cutting winder mechanisms out, but retaining opening windows.
Turbo Mini Forums

Ok, the mini is currently undergoing a bit of a ruthless weight loss program, and the doors seem to be a good place to save a handy chunk of weight.

the insides will be cut out, leaving only enough metal in it to keep the ridigity and leave the locks, and handle in place.

I would however like windows that can slide up and down normally, I want to enjoy driving the car in summer rather then suffer. I simply plan to put a stop at the bottom, so I can still get hold of them to palm them up and down.

What is a problem is that I need to be able to secure them when they are up to stop any old bugger just sliding them down to get in when its parked up. I know its easy to break into a mini, but I'm sure an insurance company would refuse to pay out if it got nicked and there was no way to secure them.

what have other people done to allow the windows to be secure?

Photos would be helpful

Regards
James

Edited by minimole23 on 16th Jun, 2009.

Why not go for MK1 / MK2 style sliding windows?

Ive been thinking about this recently!

How hard is it to fit mk1 style windows (perspex) in a mk3 door skin?

1/4 Mile 14.3secs 96Mph Terminal 10psi of boost.


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The electric window kits out there will save you a lot of weight compared to the standard winder mech.

Sliding windows fit fine in the later doors.

I was going to do it by having a vertical runner with 2 slots then 2 studs in the bottom of the window (these keep the window square whilst moving up and down). I was going to use one of them plastic kind of wing nuts (used on bike racks) to clamp it into place....if that makes any sense?

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1/4mile in 13.2sec @ 111 terminal on 15psi

I weighed my electric kit when I got it but didn't think there was much in them - ~I think they were the minispares kit. To be fair I was holding the electric kit in one hand and the standard one in the other though so not so scientific!

I've got the Wood and Picket kit- its a lot lighter than the standard winder mech.

I've been thinking of ways to do this as well.

I want to get the car lighter (it's 570kg currently) but I'm not prepared to loose my drop down front windows, it's such a nice feeling in summer having the windows down enjoying a nice country road!

Mr. Prawn, the friendly Crustacean- slowly making steps towards forced induction.

Why can't you just use something to chock the windows into the upright position in the standard runners. Make the chock look niceand it's not a bodge rather an ingenious price of weight saving....

A couple of prices of perspex onto the bottom of the window for a handle, the chock slides (read wedges) into place between the bottom of the wondow and the bottom of the door, hey presto.....maybe...

yip lekky windows here too, also allow for alot of metal t obe cut away from the door :)

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Denis O'Brien.

Right, what I'm going to do is to cut most of the metal away, but in the photo where the square hole is, put a door hinge in the gap that can stop the window from sliding down, but be pulled out to allow it to be lowered.




simple.:)

Does anyone have any channels theyre getting shut of?

1/4 Mile 14.3secs 96Mph Terminal 10psi of boost.


Fibreglass Parts? - http://www.tdkracing.co.uk/
Split Rims? - http://www.force-racing.co.uk/

Well I just fell at the first hurdle, I can't get the bloody glass out the runners to get the mechanism out.

I'm tempted to just smash it, but thats probably not the correct way to remove it, any suggestions?

Pry it out! seriously, dont be scared, you have to pull the mech back, then get on the little sliders at the bottom with a screwdriver/prybar and pop them out.

You really can give vehicle glass some stick before it actually pops!

If it goes balls up and the glass breaks, drop me a pm, im sure i have some spare door glass if you need it.

you have to remover the winder, then let the window (as a whole) mover down a far as it will go. Then wind the winder up as far as it will go, and eventually with a bit of sliding it will come out

Hi,
What he said ^^ the top of the MK I/II doors are lower as the roof comes down further
Cheers,
Gavin :)

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