Richard1 Posted December 10, 2011 Share Posted December 10, 2011 Not really that antique, but definitely unique. In March I picked up this 1975 Morris Mini pickup. The front chassis had been cut up to put in a Suzuki engine that colapsed the suspension. It apparently was driven up until about 2004.First thing (after getting rid of that home made bumper) was get rid of the Suzuki engine.That is when I got a good look at all the re-bar that had been welded in to try to support that engine.Got started on the body work, then stopped as I thought I had located a donor for some panels, but now back to fabricating everything.This is the floor from a Toyota minivan that will soon be my new floor.I bought a 1275 cc engine and sub-frame from Chile, but it is taking forever to get it here. So since I'm upping the engine 30%, I'm also installing disc brakes and stainless lines.Lots more pics on my site. I'm hoping for some progress in the body shop before I get back in Jan. Then I'll be dividing my time between the Mini and the Renault. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard1 Posted June 9, 2012 Author Share Posted June 9, 2012 Not as much done as I'd have liked, but at least the floor is cut out and replaced. I'll assemble the rear sub-frame next week to fit it. Got new knuckles and bushings from the UK via Florida, Spokane, and NY. They have 14,000 miles on them before installation. Still waiting on the engine from Chile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard1 Posted June 16, 2012 Author Share Posted June 16, 2012 Back in Tarija. I grabbed a couple of hours this afternoon to polish up the trumpets, put on the new knuckles and assemble the rear suspension. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard1 Posted March 30, 2013 Author Share Posted March 30, 2013 Finally some progress to report. I've given up on waiting for the engine that was supposed to come from Santiago. If and when it gets here I'll just have to find another mini or something else to do with it. i found another one. Actually a complete from clip from Japan, in a yard in the port in Chile, so it is on its way. A paperwork flaw kept most of it at the border til next week, but my body guy, who went to get it, stripped a few things off so I could get started. Here are a few pics... and the update is on month 25 of my site.When it gets here we will graft the front of this 94 Rover Mini, including doors, to the back of the 75 pickup, switching over to left-hand-drive.This will give me a 1300cc engine instead of the original 1000cc, plus air conditioning, automatic transmission and roll-up windows in the doors (never an option in the pickups). I'll scrap (hopefully sell) the disk brakes on the 94 ans install the Cooper-S discs that I bought, keeping the power brake booster from the 94.[TABLE=width: 532]<tbody>[TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][/TR]</tbody>[/TABLE] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lahti35 Posted March 31, 2013 Share Posted March 31, 2013 Neat project! I wish I could just flip my chevy over to work on the underside like you did for the mini!PS: Nice work on the oil information. I ran across it awhile ago and have stopped freaking out about zink content! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard1 Posted March 31, 2013 Author Share Posted March 31, 2013 ThanksHere is the finished alternator and subframe. Ready to install.[TABLE=width: 532]<colgroup><col></colgroup><tbody>[TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][/TR]</tbody>[/TABLE][TABLE=width: 532]<colgroup><col></colgroup><tbody>[TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][/TR]</tbody>[/TABLE] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard1 Posted April 21, 2013 Author Share Posted April 21, 2013 The rest of my front clip arrived, so we are ready to fuse the two parts together. I won't be able to get there till the middle of May to disassemble the engine and see what I need, but my body guy can now start, putting the Renault on hold for a while.I will have to figure out how to use the necessary parts of this dash with my wooden dash from MiniSport.I also bought a pair of 1998 Toyota seats locally that I will re-upholster along with the door panels for a final look. These have arm rests and good back support. I showed them to a friend last night and he is going to the same place for the other pair to put in his 59 saloon.I've now set a target. I'd like to be driving this by the end of august!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted April 21, 2013 Share Posted April 21, 2013 Looking forward to the finished project, Richard. Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard1 Posted May 18, 2013 Author Share Posted May 18, 2013 Here we go with the parts lined up.