Bouncing various ideas thru my head and was reading wikipedia about the minvans - according to WP, the '84-88 Mini's had the same track width as the cars (69.5in). The later vans had a 72in track width. I had always thought that the vans were all wider. So, does this mean the 'early' mini's have a common K-frame with the cars? Common suspension geometery?
Also, does that mean it might be possible to put a minivan k-frame on a car? To make a wide-track front suspension?
I think the mounting points are different, but I'm no mini expert!
Mike
"The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government - lest it come to dominate our lives and interests." - Patrick Henry
Bad laws are the worst sort of tyranny.
- Edmund Burke
I did too. I'm just wondering what is different about the '84-88 vans. Or is WP just wrong? Nah, that could never be...Originally Posted by zin
Yah, wackypedia not very accurate on that..
89MY is identical to 88MY ... swapped the parts over myself, dual pivot started in '90, so that might be where things changed for track... but those frames swap on earlier vans too, so it's not in the mounting points between vans.
Think I remember that it is 48" between frame rail centers.
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Yep, its wrong. All 1st and 2nd gens share the same width K-member, so yeah, it won't fit a car and vice versa.
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I was waiting to hear from Simon... So... If one were crazy enough to want to adapt a van K-member to a car, what would be stopping them? Is is just the width like the L bodies?, where one could narrow it to fit, or would the mounts be off too?
Mike
"The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government - lest it come to dominate our lives and interests." - Patrick Henry
Bad laws are the worst sort of tyranny.
- Edmund Burke
The thing is, I was thinking of leaving it wide, and norrowing just the body mounts to make a wide track front suspension. But, then I remembered that the minivan strut towers are farther apart, too. You'd end up with a bunch of kingpin angle, assuming you could even get enough camber adjustment to stand the wheels up...
Might just have to file this one under: "never mind"...
Mike
"The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government - lest it come to dominate our lives and interests." - Patrick Henry
Bad laws are the worst sort of tyranny.
- Edmund Burke
Ok, so why would you? You can get dual pivot K-members for cars which would be the only reason I could see, unless as Rob mentioned, widening the track which would require more mods, sigh.
1989 FWD Turbo Caravan-2.5 TIII, GT35R, auto, a/c, cruise, pwr windows/locks, fully loaded with interior and ran with full exhaust. RETIRED FOR A FEW YEARS!
1984 Chev Getaway van, 6.2 Diesel with a remote mounted turbo setup burning WMO-For sale.
2003 GSW 2.0L TDI, auto, fully loaded, modified, 360K-wife's.
2004 GSW TDI, 5 speed, fully loaded, modified.
Aurora ignition wires for sale. Link to info
Super60 roller cams or custom/billet cams. Link to info
More curiosity than anything, filling in my gaps in knowledge.
Mike
"The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government - lest it come to dominate our lives and interests." - Patrick Henry
Bad laws are the worst sort of tyranny.
- Edmund Burke
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