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Mini van on fluid ??
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Author:  i got a mini [ Mon Oct 07, 2013 6:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Mini van on fluid ??

Wanting to no if any one has done it put fluid suspension on a van

Author:  drmini in aust [ Mon Oct 07, 2013 7:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini van on fluid ??

I was all set to to do it, but the Clubby van project was my wife's, and she sold it last week before I got a round tuit.. :cry:
It was getting hydro comp rear bumpstops fitted so it could carry `a little' load in the back.
Hydrovan has been done before- there is one in Brissy I think, also Mike Byron out west is doing one.

The rear subby needs its back channel moved forward so the hydro connections can clear the fuel tank. I was going to use copper pipes for the hydro connection front/rear.

Author:  i got a mini [ Mon Oct 07, 2013 7:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini van on fluid ??

Got a estate and was thinking about putting it on that. :)

Author:  drmini in aust [ Mon Oct 07, 2013 7:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini van on fluid ??

i got a mini wrote:
Got a estate and was thinking about putting it on that. :)

Good idea. I was hoping it might then ride like a Morris 1100 = civilized. Instead of like a tip dray. :lol:

Author:  i got a mini [ Mon Oct 07, 2013 7:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini van on fluid ??

I will just have to work out about the fuel tank etc :)

Author:  drmini in aust [ Mon Oct 07, 2013 7:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini van on fluid ??

i got a mini wrote:
I will just have to work out about the fuel tank etc :)

PM Mike Byron for dimensions, I modded his subframe to suit. I will find a pic...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31275265@N05/10134997373/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31275265@N05/10134868285/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31275265@N05/10134946156/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31275265@N05/10134868205/

I used 3mm thick folded C channel from work but you could use RHS tube instead, which Alpine Moke did on the frame he modded.

The standard hose needs to come out through the sides, where I used the holesaw. Otherwise it won't reach.

Enjoy...

Author:  i got a mini [ Mon Oct 07, 2013 7:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini van on fluid ??

Thanks :)

Author:  Timbo [ Mon Oct 07, 2013 9:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini van on fluid ??

I read an interesting article the other day about the aborted attempt to build a factory Morris 1100 van. Here's a quote.

Quote:
So what went wrong, why didn't BMC put the 1100 van into full production and why don't some of us own one or two of these 1100 vans ?. During testing the biggest problem was weight transfer when fully loaded, the rear of the 1100 van sagged and the front end lifted reducing the front end traction greatly which was vital with front wheel drive. The Hydrolastic independent suspension all round connected front to rear on the 1100 and this system perfected for a smooth ride with the 1100 Saloon could not provide anything like the same ride with a full commercial load in the back.


Tim

Author:  drmini in aust [ Mon Oct 07, 2013 10:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini van on fluid ??

Yep I have heard that info before.
Hydro Mini competition rear bumpstops are a progressive Aeon spring, I'm sure they will work fine for carrying minimal loads in the back of a van or traveller. But if I was going to load a van with lots of weight I'd keep the rubber cones.

Author:  i got a mini [ Tue Oct 08, 2013 6:37 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini van on fluid ??

I agree there will only be me or my wife driving it so weight won't be a problem

Author:  Timbo [ Tue Oct 08, 2013 8:42 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini van on fluid ??

Its probably only a problem if you are a car manufacturer who is trying to sell a van as having a rated payload. The mini vans were sold as 1/4 ton vans, so they needed to carry a 250kg load in the back, which is a fair load really. Something like 3 decent sized adults. Stick a couple more in the front and its well loaded.

Tim

Author:  Morris 1100 [ Tue Oct 08, 2013 3:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini van on fluid ??

There was discussion about 1100 Vans on another site years ago, it was said that BMC looked at using the self levelling mechanism from the Austin 3 litre. But it was deemed too expensive.

The 1800 utes used larger rear displacers than the sedan, maybe that also gives a clue as to what was needed.

It points to DrMini being on the money with the comp bump rubbers. How to increase the rear spring rate without spending much money!

Author:  TheMiniMan [ Tue Oct 08, 2013 6:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini van on fluid ??

Our woody wagon is on Hydro
:-)

Author:  i got a mini [ Tue Oct 08, 2013 9:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini van on fluid ??

We'll that settles it I'm going hydro on my van:)

Author:  slide [ Wed Oct 09, 2013 5:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini van on fluid ??

My 1800 ute used to sit up at the front if anything weighty was in the back making the steering quite light and losing grip on slippery surfaces. It carried anything and everything though and always did the job.

Not sure converting a Mini Van is worth the effort. A Traveller that's more a cruiser maybe for the nicer ride quality, but one of the great things about a Van is the way it handles with its long wheel base. Unless you use Cooper S or comp displacers I don't think hydro could match the rubber cones with a good set of shockers, not standard Mini Deluxe type displacers anyway. I had hydro on my Mk 2 S with front Selby shockers and ST bump stops all round, but the Van could outhandle that anyday.

Guess it depends on what you want - nice ride with good handling, or go cart ride with sensational handling. And how often you drive the thing...

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