[TABLE=width: 532]<colgroup><col></colgroup><tbody>[TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][/TR]</tbody>[/TABLE] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard1 Posted May 25, 2013 Author Share Posted May 25, 2013 Obviously owned previously by someone who knew nothing of the anti-corrosive benefits of coolant/antifreeze[TABLE=width: 532]<tbody>[TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][/TR]</tbody>[/TABLE]Taking a break from the nuts and bolts while the WD-40 soaks in, I cleaned up the manifolds (and painted the exhaust)[TABLE=width: 532]<tbody>[TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][/TR]</tbody>[/TABLE] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard1 Posted June 5, 2013 Author Share Posted June 5, 2013 [TABLE=width: 532]<colgroup><col></colgroup><tbody>[TR][TD]I pulled things apart and measured. Now have rings, bearings, water pump, thermostat and timing belts, plus other things on order.[/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Body shop is getting some done on the welding.[/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][/TR]</tbody>[/TABLE] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard1 Posted June 16, 2013 Author Share Posted June 16, 2013 (edited) Here is a little more, showing how the inside of the door frame looks on the finished side, and how the roof corners are modified to accept the window frame of the roll up doors.[TABLE=width: 532]<colgroup><col></colgroup><tbody>[TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][/TR]</tbody>[/TABLE]And now I have the parts to assemble the engine. This all came in one nicely packed box from the UK (48 hours). Bearings, rings, water pump, thermostat, kit to convert to double timing chain and tensioner, alloy valve cover, complete set of gaskets, etc. Also picked up a set of 12 pt sockets since that is what the rods are assembled with, and large sockets, as I had to borrow 1 1/2" and other large sizes to get it all apart.[TABLE=width: 532]<colgroup><col></colgroup><tbody>[TR][TD][/TD][/TR]</tbody>[/TABLE]Now it's back to Bolivia where I hope to get to Tarija by the end of the month and start the assembly. Edited June 16, 2013 by Richard1 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard1 Posted July 26, 2013 Author Share Posted July 26, 2013 updates after 3 weeks in Tarija. I slip away for a few afternoon's of playing with the car, so I've gotten some things done. Won't be able to finish the engine, as I forgot to order lifters, and the ones I pulled out once I got the 12 pt sockets were badly pitted.But I did get a lot cleaned up and painted.Here is the heat shield I had chromed.[TABLE=width: 532]<tbody>[TR][TD][/TD][/TR]</tbody>[/TABLE]Body shop has been aligning and welding. Had to form new rocker panels and door frames that fit the channel of the new front and doors.[TABLE=width: 532]<tbody>[TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD][TABLE=width: 532]<tbody>[TR][TD] [TABLE=width: 532]<tbody>[TR][TD][TABLE=width: 532]<tbody>[TR][TD][/TD][/TR]</tbody>[/TABLE] Meanwhile, at home I cleaned up and painted the engine[TABLE=width: 532]<tbody>[TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD][TABLE]<tbody>[TR][TD][/TD][/TR]</tbody>[/TABLE][/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][/TR][TR][TD][TABLE=width: 532]<tbody>[TR][TD][/TD][/TR]</tbody>[/TABLE][/TD][/TR][TR][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Used my new blaster to bead blast the lower half of the injector body[/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Then moved on to painting the rest of the parts that go under the hood[TABLE=width: 532]<tbody>[TR][TD][/TD][/TR]</tbody>[/TABLE][/TD][/TR]</tbody>[/TABLE][/TD][/TR]</tbody>[/TABLE][/TD][/TR]</tbody>[/TABLE][/TD][/TR]</tbody>[/TABLE] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard1 Posted September 22, 2013 Author Share Posted September 22, 2013 Back in town to get a little bit done.Here are my tail light bezels. After straightening and filling one, I had molds made and filled with melted beer cans. Then filed, sanded, and yesterday I polished and drilled them.[TABLE=width: 532]<tbody>[TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][/TR]</tbody>[/TABLE][TABLE=width: 532]<tbody>[TR][TD][TABLE=width: 532]<tbody>[TR][TD][/TD][/TR]</tbody>[/TABLE][/TD][/TR]</tbody>[/TABLE]Upholstery is now ready.[TABLE=width: 532]<tbody>[TR][TD][/TD][/TR]</tbody>[/TABLE][TABLE=width: 532]<tbody>[TR][TD][/TD][/TR]</tbody>[/TABLE]In a few minutes I'll start assembling the engine, but meanwhile, here are a couple of shots from the body shop, where they finally went back to work on replacing panels and forming the body around the new doors. The first shot shows the joining of the new front clip to the original rear.