Firstly this is my very first post so I think its best I quickly say "hi"!!

Found the site under a Yahoo search for "Fiat Panda Forum" and the rest is history!!

I've only ever owned 2 Fiats and both being Panda's. One was a 4X4 Sisley but after trying to keep up the pace with the big boys (Land Rover Meet) my beloved Sisley drowned. After sitting in a river for 24 hours we finally managed to pull the old girl back to dry land where we found that the tank had filled up with river water. Re-routing the fuel line, half a can of damp start and some fresh petrol the Sisley fired and unfortunatly has been sat in a field ever since. This has brought me onto my next part and the reason that I have joined the forums.....................

After several months of checking eBay, yellow papers etc I have noticed that it is impossible to pick up a half decent Panda 4X4 for under the £300 marker. Money is a little tight at present and can not afford to get another Panda 4X4. The shell on my Sisley in the field is shall we say, beyond economical repair. I'm contemplating going out to the field where my Panda 4X4 is and stripping it of all its 4X4 running gear etc, chucking it into a trailor and bringing it back to my garage. I'm then planning on finding a cheap Panda with TAX and MOT and putting all my old 4X4 running gear on it but..................... is this conversion even possible??

I'm hoping to hear from anyone with any information, tips, previous conversion experience etc etc. Also any recommendations into a company(s) that can supply up-rated parts e.g higher suspension, performance exhaust etc etc

Thanks for your time in reading my post and I'm greatful for any advice given in this topic.

Many Thanks, Neil

P.S........... I'll leave you with a few pic's of my Panda Sisley in action and its final voyage

I'm sure one of the more knowledgeable and technically minded members will be able to answer your question about the swap.

I just wanted to say welcome to the forum, and nice pictures.

I have been told the conversion is not possible as the rear end of the 2 cars is different. The 4x4 has a unique rear suspension setup.
Like everything else in life if you have the time and the right tools you could always cut the back end out of the 4x4 car and weld it in.

Stu

Post 1986 2 wheel drive pandas have a very different rear suspension to a 4x4 as StuartL says. How about a Seat Marbella. I have never heard of it being done but it should be possible as the Seat has the leaf springs at the back. There are still a few about my local scrappie had a low mileage one which is now missing a windscreen

So how about a Seat Marbella, put the Panda 4x4 running gear on it, de-badge the Seat and put my Fiat, Panda and Sisley badges on it???

Dont see why it shouldnt be possible. Only trouble might be adapting the Seat to use the Fiats engine/gearbox as seat used old pushrod motor with presumably diffrent mounts.

Hello and welcome.
All of my knowledgable friends on this site are spot-on. The Seat Marbella uses the floorpan off the original Panda (with leaf springs) and is pre-drilled and tapped for all the 4x4 running gear.. To 'Pandarise' it you need to replace the front wings, bonnet and grill assy. The doors will need the quarterlight glazing-bar removing and replacing with mirror fittings, etc. The tailgate is actually better than the later Panda, but for accuracy it is easily changed. As for the engine; you will need to fit a panda o/s mount on top of the wheel-arch and upgrade the n/s mount...all of these parts are on your old 4x4.
It is also VERY important to fit the suspension legs and springs from your 4x4 to the 'new' car as they have 7, rather than 5 coils. The rest is more-or-less common sense. Have fun, it relly is not a very difficult conversion.
Sorry, I've just remembered.........when you remove the bumper-strip from the doors you will find that they are MK1 corrugated jobs, live with it...they are loads better than the later 'improved design' !
Hope this helps..............never be afraid to ask.

Keep us posted on what you decide to do.

Progress Report.......

Went to the field today where I store my Panda 4X4. Drove to the spot where the Panda was kept but no Panda was there.

Going to go to the person who owns the land tomorrow and ask if he has moved it. Fingers crossed he has but he does have a tendancy to remove/scrap cars that owners have left for a while. I have not been out there for a year so I don't want to admit it but I do not think I will be meeting my Panda 4X4 ever again

So....... do you know of a Panda 4X4 with or without T&T for sale?? I'm in the southwest but prepared to travel where ever!!

The above is my next step if the Panda is long gone. I'll let you all know as soon as I've spoken to the land owner.

Many thanks to Steve C Stuartl Giacosa & pandafan for your comments

You stored it in a field for a year? That made me smile. There are a couple of 4X4s on eBay at the minute.

Stored it in a field as there was very bad damage to the shell when it was removed from the river and could not be used on the road again. I can only find one 4X4 on ebay at the moment, any links to more

Ah, I see.

I had a look on eBay and there is only one 4X4 on there at the minute. It's a bit of a distance from you though.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=9843&item=4534449542&rd=1

A crazy price too!! No Tax or MOT and its at £470

How much of a gamble are you prepared to take ?

That auction is into silly money?!

Currently at £1650. Ridiculous.

Must be false bidders?

UPDATE!!!!!

My beloved Sisley is still in the field. The reason that I couldn't find it as it had been moved, hot wired, steering lock snapped and is currently being used to shunt stuff around the farm and is now in a right state!!!

But........... the Panda is still present which means all the parts are available for my Marbella conversion!!

Here are some pictures taken tonight when I found my Sisley after not seeing it for 12 months

oh dear me!!!

I must say that I'm not very impressed to say the least!!

Right, so am I right in thinking that I now need to find a nice, new as possible Marbella with preffably TAX and MOT. Strip everything needed for the conversion and fit it to the Marbella?? I just cant believe its going to be as simple as it sounds!!