Gday, I was just wondering if anyone has replaced the rear parcel shelf on their mini, also are they available as new replacement panels or would i need a donor one. I want to put rear seat belts in my Mini K and the shelf has been cut for speakers as usual and the holes are right where i want to put the seatbelt mount. Any info would be great.
Thanks
Steve.

I was going to post the exact same thing....


So yes any info on this would be great!!!!


Cheers


Rohan

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Steve...why not reinforce and patch the panel..make it stronger than a new replacement

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"Show me the Mini!"

I dont think you can buy them as replacement panels. Well I have never seen them available anyway.

Besides if you was to replace it yourself or have anyone do it. I would suspect that it would need to be engineered..

Common problem with the metal being cut out by vandals... I think the next best thing would be to try and get a sheet of steel made up and then mig weld it in place. Also if you are planing to mount seatbelts it might be an idea to put another piece of thick plated metal where you intend on mounting the belts.

Might even be best to speak to someone from one of those safety restrant fitting stations as to what to do...

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Opinions expressed by me are of my opinion only and are copyrighted to Kinkabell Corporation? 2006.

Thanks, if i do it, it will be stronger than the original mountings which aren't great. Mick, I might have to make up a panel as you said and weld in place, just thought it would be easier to get a new one.
Steve.

I was just talking to a panel beater friend and he has told me it isn't a good idea to weld in a made up sheet onto the old shelf. This is part of the crumple zone and strengthening it could be dangerous in an accident. He suggested just make up a piece of sheet metal to cover the speaker hole and weld in place from the underside.
Any more information from people really appreciated.
Steve.

Did crumple zones exist in Mini's?? I didnt think so... the bit that gets hit usually crumples

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The crumple zone starts at the front bumper and should see you comfortably seated in the back seat after a crash

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All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

Well to be honest I think the Mini would bounce before it crumpled ..

Mainly because back in the old days they made real cars unlike the plastic hi tech junk on the roads today. Further more that is why you will probably still see Mini's on the road in another 40 years where as the plastic high tech junk would have been recycled 5 times over into plastic shopping bags.

Just my anyway .

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Opinions expressed by me are of my opinion only and are copyrighted to Kinkabell Corporation? 2006.

Trust me guys, Mick is not kidding... I once spent 3 hours `uncomfortably seated' there (and trapped) before they cut me out...

re the parcel tray- go look at a late Clubby that has the rear belts, you will see how they reinforced it.
I doubt you will buy a new Oz panel and I bet the UK ones are different.

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What a load of crap that 'panel beater' was spinning..

Hmmmmm, thanks for your input willy. But he is someone I know well and respect, he does know what he is talking about and would definately know more than you about it. I wasn't going to reply to you but when you say silly things like that i just had to. I dont know you ,so i am not making any judgements of you but those things don't need to be said.
Steve.

Steve....I really think you need a second opinion....the parcel shelf is an integral part of the body construction and it provides a lot of strength in that area.

If it has had part of its flat panel section cut....then all it needs is that part patched and as the Doc (n me) says check out some reinforcing (some clubbies had rear seat belts).

Respect is one thing....familiarity with 40 year old British cars is another

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I have the same issue, I was just going to weld a replacement piece into the holes.

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Thanks Mick, I may not have been clear in my earlier post, he did say that the best option is what you just said, to weld just the speaker hole and attatch seatbelt mounts to that. He has done quite a bit of work on all cars, so i do trust him. He may not have been exactly right about the crumple zone so I understand where willy is coming from, but there is a nice way to say those things, Sorry willy about what I said.
Steve.