25 replies to this topic

[bluemini1979]

Hi I am shortly moving into a unit where im going to restore my mini. It needs lots of work to the floor pan so I was going to put it on its side as I have the space but what I ned to know is.. Do I roll it as a bare shell or would it be easier to do it if the wheels are still on then remove the subframes. Any help or personal experience appreciated thanks david

[Archa]

I've been advised not to roll shells onto their sides, a lot of force is exerted through the side panel, a/b/c pillars and when all the weight is put over them they can easily warp/change shape. bending the side of your car , I would definitely think about reinforcing your car internally before even thinking about rolling onto it's side.

 

People will probably jump in here and shoot me down saying they have rolled shells over hundreds of times without problem, I am only sharing what I have been told. 

[bluemini1979]

Don't worry ive thought about the bracing issue. I currently have a web of box section that puts my mates race car roll cage to shame. it will also be going onto a mattress to protect the outer panels

[Mini Mad Drakeley]

if you have a completely bare shell and your floors and sills arent extremely rotten the i found it was fine, just get several tyres to spread the weight as much as possible

 

as archa said, it would be better to brace just in case though, i only needs to do several patches on my floor and the rest was very solid

[bluemini1979]

yep also started my collection of tyres so far got 9 10x5's. Thanks for the advice

[Mini Mad Drakeley]

then it sounds like your sorted

[Gremlin]

I would roll the shell without subframes and engine

[bluemini1979]

just got to agree the unit and get moved in then :)

[bluemini1979]

thanks gremlin.. how many people do you reckon it will take to lift it. Its a clubman estate.

[Mini Mad Drakeley]

3 people can lift a shell no problem, me and my friend could lift and roll my shell with no problem which was a standard shell

[Ben_O]

When I put my shell on its side, I strapped 6"x6" timber lengths to the front and rear body seams top to bottom using bungee cords with old pillows between the body and the wood. Then I got some help tipping it over. This way the weight was on the seams keeping the door and quarter panel off of the floor preventing damage to them.

The other benefit to this is that the shell stood better without wobbling about and there was no flammable mattress to catch fire.

Hope this helps

 

Ben

[bluemini1979]

ok thanks

[Minidarren83]

It's a one man lift well it is for me and I'm only a short fella just have it well braced lift it up to the balance point move round to the other side and lower it down onto tyres or a mattress. Ive loaded them onto flat bed lorrys before on my own one end at a time so plopping over is no problem

[Willthewelder]

Mine is on its side with engine in it. Ratchet strapped in to protect mounts. 2 Of us flipped it over.

[imvarma]

Rolled my clubby estate onto a matress as a bare shell, no problems with any warping and I just used me and a jack. Take the subframes off first though.