Short answer: yes, but it’s not a weekend DIY job
You can remove the factory tub on a BYD Shark 6 and fit a tray. The chassis is built to take it, and tray conversions are already happening on other dual cab utes every day. The catch is that the Shark 6 is a PHEV, not a standard diesel ute, and that changes what’s underneath the tub and how carefully the swap needs to be handled.
If you’re picturing a straightforward unbolt-and-swap, temper that a bit. There’s more to consider with a plug-in hybrid platform, and getting it wrong can mean chasing electrical faults for months. Here’s what’s actually involved.
What’s different about ute tub removal on a Shark 6
Standard ute tub removal usually comes down to a few bolts, some wiring plugs for tail lights and a reversing camera, and a bit of muscle to lift the tub clear. On a diesel ute, that’s most of the job done.
The Shark 6 adds a few extra layers:
- High-voltage components live near the rear of the chassis. The battery pack and associated wiring routing sit differently to a combustion ute, so you need to know exactly what’s near the tub mounts before you start undoing bolts.
- More wiring to identify and isolate. Beyond tail lights and camera, there are sensors and harnesses tied into the vehicle’s hybrid systems that don’t exist on a standard ute.
- Warranty and safety implications. Working around high-voltage systems without the right training isn’t something you want a general fabrication shop guessing at.
None of this makes a tray conversion off the table. It just means the removal and refit need someone who actually understands the platform, not just a ute tray in general.
Why owners are looking at tray conversions in the first place
A tub is fine for weekend loads and general driving, but it’s limiting the moment you need to carry anything oversized, awkward, or specific to a trade.
Common reasons Shark 6 owners are chasing a tray:
- Tradies need flat, accessible load space for pipe, timber, ladders, or gear that a tub’s high sides just don’t suit.
- Toolboxes and underbody storage become an option once the tub’s out of the way, freeing up space that’s otherwise wasted.
- Canopy and camping setups often work better on a tray, especially for touring builds where you want a specific canopy height, drawer system, or water tank mounted underneath.
- Payload flexibility for anyone hauling awkward-shaped loads rather than everything tied down inside a tub.
If any of that sounds like your Shark 6, a tray conversion is a legitimate upgrade path, not a novelty.
What to check before you commit to a tray
A few things are worth nailing down before you book anything in:
- Payload and GVM impact. Swapping tub for tray can change the weight balance of the vehicle. Confirm what the new setup does to your payload figures before you load it up.
- Chassis mounting points. Trays need to bolt up to the same mounting points as the tub, or a subframe designed specifically for the Shark 6’s chassis dimensions.
- Wiring plan. Tail lights, reversing camera, sensors, and any hybrid-specific wiring all need to be rerouted and tested properly, not just zip-tied and hoped for.
- Who’s doing the high-voltage isolation. This is the step that separates a proper conversion from a backyard job. It needs to be handled by someone who knows the Shark 6’s electrical architecture inside out.
Why this is a job for Shark 6 specialists, not a general ute shop
Most tray conversion shops know utes. Very few of them know the Shark 6 specifically, and that gap matters more than it might seem.
MAKA Offroad is Australia’s first and only dedicated Shark 6 upgrade centre. That’s not a throwaway line, it’s the reason tub-to-tray conversions on this vehicle should go through a specialist rather than a general fabricator. We work on the Shark 6 every day, we understand where the high-voltage components sit, and we know how to isolate and reroute wiring without creating faults that show up three months down the track.
We also run full buy and build packages. That means MAKA can acquire the vehicle and complete the fitout, tray included, before it’s even delivered to you. No back-and-forth between a dealer and a fabrication shop, no gaps in who’s responsible for what. One build, done properly, ready to work.
One of our current builds, the White Widow project, shows exactly what’s possible when a Shark 6 is set up properly for real work and remote travel rather than just daily driving. It’s a good look at the kind of end result a considered fitout can deliver.
Getting it done right
If you’re weighing up a tray for your Shark 6, the vehicle can absolutely handle it. What matters is who does the work. Get the wrong shop involved and you’re risking electrical gremlins, voided warranty cover, or a tray that doesn’t sit right on the chassis. Get the right team involved and you end up with a ute that actually works for your job, your build, or your next trip bush.
If you want to talk through what a tray conversion looks like for your Shark 6, get in touch with the team at MAKA Offroad and we’ll walk you through what’s possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put a tray on a BYD Shark?
Yes. The BYD Shark 6’s chassis can be fitted with a tray after the factory tub is removed, though the vehicle’s PHEV components mean the wiring and isolation work should be handled by a specialist familiar with the platform.
What is the tray size of the BYD SHARK 6?
Tray dimensions depend on the specific tray you choose, since aftermarket trays are built to suit the Shark 6’s chassis length and mounting points rather than a single fixed factory size. A specialist can confirm the exact fit for your intended use.
Is BYD SHARK 6 worth it?
For many buyers, yes, it offers ute-level capability with hybrid running costs and towing performance that competes with diesel rivals. Whether it’s worth it depends on your use case, but it’s proving popular with tradies and tourers looking to move away from pure diesel.
What are the best accessories for the BYD SHARK 6?
Popular fitouts include trays or canopies, drawer systems, bull bars, suspension upgrades, and recovery gear, depending on whether the vehicle is set up for work or remote touring. A full buy-and-build package lets you fit these out before the vehicle is even delivered.
