Well almost.... Structurally it's a trapezoid... better but not the best. I still plan to add a diagonal which will greatly solidify the design. I used the same attachment points as the rear adjustable seat back locks. The toughest part was cutting through the plastic body claddings for the two brackets. Took my time and didn't mess up the covers. Anyway here are some pics.... My bracket is sandwiched behind the seat back bracket and held on using the same OEM bolts. Here is a close-up of the heim joint connected to the bracket. Here is the right side mounting. And here is the left side mounting. Viewed with the hatch open.
:cornut:It looks functional to me but it looks essentially the same as the after market one that I put in my car. Where are the other 3 sides of the trapezoid?Or are the other 3 sides the car structure itself? Just curious. I'm a little slow and have probably missed some thing. Jason
Yep, body structure is basically a big "U". Now with my upper bar, I've boxed it in as a four sided structure. With the addition of a diagonal (need to make this), the structure won't be able to move....
Kinda like the bar in a GP but in the back? Looking for a rigid body? When are you going to track your MINI. Nice work. Don
I noticed you still use your boot cover/shelf, so as my wife asked me once, "Why do you what a mod that nobody can see"? Jim
The bar in the GP is not structural. It is there due to UK laws and 2 seat cars. It's sole purpose is to block items from shifting forward and getting into the passenger area. MINI calls the part a "Cargo Rod" in the parts listings. It is only held in place with 6 Fillister head self-tapping screws, ST4,2X13MM, 3 per side.
No..... The tops of the rear struts are at about the same height as the boot floor (actually the upper boxed framing perimeter). The seat back lock mounts are at a much higher point unfortunately. The tops of the rear struts sit pretty low in relation to the wheel well and body. My plans for the diagonal members are to make the connection to the strut tops.
MM, do you really notice that much body movement to feel the need for this? I'm not sure I have seen this offered by a vendor and I figured they would if it was a problem. Just asking for my own information. Jim
Can't answer the second question. Haven't changed any of my suspension components. I would assume with a complete change out to poly bushings over the OEM mushy rubber units it might be easier to tell if there is flexing going in back there. Someone like Redbeard or others that spend a lot of time on the track could better answer that question. Several aftermarket companies sell a rear brace, M7 has one and I think OMP makes one, Mini Mania has one, Racing Dynamics is another. Don't know how effective those are.
:cornut: (for me) I'm more interested in some thing that functionally works than I am in eye candy. Jason
I'm still trying to figure out where the straight bar attaches. I'm assuming it's a rear under-strut bar??? Here is a pic of the front bar attached....