Morris Minor Owners Club

Anyone got any ideas about what I could do to improve the security of the rear of the trav? Lack of locking ability aside, the handle is very loose and I somehow doubt that even when the lock is in and working the car will be as secure as I would like back there.

I'm more interested in the security of door opening at the moment.

Ta

Dan

Probably better to make sure there is nothing on show as even if you make it like Fort Knox breaking a window is going to let any miscreant in.
I've been trying to design a roller blind type thing for my friends traveller for just this reason

problem is I suspect that any reasonable force on the handle will just leave it spinning. I am keen to try and avoid that

So how about this: lift floor level say 6", making a trap door section for top access, chuck the spare under the bonnet- hey presto- usable space whilst looking like an empty boot! As stated, windows break easy. I know what you mean about the fragility of the handle, idle hands tend to waggle it in passing, just because its there! Only a total non original redesign will overcome that eg incorporating the handle off a modern van door.

hmm, I do like the idea of a removable false floor for the back!

MarkyB wrote: I've been trying to design a roller blind type thing for my friends traveller for just this reason

Have a look at one off a Renault 21 Savannah as they are easy to adapt.

Paul Humphries

To help prevent access through glass, you can cover the glass with a clear plastic film (or you could tint it). The glass will still break, but it wont fall apart. Wont stop anyone for more than a few seconds but it might put them off!

Something like this: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SAFETY-WINDOW-FIL ... 286.c0.m14

Have a look at one off a Renault 21 Savannah as they are easy to adapt.

Thanks Paul, that's worth knowing.
I'll phone round the local breakers and see if I can find one.
What needs to be done to make it fit?

MarkyB wrote: I've been trying to design a roller blind type thing for my friends traveller for just this reason

simmitc has an excellent one fitted in his traveller, iirc - you could try sending him a pm, dan?

xx

MarkyB wrote:

Have a look at one off a Renault 21 Savannah as they are easy to adapt.

Thanks Paul, that's worth knowing.
I'll phone round the local breakers and see if I can find one.
What needs to be done to make it fit?

My Savannah (G reg) had a 1/2 size hard parcel shelf which the roller cover was attached. The load area is huge so the roller aspect is more than big enough to work on a Traveller.
The design is such that easilly possible to narrow.
I kept mine for use in my SWB Land Rover but change of idea found the actual roller material being cut off and I still have it as a sheet to lie on as waterproof on one side with soft material on other and quite thick.

Paul Humphries

Its not so much the hiding of anything worth having more that I know people "try handles" where I park the car!

Buy a small red light that is wired into the ignition circuit which flashes when the ignition is turned off, and the alarm warning stickers and put these on the inside windows. That way theres always the element of doubt in the thief's mind.

Is it not possible to improve the feel of the lock. If I recall the handle assembly is robust, the play in the system is either in the square hole in the lock itself or in the linkage.

It can't be beyond the wit of man to improve the feel and reduce the play in the system.

The only other place that there could be play is within the handle and they do wear, Has anyone fitted a new one and did it feel better?<br><br>

Lateral thinking.

How about taking the handle off altogether and automating it?

Or simply add a padlock and hasp like white van man.

I fitted a new handle to Fenchurch and it feels very robust - no play at all. You sometimes have to lift it a bit when unlocking otherwise the key won't turn all the way.

alex_holden wrote:I fitted a new handle to Fenchurch and it feels very robust

that's one word for it Geoff Capes would probably think it a breeze.

We fitted a new handle - now I can't open the door at all its so stiff - don't think even Geoff Capes could cope with mine

The problem with mine isn't the handle, it's that the doors don't fit together very well. I need to plane them down a bit where they clash in the middle.

I think thats my problem too, just a bit frightened of taking off too much, letting the new wood frame settle in a bit first.

So is mine the only one with screws that keep coming loose? Hope no naughty people out there go armed with a screwdriver(screwhammer?!) and a wrench