Watch a Guy Turn an Old VW Jetta Into a Pickup Truck in Just 30 Minutes

Racer007

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 14, 2005
Location
NC
TDI
NA
http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-cul...467/turn-vw-jetta-golf-into-pickup-truck-kit/

We, and you, are constantly lamenting the absence of a good, small, fuel-efficient pickup truck in the U.S. market. Quit whining and take matters, and a Sawzall, into your own hands, with this Smyth Performance Ute kit that turns any 1999.5-2004 VW Jetta or Golf into a ridiculously awesome compact pickup truck.
The $3500 kit contains an aluminum inner pickup bed assembly, fiberglass outer bodywork, and instructions to lop off basically everything behind the front door of your four-door Volkwagen donor car. As evidenced by this 30-minute time-lapse build video, it's actually a surprisingly easy kit to assemble—no welding required.



We can't speak to the structural integrity of a kit that replaces the entire rear roof section of a decade-old German sedan with some riveted-in-place aluminum and fiberglass, nor have we seen a completed Smyth Ute conversion in person. No matter. The end result looks shockingly rad—Ford Explorer Sport Trac taillights and a steel Ford tailgate never looked so cool. Get more info, or order your own, right here at Smyth's website.


And, because it uses a VW donor car, you can of course build a diesel-powered mini VW pickup. That, dear friends, is every internet automotive desire wrapped up in one home-brew machine. Make ours brown, with a stick shift and a plaid interior, if you please.
 

Hasenwerk

Vendor , w/Business number
Joined
Nov 28, 2003
Location
Quesnel, BC
TDI
1982 Cabriolet (BEW|VNT17|Stage4), 1989 VW TriStar Syncro soon-to-be CR TDI (CBEA), 2001 Ford Ranger Edge 4x4 (ALH|VNT17|R520|Stage4)
How much did you get paid to put this ad here? ;-)
 

BioBob

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 18, 2006
Location
Raleigh NC
TDI
2001 Jetta (G3F Donor), 2003 Bora
Smyth Ute in Raleigh

Just finished my UTE on the first of May (started first week in April)
Donor is an '01 TDI (265K) totaled for rear end damage
As far as structural integrity, the conversion is built like a fortress.
Now looking for a painter to make her complete.
I'll answer questions when I get time -- fire away !
 

annieneff

Veteran Member
Joined
Jan 13, 2011
Location
Seattle
TDI
1983.5 Westfalia tdi (afn), with flipped 5 speed V6 (dvz) transmission
Just finished my UTE on the first of May (started first week in April)
Donor is an '01 TDI (265K) totaled for rear end damage
As far as structural integrity, the conversion is built like a fortress.
Now looking for a painter to make her complete.
I'll answer questions when I get time -- fire away !

Why didn't you post pictures!!!??? Pre-paint, and then post :p

Seriously though; way to get it done in a reasonable, if not respectable amount of time! Any power upgrades planned?


Andrew
 

BioBob

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 18, 2006
Location
Raleigh NC
TDI
2001 Jetta (G3F Donor), 2003 Bora
Smyth Ute

Hey Andrew, I do have some pics, but no idea how to post them on here. I tried once (long ago) to post some and had no luck at all, so I didn't really try this time. I'll study up on postings and will put up the pics after paint, as it's a bit ugly right now.
 

annieneff

Veteran Member
Joined
Jan 13, 2011
Location
Seattle
TDI
1983.5 Westfalia tdi (afn), with flipped 5 speed V6 (dvz) transmission
Hey Andrew, I do have some pics, but no idea how to post them on here. I tried once (long ago) to post some and had no luck at all, so I didn't really try this time. I'll study up on postings and will put up the pics after paint, as it's a bit ugly right now.

Ugly pics are exactly what make the pretty pics later so impressive. I don't blame you for giving up on trying to post pics on here-- it's not easy! If you email them to me I'll post them. ffenwerdna@gmail.com

Keep up the good work on an awesome build!

Andrew
 
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