21 replies to this topic

[HIrantha]

Hello everyone.

 

I have a 1998 Cooper Sports Pack. 

The dash looks as in the photo. I'd really really love to change the dash to the centre binnacle arrangement with the shelf.

I have designed the gauges that aren't in the binnacle to go on separate pods, like the tachometer. My garage - not a Mini specialist - says they can do the change.

 

One main reason to do this is, practically, I cannot see ANY of the gauges properly from my driving position, my previous Mini (1979 Mini 1000 got stolen) had the centre binnacle, and my fond childhood fond memories of the Mini are of the centre binnacle.

 

But I am conscious that I am altering a bit of this car's originality.

 

I'd like to know what your thoughts are, in changing the dash, removing the centre console, bearing the front shelf and installing the centre binnacle arrangement.

 

Love to hear from you ............

 

Hirantha

 

 

Attached Files

•  Mini 2019-07-27-J.jpg   58.75K   5 downloads

[johnR]

It's fairly straightforward to do - there is a small wiring loom available and Newton Commercials make the vinyl shelf covering and bulkhead panels you'll need.

[HIrantha]

HIt's fairly straightforward to do - there is a small wiring loom available and Newton Commercials make the vinyl shelf covering and bulkhead panels you'll need.

Hi John

That looks great, I'd retain the black lower shelf cover and switch surrounding with the toggle switch panel and have the additional gauges in pods on the shelf in front of the steering.

 

What are your thoughts on changing the car's originality? 

[alex-95]

It can be done but theres quite a bit more wiring behind the dash of an MPI and would have to make a hole for the speedo cable.

 

On the originality, it's your car so you can do what you like with it,  if you're planning on keep it. Your currant dash isn't original anyway.

[HIrantha]

Thank you.

Yes the current dash isn't original. I think the previous owner had made some changes. Which is also one I don't like.

 

In terms of the alterations, I am seeking to gauge views on whether its better, or we should look to preserve originality. Would it be seen as one that's been "tampered" with 

 

 

It can be done but theres quite a bit more wiring behind the dash of an MPI and would have to make a hole for the speedo cable.

 

On the originality, it's your car so you can do what you like with it,  if you're planning on keep it. Your currant dash isn't original anyway.

[mab01uk]

Go for it, it will look much better with the centre dash which is the traditional iconic Mini dash, (even in new generation modern MINI's) and if a future owner wanted to change it back it is not that difficult to do in the overall scheme of things. Unlikely anyone would want to refit that non-original ugly 'homemade' looking dash and centre console anyway! They used to be on sale at Mini shows but never understood why anyone would buy one....

As said you will have to drill a hole for the speedo cable, etc as later Minis have a solid metal bulkhead with no large central hole.

Edited by mab01uk, 15 April 2021 - 10:15 PM.

[Carlos W]

It could be done so that any mods can be reversed, then you can enjoy your car how you want it and if it needs to be put back to standard at a later date it can be

[roblightbody]

the reason you can't see your gauges properly, is that is not the cars original dash that you have fitted, and the dials are pointing in the wrong direction. If you compare it to a photo of a genuine mpi dash, you'll see it's completely different - the gauges are angled up towards the driver

[johnR]

 

HIt's fairly straightforward to do - there is a small wiring loom available and Newton Commercials make the vinyl shelf covering and bulkhead panels you'll need.

 

Hi John

That looks great, I'd retain the black lower shelf cover and switch surrounding with the toggle switch panel and have the additional gauges in pods on the shelf in front of the steering.

 

What are your thoughts on changing the car's originality? 

 

I've got no problem with changing originality - my car was a city E before I added Mk 1 features to get the look I wanted. I had to drill a hole in the bulkhead plate for the speedo cable and open up the socket on the gearbox speedo drive because the centre speedo cable seems to be a slightly bigger diameter than the later ones. There is a centre console with an extra hole for a tacho which would then leave you with just the clock to relocate

[mab01uk]

RHD Extended Binnacle Kit (extra hole for a tacho) :-

https://nippycarsonl...ct/dk2-rhd-kit/

Edited by mab01uk, 16 April 2021 - 05:25 PM.

[surfblue]

The centre binnacle is one of the signature features that make a mini so irresistible. I'd mainly driven later minis with the 2/3 clock set up in front of the driver during my 1990s period of daily driven minis. I had the loan of my sister in law's Riley Elf one weekend about 10 years ago and had my son in his child seat strapped into the passenger seat, he was about 4 at the time, he took an absolute delight in watching the speedo and the numbers in the mileometer turning over, it took me right back to my own childhood as I loved exactly the same thing. Decided that day that I needed another mini and the seed was sown for the purchase of our '63 mk1 a few months later. So a centre speedo was basically responsible for rekindling my love affair with minis😊

[mab01uk]

Most of the Issigonis designed Morris Minors also had the central speedo dash layout which of course helped made production of RHD and LHD cars much easier.

Edited by mab01uk, 17 April 2021 - 01:23 PM.

[HIrantha]

 

 

HIt's fairly straightforward to do - there is a small wiring loom available and Newton Commercials make the vinyl shelf covering and bulkhead panels you'll need.

 

Hi John

That looks great, I'd retain the black lower shelf cover and switch surrounding with the toggle switch panel and have the additional gauges in pods on the shelf in front of the steering.

 

What are your thoughts on changing the car's originality? 

 

I've got no problem with changing originality - my car was a city E before I added Mk 1 features to get the look I wanted. I had to drill a hole in the bulkhead plate for the speedo cable and open up the socket on the gearbox speedo drive because the centre speedo cable seems to be a slightly bigger diameter than the later ones. There is a centre console with an extra hole for a tacho which would then leave you with just the clock to relocate

 

Hi John

I have designed the layout like this: 

 

The centre binnacle is one of the signature features that make a mini so irresistible. I'd mainly driven later minis with the 2/3 clock set up in front of the driver during my 1990s period of daily driven minis. I had the loan of my sister in law's Riley Elf one weekend about 10 years ago and had my son in his child seat strapped into the passenger seat, he was about 4 at the time, he took an absolute delight in watching the speedo and the numbers in the mileometer turning over, it took me right back to my own childhood as I loved exactly the same thing. Decided that day that I needed another mini and the seed was sown for the purchase of our '63 mk1 a few months later. So a centre speedo was basically responsible for rekindling my love affair with minis

Great, I think I too have fond memories of the centre speedo. My first Mini had a centre speedo.

 

So I take it that you also changed from a non-centre binnacle arrangement to a centre-binnacle? 

How did you set the mileage on the new odometer?

[HIrantha]

Go for it, it will look much better with the centre dash which is the traditional iconic Mini dash, (even in new generation modern MINI's) and if a future owner wanted to change it back it is not that difficult to do in the overall scheme of things. Unlikely anyone would want to refit that non-original ugly 'homemade' looking dash and centre console anyway! They used to be on sale at Mini shows but never understood why anyone would buy one....

As said you will have to drill a hole for the speedo cable, etc as later Minis have a solid metal bulkhead with no large central hole.

Great, thank you/

[HIrantha]

the reason you can't see your gauges properly, is that is not the cars original dash that you have fitted, and the dials are pointing in the wrong direction. If you compare it to a photo of a genuine mpi dash, you'll see it's completely different - the gauges are angled up towards the driver

Yes. you are right. This dash is an after market one and the fittings..... even the gauge indicators are not aligned. I think the dash is a custom made - or even a home made - attempt.