764 replies to this topic

[Tupers]

Yeah I'm going to add some swaged gussets from the towers to the rear crossmember and run a few along the top of the front cross member as well.

[Tupers]

Did a bit more yesterday and decided to add some braces to the subframe towers. Seen as it's a road car they not really needed but I think they look kinda cool.

[benjy_18]

copied my subframe strengthening tubes! how rude!

looks pretty snazzy though now chris

[Tupers]

Well you know Ben you're just such an inspiration to me I couldn't help but copy you.

[benjy_18]

haha, bet you hadn't even noticed i had done it!

hope everythings going well down there
.

[Tupers]

I totally had noticed I just didn't want to say anything incase you got a bit big headed.

Everything down here's good down here busy as usual.


I got the spot weld drill out and popped off the number plate mounts and ground down the welds around the plates in the side light holes.

[benjy_18]

chris, i dont know if your planning on keeping the bumpers or not. but if you arent have you though about removing this piece? would smooth it out no end

[Tupers]

Nah the front bumper's staying. I did consider loosing it but i don't think it would work for the look I'm going for.

[Tupers]

I did a bit of work tidying up the rear frame this evening. Matt had started gusseting the area where the cone rests in the frame but there was one left for me to complete.

Matts one.


Opposite side.


New gusset tacked in with zinc primer on the back side.


Fully welded, I had to stop and start a bit to save me from blowing through but it's pretty beefy none the less.



I also seam welded the trusses the to cross members and then ground them down to make it look a little cleaner.


I flicked some primer over it and you'd never know there was a joint there.

Edited by Tupers, 18 August 2011 - 09:58 PM.

[Tupers]

Had a little spare time last night so I finished up blending in the welds on the section I'd added between the side and rear gutters.
Originally it would have looked like this.


And now it's nicely closed up and looks a little more fluid. All I need to do now is drill a small hole for rain to drain through and sort out the flat spot.



My order from Smiffys Bits turned up as well, one rear subframe mega fittings kit and a pair of large rear trunnion washers.

Edited by Tupers, 23 August 2011 - 06:51 PM.

[Risky]

Nice project you got there, very nice detailing.
Almost bought myself a clubby estate a few months ago but didn't do it. I should have though...

[Tupers]

Thanks Risky I think everyone needs a long wheel base Mini in their life.


Did some more work to the rear subframe today.

Started out by marking up and drilling the for the swaged holes on the underside of the O/S leg.


Bolted the swaging die up.


It didn't take long to get them all done.





I also plugged up some little holes on the top and bottom of the legs. I drilled the holes out to 13MM and then welded in a washer to save having to make 6 plugs.




All welded up and primed




I also got rather nice aluminium inlet manifold from my brother.

[Tupers]

I got the last set of swages on the O/S leg done today.


There where 3 spare holes on the rear X member that needed filling so I popped some thick washers in a welded them up.


Nice beefy welds.


All ground down a primed.


I also welded up and smoothed off the joints where the rear X member meets the legs.

[Tupers]

I started smoothing all the casting marks off of my radius arms today and removed the brake hose tab that will be relocated to the inner side of the arm to give me some more clearance. My face was black with metallic dust by the time I was finished with the second arm.




My rear subframe bits turned up from Mini Spares, Specialist Components and DNS Classics as well. All I need for the back end now is brake backplates and a cleaned up set of hubs.


It also happens to be my 21st birthday today so I had a nice pile of tools from my parents waiting for my when I got home.

[benjy_18]

the grinder: a mini owners most loved and used possession!

looks like all is going well chris, keep it up

Ben