Mini fun

[stonehead887]

Hiya all,
Happy New Year!
Hope everyone had a good, safe festive period. Quite low key my end but family is all well so can't complain.
Thought I would share some pics of little projects I have been getting on with in the last 6 months of owning my 79' Mini 1000.
Over the holiday season I got quite a lot done. Just completed a boot (trunk) upgrade after installing a HiLo kit to adjust the suspension.
To get at rear shocks, fuel tank has to come out so I decided to clean and tidy while I was there.
Boot got a full degrease and clean, I tidied all electricals and put fresh tape on. Battery box was cleaned and painted with anti corrosion paint and new earth strap fitted.
I made a tool rack for the original tools and resued some pieces I had around. Fitting it was a bastard as I needed to be in car and boot at same time. (I did tell my wife its essential she hold my nuts....).
I made a lift out picnic table, again from materials around the house. Needed to get a few bits but reckon the whole upgrade cost about €50.
Going to get a period picnic basket so we can have days out. Determined to make better use of time and doing things with my wife this year and create more special days.
Anyway, hope you all enjoy. I will likey add a bunch more pics of my other upgrades to this thread.
It has been huge fun doing all this to my car. And like so many things in life, I didn't know I could do it until I did it! Go for it!

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[stonehead887]

This is the suspension upgrade. The job is actually quite straightforward. Without the prep and fannying around with some stubborn parts, the whole disassemble and reassemble takes about an hour each side.
One of the pics shows fuel tank set aside for access to top nut on shock, whole assembly swings away and trumpet and cone just pop out.
You can see side by side original trumpet and adjustable replacement. Once suspension is settled, just need to wind thread in and lock with nut.
I want to drop about 3 inches off rear ride height

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[rockmastermike]

mad skillz

[HapaHapa]

All very cool. I like the sticker collection on the fuel tank. Lends a lot of individuality, though the pop-out picnic table scores a hundred points too lol. Great job! I, uh, got a lot of sleep over holidays.

[Erratic101]

Awesome work!! I like the personality you’re giving it. I wouldn’t mind picking up an old mini, to go with my MG!

[stonehead887]

Thanks guys. It has been huge fun. I am by no means a mechanic so appreciate the comments.
Definitely feels like I am putting my mark on it. Got a few more details here and there I want to do and then next jobs are Stage 1 kit, new wheels and vintage roof rack if I can find one

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[toxicavenger]

that looks way cool! keep up the great work and keep posting pics!

[amckiwi]

Awesome work

[Bob1035]

Nice work!

The more I work on "modern" cars, the more I yearn for the simplicity of classics/vintage/etc

[stonehead887]

This is the new carpet set I fitted a few months ago. Surprisingly a lot of space inside without any seats....

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[Monkeyfudger]

Nice! A good carpet was pretty important in some of the old girls I’ve been in, seemed like it was the only thing keeping your feet in the footwells…

Had some great times in old Mini’s, never a car I’ve owned or even driven though weirdly

[unsub073]

That's awesome. I look forward to more updates.

[stonehead887]

Here are some before, during and what it's like now, of engine bay. Not going for show condition bit still want to do a few things: clean bay, tidy cabling and fit an new, something different screen wash bottle.

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[stonehead887]

New wheels arrived yesterday. Deep dish 4.5 inch. Can't wait to get tyres fitted. Will lower rear suspension and then see if I need to fit spacers. I want wheels to protrude about 2cm if possible.

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[93 Turbo]

Italian Job with room for a picnic, here we come. Looks great. J

[stonehead887]

Still waiting to get my wheels fitted. The down side to a classic Mini, no local tyre fitter has machines that can take 10 inch wheels
In the meantime, I thought I would crack on with my glass washer bottle and holder. For no other reason than it will look cool (hopefully).
Using a Mason preserving jar and made an aluminium bracket to hold it.
Cut hole in top of the original tube gubbins. Need to spray life with enamel paint, acrylic didn't work. Gonna add some foam to inside of bracket to avoid breakage.
Needs a bit of fettling but next stop is installation

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[stonehead887]

Finally got round to getting the new wheels fitted, very happy with the look.
I dont think I will need a spacer kit but will definitely lower rear suspension to level it out with front.
Picked up a roof rack, that was a bastard to assemble but it's on. I will do some fettling on it as the screws supplied are duff and cross threaded already. Will probably repaint it same colour as wheels and and wooden slats in the middle.
It will hold some camping chairs and beer box ready for summer days picnics

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[unsub073]

Very cool updates.

[stonehead887]

Today I managed to get round to fitting the glass washer bottle upgrade. The bracket I made for it fixed in easily with plenty of space. Its foam lined so should protect from breaking when driving. I need to add a bungy to hold it in place. Removed old pump and added now one closer to washer bottle and added all new pipes. They were a bastard to fit.
All I need to do now is tack electrical cables back to new pump and hope it all works!

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[stonehead887]

New wheels, lowered rear suspension, loaded and ready to go...

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[toxicavenger]

man that is a good looking car. keep at it!

[unsub073]

Looks really good Jeremy.

[Djf1978]

This thread has been a blast too read. Love the way it all turned out. Congrats and many good times behind the wheel.

[stonehead887]

It's been a while since updated. Decided to modify the roof rack, it's been repainted cream to match the wheels and I have removed the centre bits which were metal and replaced with wood,just needs a of finishing and few more coats of varnish and will be done.
Refurbished the wiper motor, fitted new electrics and just need to test and install.
Got new tyres and oh, a Stage 1 kit that just arrived today. I will get professionally installed. Should give extra 20% HP. And it will handle a lot better with new rubber.

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[stonehead887]

Rood rack in place and Stage 1 kit ready to be installed.
Love the difference in tail pipe size!

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