Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi everyone. I'm in the process of creating a 'rat-look' minor much to the disgust of my parents . I have lowered the back end using the lowering blocks and dropped the front as much as possible by moving the wishbones on their spline. I was just wondering if anyone using the standard front suspension set-up has lowered the front end quite substantially as the problem I am having is that the wishbones foul the bottom of the inner wing and the steering rack also fouls. It's a bit of a mad idea but any feedback would be great. Pictures to follow on the custom register.
Cheers
Ben

That's the problem with lowering the front this way. Only solution, AFAIK, is to fit another entirely different front end from another car, which would give you a fighting chance of sorting out the suspension and steering geometry too. Hang on until Jonathan gets back from holiday and follow his advice - he's the expert

If the lower arms are hitting the floor - you are too low! The bump stops will also be mashing the inner wings and damage will soon occur. Same at the back - the bump stops will be riding on the chassis - and it will be horribly uncomfortable - and it will crack the chassis. As Andrew says - radical new suspension required if you want much lower than standard. Remember you must also report any modifications from standard to your Insurance Co - and they won't like it!!

try airbags fpr a really low stance and just make sure you mod the chassis properly for clearance. Now go a post up a pic so we can see how cool it looks lowered!

I can only guess that you've removed the bumpstops in order to get it that low - you're certainly not the only one who's done it.
One significant issue you may soon find is that when it's that low you will foul the sump far too easily
To increase sump clearance you can raise the engine but it's not going to have a massive effect as there is a limit to how much gearbox bellhousing you can remove (to clear the steering rack). The back of the gearbox needs to end up in approximately the same place to allow the prop clearances, so you need to plan carefuly if/when you modify the engine and box mounts.

With heavily lowered Minor front suspension, the track rod is at a steep angle and the bump steer will be bordering on dangerous. To improve that, you would need a modified pair of steering arms to reposition the track rod end lower down.

As for fouling the body work - as long as the suspension geometry is sorted the body can be modified by someone who knows what they're doing (and knows how to use a grinder and a welder)

After all this work, the car wont drive very well either as the suspension geometry will be upset. Just paint it matt black, remove the bumpers for that rat rod look abd leave the suspension standard, the car will drive much better for it.

My son thought it might be a good idea to lower the front suspension,
lowered it - went round the local roads to try it out encountered the speed humps - came home a raised it again! He said the humps would have completely smashed the sump, he would have had to drive around each one!

More hassle than its worth imo.

If you want 'rat look' just jack the back up and fit wide wheels all round.
Matt black paint all over and de-bumpering will complete the look.

The sump pan can certainly be reduced in height - and just shorten the pick-up pipe to suit. True 'dry sump' would have a scavange pump to haul oil out of the sump into a tank - and then the main pressure oil pump is fed from that tank. Idea is to eliminate chances of oil starvation on extreme hard cornering.

This is the response to a question I asked without spotting that there had been a reply. Sorry, just thought it was distracting from the issue - and thanks for the reply

Cheers for all your responses guys. Having re-evaluated, I think I will leave the front at the hight it is at now (slightly lower than standard) to save faffing around too much. In response to chickenjon and dunketh, I have already sprayed her matt black with grey primer boot and bonnet and red oxide metal visor, removed the front and rear bumpers, fitted a roof rack adorned with various jerry cans and amo boxes and stripped the interior. I will be looking into getting some nice wide wheels very soon so i

Damn computer. To complete previous post....if anyone has some wide wheels to fit standard stud pattern
Thanks again for the help guys.

That's the problem - there are some slightly wider ones on ebay at the moment. Otherwise - the pcd of the studs is not common now and modern wheels DO NOT fit unless specially made for the 4" pcd.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... :IT&ih=002

Don't manufacturers supply wheel 'blanks' any more? I know it was a while ago! but my wheels could be supplied blank so they could be drilled to suit.

Hi Benno, any pictures?

Andrew

There will be when I can get out and take some but the weather down here in Bournemouth hasn't been that good but its on the up thank goodness.

Some wheel co's will do the 4" pcd if asked - Minilite for one, probably others out there. Doubt will have much success in Hellfrauds!

You could get the original wheels rebanded to make them fatter. Not illegal but should be done properly. There's a retro car forum (that I don't think I'm allowed to name here) where re-banding, and all the implications have been discussed. PM me if interested.

You are, y'know
http://retrorides.proboards86.com/