Engineers / Fabrication for new Chassis to put under 1972 Millard - Brisbane

[TRUPM]

Hi all,
I am looking for any ideas on who or where to go for to discuss options to upgrade (make a complete new chassis and A frame) on an old 1972 Millard.
We have just moved to Shorncliffe in QLD (Brisbane North Side) so I don't know anyone up here yet.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with the old chassis and the A frame doesn't have any rust at all.

As it is currently it could be taken around Oz tomorrow. It has 12 months rego and just passed safety certificates when we bought it a couple of weeks ago.

However, I have a list of mods planned
- Converting 2 way fridge to Engel running gear
- 2 X 80L water tanks
- Longer A frame (ute has a longer tray and will hit gas bottles etc on tight turns and parking)
- 2 X gas bottles and toolbox with slide out Webber Q on A frame
- iSi style bike rack for 4 X bikes
- Spare wheel and 1 or 2 X jerry cans on rear rack
- Solar and full 12v setup (I'm thinking full Enerdrive lithium setup - more $, less weight and more usable power/longer life)
- Cruisemaster XT coil setup with 12" electric brakes and 265/75/16 wheels so they also match the 4wd

I am upgrading for safety and load carrying capacity and self sufficiency as we plan on hitting the road full time with 3 kids ASAP.

I'm not made of money and want to do it the best that can be done using quality work and equipment but being smart about where to save $$$.

The way I see it is if I spend $10-$15k on it in total, we will have our perfect setup.

I guess my starting point is design of chassis etc and calculating weights so I get the right Cruisemaster suspension setup.

I'd appreciate any helpful thoughts or recommendations for engineers / fabricators or someone to draw up the plans in CAD? for the chassis work - I'll be doing everything else and getting toolbox made etc.

Thanks in advance,
Nathan


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[edz]

Sorry cant help with the Engineering fabs up that way .
Not being rude, but it seems it would be a lot of effort,  expence and weight added to slot an upgraded chassis under the van, you say whats already there is sound, Would it not be more beneficial  just extend the drawbar  or just the hitch area  and fit your desired suspension axle  upgrade to the existing chassis, strengthening / modding where needed to accept a bolt in / weld in suspension cradle package .
Got to remember this van would have 44 year old timber frames,  rusty old screws, dried out age affected glues [ if any ]  and staples holding things together  inside its walls / roof,  Would think  I'd be more concerned about the body holding up for any Distance travel or offroad work it might see .
Could you post up some pics ? ..might help with being able to give some advice on how to go about the upgrades .

[TRUPM]

Thanks Edz,
It's only a light weight C channel chassis at the moment.
It's an alloy framed van, kept under cover its whole life. No rusted metal anywhere.

[markg66]

Try these guys at Brendale
http://belcocustomtrailers.com.au/

[TRUPM]

Thanks markg66. It definitely looks like it is something they could do quite easily.
I've sent them a quote request from their website so I'll see how they go at getting back to me and what kind of $$ I'm looking at.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk