764 replies to this topic

[Tupers]

Here\'s some more progress from the last few days.

I cut out a bit more of the floor in preparation for a new cross member section.




Folded a new section and got it ready to weld in. More on this latter.




I\'ve never liked the bumps on an estate valance so I set about cutting them out.




I cut and shaped some steel to fill them and welded the plates on both sides.






As part of operation smooth I decided to do away with the vallance\'s vertical lip. I used one steel plate clamped to the original lip to make sure the new lip was in the correct position.


I worked my way along spot welding the new lip on that then seamed up the gaps in between and the valley inside.


Then I cut off the lip and flap wheeled it smooth, purdy ain't it.




The next step was to join the quarter valances to the main section.




Put a lovely big seam in the back.


The vertical seams aren\'t very nice so I chopped them off and seam welded from the outside as well.




I cut a 15MM strip of steel and tacked it in to continue the new internal lip.




Then I started to seam the outside but by this time it was almost 10PM so I went home, I\'ll finish the rest tomorrow.

Edited by Tupers, 28 July 2010 - 11:34 PM.

[minimanclive]

I'm not sure without checking on my own estate to compare, but aren't those bumps you've cut off the rear valence used for mounting the petrol tank?

[Tupers]

I'm not sure without checking on my own estate to compare, but aren't those bumps you've cut off the rear valence used for mounting the petrol tank?

They would be on a standard estate but I'm moving my petrol tank to the inside of the subframe so I don't need them anymore.


There was a small gap between the new lip and quarter valance so I cut a small fillet to fill the gap.




Once I was happy with the fit I welded it in place along with the rest of the new lip and also seamed the inside.






Then out came the angle grinder to smooth it all out.

[Tupers]

Few more updates on Fom, hopefully they'll be getting a bit more frequent as I really need to crack on to get this to Castle Comb this September.

So yesterday I did a bit more fettling to my new crossmember section and had Dad weld it in for me. When the car next on it's side we'll weld from the bottom as well for extra strength.


With the crossmember sorted I decided it would be wise to figure out where to put my petrol tank. After a bit of cad work (cardboard aided design) I came up with this, the tank will hold just over 5.5 gallons and will be hidden under a false floor.


I'm also going to put a second box under rear seat to hold my battery and about 10 can of tyre weld, no spare wheel in this estate.


Unfortunately we didn't have enough steel to start making the box but I drew up a nice little net design so i can get straight to it on monday.



I knew from the start I wanted a centre console in this but I've never been fond of the MDF ones so I'm making my own in steel.

The basic sheet that will become the centre console.


My new best friend the T dolly used the form a radiused edge in shell metal.


Here's the result of a few hours of panel beating, I'd like to see someone do this with MDF.


A pair of lovely curved edges running the length of the console. The front is bent up slightly and will be attached to another section coming down the the bottom dash rail.


I did a quick test fit before I went home and it fits perfectly between the seats. I'll also be making another section to come right back to the heel board, once it's finished the console will be painted the same color as the body.

[Tupers]

I decided on the height I wanted the console at and made two side above the tunnel to hold in place.


I cut some more steel and rolled the edges to continue the console all the back to the heel board.


Once I was happy with how it how it sat I made side for it and got 'em all tacked together.


I made another section to join up to the lower dash rail and fitted the console, tomorrow I will make side to close in the front.




I also had a play with seat belts. I think I'm going to go with Metro belts (black on red) with modified stalks in the centre console to keep them tidy.


Unlike mini belt the Metro had bars anchoring them to the sills. The stock ones are to long so I've started to modify a pair for the estate.


Before (bottom) and after (top). I've taken around 2.5" out of them inserted a steel dowel to join the two and 'V'ed them out ready to be welded back together.

[olds_kool_lews]

looking good mate! likin the centre console, something different! and very cool! mines gettin there now, but i wont hi-jack ur thread with my progress lol i also like the position of the petrol tank, and the false floor is a good idea, will make it very clean! what engine will you be running? as a 5.5 gallon tank wont give you a massive range if you fit a bigger engine!

[Tupers]

Cheers Lews' it's coming along nicely. I really like the look of your estate on the Wellers, I'm might see if I can find some 5x10s for mine. I'm running a 1215 A-plus block (1100 with Imp pistons) with a 1275 head, hopefully it wont be to bad on fuel and I've got room to make the tank bigger if I need it.

Only a couple more pics until next week. I've stared making the sides for the front of the console, these tapper in to the tunnel (more than you can see in the pics) so I'll actually be able to get the the clutch pedal. I've got to do the other side on Monday and then I can weld the whole thing up and add the finishing touches.

