I just bought a first generation Forester and found your channel while looking for mod vids. Subscribed to see how this project progresses. I dig your format and commentary too--it's interesting and chill.
You already had the same body lines on the hatch I don’t understand why you didn’t just drop it down and keep the original lines and integrity of the hatch. 🤔
Just found this! Gorgeous, fun work. At first I thought you'd leave the height of the tailgate section proud of the cab roof, and use it for something like an enclosure for flush-mount "clearance" lights a la a 3/4-ton truck. Anyway - looks great!
Honestly I really dig the racecar screw aesthetic, also I'm not sure how well the windshield adhesive would do at bonding a flat panel to a curved surface, would probably work if you could clamped it in place.
It'll be too late now but for future reference, tape up and cover all the glass you're keeping as every time you grind or weld, sparks will be sticking to the glass. It'll feel like sandpaper by now because hot sparks stick to glass like shit to a blanket
Thanks for an excellent "How To" video on modifying a Forester into a pickup. You are a true pioneer stepping outside the box to try this. Carry On Sir!
Years ago I bought a used plasma cutter - a basic one and it is crazy how fast and easy and quite it is to cut sheet metal as easy as drawing a line with a pencil and just as fast! It is not in everyone's budget but you could buy it and sell after the project.
Thanks! I bought a cheap one for a recent project and it was great for that project I haven't shared on the channel yet. I had to cut shapes out of 1/4 plate and that would have been challenging without it.
This is a very popular thing to do in Sweden. It is called an A Traktor. This is so only two people can be in the car at one time. The difference is that they have governors on them to limit the speed. These restrictions are for student drivers. Personally I think homebrew utes are awesome. Good job!!!
I know its a year later but those little windows you drilled all the holes in i wouldve siliconed those to the metal flat bar with black silicone and they wouldve looked factory then having a bunch of bolts holding it in...
You might want to add a roll bar behind the cab and add diagonals to tie into the rear shock mounts. That would add some more rigidity to the body and would look cool too!
Using that 'oversize' station wagon back window looks like a serious load could compromise it. You need a headache rack of some sort though I don't have any ideas how you should do it 😅
when you buy a wire welder - get a good brand and maybe infinitely variable voltage vs 5 settings... will cost around $700 but it is worth it for sheet metal which is very challenging - I used harbor freight wire welders for general use buy the power is inconsistent and hard to avoid burn through especially at low voltage. Stability vs raw power.
really cool project --- it all looks good --- you sould take the opportunity to weld in a hidden roll cage and maybe some side impact protection ----- drop as much weight as yo ucan while you are at it --- get some tempered glass cut for the side windows ---
I am thinking the same. What the heck! If somebody hit this car from behind, and it is not a very rare scenario, it will crease like a paper craft model.
You need to paint a black 24:11 border around the inside of the plexiglass so you can't see the metalwork also I would have bonded the windows not bolts but that's just my opinion
Good project you are making a Subarute as done by MCM but they used a Liberty station wagon you wouldn't call it a Subarutruck no no call it a Subarute sounds better just put a bit of an Australian language into your ute because the ute was actually invented in Australia
The back railing pickon the bed is going to decide if stand out or nobody notices. Cause that visually show you got a bed on a truck, make it wide wound and over kill like a cherry wood 2 by 6 and and class in decal. Take your time no rush . Cause you're going to wish you did it diffrent .google truck custom bud and hit image for idea. Don't be shy lol
Instead of plexiglass why didn't he have someone cut down the actual window glass that came out of the car to fit in that little opening it would have matched the other glass and looked better
Auto window glass (except for the windshield, which is laminated) is tempered for strength by prestressing the entire piece inwards with sudden cooling. Cutting upsets the balance of contractile forces and destabilizes the glass. A nick or strike from a sharp object can make an uncut side/back window shatter into "gravel". Tempered glass, even when successfully cut, is prone to disintegration.
I'm surprised that you didn't make that rear window piece for the cab, go down further down to the bed, so that you wouldn't have to cut the top of it off and then cap it.
Lots of time... Not very much in materials, I had to buy the additional hatch at a junkyard and the sheet metal from the bed was old shelving from an REI.
You're lucky the police didn't show up and arrest you for threatening to disrupt the entire pickkup industry, takes courage to cut the top off! Also, wondering with all such conversions what happens in states that have DMV safety inspections do you need to change the title to a composite vehicle? And what about when it comes time to sell it?
