Yeah - that's my handywork
I'll post some more pictures later with some specifics on how it was done.
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| Clever rear bin modification https://ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=97994 |
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| Author: | winabbey [ Sun Nov 25, 2018 11:17 am ] |
| Post subject: | Clever rear bin modification |
For those who aren't Facebook users I though this recent post by Alan Mears (who may also be on here, I don't know) on the Ausmini group page shows a very clever solution to a common problem. I have a pair of (non-Mini) seats that because I'm quite tall, have to be moved further back. However when fitted between the rear storage bins, the two seats near enough touch each other which makes it a bit claustrophobic when both driver and passenger are seated. So to fix this and for something different, I cut the front of the bins out and moved them ~140mm to the rear to clear the seatbelt reel, and filled in the side space with some sheet metal - complete with the lip at the top for the finishing trim. Now the seats can be mounted closer to the doors and still be moved back far enough so I don't feel like I'm driving with my knees around my ears. We have regular questions and discussion about how and where to mount inertia reel belts in early Minis that weren't so equipped, and how to fit aftermarket seats, especially for those with long legs. This looks to be a great method, ingenious in fact, if you don't mind some metal fabrication and aren't too concerned with originality. Attachment: Alan Mears a.jpg Attachment: Alan Mears b.jpg Attachment: Alan Mears c.jpg
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| Author: | Kennomini [ Sun Nov 25, 2018 11:36 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Clever rear bin modification |
Good idea, and should still be just as strong as std. |
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| Author: | bluehishouse [ Sun Nov 25, 2018 11:50 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Clever rear bin modification |
I suppose its an advantage of being a midget that i can fit in a mini and it feels perfect ha ha I've always considered people in the backseat to just be collateral damage =D Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk |
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| Author: | Mearcat [ Sun Nov 25, 2018 1:53 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Clever rear bin modification |
Yeah - that's my handywork I'll post some more pictures later with some specifics on how it was done.
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| Author: | 9YaTaH [ Sun Nov 25, 2018 3:04 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Clever rear bin modification |
"Engineered"  
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| Author: | hpal [ Sun Nov 25, 2018 5:51 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Clever rear bin modification |
Looks good, I wonder how you'll go getting a carpet set to fit now though. |
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| Author: | Harley [ Sun Nov 25, 2018 8:32 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Clever rear bin modification |
Isn't the trick with minis when you're a tall person to sit closer to the steering wheel, not further? 
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| Author: | Mearcat [ Sun Nov 25, 2018 10:07 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Clever rear bin modification |
So here is how it was done... Note that my Mini has an engine conversion, aftermarket seats, and many other internal & external modifications so I had no qualms in performing a small modification like this. I made a cut using a thin kerf disc on the grinder to remove the bin. You can see here I tried to removed the spot welds on the B-pillar but I couldn't get access to them all so I ended up simply cutting the rest of the bin out - at the base and along the B-pillar  A couple of small welds against the B-pillar were removed using a die grinder  After cleaning up pieces of steel still attached to the body, I marked the position of the new inertia seatbelt reels and found I had to remove more steel  I wanted to retain the finishing trim strip that clips on top of the storage bin sides. This was done by taping a few pieces of 2.5mm steel to my vice and clamping the new steel sheet between them in the vice. By repeating this along the length of the steel sheet, I ended up with a pretty close approximation of the original lip on the storage bin edges   After trimming the bin-front to retain only the curved section and to the match the floorpan shape shape, I welded on the new steel piece.  Using butt welding clamps (I love these) etc, everything was held in place and welded in.  You could leave it here but I wanted to make a cover for the seat belt reels. This was a box made from 0.8mm steel sheet that was a snug fit over the seatbelt reel. Overall I achieved an extra 40mm of room per side of the cabin. Note : I hadn't yet drilled the holes for the mounting screws in these photos.  
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| Author: | Scoop [ Mon Nov 26, 2018 7:05 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Clever rear bin modification |
Great modification there. Really nice. |
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| Author: | Bagpuss [ Mon Nov 26, 2018 7:55 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Clever rear bin modification |
Great work 
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| Author: | AEG163job [ Mon Nov 26, 2018 9:28 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Clever rear bin modification |
Nice piece of metal work there. Wish I'd done metalwork at school instead of woodwork. Like how many book-ends do you really need? 
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| Author: | Timbo [ Tue Nov 27, 2018 8:28 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Clever rear bin modification |
I did woodwork at school too, which should come in handy sooner or later   Tim |
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| Author: | AEG163job [ Tue Nov 27, 2018 10:15 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Clever rear bin modification |
I think I failed woodwork 101  That looks like woodwork 901.
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