12 replies to this topic

[hgarton]

Hi guys, I've been hunting around the forum for some advice but only found the reverse of what I want to do.

I've got a '77 mini 1000 which is fitted with a centre 3 clock binnacle but want to convert to a two clock offset as my other half kindly bought me a custom consoles dash to give me a winter project!

I've found the guide on TMF put together to convert from offset to centre but wondered if anyone had gone the other way? Particularly could do with a wiring diagram and any advice on potential pitfalls.

Also any idea which speedo cable I'd need? I know it's different for the offset gauges over the centre smiths gauge but a hunt on mini spares wasn't much help.

Thanks, Hazelle

[phil hill]

Your first problem is you need the harness plug for the two clock dashboard.  These are no longer available, so you will need to plunder one from another wiring loom. The wiring colours should match your existing loom so connecting it up is a matter of matching things up.  

 

If you ever want to return to the centre dash at any time then I'd make the connection using a plug and socket arrangement, that way you can connect the old central harness back in easily.  If you are making the installation permanent I recommend either good quality crimps or solder and shrink-wrap the joints followed by loom tape (i.e. not sticky insulation tape) to keep it all need and tidy.

 

If you don't want to keep the three clock centre dash and want to sell it on then sympathetically remove the wiring for it (it may actually be on a plug and socket already) as you could perhaps command a better price for it complete with the wiring.

 

Are you fitting the new two clock instruments to a full-width dash ??  If yes then happy days, if not then you will need the the support bracket for the two clock dash.  Your 1977 may not have the holes in the bulkhead for the bracket to so they will need drilling out.

 

Depending on what age the two clock dash is you may need to swap your engine temperature sensor for a later one.  

 

Phil.

 

Edited to add : 

 

This : http://www.minispare...|Back to search

 

Or this : http://www.minispare...|Back to search

 

For speedo cables.

 

Phil.

Edited by phil hill, 16 August 2013 - 12:46 PM.

[hgarton]

Thanks Phil, that's a great start, yes it is a full width dash so should be fairly easy to fit once I've sorted all the wiring out.

I'll have to do some hunting for the loom, hopefully I can get to a show in the next few weeks and find something.

Thanks for the hint on selling on the centre binnacle.

[minivanman8]

Hello mate, when I bought my van it had offset speedo in it (I forget if it was 2 or 3 clocks) and I think I have the loom from that in the shed still. I'll have a dig around for it this evening :)

[minivanman8]

Having dug through all my boxes, it would appear I must have thrown it out in a 'I'll never use that' moment!

It was a simple loom butchered from a centre binnacle loom and a later mini loom. Seeing as yours is going to be just the 2 clocks, you won't need to add a rev counter wire :)

[hgarton]

No worries, thanks for having a look. I'll report back with some pics when it's all finished, waiting for my eBay purchase to turn up before I can get started!

[hgarton]

Well I managed to get a loom and fit the clocks, however, I've now discovered a "thoroughly research before you buy" issue.

As you can see from the below photo my upper dash rail isn't nearly wide enough to cover the gap.

Any ideas on how I can rectify this issue? I thought about a new upper rail...item 1 here which are no longer manufactured. Reckon I might have to get creative with some sheet metal at this rate.

https://www.minispar...s.aspx?3~22~226

On a related note this is now my 3rd bad thing to happen this week (my surgery got cancelled and the carpet fitter came 3days late) so I'm gonna have to buy a lottery ticket tomorrow!

Thanks in advance for all your help and ideas.

 image.jpg   62.97K   20 downloads

[Barman]

Well I managed to get a loom and fit the clocks, however, I've now discovered a "thoroughly research before you buy" issue.

As you can see from the below photo my upper dash rail isn't nearly wide enough to cover the gap.

Any ideas on how I can rectify this issue? I thought about a new upper rail...item 1 here which are no longer manufactured. Reckon I might have to get creative with some sheet metal at this rate.

https://www.minispar...s.aspx?3~22~226

On a related note this is now my 3rd bad thing to happen this week (my surgery got cancelled and the carpet fitter came 3days late) so I'm gonna have to buy a lottery ticket tomorrow!

Thanks in advance for all your help and ideas.

image.jpg

 

 

Te-Daaaaaaa!

 

Not my auction - I searched for Classic mini top dash rail....

[hgarton]

Thanks Barman, I'll have a little look at a few of those and get bidding.

As it's labelled up as a 'padded'l top rail, do you know if its a welding job or does it simply fit over the top of the current top rail? It's tricky to tell from the photos and diagrams that I can find but I'm assuming it is.

[Barman]

Thanks Barman, I'll have a little look at a few of those and get bidding.

As it's labelled up as a 'padded'l top rail, do you know if its a welding job or does it simply fit over the top of the current top rail? It's tricky to tell from the photos and diagrams that I can find but I'm assuming it is.

 

It just bolts on to the top rail.... from memory, fixed bolt at each end and a clamp in the middle behind the ashtray....

 

Easier with the screen out and handy if you have the fingers of a gynaecologist.....

[hgarton]

Awesome, though I only had the windscreen out 2 weeks ago..oh well at least I'm well practiced with the fillet tool now!

Thanks Barman

[Barman]

Awesome, though I only had the windscreen out 2 weeks ago..oh well at least I'm well practiced with the fillet tool now!

Thanks Barman

 

No problem!

 

I'm sure you can do it without removing the screen (the worst job on the whole resto IMHO)... I did the dash first and spent an agonising week putting the screen in afters....

[hgarton]

Ouch, mine wasnt quite that bad, it took me two days with a bit of rusting and dusting to do once I had the screen out. My hands were in bits when I'd finished though, and I think the neighbours were wondering what was going on in the garage with all the huffing, puffing and swearing :-S !!