Commercial pickups

[hiluxman]

As you're already a Defender sufferer I'd say forget the pick ups and get yourself an ex utility 110.
I'm on my second, this ones a 2.2, previous was a tuned 2.4, best tow vehicle's I've had.
Heavy duty chassis, front and rear anti roll bars, rear helper springs, diesel heater (turns it into an oven ), roller shutters for easy access etc. Bulkhead removal bar and extended seat runners (from factory on mine!) so plenty of leg room- no real improvement in elbow room though About £10-14k

Or a Disco 3/4- half the cost of the defender, twice the power, possibly twice the bills though

Ive recently had a defender itch...I probably shouldn't scratch it.

Seen a tidy td5 that's come out of the emergency services....would I want a td5 tho...no idea as I'm not clued up on them.

 

[S B Rural Contracting]

Might want to brush up on what you can and can't claim for.
Doesn't make a difference if sole trader or ltd, double cab pickups are treated as cars for aia and can only be written down at 6% a year.
Vans (no double cab pickups or crew cab vans) are treated as plant so claimable under aia.
Cars are not claimable under aia

Well I don't think that's quite right. The reason manufacturers are now selling "2 seat double cab pickups" is to get around the issue of HMRC classifying them as cars. I guess they will only sell to people who actually use the pickup as a workhorse, other people won't bother.

So the reason I started the thread is to find out if anyone has bought a second hand pickup and then done a 2 seat conversion themselves, how to navigate the process.

From HMRC website, but there are pages of info on it:

 

[S B Rural Contracting]

As you're already a Defender sufferer I'd say forget the pick ups and get yourself an ex utility 110.
I'm on my second, this ones a 2.2, previous was a tuned 2.4, best tow vehicle's I've had.
Heavy duty chassis, front and rear anti roll bars, rear helper springs, diesel heater (turns it into an oven ), roller shutters for easy access etc. Bulkhead removal bar and extended seat runners (from factory on mine!) so plenty of leg room- no real improvement in elbow room though About £10-14k

Or a Disco 3/4- half the cost of the defender, twice the power, possibly twice the bills though

That does look handy tbf

 

[S B Rural Contracting]

The backs can be waterproof depending on the spec, can even get a diesel heater in them to dry kit properly.
Power tools are best not left anywhere. All the trucks are pretty easy to get into and nick, especially the Toyota's unfortunately.
Access into the back of double cabs is rubbish. They are designed for people to get in so the rear doors don't open wide enough to easily get toolboxes in and out, or to fit draw type toolboxes to. I don't know if they have extended the check straps on the new 2 seat twin cabs to make access better, but i worked out a double cab for years with loads of different set ups from rear seats removed to loads of different canopies. They are all a compromise. I have said it on here many times but I think the best option is an Aussie style canopy but they are expensive.
Also remember that these trucks don't have a 7t train weight. So if towing 3.5t are can't legally even have a big breakfast before towing let alone take a toolbox with you.

Thanks for the helpful input. I hadn't considered fitting a diesel heater to dry kit, that's a great idea.

Yeah the train weight is a pain but about the same payload as my current 90, maybe a bit less. The high capacity defenders have a 7 ton gtw but again it's a defender. They are great workhorses but I do feel like having something a little bit more refined. You've got me thinking about chassis cabs now, heated compartment for kit makes it a lot more appealing.

 

[S B Rural Contracting]

Ive recently had a defender itch...I probably shouldn't scratch it.

Seen a tidy td5 that's come out of the emergency services....would I want a td5 tho...no idea as I'm not clued up on them.

I'd say you definitely want a td5, preferably a red 90 from west Wales

 

[doobin]

As predicted Absolutely shed loads of new Defender commercials everywhere now! Absolute joke! How is that any different to a pickup and less commercial imo.

Paid £16 for two coffees and two pastries at the local artisan coffee shop in a shed by the pub today. Well, my mate did as I was digging out his pond (after he did a couple of days with a batwing topper for me). Plus the guy running it is a customers son so circular economy and all that. But still. 16 bloody quid!

Anyhow…. The son’s business partner owns a coffee roasting house- from what I can tell just a local hobby business to keep his brain engaged after a very successful career. Looks like the company cars for this venture are all… you guessed it… Defender commercials.

 

[Smiffy]

Thanks for the helpful input. I hadn't considered fitting a diesel heater to dry kit, that's a great idea.

Yeah the train weight is a pain but about the same payload as my current 90, maybe a bit less. The high capacity defenders have a 7 ton gtw but again it's a defender. They are great workhorses but I do feel like having something a little bit more refined. You've got me thinking about chassis cabs now, heated compartment for kit makes it a lot more appealing.

Lots of different configurations. 1/4, half, there quarter, full, two sides with a gap down the middle, removable with a spare body for camping so on.

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[6feetdown]

This will be interesting

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