6 replies to this topic

[andyscholes1990]

Hi everyone,

 

It's been a while since I last posted but I have been thinking of changing my doors hinges from internal to external, I have a 1988 City E which is currently under a full restoration. Is this possible to change them? What would need changing on the car if it is?

 

Thanks

 

Andy

[MacGyver]

Not an expert but it would at least need reinforcements to both doors and A panels.
Was thinking to do the same with one of mine including modifying the doors to look like mk1's.
Japan seem to be experts on the subject...

Ben

[maccers]

I think its a bit more involved, did you also want the sliding windows too or just the external hinges? I have seen some non mk1 cars with external hinges that are fixed for show purposes only, the internal hinges are still there and do their job as normal. 

 

Or as someone said once on here about a similar thing "remove radiator cap, slide car from under, place Mk1 mini under radiator cap and attach..."

[andyscholes1990]

I'm not bothered about having sliding windows, I just like the look of the external hinges. Would I need to change the doors/ skins or would the ones I have now be ok? The A panels need changing would I be best to stick with ones for the year of my car or get MK1 A panels or does it not matter?

[Cooperman]

You can't simply fit early A panels because the bottoms of the doors are different.

 

The actual opening geometry is different too.

 

It is a major structural modification requiring a lot of work, measuring, welding & re-spraying. The door mounting structure of the later cars is not strong enough to simply fit external hinges as the inner wing needs to be a different shape and have the mounting brackets welded to it, in exactly the right position, to take out the loads applied by the heavy doors. Later doors with the roll-down windows are much heavier than the Mk.1/Mk.2 doors.

 

A big job!

[bikewiz]

Have you looked at the dummy fake type, here's a write up.

http://mk1-forum.net...opic.php?t=2430

[MacGyver]

Have you looked at the dummy fake type, here's a write up.
http://mk1-forum.net...opic.php?t=2430

The look without the hassle! 😎