[matty121]

very tidy work! love the centre console

[Tupers]

very tidy work! love the centre console

Thank you very much. I love my console as well but I have been having problems with getting the gear stick to sit in 2nd nicely so today I decided to chop it up a little.

As you can see here the larger section of the gear stick with the rubber piece in it hits the edges of the allocated gator area.


Rather than cutting more from the console I decided to modify the gear so found on from the stores with a knackered swivel.


The next step was to cut both gear sticks up into 5 pieces so i could get the metal out of them I wanted.


Had a play with the scraps, I think this might be a little short.




To resolve the clearance issue we used the torch to heat up the old gear stick and bend a dog leg into it.


Then I welded the 3 modified pieces together and voala a gear stick that doesn't foul the the console.

Edited by Tupers, 09 August 2010 - 10:41 PM.

[olds_kool_lews]

Cheers Lews' it's coming along nicely. I really like the look of your estate on the Wellers, I'm might see if I can find some 5x10s for mine.

i got a couple of sets of 6x10 wellers if your interested, need a refurb and new tyres, but a good starting point to be powder coated to the colour of your choice!

also loving the short short quick shift... ud need long arms like a gorilla, and fingers like those off a facehugger from the aliens films to change gear!

keeping my eye on the progress, and mybe nick a few ideas for my own estate!

[Tupers]

i got a couple of sets of 6x10 wellers if your interested, need a refurb and new tyres, but a good starting point to be powder coated to the colour of your choice!

also loving the short short quick shift... ud need long arms like a gorilla, and fingers like those off a facehugger from the aliens films to change gear!

keeping my eye on the progress, and mybe nick a few ideas for my own estate!

Fell free plagiarize my ideas I don't mind honest, I wouldn't recommend the short short shift though it's lower than the hand brake. I'm not sure is if I want to push it to 10x6s as I really want to keep it arch less. I might be able to do it if I ran unspaced drums all round with mega camber though.

This morning I got dad to weld the the joint on the gear stick, I took them down with a flap wheel and painted it gloss black.




I made up the other side of the front console and got it tacked in. There's only a few little bits left to add to it now and then I can weld it all up properly.


I also decided to change from late Metro seat belts to early ones as they will bolt up to the captive plates in there already and work in the metro stalks I'm using.




Although they wont be stock!

[skyblueads]

Looks like a corkin' little project. Been reading through all seven pages and then it clicked that you're at Tupmans. My first Mini came from your Dads, my brother-in-law knew your dad pretty well before he went Australia to live. Ask him if he remembers Charile Gracewood, I am sure he will!

Can't wait to see the end result on this one.

[Tupers]

Looks like a corkin' little project. Been reading through all seven pages and then it clicked that you're at Tupmans. My first Mini came from your Dads, my brother-in-law knew your dad pretty well before he went Australia to live. Ask him if he remembers Charile Gracewood, I am sure he will!

Glad you like the project, I actually work for my Dad at Mintec Mini Spares it's my uncle that owns Tupmans Minis.


So how about a few updates, I would have gotten these up sooner but I've been having trouble getting the Iphone to sync pics.

Because of changing the rear false floor design I decided to cut out the bottom door shut.




We got bored the other day and test fitted my brothers dash board, shame it's a bit big although I'm still thinking of moding it for another mini.




So seen as the other dash wouldn't fit I decided to sort out a set of dials and make my own dash. I already had the speedo and rev counter and the 3 in 1 was donated my my mate Si.


I didn't really like the silver ring in the middle so I took it apart, masked it up and sprayed it satin black.






This is roughly where the dials to sit in the dash.


I turned my cardboard template into steel and 3 little tiaras to hold the dials at and angle.


I welded the dash face the a steel plate so it wouldn't move while I welded the tiaras on.


I got as far as welding two on and realized I'd messed up.


I'm my rush I had miged one on upside down so had to cut it off and do it again.


I sorted out my ******* up and welded on the centre tiara.


And this is why I went to all that trouble. The face of the dash carry on down the the lower dash rail leaving the gauges sticking out like bug eyes.


And before I left I pulled all the padding off of a knackered top rail to give me something to mount the new dash pieces too.

[mighty mini jack]

Really nice fabrication there Tupers'.

That dash is also looking lovely!

[skyblueads]

So is your Uncle Paul, then? Been a long time since I was in that neck of the woods!

Love the look of the custom dash, and those period dials look superb. Nice work. Will be watching this thread with envy!