I want to explore mild unpaved gravel roads. Has anyone modified their Mini to make it so it can travel gravel roads easier? (class 1 roads)

I was thinking of mounting a moss mini skid plate, putting a light bar on my roof rack...

Not sure what to do about tires, I currently have the 17' slites, I am thinking off something that raises the clearance a little maybe a taller tire.

Someday in the future I will get an old suzuki, or kia to modify slightly for some very mild 4x4 roads, not a rock climber.

Laters, Mr. D

 

Taller tires on smaller wheels would help. MC2 did an article on some Cooper S's that were driven across Africa. They had custom built suspension parts that raised the car a bit.

If you're going to do the Rally theme, may as well go all out and ad a spare tire carrier and some Jerry Cans to the rear of the car and stick lights everywhere, it would really be unique.

 

The car does very well in gravel in stock form. Just don't pull on the handbrake.

i found a shot of one of the african adventure minis

 

Maybe something like a 215/55/17 would fit. Def put on some mudguards and the skidplate would be a good start.

 

Whaaaat?!?! Blasphemy. The handbrake is where all the fun is at. Unless you pull the ABS fuse and bias the brakes, it's damn near impossible to left-foot brake the Mini on dirt/gravel...you practically need to use the handbrake.

Not that hard to use anyways.

- Matt

 

just thought i'd revive this to see if anyone has NEW pictures of rally style minis.. or pictures of minis in rally cross events? i'd be interested in seeing some...

 

You won't find any because the MINI has very limited suspension travel. Would have to do quite a bit of mods to make it withstand the punishment of a rallycross.

 

Using 225/45/17 must have given my car an extra inch of clearance over stock.

 

You haven't seen my gallery, have you?


Anyway, last summer, I was on a trip that took me across Ohio. I picked a route based on the swiggly lines on the gps. As it turns out, one of these was a bombed out gravel road that started out smooth enough. Let me just say that these cars are tough (with camber plates, and poly bushings). I also figured out the proper way to use the hand brake on gravel and enjoyed the smooth bits.

 

Rally suspension? I don't need no stinking rally suspension.

 

You live down in the hollars, eh Blimey? That road reminds me of some of the ATV trails I rode on in West Virginia last summer.

Nice choice of using weather channel music btw it calms you and keeps you from driving too fast.

 

Weather Report does not equal "weather channel"

Down in the holler, a big old Dodge pickup told my MINI, "Boy, you sure got a purty mouth"...

 

very nice video. and nabeshin i'll check out your gallery. yay for thread responses!

 

 

Actually you got less than half an inch difference from the stock 205/45

 

I love these vids....great ride

 

I run my stock 2006 R53 with the sport suspension over some pretty nasty frost heaves, occasional dirt roads, rough and loose tarmac here in Northern Vermont. Works great as is, just pick your line wisely.



Some other rallye spec Chili Red R53's


http://www.youtube.com/user/Minisportrallying


http://www.redpointrallying.co.uk/


http://www.tsrennsport.com/weblog/?page_id=250

 

^thanks for sharing! those are some gnarly rally lights! i like it though...

 

supercharger on approach and exhaust on departure. now that was addicting...

 

My Mini hates washboard dirt roads. It feels like every nut, bolt, and screw is going to fall out along with my fillings. Some suspension work might be needed if you plan on doing this a lot.

 

I run in modified class