4 replies to this topic

[scubaet]

Hello Everyone, first post here, I am planning on converting a classic mini to electric and would like to do a rear wheel direct drive. I have seen the front wheel drive conversions but I would like to keep my original engine for the near term.

My question is are there any rear wheel drive vehicle suspensions out there that I could fit to the back of my mini?



http://www.chargedmini.com


Thanks

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Edited by scubaet, 23 June 2009 - 10:23 PM.

[daveeeeee]

Could you use a front suspension setup off a mini and lock the steering arms?

edit: sry failed to look at your pictures hillman imp or something.

Edited by daveeeeee, 23 June 2009 - 10:46 PM.

[pantera2075]

As you are over the pond a) most answers you will get will ber irrelevant as you won't get the bits, and you have plenty different motors over there, and b) what's with the UK plates in Orlando???

Otherwise i'd say Reliant Robin, or Sooty Van (That's a Suzuki Super Carry to you)

[scubaet]

Could you use a front suspension setup off a mini and lock the steering arms?

Thats actually a good idea I had not thought of. Easy way of keeping the wheelbase width correct.

As you are over the pond a) most answers you will get will ber irrelevant as you won't get the bits, and you have plenty different motors over there, and b) what's with the UK plates in Orlando???

Otherwise i'd say Reliant Robin, or Sooty Van (That's a Suzuki Super Carry to you)

Yes, being over the pond in the USA definately makes it a callenge to this project. very few options for rear wheel drive vehicles anywhere close to the mini's width. Think a Toyota MR2 might be the closest but still 7 inches too wide.

I'd never seen a Reliant Robin before. It looks like I could buy a whole car and ship it here for under 700 pounds if import laws allow. still much cheaper than a custom rear axle and frame. I'll keep it in mind.

(Oh, and the UK plates were from the previous owner after he imported the car a few years back
I believe the car originally came from http://www.barnhillminis.co.uk )

[scubaet]

Just came across an All Wheel Drive kit (AWD) from Mini Mania. Although its a bit expensive at USD $2,695

http://www.minimania...0/InvDetail.cfm



Required Extras: 1996-2001 Honda CR-V All-Wheel-Drive manual 5-speed drivetrain (complete transmission with inner front and rear cv joints, shifter with linkage cables, main driveshafts, and rear differential 'pumpkin'). Any Honda B-Series engine will fit the CR-V transmission. This kit will work using our MTB3 Front subframe (and MTB2 subframe's with slight modifications). Use 1990-1997 Mazda Miata rear hubs, rear outer cv joints, and disc brake components with this kit. This frame utilizes coil-over shocks (see bottom of page). Modifications required: Included in our kit will be certain body panels that are required to fit the CR-V drivetrain. The panels include; exhaust tunnel panels, rear seat panels, and boot panels (no photo of panels yet). The photos below show the body modifications. camber and alignment cam-type adjustors . simple and easy AWD Kit #361000 includes (everything in top left photo): Custom rear subframe, upper and lower a-arm suspension, modification body panels, 400hp rated rear axle shafts (not pictured), and an anti-sway bar (not pictured).