890 replies to this topic

[Dom]

What colours this one going to be?

[Tomf]

Not sure on a colour for this one yet, i dont hink ill go so wild, but i dont know. anyone got any sugestions?

[miniallsort]

wow love the van tom hope u get better soon mate

[minivanman]

Looks like you've got your work cut out there dude While you're at it, I would convert it to take mk3 doors - much better than mk1s! They're a right pain in the arse. The section across the rear of the roof you were asking about the other day doesnt look too bad though? Look forward to seeing it coming back to life...

[miniboo]

easier said than done though. i think mk1 doors are a different shape around the window as well not just the a panel part.

[Tomf]

Can anyone confirm if the top of the door is different? as ill be changine the inner wings and door steps so it would be easy to change the bottom of the door. But if the top of the door is different then that would make things a bit harder.

The top part doesnt look to bad in the pics, but i think it might be worse than it looks. ill get a wire brush on the grinder and see once iv got my cast off.

[minivanman]

I know Syholl did it on toad, so its definately possible. Just depends how much cutting n' shutting there is.

[miniboo]

as i remember Syholl said it was a bit of a mare to do. mk1 doors are better i think. unless you dont have any that is

[Tomf]

Yea i dont have any doors for it yet, so convert to interior hinges would be easier as i can get hold of interior hinged doors easier. But i do prefer the exterior hinge look.

[minivanman]

Trust me, they are nothing but trouble. Definately the part I'm least happy with on mine.

[analogue_radio]

Have you got any more pictures of your lime green? Looks really nice.

[Tomf]

Sorry i dont have any more pictures at the moment.

Well even with my broken wrist i managed to get some work done today, iv started to disconnect everything from the engine to take it out, i didnt have the hoist today so its still in the only thing left attatched are the driveshafts and the speedo cable, so that will come out once iv got a hoist where the mini is.

Im also just about to place a big order with minispares for everything i need to complete my engine re-build cant w8 to get the 1380 in.

LOL not even a broken wrist can keep me away from workin on my mini.

[miniallsort]

top work mate keep it up cant wait to see the engine finished

[Tomf]

Cheers mate yea i cant wait to get the engine re-built.

Edited by Tomf, 07 April 2008 - 11:33 PM.

[Tomf]

Well i havent really got the time or money to do the van, so its for sale on ebay at the moment. Im also selling off a few other bits that will be collected in the next couple of weeks. Then once i get the money though ill be making a few orders to get "Rolling Snot" back on the road.

Things iv already got that i will be changing:

LCB manifold
Sump guard protector
fiesta break setup (ill get the calipers re-furbished though)

Things to order when iv sold the van and other bits:

Carbon fiber, or if i can find on Kevlar roof skin
CF or Kevlar (depending on roof) bonnet showing wave
All the gaskets and engine parts for the 1380 re-build
New carpet set
New buckets
New wheels
New tyres
Harnesses

Well the last couple of days iv been working on a fiberglass dashboard. And this is a small guide to what i have done so far.

Making the Plug

First up i masked off the mini dash area, as if to fill the hole between the dash rails.



I then mixed up the resin and cut the matting to shape, im doing this to make sure the dash would fit nicely when the actual dash is come to fit.





Once the matting was cut to shape i put this in place and applies the resin/catalyst.







I then left this to set and removed it from the mini. once removed i cleaned up the edges of the fiberglass to make it look a bit nice.





I then started to make the different shapes of bits i wanted the dash to have and fixed these in place, i also cut a hole for the glove box.



Once they were all fixed in place i pulled some fleece material tightly over everything and glued this in place. I then applied the resin/catalyst to the fleece material.





Once the resin had set i started to sand back the whole thing.









This is as far as i have got at the moment, but when i get the chance ill fill the imperfections on the dash, from this stage ill then apply relies wax to the plug and apply the gel coat, the fiberglass over this to create a mold. I will do about 3-4 layers of fiberglass matting to make the mold. then i will add relies wax to the side of the mold where the gel coat is, then start creating the actual dash, but ill update this as i do more.

If people are interested ill make a proper guide once i have completed the dash.