14 replies to this topic

[Steve66]

Hi all,

 

can anyone please share a photo of exactly where and how the battery is fixed in a Mini Van

sorry if this has been covered but I can’t find any information 

I am especially interested in any brackets that are used as I am currently restoring a Van

 

Thanks

Steve

[MiniMadRacer]

If its the same as a Mini pickup, I can get pics tomorrow for you.. mine is one of the last though,  a 1981 998, not sure if "fixings" changed over the years

[Alex_B]

Following this one, just got myself a van which is currently stripped and I am assuming the battery sits under the load bed on the drivers side but would be good to see how it should mount. Was also curious as to what the little triangular bracket that sits under the passenger seat. 

[MiniMadRacer]

Yes my battery sits under the floor behind the drivers seat, the spare wheel sits under the floor behind the passenger seat (RHD UK Car). I think the triangular bracket is to hold the spare wheel down...also my battery sits in a tray, I might even have a spare one lying around... if I can ever find it..so its insulated from the floor... but .. mine is a pickup not a van

[Alex_B]

Yes my battery sits under the floor behind the drivers seat, the spare wheel sits under the floor behind the passenger seat (RHD UK Car). I think the triangular bracket is to hold the spare wheel down...also my battery sits in a tray, I might even have a spare one lying around... if I can ever find it..so its insulated from the floor... but .. mine is a pickup not a van

That makes a whole lot of sense! 

[Steve66]

Mine has a bracket welded under the load bed but I have asked the question because every other van I have seen doesn’t have this bracket and I am wondering if it has been fitted by a previous owner?. The floor behind this bracket is totally rotten and very awkward to change unless you are using a rotisserie.

Attached Files

•  2E039B16-2EA2-49D4-8E8F-7B8670323A1E.jpeg   60.45K   4 downloads

Edited by Steve66, 29 March 2022 - 07:32 AM.

[KTS]

the battery would be clamped against the upright in the picture using a battery bar (link below), and a pair of long battery bolts hooked through the holes in the lower horizontal panel

 

https://www.minispar...px|Back to shop

 

as mentioned above, plastic battery trays were also used to provide some protection from acid spills.

Edited by KTS, 29 March 2022 - 08:42 AM.

[Steve66]

Is this original though is my question as most I have seen are like the below without the welded bracket. Has mine just been added later someone.  As it is a restoration I am hoping to go for originality. Thanks 

Attached Files

•  C06F01C5-7F43-446B-851B-303AAB147301.jpeg   222.8K   1 downloads

[KTS]

both pickups i've owned ( a '78 and an '81) have had the bracing between the load bed and floor behind the drivers seat.

 

as above, it's quite possible that this bracing was not present on earlier models

[Steve66]

Ok thanks.  Bracket is staying then

[Vanman20]

Mine is like Steve's.
I bought a battery that would slide under so I could adjust the seat back as far as possible

https://i.ibb.co/SwH...0329-150152.jpg

[nev100]

Hi Steve66.

I've got a 1976 Van and it has the upright panel like yours between floor and load bed.

I've nearly completed a full nut and bolt restoration and it was definitely in there beforehand

[bpirie1000]

My 1961 van has the bracket..

[Steve66]

Thanks everyone, bracket is staying.

Have to say this is a great forum

[IronmanG]

Mine has the bracket. I am using a rachet strap temporarily