It can't do half the things a pickup can. Inside space is just outside space now. Subaru already has this vehicle, well they did. But they discontinued it. That being said sometimes making and creating is more important pretty cool project regardless
@@Steel.Canvas true, but how is this different than a Baja or advantageous compared to a trailer? I'm a Tradesman myself, and I have to tell you well I generally have to take my brakes in my car and I need to be able to lean my seat back
@@jacquestube right, so its not for you. Nor would most single cabs be. But a dude who already owns nearly any suv can pay very little to convert it to this, and also have a conversation piece. I have a trash honda pilot, not worth the wheels it sits on… this looks tasty to me as time goes by
@@Steel.Canvas the concept looks great, don't get me wrong, the irrational part of me that doesn't worry about logistics loves the idea I mean that's how I got here in the first place
I don't like how he put the old hatch on. He should of lowered it so it could fit smoothly not be sticking up at the back! This just feels kinda sketchy.
This is definitely scuffed AF, but at least it's a slightly extended cab, unlike those damned Smyth utes. *EDIT:* Okay, you cut off the top lip thing. IDK why I just assumed it would stay, I'm sorry bro.
Isn’t that vehicle unibody construction? Cutting top off weaken the whole body. Good luck getting it registered. The mini trucks of the 70’s and 80’s should be brought back. The industry has gone nuts loading the truck up with outrageous amounts of options raising their cost.
@@Ашпаринный-т1ь ну, норм тачка была, всю порезал криво, наварил криво, и все пиндосы в комментах просто балдеют. Типа о молодец, я тоже так себе сделаю.... 🤣🤣🤣. Причем не пойму что он там собрался возить такого, что не влезло бы под крышу? Корову? 😂😂😂
I don't see any reason to have a window there. You don't have people sitting back there anymore. Look at the Subaru Brat, no window. Honestly I don't see making pickup trucks out of suv's adds much value whatsoever. I use my explorer all the time to haul stuff, and I just leave the tailgate open for long stuff. The bed is pityfully small in a forester. What would be useful, is to make the roof of the suv slide back, so you can put in tall stuff vertically, like recently I moved a tall tank and had to set it on its side to fit. The original chevy nomad showcar had the roof open up, that is why the production car has 'ripples' in the roof in back, to fake the showcar look.
I just bought a first generation Forester and found your channel while looking for mod vids. Subscribed to see how this project progresses. I dig your format and commentary too--it's interesting and chill.
This is definitely cool. Seen some nice cars made clean this way. Gave me a future idea. Detailed very well and great work man
Thanks!
Your editing is spot on. Excellent video. Far too many RUclips creators could benefit from watching this. Subscribed.
Are u stupid or what
You already had the same body lines on the hatch I don’t understand why you didn’t just drop it down and keep the original lines and integrity of the hatch. 🤔
Just stare at it for a while words of a true fabricator!!!! 👍
Could you have glued the little window in instead of using bolts?
loving the build
Thanks!
You made a Baja! Awesome.
I thought it was a Brat. Now I’m showing my age . But nice work.
@@russellstewart5414 they made a brat as well.
@@JordanHaisley those little seats in the back were a potential death sentence in certain circumstances
Just found this! Gorgeous, fun work. At first I thought you'd leave the height of the tailgate section proud of the cab roof, and use it for something like an enclosure for flush-mount "clearance" lights a la a 3/4-ton truck. Anyway - looks great!
No need to drill holes in the windows. Just use special windscreen glue. More aesthetic than the holes.
Honestly I really dig the racecar screw aesthetic, also I'm not sure how well the windshield adhesive would do at bonding a flat panel to a curved surface, would probably work if you could clamped it in place.
If you use a hotairgun you can heat up the plexy and bend it first.
I dig it. I always thought a Toyota Previa, would mod into a p/u really nice.
It'd look a bit like a single cab version of the gmc centaur concept
It'll be too late now but for future reference, tape up and cover all the glass you're keeping as every time you grind or weld, sparks will be sticking to the glass. It'll feel like sandpaper by now because hot sparks stick to glass like shit to a blanket
I never seem to learn my lesson but yes you are very correct.
Thanks for an excellent "How To" video on modifying a Forester into a pickup. You are a true pioneer stepping outside the box to try this. Carry On Sir!
Years ago I bought a used plasma cutter - a basic one and it is crazy how fast and easy and quite it is to cut sheet metal as easy as drawing a line with a pencil and just as fast! It is not in everyone's budget but you could buy it and sell after the project.
Thanks! I bought a cheap one for a recent project and it was great for that project I haven't shared on the channel yet. I had to cut shapes out of 1/4 plate and that would have been challenging without it.
This is a very popular thing to do in Sweden. It is called an A Traktor. This is so only two people can be in the car at one time. The difference is that they have governors on them to limit the speed. These restrictions are for student drivers.
Personally I think homebrew utes are awesome.
Good job!!!
It looks great. Subaru should put you on the payroll.
I know its a year later but those little windows you drilled all the holes in i wouldve siliconed those to the metal flat bar with black silicone and they wouldve looked factory then having a bunch of bolts holding it in...
