5 replies to this topic

[BusheyTrader]

Hi, I'm learning fast that everything panel wise on a Mini fits relative to the door............front number plate out of alignment, that'll be down to the door gaps.

which brings me to the fit of my doorstep panel to the outer sill. The outer sill is a genuine heritage item. The doorstep is one of those repair panels + bottom of the 1/4 panel combined. I bought this pattern part as both curved parts of the doorstep were rotten. I cut off the 1/4 panel piece as I had to slit and weld up the B post repair to make it look more like the original post and less laughable than this.



I've trimmed, profiled and Cleco pinned the doorstep panel to the inner sill and it's fairly close to where I want it regarding the door gap and alignment. However, I've got to work out how the doorstep and outer sill are going to meet under the door and finally weld up.



Looking down the length of the doorstep repair panel, the seam that'll be plug welded to the outer sill is absolutely dead straight. The corresponding seam on the outer sill is slightly curved, I assume to follow the contour of the door. It's widest point looks like it's under the centre of the door, (Ah the door, the centre of the Mini universe) Looking at unrestored Minis rusting on the road outside my office, the black trim underneath the doorstep closely follows the contour of the door. On mine, the doorstep seam runs in a straight line so any trim would look narrower under the middle of the door and wider at both ends.

I'm interested to hear how others have tackled this. It doesn't look easy to bow the doorstep panel to match the outer sill's profile beneath it. It's heavily profiled after all but it would follow the door's profile better. Or could I assemble the panels as they are and trim and add material so the plug welded seam follows the door's profile better?

Thanks,


Adam

Edited by BusheyTrader, 19 November 2011 - 12:33 AM.

[Miniowner123]

pretty much everything about the pattern door steps is wrong in one way or another, good ones can be found but to be honest if you have the cash go get a couple of genuine ones, they only come with the a post if i remember right, about £60 a side

[primrose8]

Hi, I'm learning fast that everything panel wise on a Mini fits relative to the door............front number plate out of alignment, that'll be down to the door gaps.

which brings me to the fit of my doorstep panel to the outer sill. The outer sill is a genuine heritage item. The doorstep is one of those repair panels + bottom of the 1/4 panel combined. I bought this pattern part as both curved parts of the doorstep were rotten. I cut off the 1/4 panel piece as I had to slit and weld up the B post repair to make it look more like the original post and less laughable than this.



I've trimmed, profiled and Cleco pinned the doorstep panel to the inner sill and it's fairly close to where I want it regarding the door gap and alignment. However, I've got to work out how the doorstep and outer sill are going to meet under the door and finally weld up.



Looking down the length of the doorstep repair panel, the seam that'll be plug welded to the outer sill is absolutely dead straight. The corresponding seam on the outer sill is slightly curved, I assume to follow the contour of the door. It's widest point looks like it's under the centre of the door, (Ah the door, the centre of the Mini universe) Looking at unrestored Minis rusting on the road outside my office, the black trim underneath the doorstep closely follows the contour of the door. On mine, the doorstep seam runs in a straight line so any trim would look narrower under the middle of the door and wider at both ends.

I'm interested to hear how others have tackled this. It doesn't look easy to bow the doorstep panel to match the outer sill's profile beneath it. It's heavily profiled after all but it would follow the door's profile better. Or could I assemble the panels as they are and trim and add material so the plug welded seam follows the door's profile better?

Thanks,


Adam

ive just fitted a new step and outer sill on one side and new outer sill on other side and both sides have a curve to them when you look down the seam, hope my doors fit?

[sonikk4]

Before i welded mine on the new repair section i had fitted to the door was really curved so i sectioned the panel to straighten this out as the curve was very pronounced. I did the same to the r/h door step as well to straighten that out.

I also did the same to the l/h side but not the door step as i hand made this item so no need to straighten it.

I believe but don't quote me on this there is a bit of a curve to the door and sills but all of the panels i bought looked really curved and not right. This was my choice to do this and both Scott and me are very happy about the outcome.

[BusheyTrader]

Agreed,

Looking down the length of the door, the bottom edge is slightly curved, the doorskin bows outwards. The heritage outer sill follows the profile. The outer edge of the pattern doorstep panel is straight.

I'll see if I can get the doorstep to take some of the curve when fitting it up. It's not the thickest gauge plus I've got too much time already invested in making it fit the shell. If it doesn't look good then its over to a heritage panel.

Adam

[primrose8]

Agreed,

Looking down the length of the door, the bottom edge is slightly curved, the doorskin bows outwards. The heritage outer sill follows the profile. The outer edge of the pattern doorstep panel is straight.

I'll see if I can get the doorstep to take some of the curve when fitting it up. It's not the thickest gauge plus I've got too much time already invested in making it fit the shell. If it doesn't look good then its over to a heritage panel.

Adam

well i fitted my cheap sill and step and got the curve easy!