D-Series VTEC MiniTec Pickup joining the fleet
#51
#53
#54
Sadly, I thought everyone would love the chrome carpet. I was considering matching seats, but sheesh--maybe not.
And the steering wheel? Don't panic, its just a mock-up as we're working on ways to expand leg room in the cab. These little rascals inspired the advent of King Cabs!
And the steering wheel? Don't panic, its just a mock-up as we're working on ways to expand leg room in the cab. These little rascals inspired the advent of King Cabs!
#55
D-mini pickup
Don,
Your pickup is looking really sweet! I can't wait to see it complete. Hang in there bro' patience is a virtue! I'm really glad you're sticking with the 10" wheels, it'll look great.
I talked to BJ a couple of weeks ago and I did get my new column wiring harnesses. It's just too cold and snowy here in the Motor City to work in the garage. It's going to be all of minus 3 degrees here tonight. I just go outside and hug the wee beast in this weather. The battery tender is the only thing really keeping it warm right now.
If you're looking for some sporty seats, check out http://www.speedwaremotorsports.com/...OD&ProdID=7012 for sparco modena seats for your trucklette. They're really, really comfortable and they fit a mini (well, they fit a coupe). They're stupidly expensive, but at this point, money is only an object. For me, the whole VTEC mini project for me was much like what I heard a vintage racer once describe the cost of racing: "it's like standing in a wind tunnel whilst holding a fist of $1,000 bills." Seriously, you could still spend more money on a dodgy old 911 and have less fun.
Keep the photos and updates coming!!!
Your pickup is looking really sweet! I can't wait to see it complete. Hang in there bro' patience is a virtue! I'm really glad you're sticking with the 10" wheels, it'll look great.
I talked to BJ a couple of weeks ago and I did get my new column wiring harnesses. It's just too cold and snowy here in the Motor City to work in the garage. It's going to be all of minus 3 degrees here tonight. I just go outside and hug the wee beast in this weather. The battery tender is the only thing really keeping it warm right now.
If you're looking for some sporty seats, check out http://www.speedwaremotorsports.com/...OD&ProdID=7012 for sparco modena seats for your trucklette. They're really, really comfortable and they fit a mini (well, they fit a coupe). They're stupidly expensive, but at this point, money is only an object. For me, the whole VTEC mini project for me was much like what I heard a vintage racer once describe the cost of racing: "it's like standing in a wind tunnel whilst holding a fist of $1,000 bills." Seriously, you could still spend more money on a dodgy old 911 and have less fun.
Keep the photos and updates coming!!!
#56
Keith, Sparco Medena recliners... Very nice--for a saloon. I'm afraid trucklettes haven't the room to utilize the functions of these seats, though. Think in terms like small footprint, minimalist, or limited real estate. Keeping the 10s--Absolutely! And, I'd consider a gun rack and buy a BB gun (don't all pick-ups come standard with gun racks?), but I don't think there's room unless I use the stock as my headrest.
Gasmini, in a global sense, we're neighbors. I'll go look for you on the truck forum. Definitely have to get together when I become more than a virtual owner. I'm told there's a pickup in Independence and I know of one near St. Louis.
2phun, I'll do a search on the new Fiat 500, but that might be to much a challenge to source those seats.
Gasmini, in a global sense, we're neighbors. I'll go look for you on the truck forum. Definitely have to get together when I become more than a virtual owner. I'm told there's a pickup in Independence and I know of one near St. Louis.
2phun, I'll do a search on the new Fiat 500, but that might be to much a challenge to source those seats.
#59
Progress is slow, Rocan, but worth it. Bought the trucklette last July and word is that it will be done this spring. When do Georgians welcome in Spring?
Miata seats are a popular conversion as you'll note if you look at MiniTec's gallery of customer cars. I think they might be too high-backed for the pickup, though. Pickup seats (if you're taller than 5'5'') are pushed back against the cab. I would think that a lower-back seat allows you more room w/out having to adjust the seatbacks straight up in a "dining room chair" position.
I'd love to see one of these tall guys, like BigNorm, squeeze into a pick-up. That would be a funny photo!
Miata seats are a popular conversion as you'll note if you look at MiniTec's gallery of customer cars. I think they might be too high-backed for the pickup, though. Pickup seats (if you're taller than 5'5'') are pushed back against the cab. I would think that a lower-back seat allows you more room w/out having to adjust the seatbacks straight up in a "dining room chair" position.
I'd love to see one of these tall guys, like BigNorm, squeeze into a pick-up. That would be a funny photo!
#62
MiniTec came through for me and sourced these rare, 1st gen. tail lights for my Trucklette. Yippeee!
So what's the big dang deal? Nothin', unless you're feeling like an 8-yr old who checks the mailbox twice daily hoping to find the magic Capn Crunch decoder ring you paid for with two box tops.
So what's the big dang deal? Nothin', unless you're feeling like an 8-yr old who checks the mailbox twice daily hoping to find the magic Capn Crunch decoder ring you paid for with two box tops.
#63
#65
What is the bumper truly going to do?
Lance... You makin' fun of my stubby bumpers? I think their sole purpose is to weight a pound less than your full length bumper.
