I've looked about and can't really tell - what are the structural differences between a camper and a crew cab? I have an option to buy a nice solid crewcab but I want one to do something special to. Will it be possible to place an engine forward of the rear wheels? Where the belly locker is? I'm assuming the crewcab is like a 3 box structure - if I had a frame built around the sides of the centre box could I remove the floor where the belly locker is to drop an engine in? Also, is the load area structural, like the roof of a camper, or could this be removed? Think mid-engined STI retaining scooby running gear and you'll get the idea
engine in the middle makes it easier and nicer to drive - good weight distribution and it means I get to keep the scooby 6 speed transmission. That's why i'm curious about the structure of the van. You wouldn't do it to a van as you'd lose all of your seats etc in the back, but in a pick-up its ideal. I know the space is there i'm just trying to establish whether its feasible.
I would have thought single cab too, whatever engine it is your probably gonna need to widen the chassis rails or sit it up high, or loose the rear torsion tubes. theres plenty of space in there and you wouldnt need to cut much out in the locker area other than the floor and maybe chassis rails some pics here may help http://forum.earlybay.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=20713
you would have to rework the rear chassis quite a lot... The chassis is the same as a regular van!! I'll have a hunt through my photos, and see what pics of got of a splitty crew that I did a while back!!
Don't know if a bay crewie is the same as my split one but the fuel tank is placed under the loadbed behind the cab area access to it is via two inspection holes under the rear seat. But then moving the tank would be small fry compared to what you are purposing. Did see a split or bay, cant remember which with a mid mounted v8, at vanfest a few yrs ago, so could be done.