My new favorite channel ! I love your courage and skills! Its fun creating things out of scrap 👍😎
Newbie here, enjoyed this a lot. Good editing too, balance between explaining and doing 😊
Thank you
You might want to add a roll bar behind the cab and add diagonals to tie into the rear shock mounts. That would add some more rigidity to the body and would look cool too!
Cool conversion, the Subaru brat was a puck up.
Those Amazon boxes do come in handy. 😉
Can't waitfor an update too
Dude you are killing it, that is really good ideas and and good implementation
This guy must have a genetic link to Fitzees Fabrication…very creative metalworking 👍👍
Did you weld a roll bar at the section that you cut off in the back?
Damn. That forester is in better shape than the 2007 I am driving now.
Using that 'oversize' station wagon back window looks like a serious load could compromise it. You need a headache rack of some sort though I don't have any ideas how you should do it 😅
This is nice beat.. real smooth groove 16:27
You made a UTE. Very common in Australia.
This video helped a lot on my build I’m doing lol I don’t have a welder but looks like I’m gonna buy it to make my build go smoother lmao
Glad it helped, excited to see how your conversion goes!
when you buy a wire welder - get a good brand and maybe infinitely variable voltage vs 5 settings... will cost around $700 but it is worth it for sheet metal which is very challenging - I used harbor freight wire welders for general use buy the power is inconsistent and hard to avoid burn through especially at low voltage. Stability vs raw power.
Can you still drive on the road?
really cool project --- it all looks good --- you sould take the opportunity to weld in a hidden roll cage and maybe some side impact protection ----- drop as much weight as yo ucan while you are at it --- get some tempered glass cut for the side windows ---
If you could have found a clamping method.you could have used black windshield silicone and eliminate screwing all together.but love your videos
Doesn’t this weaken the entire unibody?
Love your innovation! Keep going.
Subaru made a tiny truck called the Brat and I really wanted one once, the forester is next best thing I guess
Subaru Brumby in Australia
No money from insurance if this vehicle gets into an accident. Major vehicle structural modification. Learned the hard way.
I am thinking the same. What the heck! If somebody hit this car from behind, and it is not a very rare scenario, it will crease like a paper craft model.
Insurance is a rip off anyways
None for the other drivers etc if it's his fault.
Why did you decide acrylic instead of lexan?
Did you strengthen the chasis
Do you have any videos of the finished product yet. Really would like to see it finished
New sub btw. 👍
You need to paint a black 24:11 border around the inside of the plexiglass so you can't see the metalwork also I would have bonded the windows not bolts but that's just my opinion
Good project you are making a Subarute as done by MCM but they used a Liberty station wagon you wouldn't call it a Subarutruck no no call it a Subarute sounds better just put a bit of an Australian language into your ute because the ute was actually invented in Australia
Looks like a really great project, but no way would I bother doing all that !
Nice fabwork, all hail the algorithm!
The back railing pickon the bed is going to decide if stand out or nobody notices. Cause that visually show you got a bed on a truck, make it wide wound and over kill like a cherry wood 2 by 6 and and class in decal. Take your time no rush . Cause you're going to wish you did it diffrent .google truck custom bud and hit image for idea. Don't be shy lol
The railing is the only think you can see in a car down low and what going to stand out from the side or back
Great build
Rad I like it. Keep the motivation high.
That's looking sick my guy
Good job
Terus berkarya kawan💪🏻💪🏻
Boa noite parabéns meu amigo muito bom show de bola
Instead of plexiglass why didn't he have someone cut down the actual window glass that came out of the car to fit in that little opening it would have matched the other glass and looked better
Auto window glass (except for the windshield, which is laminated) is tempered for strength by prestressing the entire piece inwards with sudden cooling. Cutting upsets the balance of contractile forces and destabilizes the glass. A nick or strike from a sharp object can make an uncut side/back window shatter into "gravel". Tempered glass, even when successfully cut, is prone to disintegration.
So is it going to be called a frat instead of brat ? 😂 Or maybe a bratster ok I want one now 2 bye the way ! Nice work!!!
Awesome job!!!
I'm surprised that you didn't make that rear window piece for the cab, go down further down to the bed, so that you wouldn't have to cut the top of it off and then cap it.
Couldn't you have made glass window out of the rear hiside window???
Brilliant
Bom dia uma obra de arte parabéns
The plexiglass is going to turn yellow but good job man
Really wish Subaru would bring back the 4wd Brat.
I DID spy a Starlet in the background. 😂
I’ve wanted to this to my 2000 grand Cherokee…
Los que no inventan nada pasan por este mundo sin pena ni gloria
Very good chamito
What did this cost you to do?
Lots of time... Not very much in materials, I had to buy the additional hatch at a junkyard and the sheet metal from the bed was old shelving from an REI.
