13 replies to this topic

[millsminis]

Has anybody done a roof chop mini?

I have plans for a roof chop on a front end written off mini, but am in the need of any advice on what structural items that are needed to be added to it.

Any advice welcome.

[Pavel]

Not done it, but going to do it soon.

Basically my car is very rusty and it only needs to survive for a few months so it wont exactly be quality work.

The more strengthening you add the better, but sometimes its unpractical. Decide whether you want a roll bar, or rear seats, the rear covered or open, whether boot space is important to you, and whether you want to have opening doors or not.

After that, I'll be able to help you more, since things like this make quite a difference...

[millsminis]

well the plan is to chop straight off without a roof, probably keeping the doors for ease of access.

Not sure whether to cut the roof and welding it to the the back, making it into a two seater.

Any comments welcome.

[Pavel]

well, the main things you should do is weld box sections running along the sills from the front to the rear wheel arches.

I would also reinforce the rear bulkhead across (along the top of the rear seat back), and connect the two shock mounts in the boot.

A lateral (running across) box section on the floor right behind the front seats would also help. This would allow you to retain 4 seats, but it wouldn't give as much rigidity as a two seater, where you can weld in the box sections that run across not on the floor but rather where you will cut the roof off.

I would suggest you have some kind of door bars as it would add a bit of rigidity too. If this isn't possible, don't worry just use beefy box sections on the sills.

If you have a two seater a roll-bar can be mounted behind the front seats, this can be connected to the rear strengthening or the bulkhead providing even more strength.

Make sure to have a solid bodyshell to start with!

[millsminis]

Thanks for the advice Pavel...........

Much appreciated next step is too do it roll on the summer when the decent weather comes.

[Woody]

I used to see adverts for kits to convert minis to a cabriolet , every thing you need even the hood , i bet someone is still doing them , worth a look through the mini mags .

[Pavel]

Paul Banham Conversions do a roadster kit (search for it in Yahoo or Google).

J995 for the thing including strengthening, roll bars, tougher glass, windscreen frame, windshield, rear cover etc.

If you want the hood (to drive in the rain) its a bit extra.

Actually a rather well priced kit and quality is supposed to be quite good.

[F1 Mini]

I doing one, but i am puuting it back on..... Does that count ?

[Pippy]

Hi

I've also seen Kieths Convertables advertised - and this conversion keeps the doors and I think this kit comes in under £500.

Cheers
Pippy

[nath]

im doin 1 aswell with roof going back on 6 and half inch chop done alot of the work just puting new panels in now

[Shifty]

Hmm, anyone for a history lesson?

Holy thread revival!!



2004!!!!

[Bungle]

and mills still hasn't started work on his mini yet

[Pie]

As bungle said, still as it was back then.

Edited by miniman-pie, 11 March 2009 - 06:16 PM.

[jjojjas]

Iv'e chopped two, about 18 year ago mind, but it wasn't that difficult. IIR I used three roofs to do the last one, but it was dammaged at the back, so I *think* you could do it with two roofs.........or fab the sheet if your cleverer than me.....

Jas