[TABLE=width: 532]<tbody>[TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][/TR]</tbody>[/TABLE] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pacerman Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 You sir, are proving once again that you have the unique ability to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. Great work. Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard1 Posted October 26, 2013 Author Share Posted October 26, 2013 I took the afternoon off the other day and assembled the engine, so it is getting closer[TABLE=width: 532]<tbody>[TR][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD][TABLE=width: 532]<tbody>[TR][TD][/TD][/TR]</tbody>[/TABLE][/TD][/TR][TR][/TR][TR][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][/TR]</tbody>[/TABLE]And my body guy finished expanding and forming panels to make the cabin and fenders match the doors[TABLE=width: 532]<tbody>[TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD]I also made stainless trim pieces for the seam on the rocker panels under the doors.[TABLE=width: 532]<tbody>[TR][TD][/TD][/TR]</tbody>[/TABLE][/TD][/TR]</tbody>[/TABLE] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest RonB Posted October 26, 2013 Share Posted October 26, 2013 Do those injectors work OK? .From what i understand,they werre a stop gap to keep mini's in production right up to the end and had a lot of criticism levelled at them.. As a kid in New Zealand we would soup our mini's up by dropping in 1100 cc engines fitted with DCOE webers etc . The carb location would mean that the speedo had to removed or shifted. Quite an experience to hear the engine note coming straight out of the dash.... :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard1 Posted October 28, 2013 Author Share Posted October 28, 2013 At this point I can only assume it works. Lots of them around the world do. But you can just replace it with a carburetor. And I have an SU that would fit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeventhSon Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 Richard - you are amazing. And patient. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stude17 Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 Richard what you and your "bodyman" have accomplished is simply incredible. Without your intervention this rare little ute would have more than likely been consigned to the rubbish heap. I know it was the first thing you took off but that homemade bumper in the first photo does suit in a way as I'm sure this little Mini thinks it's a Mack truck. Good work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard1 Posted October 30, 2013 Author Share Posted October 30, 2013 Thanks for the comments. It is a fun project, sometimes a great teacher of patience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Block Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 Thanks for the comments. It is a fun project, sometimes a great teacher of patience.Amazing work and recreation of the classic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard1 Posted November 22, 2013 Author Share Posted November 22, 2013 Fender straightened and fabricating the fender flares[TABLE=width: 532]<colgroup><col></colgroup><tbody>[TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][/TR]</tbody>[/TABLE] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Landman Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 I am truly impressed. Those beer can bezels top it all off. I'd like to know how to do that. And the body work.... it shows you don't need a fancy rotisserie to get things straight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Zimmermann Posted November 23, 2013 Share Posted November 23, 2013 There are a lot of hot points to retract the sheet metal. Too many I have the impression: it's looking like I was doing that job as I never totally understood the process! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard1 Posted November 24, 2013 Author Share Posted November 24, 2013 There are a lot of hot points to retract the sheet metal. Too many I have the impression: it's looking like I was doing that job as I never totally understood the process!Watching him do that brings back memories of the Hungarian immigrant body guy who taught me in the 50's when I was 13 years old. That was how things were done. No body putty in those days. What you didn't fix that way had to be filled with lead or tin. Watch how he moves the door frame into place nest to the window frame on the door. