575 replies to this topic

[minivanman]

Thanks Minimon. Well this weekend I've finally got some work done on it. The front hubs and driveshafts are all painted and assembled on the car, the brake callipers are a suitable shade of chav red, and the front offside wheel arch is just about spot on now. And I've got a great long list of stuff to get from minispares. We had to cut the arch to clear the door hinge, and fettle it about at the front to get it to sit flush, but its about there now. I think once the wheel arches are all fitted properly it will finally be able to come down.

[minivanman]

Because the resin I'm using to fit the arches is UV activated, I couldn't do much today I spent 1/2 hour just looking for something to do, but I seem to have caught up with everything - I need to order loads of bits now to carry on. So I had a bit of a tidy up, then looked at getting the dash to fit. I think I've got all the gauge loactions sorted out now. Because we had to weld in a strengthener between the top and bottom dash rails the stereo won't go in there, but I think I may be able to fit it through the old switch hole if I'm lucky. I'll also have to make new mounts for the heater because of the turbo box and to bring it flush with the console. Can't wait till it all goes together now.

[ed4ran]

I have a stereo cage in where the switches used to be, even with the heater on as well.
I just dont have any speakers in so i havent installed the stereo itself.

[minivanman]

Cheers Ed. I had another look today, and it should all fit ok. I'll just tag the stereo cage into the switch hole to keep it from moving around. I turned the whole thing around as well so I can get at the other side now instead of struggling. Tried the n/s rear arch and it fitted perfect, first time. No extra fettling needed which is a first on this car! So that one is all screwed on now. Halfway there now.

[The Matt]

Nice to see this coming along Tom. Haven't checked out this thread for a while.

Kepe up the good work mate!

[minivanman]

Ta Matt.
Pictures of todays work:
Perfect fitting rear wheel arch

Started looking at where I'll be mounting seats and spare wheel. I managed to slip and bash my leg on the door lip which has left a nice egg sized lump on my shin At first it looked like the front mounts would go straight onto the mini holes, but that brought the seat too far forward. It should be ok where it is now, just need to make up some brackets for it. The passenger side is a bit of a problem because the front of the load floor is straight so the seat won't go as far back. Luckily I have an almightily cunning plan to get around that. We've also had a bit of a brainwave for where to put the spare as well, I don't think its ever been done before.

Just praying for some sunshine this weekend so I can get the arches finally done. We did put a bit of resin on this morning, and it wouldn't set. I even tried holding it near a welding flash to see if the UVs from that would set it, but it didn't work

[ed4ran]

I bet thats going to be sooo much fun to drive!! especially once you get big engine in it!!

[minivanman]

Yes! Don't know yet if I'd put a swift engine in this or my blue one. Still, finish one project before you start another! I'm meant to be going on a seaside run with minifinty tomorrow and I really don't want to go now because this is going so well

[minivanman]

Got the o/s rear arch resined this morning so I can fit that next time I'm in there. And I've had another brainwave as well regarding all that wasted space behind the seats. Lets just say it will be awesome for shows....

[Dog]

oooooooh you've found away of using that space?
Can you let me on the secret

I am trying to think of ways to use it, but its not working

[minivanman]

Well it will involve chopping big holes in my load bay, which will *yellow human water* the purists off I just hope theres enough room for everything I want to do. We got the last rear arch fitting, and half of the n/s front one done, so its getting near a point where it can come down.

I got the drivers seat in - it locates on two 8mm pegs that were already on it. I just drilled two holes in the crossmember and it dropped straight in. I've got some brackets made up now for the back of them to bolt onto, and I need to put some riv-nuts into the top of the crossmember to bolt them down into.

The first clue for part of whats happening with the unusable space is in the background of this picture

[miniboo]

air conditioning?

[Ethel]

Nice upholstery what's it out of and what you doing with the seatbelts as it has a latch?

[minivanman]

Not air-con Boo. Thats what windows are for!
The seats are mazda rx7s, courtesy of dogmatix. I think they're alcantra. Thinking about it, I'll take the seatbelt latches off the seats and use normal mini ones. They'll be stronger that way. I've got the passenger seat over there now as well, and made the necessary modifications to it (bend the front lugs flat with stillsons ) I'm going to have to do some bodywork mods to the van before I can fit it though - theres not enough legroom. Like I said, I have a cunning plan!

[minivanman]

I think I may have made a slight woopsie as well - we forgot to trim the fronts of the arches to clear the wheels I'm pretty sure they are going to clash as well. >