Looking to do this to my Chevy blazer 4x4. They don't make mini trucks anymore in America, we are to dumb to owns them the government says
Yup we definitely need an update video!!
I think that is a good idea, thanks for the feedback. Probably won't be until January though.
@@scrapmetalmade I will be waiting.
I who'd have used butal window rubber seal with acrylic
Nice job ! 😂
MUSIC IS NO NESSSARY!
Cool
You're lucky the police didn't show up and arrest you for threatening to disrupt the entire pickkup industry, takes courage to cut the top off! Also, wondering with all such conversions what happens in states that have DMV safety inspections do you need to change the title to a composite vehicle? And what about when it comes time to sell it?
This isn't a new or original idea Subaru made these in the 70s and early 80s that were called the Subaru Brat
Just for fun and videeo content.
Move from that state for starters 😂👍
Es su problema!!
It can't do half the things a pickup can. Inside space is just outside space now. Subaru already has this vehicle, well they did. But they discontinued it. That being said sometimes making and creating is more important pretty cool project regardless
I appreciate the creativity but what's the point a Forester is just too weak to be a real pickup
Well he certainly wont be goin hot shottin. But he could move a four wheeler or haul a welder or somethin!
@@Steel.Canvas true, but how is this different than a Baja or advantageous compared to a trailer? I'm a Tradesman myself, and I have to tell you well I generally have to take my brakes in my car and I need to be able to lean my seat back
@@jacquestube right, so its not for you. Nor would most single cabs be. But a dude who already owns nearly any suv can pay very little to convert it to this, and also have a conversation piece. I have a trash honda pilot, not worth the wheels it sits on… this looks tasty to me as time goes by
@@Steel.Canvas the concept looks great, don't get me wrong, the irrational part of me that doesn't worry about logistics loves the idea I mean that's how I got here in the first place
I don't like how he put the old hatch on. He should of lowered it so it could fit smoothly not be sticking up at the back!
This just feels kinda sketchy.
How to turn a pos into a taco in one easy lesson. Unibody just lost its structural integrity. No suspension needed now that the floor pan can flex.
Nice nice Yes yes 🖐🏼
I would have left the top like that and put in some fog lights . But to late .
Keep it up!
Subaru did make a mini truck it was call the brat
Its a Ute mate
This is definitely scuffed AF, but at least it's a slightly extended cab, unlike those damned Smyth utes.
*EDIT:* Okay, you cut off the top lip thing. IDK why I just assumed it would stay, I'm sorry bro.
A Brat!
May be Baja
Anything that expedites getting another Sub off the road...
Why
take a couple of welding lessons would help you! 🤣🤣
👍👍👍👍👍🎉🎉🎉❤️❤️❤️🇮🇩🙏
a little questionable but i fw it
Isn’t that vehicle unibody construction? Cutting top off weaken the whole body. Good luck getting it registered.
The mini trucks of the 70’s and 80’s should be brought back.
The industry has gone nuts loading the truck up with outrageous amounts of options raising their cost.
NOS FUIMOS AL RÍO EL DOMINGO🏁🔥 || ASÍ LA PASÓ LA GENTE😱🤦🏻
ruclips.net/video/T9dKRR0RRJI/видео.html
Foresja.
SEN 2 YAN CAM İÇİN TÜM VİDEO'YU BUNDAN İBARET YAPARSAN HİÇ KİMSE BEĞENMEZ YARRRRRRRRRRAAM
Сделал Баху из форестера)))) Зачем?)))
Чем был плох оригинал? 🤔
Это только янки ернёй страдают! У них авто деловые. У нас на этом Форестер ещё обьездился бы!!!
@@Ашпаринный-т1ь ну, норм тачка была, всю порезал криво, наварил криво, и все пиндосы в комментах просто балдеют. Типа о молодец, я тоже так себе сделаю.... 🤣🤣🤣. Причем не пойму что он там собрался возить такого, что не влезло бы под крышу? Корову? 😂😂😂
I don't see any reason to have a window there. You don't have people sitting back there anymore. Look at the Subaru Brat, no window.
Honestly I don't see making pickup trucks out of suv's adds much value whatsoever. I use my explorer all the time to haul stuff, and I just leave the tailgate open for long stuff. The bed is pityfully small in a forester. What would be useful, is to make the roof of the suv slide back, so you can put in tall stuff vertically, like recently I moved a tall tank and had to set it on its side to fit.
The original chevy nomad showcar had the roof open up, that is why the production car has 'ripples' in the roof in back, to fake the showcar look.
Cool but not much of a bed .lol
Duok bežionei automatą tai pradės šauditi..
Tai ir čia davė asiluj kempa tai reik kokia nesąmonė padaryti..
This really isn't a new or original idea it was done in the 70s and early 80s those trucks made by Subaru were called Subaru brats I had one
That is very cheet
Из😅😅
To much ticking
Good ear