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard1 Posted December 11, 2013 Author Share Posted December 11, 2013 Now I've got some fender flares that will work[TABLE=width: 399]<colgroup><col></colgroup><tbody>[TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][/TR]</tbody>[/TABLE] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard1 Posted January 1, 2014 Author Share Posted January 1, 2014 In the weekend I just spent in Tarija I got a few things done. First put the rear wheels with 3/4" spacers on. From there we could see what needed to happen to finish the design of the flares, bringing the rear in closer to the wheel well and narrowing it a bit so it just passes the tire position. What you see here is the final design (except it is missing a little tail piece in the front.Then the front discs. They will set the track 6 cm wider in front than the rears with the spacers, so the flares needed to be 3 cm wider (about 1-1/4 ") than the rears on each side.So a little forming, welding, forming, etc. In these pics the front one still needs some rounding, plus forming of the ends. But you get the idea. Then we will add the inner liner, welded to the inner wheel well.Final designheating to bend to wheel well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard1 Posted February 9, 2014 Author Share Posted February 9, 2014 Fenders are finished, so it is mounting seats and finishing up the details to paint.[TABLE=width: 399]<colgroup><col></colgroup><tbody>[TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][/TR]</tbody>[/TABLE]This week I've stolen a few hours away from work to get into details, as we approach the painting stage. Putting in the seats I found that the steering wheel is too far inboard to center on the ones I bought with the arm rests, so I went to the used auto parts store and picked up a couple of u-joints, relocating the steering column a few inches to the outside.Also decided that the little chain and pin on the tailgate were not of the quality I wanted on the finished truck, so I bought some plastic coated stainless cable and a couple of stainless bolts, chopped off the threads, inserted the cable, etc.And painted all the little parts that would need it. Here is the brake booster.Finally I got the wooden dash from MiniSport out and modified it to receive the dash cluster from the 94 Rover, adding a tach, oil temp, and oil pressure gauges. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unimogjohn Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 Wow! Great job. It won't be too long and you will be running down the road. Can't wait. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r1lark Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 Looking good Richard! Your body guy did a great job on those flares, they look really nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard1 Posted March 25, 2014 Author Share Posted March 25, 2014 I will be putting in a submerged gas pump, so cut the top off and cleaned up the rust with some electrolysis and a rinse of phosphoric acid.[TABLE=width: 532]<colgroup><col></colgroup><tbody>[TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Then found that my front chassis is not the right one for my automatic transmission, so I've found a friend with an automatic and will modify mine with his as a template.[/TD][/TR]</tbody>[/TABLE] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Landman Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 Richard, what did you use for an electrolyte? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeventhSon Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 That's gonna be a cool little truck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard1 Posted March 28, 2014 Author Share Posted March 28, 2014 Richard, what did you use for an electrolyte?1/2 kg of caustic soda flakes dissolved in about 20 liters of water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeC5 Posted March 29, 2014 Share Posted March 29, 2014 That is going to be a very cool little truck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard1 Posted April 13, 2014 Author Share Posted April 13, 2014 Body guy got caught up (or tired of my nagging, so here is this week's progress. Once it goes into primer it starts looking like something.[TABLE=width: 532]<colgroup><col></colgroup><tbody>[TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][/TR]</tbody>[/TABLE] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted April 13, 2014 Share Posted April 13, 2014 Excellent progress. Cannot wait to see the paint. Have you chosen a color for it, yet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard1 Posted April 14, 2014 Author Share Posted April 14, 2014 Oh yes, Rover Mini Flame Red that you can see in the next to last picture in the engine compartment (already painted) and the cowl that came from Japan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard1 Posted June 3, 2014 Author Share Posted June 3, 2014 Finally got back to Tarija after modifying the front frame to fit the automatic transmission. With a little persuasion, I installed the engine. Body guy swears he won't let up. I hope he is serious this time.[TABLE=width: 532]<colgroup><col></colgroup><tbody>[TR][TD][/TD][/TR]</tbody>[/TABLE] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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