Will My Arches Need Cutting For 12x6's

Hi there,

Reading through the posts about fitting wider wheels there seems to a range of differing experiences and opinions with regards to the need for modifying the bodywork. I was wondering why this is.

Is it that older Mini's that were built to run on 10" wheels will definitely need modifying whereas the later models that had discs and 12" wheels as standard won't?

Or is it down to the difference in wheel? Although surely one 12x6 is of the same dimensions as another?

Or is it down to what suspension components you are running with?

I have a 94 Mini Sprite - 12" wheels as standard running on discs at the front. I also have a set of fast road springs instead of the rubber donuts, Hi-Lo's all round, and KYB Gas-a-just shocks. I'm wanting to swap my 5x12's, for some deep dish 6x12's. I know i will need wider arches, but can i get away without chopping up my Mini?

Hi there,

Reading through the posts about fitting wider wheels there seems to a range of differing experiences and opinions with regards to the need for modifying the bodywork. I was wondering why this is.

Is it that older Mini's that were built to run on 10" wheels will definitely need modifying whereas the later models that had discs and 12" wheels as standard won't?

Or is it down to the difference in wheel? Although surely one 12x6 is of the same dimensions as another?

Or is it down to what suspension components you are running with?

I have a 94 Mini Sprite - 12" wheels as standard running on discs at the front. I also have a set of fast road springs instead of the rubber donuts, Hi-Lo's all round, and KYB Gas-a-just shocks. I'm wanting to swap my 5x12's, for some deep dish 6x12's. I know i will need wider arches, but can i get away without chopping up my Mini?

my mini had 12" as standered and when i fitted 12" 6 wheels i had to trim the front arches. think it was from nothing at the top off the wing to an inch at the front edge. dont take my word for it though i would ask at the shop you buy the wheels from.

rule of thumb is anything over 5 the arches will need to be trimmed slightly.

but the best bet is to trial fit a 12x6 wheel to see what its like on full lock and to see how much will need to be trimmed if trimming is needed.

id be very surprised if you dont need any trimming with 6inch wide wheels..

Hi there,

Reading through the posts about fitting wider wheels there seems to a range of differing experiences and opinions with regards to the need for modifying the bodywork. I was wondering why this is.

Is it that older Mini's that were built to run on 10" wheels will definitely need modifying whereas the later models that had discs and 12" wheels as standard won't?

Or is it down to the difference in wheel? Although surely one 12x6 is of the same dimensions as another?

Or is it down to what suspension components you are running with?

no it's the other way around

old minis that had 10 inch wheels and drum brakes had a narrower track than the later disk braked minis

putting a 6 inch wheel on a drum braked mini will be the same as fitting a 5 inch wheel on a disk braked mini

you later disk braked mini will need some body mods, how much will depend on your ride height and wheel off set

if u'r on bout deep 12x6's then yes u need to do some cutting, mine only needed the front panel trimmed nothin on the wing