Somebody enable me; 4x4 bench build

So my BIL used to drive this great big freight-train of a Ford pickup (kind of like, but not, the one in the picture). Couple years ago, he wrecked the E36M3 out of it. Trashed the body, had to get extricated, etc etc. Now he's parting it out, getting ready to scrap it for very small dollars. Still runs and drives, frame looks to be fairly straight. He wants to remove and sell the zombie killing bumper and the lifted suspension stuff, but he said he'd sell me the drivetrain and chassis for scrap value (since I insisted I wouldn't take it for free).

5.4 Triton V8, manual trans, 4wd, no bodywork.

What would y'all put on the frame rails?

Full sized 70s van or sedan.

Personally, it would depend a bit on the chassis and wheelbase. If it's a 3/4-ton or 1-ton and a long wheelbase (extended/crew cab + 8' bed), I'd consider sourcing a replacement cab and then building a camper body behind it.

I thought you wanted to build a bench out of 4x4's. I could help you with that.

I have always thought a big late 30s or 40s 4 door sedan would be a hoot too!

Bruce

Bob the front and rear. Exocage. Add trailer hitch and flatbed. Front and rear selectable lockers.

Capable truggy that you can still use for towing and working.

Short bus

Seriously, I'd buy a cheap, used Discovery and start swapping!

Short bus turned into camper

Appleseed wrote: Full sized 70s van or sedan.

Agreed on the van, however not sure if any 70s van has a wheelbase this long?

https://utica.craigslist.org/cto/4890559851.html

There are no pics in the ad but they look like this:

I like the van idea too, but the issue is the manual transmission and the shifter either being behind the driver or coming up with some sort of linkage to move it forward or convert it to column shift. Or replace with an automatic, but that may get pricey depending on how the transmission and transfer case join (some are divorced, some aren't).

I'd hit the easy button and drop one of these right on it.

I'd find a cab over of some sort, preferably crew cab,and decide that working out the linkage is worth it.

I third the short bus idea.

none of the ideas here are bad, be sure to let us know what build direction you take :)

Creative with sheetmetal? How about your own one off Blastolene type roadster?

A limo? I think some of my inner redneck just leaked out a bit.

I like the short bus idea though.

Ian F wrote: I like the van idea too, but the issue is the manual transmission and the shifter either being behind the driver or coming up with some sort of linkage to move it forward or convert it to column shift. Or replace with an automatic, but that may get pricey depending on how the transmission and transfer case join (some are divorced, some aren't).

Moving a floor shifter fore/aft is easy, very old trick.

What Kenny said. For the super easy button, find out the wheelbase. Then go from there.

You can always get a truck or van or something cab then push the other easy button and strap this on:

That lends to doing something like these. and plus side you can put a walk through to be able to get to teh back from the drivers seat.

There was that rolls on Craigslist, add a bed camper to the rear and you win.

HappyAndy found this for you.

I like the Land Rover idea but change it to a Ranger Rover Classic LWB.