Member Since: 25 Jan 2019 Location: North East Posts: 874
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You could try this lot.
Seem to be getting very good reviews online. Better quality that the origins. Apparently. https://defenderreartubsltd.com Btw, I have no affiliation in any way. |
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28th Nov 2021 10:41pm |
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| Bradders130 Member Since: 27 Nov 2021 Location: Southampton Posts: 82
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Yep, I did think of that, but I think it might cause issues with the DVLA, on the other hand…. |
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29th Nov 2021 9:03am |
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| Bradders130 Member Since: 27 Nov 2021 Location: Southampton Posts: 82
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Now they do look interesting. I’ve never seen them before (obviously). I might get a quote and see how it comes back. I’ll get back to you guys. Thanks PCM |
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29th Nov 2021 9:06am |
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