Seriously, though, I read in one of my classic mini books that the two piece bumper was a cost reduction measure during production. Granted, I know little about production, but I have a hard time thinking that the pickup assembly line would have saved much money by cutting off ~16'' of bumper material. We're not talking gold-plating here. Wouldn't the material savings be less than the cost of retooling to build a variant bumper? Talk about cost cutting, pickups were virtually unchanged throughout their entire 22 (23?)years of production.
Lance... You makin' fun of my stubby bumpers? I think their sole purpose is to weight a pound less than your full length bumper.
Seriously, though, I read in one of my classic mini books that the two piece bumper was a cost reduction measure during production. Granted, I know little about production, but I have a hard time thinking that the pickup assembly line would have saved much money by cutting off ~16'' of bumper material. We're not talking gold-plating here. Wouldn't the material savings be less than the cost of retooling to build a variant bumper? Talk about cost cutting, pickups were virtually unchanged throughout their entire 22 (23?)years of production.
Last edited by dimini; 02-20-2008 at 04:40 PM.
#66
Build update: Why is my pickup not finished yet? Hint: because of three K-series conversions in the background of the photo, below, which are apparently in front of me.
Below is a quick/crude photoChop alteration that I created to help visualize what the final interior colors might look like. Two-tone Miata seats with matching light gray door cards, headliner and dash back panel.
And, below is a mock-up showing W&P flares. I grabbed these used ones from a junk bin (they coincidentally are red), and hung them onto the fenders for a sneak preview. The suspension height will be lowered (hopefully about 2" in front and back for better COG and to fill the arches with tires/wheels-not air.
Below is a quick/crude photoChop alteration that I created to help visualize what the final interior colors might look like. Two-tone Miata seats with matching light gray door cards, headliner and dash back panel.
And, below is a mock-up showing W&P flares. I grabbed these used ones from a junk bin (they coincidentally are red), and hung them onto the fenders for a sneak preview. The suspension height will be lowered (hopefully about 2" in front and back for better COG and to fill the arches with tires/wheels-not air.
#67
Looks great! I really like the concept you have for the interior. Updated, but still classically simple. I'm guessing you've actually been inside to test out the seats? How do you like the fit? I may have missed it earlier, but what are the sizes for your wheels and tires? They're a good look.
That van in the background is one to drool over as well.
That van in the background is one to drool over as well.
#68
Ahhhhh, the little June bride...sorry I couldn't resist.
The K series estate was there back when I was there last May! The other two K's, if memory serves me right, are from the Brazilian who ordered two at a time. BJ probably told him they take three months. That guy ordered those the week before I arrived.
I did say June Bride, right? I should include '09 first so to be clear.
Any photos of the other car that's in front of you...the supercharged Z car rear drive K20A2?
The K series estate was there back when I was there last May! The other two K's, if memory serves me right, are from the Brazilian who ordered two at a time. BJ probably told him they take three months. That guy ordered those the week before I arrived.
I did say June Bride, right? I should include '09 first so to be clear.
Any photos of the other car that's in front of you...the supercharged Z car rear drive K20A2?
#70
#71
...I'm guessing you've actually been inside to test out the seats? How do you like the fit? I may have missed it earlier, but what are the sizes for your wheels and tires? They're a good look.
Meno: You're funny, and right. The two K saloons are going to Brazil--and BJ told me the guy is... well, let's just say he's getting less patient with the progress. I didn't shoot the other builds as it felt a bit intrusive, almost like spy photos--and I'm not a spy. The Zcars build was in the rough, 1st stages of deconstruction/fitting- not a pretty photo, yet.
The W&P flares came from a used parts bin-not a trash bin. I literally propped them up against the fenders to get a glimpse of what my "bride" may look like on "wedding day June '09 " to quote meno. "Proper Sportpack" arches would dwarf the tiny 10s--it would look like a ghetto ride from the 80's (was that PC?).
#72
#73
Yup, that's a sweet ultra custom rig - a hearse for Billy Bardy. It's a K20A2 with THE SIX speed! Been there almost 2 years......tic, tic, tic, tic, tic, tic, tic, tic, tic, tic, tic, tic...I don't like the gap in the wheel wells - needs to be lower and/ or get a 75 series tire.
Great call on the W&P flares - you are absolutely right about the scale. Love the 10" wheels.
Is there any reason, other than the obvious of visiting you so I can go for a ride in that low bad machine, to bring me out to Kansas City? What do people do out there anyway?
By the way, you're pretty good with a camera; a little more practice you might make a livin' at it.
Great call on the W&P flares - you are absolutely right about the scale. Love the 10" wheels.
Is there any reason, other than the obvious of visiting you so I can go for a ride in that low bad machine, to bring me out to Kansas City? What do people do out there anyway?
By the way, you're pretty good with a camera; a little more practice you might make a livin' at it.
#74
Meno, I agree on the wheel well clearance on the traveller. Two years build time? EEKS! Good thing mine was nearly half finished when I signed on. I'm amazed that nobody has ribbed me for posting fake photos of my trucklette. (I figured if there are no real updates to share, at least I could show folks what I hope the damned thing will look like in the end...)