Hi everyone,

I've been wondering if a late model Rover Mini steering wheel and column will fit in a '62 Mini? With no functioning airbag of course, but the column would be collapsable wouldn't it? I'm not to fond of the steering column stabbing me if I happen to have an unfortunate mishap.

Do the mounting brackets use similar holes? or had the dash been completely redone underneath?

I'm refering to a wheel like this one:

Here

Just an idea at this stage, I'm happy with the original column at the moment.

Also, any idea on price here in Australia if they will fit? Is it something usually imported?


Thanks,
Evan.

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Saxon Green 850: http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=62641
Nightfire Red 850: http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=66555

All Mini's do actually have a technical colapsable steering column. The lower dash rail bends and the steering column goes up and forward.

A rover column can be fitted, but you need either a Rover Pedal Box or to make a upper colum mount as these are in in different places.

The early blinker switch also won't fit, so you'll need one of these and the cowl. As a bonus, you can put your wipers on the column too.

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I have one of those steering columns in my 60s car. Bolts straight in.
Couple of points to note however:

Mechanically the steering columns are no more or less collapsible than any other mini column.
This steering column has a different spline for the wheel to the columns used between 59 and 97. You'll have to get a boss kit if you don't want the late steering wheel.
Wiring connectors on the column stalks are unique, so ideally you'd want to round up the loom from a late car too so you can then rig it up to your lights and wipers.

This isn't nesissarily a problem, with some work it's still easily changed.
I ditched te rover switchgear in favour of something that looks a bit better.

Really? I assumed by that age Minis would have had minimal safety features like that.

Thank you both for your input, but I think I'll drop the idea. I guess, as bad as it may sound, if I'm involved in an 'incident' bad enough to need a collapsable column, in a Mini I'm probably not going to be very well off any way

Evan

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Saxon Green 850: http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=62641
Nightfire Red 850: http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=66555

Well fair enough if you don't want to use the locating tab.

I've put quite a few of these in to clubbies, and to use the upper column clamp I made up a new bracket.

What switchgear have you used Harley?

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I don't know if by accident or design, but by the time ADR10 came out (colapsable coumns) there was very little modification needed.

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evan,

i rolled my first mini over the top of a BMW, i took out the right side of the car, across the roof, down the boot and through the rear tail light on the opposite side of the car.

strange accident, front right headlight through to left rear taillight across the roof.

I drove away, i wrote her car off at 110,000 bux worth. Panel damage to my car was 1500 bux.

The mini is one DAMN strong car for its size.

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Aussie Leyland, Aussie Factory, Aussie Mini S.

Well, installation isn't exactly finished yet but I've not come across any issues yet, though I just realised I am using the rover pedal box, just with aussie pedals.
What locating tab do you mean?

I've put the stalks from a bini onto my column. I'm yet to make a new shroud to house it all and that'll be a PITA, but the rest wasn't too bad.

It'll go in, no issues with the rover pedal box. The locating tab I was refering to is on every column but at different heights. It's about half way along and the top clamp goes over it. It prevents the outer column from spinning.

You switch conversion sounds great. That would have the headlight switch on the stalk too? I was thinking of trying something like that but as you say, making a cowl cover (or anything like that) can be a real PINA. Like to see some pics when it's done.

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Bini stalks are like the late rover ones. Indicators and headlights on the left, wiper and washer controls on the right. Horn is on the steering wheel, but there are enough spare connectors through the rotary coupling that I may put something else on the wheel too.

Radio controls?

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That's pretty much the only thing to spring to mind, but I can't really find anything that suits the rest of it.

How many buttons spare would there be?

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easy

indicators on the left is a bit crappy, but if you drive euro cars you'd be used to that.

its bloody nice to have the wipers and lights within easy reach too.

Don't quote me on this but aren't you supposed to remove the SRS airbag logo from the wheel if the system isn't installed or connected?