Steel or Alloy Canopy on a L/C 79 cab Chassis ?

Hi Ross

I have seen a few Tradie utes with these on.
As well I had one manufactured for the rear of the van. Made to my specs

http://www.toolboxcentre.com.au

Regards

Geoff

Ross,

I have a dual pod system on my 79 series ute, both of which are constructed entirely of Aluminium. They have been pounded constantly over my outback expeditions and have performed exceptionally well. I have experience a little fatigue cracking on the edges of an interior wall. This was the wall that the two spare tyres were mounted two so would have experienced excessive vibration, particularly when the tyres were flat (allowing a bit of movement than ususal). As you have indicated, the weight savings were well worth it. I actually have a Steel/Alli tray as well. Steel frames with aluminium tread plate screwed down as a floor. Saved weight and allows me to get access to the tanks etc built into the tray.


Building the off-roader



Cheers Mick

G'day Ross
have a look at the website for lowline canopies, i had one, could not fault it for strength, the roof rack is intergrated with box steel frame of canopy, alluminium outer skin, all sorts of different configerations.

G'day Ross

Check outhttp://apvtechcentre.com/vehicle
We have one and whilst we have not had a chance to subject it to the rigours of offroad as yet, I'm fairly confident of the outcome. They are always busy making them for Powerlink and the mines etc so that says something.
They're not cheap, but nothing good ever is.

Ross I have a sheet alloy gullwing canopy that has seen plenty of offroad work and very happy with how it is holding up
I can recommend a custom fabricator in Windsor who made mine and a couple of mates since if you need it.

Check out ebay there's a very nice one ending soon.No personal interest to me

Hi Ross
I have a 2006 L/C Tray originally had a steel canopy but now a Aluminium canopy with gull wing side and rear doors saved about 200kg compared to steel canopy.
Also have Aluminium tray and 4 x Aluminium tool boxes under tray travelled all over the high country, Vic, plenty of chassis twisting up there no problems so far.
As already mentioned about spare wheel mounting and the weight / stress I have my spare wheels located at front of Canopy in separate compartment with no floor in canopy allowing spare tyres to sit on tray and are held in place by ratchet straps so that there isn't any stress on mounting points taking the weight of the spare inflated or flat.
IMHO Alumimium is great. Good luck with it.

Safe Travels
Barry - Southern Cross Dreaming.

Hi Ross,
I have had 2 steel canopies and on the 2nd ally.The ally ones are much lighter but if built the right way you shouldn't have any issues with stressing.
We have had ours through the cape,GRR,Hay River,simpson etc with no problems at all.The spare wheels mounted on the back with both ally units.
Each time i have 1 built you always make changes and internal improvements.All racking for plastic tubs is fabricated from aluminium from floor to roof and a lot of the expanda aluminium mesh giving a lot of strength for not much weight.I even stand the mesh off the roof by 15mm to be able to mount fishing rods spare parts tent poles etc.
You wont look back getting rid of the weight.

Grant

Many thanks to all who contributed advice. All good material.
It looks like I will go the Alloy route.
Now to select a fabricator.