15 replies to this topic

[scotty_18]

Hi all! I'm looking to flip front the mini. I've got the front ready (1 piece) but I'm still looking for hinges. I was going for the traditional flip forwards but now I'm looking to flip it up.
Does anyone know, in order to get the front to move forward and then up like in the video, what hinges I'll need? I know I'll need gas struts, I've heard that Ford Galaxy hinges can be used and also 1999 vectra bonnect hinges, but just thought I'd check.

Here's the video:

[eeae6000]

any 3 series or 5 series trunk hinges, like e36 e 46 etc will work, thats what im using

also the audi 80 i think has the same hinges


edit: the hinges in the video are minitec hinges, i prefer the bmw ones tho, alot better quality

Edited by eeae6000, 27 February 2012 - 03:23 PM.

[eeae6000]

here is where i got the idea, video of it in action




and here is video of the hinge itself, same car

[scotty_18]

You are my hero! I've been looking for ages, but just couldn't find anything..

So have you also done what he's done with the locking mechanism? So pulling the bonnet leaver to unlock the front?

[eeae6000]

not yet, im slowly gathering parts for my front, i still need to get a new bonnet and headlamps, got new everything else

im going to take the latch assembly off of a different car and make it work, just need to find a car with 2 hood latches like his so it will operate with 1 lever


if you are using these on a fiberglass front, id recomend putting a peice of angle iron the length of the wing on each side and fiber glass the angle iron onto it, then mount the hinges to the iron

[scotty_18]

I've got the front, i'm just waiting to find hinges. My friends dad owns his own BMW parts shop so I should get them rather cheap! Yeah I was going to do that anyway, no choice really. Thanks a lot for your help by the way, i really appreciate it!

[benjy_18]

you can buy the minitec hinges direct from them in the us
althought they will cost you around £200 with postage.

[mini_in_progress]

lol.....

[scotty_18]

I've seen that, I dont think you understand how much temptation there was!!

[Davethepioneer]

lol.....

Lol takes a year to close!

[mini_in_progress]

lol.....

Lol takes a year to close!

i know, imagine if you saw smoke ant thought oh crap lets open the bonnet or something...... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz chug chug chug zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[eeae6000]

minitec hinges are expensive and of poor quality, bmw is a much better choice, throw me a message if you need help, ill be doing mine in may, steel front though

[scotty_18]

I'm hoping to do mine in two weeks, providing I can get the hinges! But thanks again!

[MiniMitch]

I've got a full steel flip front, the way your planning on doing it, and to be honest I love it, I've got two pins at the front that it pops into near the tow eyes just for a bit more support, I do love it though.

[scotty_18]

How've you done that Mitch? Needing some ideas of how to secure it.