36 replies to this topic

[KTM kid]

cool

love the pictures 

[Renessy]

Don't forget to drop the link of your vlog's

 

You'll be the first. Go for it!

 

René

[26dtp]

Small Update

 

Cut the front end out.  It was a bit crusty round the edges with dents all over.

 

 IMG_20180225_120019.jpg   55.04K   10 downloads

 IMG_20180225_161238.jpg   50.14K   6 downloads

 

As you can see I also test fitted the door to check the roof and whilst the gaps are not all equal at the moment, I think after playing around with fitment it will work fine. This means I can finish welding the roof.

 

I also test fitted the firewall that was in the crashed mini.  I plan to make my own, but I wanted to see how it fit to determine whether to use as template or not.  I think I will use it as template but also will modify it a bit to make it easier to gain access to engine - more on this later in the build.

 

 IMG_20180225_204935.jpg   63.94K   4 downloads

 IMG_20180225_204945.jpg   53.71K   2 downloads

 

Next things I plan to do is to clean up the bulkhead, finish welding the roof, and remove rear subframe to clean up all the cutting that was done.

[26dtp]

UPDATE!

 

Sorry for the lack of updates, I got married in the Summer which turned out to be a lot of work to organize (who knew? ) but now im back to more important things, the mini! 

 

Picked up a used fiberglass front end, haven't decided for sure if im going to use it but will try it and see how it looks.  Also picked up a pair of BMW boot hinges for it.  Fiberglass needs a little TLC but for the price I had to get it.

 

 IMG_20181107_211136-min.jpg   71.46K   4 downloads

 

Last week I took the mini to get sand blasted:

 

 IMG_20181117_123603-min.jpg   101.55K   5 downloads

 

 IMG_20181124_131207-min.jpg   94.03K   5 downloads

 

Overall i'm happy with condition of car, however it did uncover a few surprises.  The previous owner had paid a welder to replace a few of the panels and he did not do a very good job.  He covered it with a lot of seam sealer which was removed by sandblasting.  My next update i will show some of these issues and hopefully also show them fixed.  The blasting also uncovered a few areas of rust i didn't know about, nothing major though which i'm happy about.

[yeti21586]

Looking good

[Renessy]

Keep up the good work!

 

Keep busy!

[26dtp]

Merry Christmas everyone! Since getting the shell back from sandblasting I have been working my way round the car patching and welding all area's where there was either rust or a bad repair by previous owner. I am making decent progress but it is slow going due to inexperience with this kind of thing.  That being said I am learning a lot and have had a lot of help from my dad who is helping fabricate patches. 

 

Some examples of the previous repairs that were hidden by seam sealer:

 

 IMG_20181124_133915-min.jpg   45.73K   5 downloads

 IMG_20181124_133110-min.jpg   46.78K   3 downloads

 

These kind of repairs are all over the mini and whilst can be hidden with seam sealer, I would prefer to try and clean them up.

 

Some examples of rust discovered from sandblasting and my attempts at repair:

 

 IMG_20181124_133524-min.jpg   111.84K   2 downloads

 IMG_20181202_162248-min.jpg   67.53K   3 downloads

I am still learning how to weld so they are far from perfect but they are solid and will grind down just fine (I hope!)

 

 IMG_20181125_153113-min.jpg   30.39K   2 downloads

 IMG_20181125_161609-min.jpg   31.22K   3 downloads

 

 IMG_20181124_133124-min.jpg   27.62K   2 downloads

Going to order new panel to repair this one

 

My dad has also started working on the wiring loom. He is an electrician by trade so I am leaving the electrical to him.

 

I will continue to work on repairing the body and update with some more pictures once I am closer to being done the repairs.

 

Hope everyone has a happy new year!

[26dtp]

Back on own wheels!

 

Been working on the body over the last couple months, getting it into better shape. More work is needed but most of it is done now.  The front and rear subframe are now in the car and for the first time since 2016 the Mini is back on it's own wheels :)

 

 MVIMG_20190127_170045 (1).jpg   60.47K   1 downloads

 

Question for you guys: Why do the zcars front subframe have mounting points for the steering rack, I don't understand why it would bolt to subframe when it normally just bolts to the body.

[minibugga]

Hi, the rack is mount to the frame to control bumpsteer. Check your current bumpsteer first and if you find your toe is not stable change the position of the rack and bolt it to the frame. You might even find that by playing on the rack hight on the frame you can reduce bump steer even further.

Hope this helps. Cheers, Gonzo

[Painter man]

Yer what he said gonzo is correct it makes the steering much more stable but have to alter the hole where the pinion sits through the floor to be able to connect steering coloum

[26dtp]

Thank you both for information. I have seen a couple different builds on here showing that modification so I will use those as inspiration! Cheers :)

[KTM kid]

It's great watching three build.

[26dtp]

Question: Anti-roll bars.  Recently learned that zcars sell front & rear ant-roll bars.  What are people's opinions on them? Is there much body roll on these cars without them? Cheers

 

P.S. Just got a shipment from minispares so will have an update soon.  Also working out issue with zcars where the supplier to zcars mislabeled radiator box so I have the wrong rad!

[26dtp]

UPDATE!

 

Sorry for the lack of updates, didn't have much time to work on it until June but been chipping away at it since!

 

Welded new rear valance to car and cut out slot for exhaust, I love the look of where the exhausts exits

 

 IMG_20190224_193812-min.jpg   69.39K   3 downloads

 

Also added some tabs to it and used some parts off the old crashed zcars front end to reinforce the bottom so it is nice and solid.  I attached it to what I believe are for rear anti-roll bar but I dont have one and for now not planning on getting one (would love to hear people's thoughts on this)

 

 IMG_20190224_193737-min.jpg   59.47K   2 downloads

 IMG_20190224_193754-min.jpg   65.43K   7 downloads

 

Next up was the flip front end.  Spent way too many hours on this and to be honest am not happy with how it all lines up so I think I will switch it out for a removable front end instead, but nevertheless here is the front flip...flipping in case anyone is curious:

 

 IMG_20190421_171240-min.jpg   70.02K   9 downloads

 IMG_20190421_171155-min.jpg   49.85K   8 downloads

Those are BMW boot hinges ^

 

Refurbished and rebuilt the steering rack which turned out looking sharp:

 IMG_20190622_151455-min.jpg   66.05K   7 downloads

 

And most recently took the front hub assembly to pieces, sandblasted everything and had a go at doing my own powder coating. Then added new wheel bearings and ball joints. Im happy with how it turned out and with it all being powder coated it should stay in good condition much longer than paint. Wish I took more pics of the process and the hubs themselves as you cannot even see them! But you can see some of the powder coated parts (under a coating of fiberglass dust!)

 

 IMG_20190720_093352-min.jpg   48.94K   7 downloads

 

Currently working on a couple different things. The firewall, the steering column, and finishing the fiberglass front. Will post an update on those when I have something worth showing!

[Renessy]

Good work! looks awesome so far. Who new a mini body needed so much TLC...