RMweb Premium uax6 Posted June 16, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 16, 2015 Excellent machines...the Suzuki one being the same.......IMHO, the Suzuki Supercarry [Rascal] is the van British Leyland should have made to replace the minivan...[and maybe they could have done..under licence? The Supercarry had predecessors!] My last ex-wife bought me a £300 wonder, Supercarry van...pretty much as a wheelbarrow. As a family we found it an excellent machine.....incredible load space area, access from rear, both sides, etc....a proper lorry chassis [unlike its competitors like DAi-hatsu]...with a proper lorry back axle. My kids loved it..and used to fight to get the front seat! It had its faults...like 30+mpgs....but it wasn't slow for its engine size! It had an extremely narrow width, which was incredibly useful in urban areas....and once carried 60 paving slabs [a freebie, if I could take 'em away] in one go...maybe more! It went the way of the world [scrap heap] eventually, due to changing MoT rules [the 30 cm rule?] where a hole in the driver's floor was ignored one year...but not the next...or the next...and so on. I got fed up with welding the welding. I used to use it as a 'mobile' work bench too...having a vice bolted to the floor at one side door. Once it ceased to be road legal..it became a secure, lockable shed for me. I still have the axle, gearbox and stuff..... I'd love another one...... Whats the track width and ratio of the rear axle please? Was it a 5 speed gearbox too? It's just I have a spare moggy van, which I'm looking at updating to have a bit more power and long legs... I've often though about these vans as a donor, but we haven't got any scrap yards about to measure one up! Andy G Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Londontram Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 Here's one that might tickle your fancy Horsetan http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251996352970?clk_rvr_id=849777150517&rmvSB=true I know your a fan of those funny French things 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatB Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 I've got a Suzuki Carry 1.3 (the short bonneted one). Unfortunately I'm several thousand miles from both it and the manual for it so I can't help too much with the exact dimensions. I'd say that the running gear would be a reasonable match with a Morris 1000 though. Engine claims ~75 bhp IIRC. Standard gearing with the 5-speed box allows the little beastie to exceed 120 km/h and probably rather more (although, given that it's basically a sail and the CofG is somewhere around head height I don't really want to). Difficulties I see with doing a swap would be adaptation of the rear axle to leaf rather than coil suspension and conversion of the gearbox from the (to be honest, not very good) remote gearchange linkage to something more direct. The engine is laid over to the left by maybe 45 degrees which makes it wider than it needs to be and rather asymmetrical. Possibly not too much of a problem with the Minor's fairly wide engine bay. I'm not sure I'd recommend one on a spares availability basis. Things might be different in the UK, but in Australia and online I note that finding bits like sensors can take quite a bit of hunting. Brilliant little van though and, aside from a few problems stemming from spending long periods idle, it's been super reliable. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alastairq Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 (edited) Whats the track width and ratio of the rear axle please? Was it a 5 speed gearbox too? It's just I have a spare moggy van, which I'm looking at updating to have a bit more power and long legs... I've often though about these vans as a donor, but we haven't got any scrap yards about to measure one up! Andy G Approx. 3 foot 10 inches track...too narrow for a Minor...just right for a Ford Pop! Ratio is circa 5:1. Again, just right for a Ford Pop! Axles are now like hens' teeth......mostly containered up and sent to 3rd world countries as spares. For the Moggy, best to either fit a Ford Anglia axle [stronger than BMC] and go for a 1275 MArina or [Rover engine, 1.8 slots in nicely] and a Ford Sierra gearbox...all have proprietary conversions for the Minor... Edited June 16, 2015 by alastairq 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium uax6 Posted June 16, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 16, 2015 Unless I fitted drag racing rear wheels! Cheers Andy G Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 Here's one that might tickle your fancy Horsetan http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251996352970?clk_rvr_id=849777150517&rmvSB=true I know your a fan of those funny French things That's very much a "Marmite" car, isn't it? Personally, I think it's great. Big fan of weird, me, but for a semi-classic runabout, definitely a Cortina. Preferably a Mk3 with a vinyl roof. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
runs as required Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 The "Wa Benzi" term was originally coined to refer to African diplomats and politicians, who invariably swanned about in the car of choice, the Mercedes S-class. In our day (late 60s & 70s) the "Wa Benzi" were any well to do folk who rode around in black 220s or 300s - and a 'been to' would have bought it s/h in Europe. In Tanzania they risked having stones chucked at them because they must have come by them corruptly, in Nigeria every street pedlar believed he would drive one some day. dhig 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 ....In Tanzania they risked having stones chucked at them because they must have come by them corruptly, in Nigeria every street pedlar believed he would drive one some day. Nowadays, they just get on the internet and send e-mails.... 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium PhilJ W Posted June 16, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 16, 2015 Whats the track width and ratio of the rear axle please? Was it a 5 speed gearbox too? It's just I have a spare moggy van, which I'm looking at updating to have a bit more power and long legs... I've often though about these vans as a donor, but we haven't got any scrap yards about to measure one up! Andy G The early ones had only a four speed box, mine was a G reg and had the five speed box. The same engine and gearbox was used in the Suzuki SJ jeep with the advantage that the engine was vertical not canted over as in the vans. They did tend to rust badly around the front wheel arches which is why there's not that many to be seen now. On my one I never had any problems with the gear change linkage or the c-o-g. The Suzuki Carryall uses the same gearbox. As has been said above there are several specialists who fit Ford 5 speed boxes to Morris Minors and this is the way to go together with the 1275 cc Marina engine. Incidentally the later Minor vans had a stronger back axle so there is no need to change it unless you need a higher axle ratio, which you probably would not if you fitted a 5 speed box. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted June 16, 2015 Share Posted June 16, 2015 (edited) Here's one that might tickle your fancy Horsetan http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251996352970?clk_rvr_id=849777150517&rmvSB=true I know your a fan of those funny French things Slightly outside my budget, that one. But it is the last CX saloon ever registered in the UK. You can get an equally good GTi Turbo 2 for about half what he's asking, and I'm not sure that merely being the last UK registered justifies a doubling of the average asking price. The seller is naked about his ambitions - he wants to buy a Citroen SM, but also doesn't keep his cars for very long. I'm looking for the DTR Turbo 2 variant - diesel tends to go further...... Edited June 16, 2015 by Horsetan 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium uax6 Posted June 16, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 16, 2015 The early ones had only a four speed box, mine was a G reg and had the five speed box. The same engine and gearbox was used in the Suzuki SJ jeep with the advantage that the engine was vertical not canted over as in the vans. They did tend to rust badly around the front wheel arches which is why there's not that many to be seen now. On my one I never had any problems with the gear change linkage or the c-o-g. The Suzuki Carryall uses the same gearbox. As has been said above there are several specialists who fit Ford 5 speed boxes to Morris Minors and this is the way to go together with the 1275 cc Marina engine. Incidentally the later Minor vans had a stronger back axle so there is no need to change it unless you need a higher axle ratio, which you probably would not if you fitted a 5 speed box. The vans ALL had the same rear axle, the A series banjo type. The Ford box is not a striaght drop in, its a bit of a work up. I'm toying with seeing if the LT77 from a Landie (minus bellhousing and transfer box) will be a better fit, but I do have a MGB GT overdrive box or a Ford type 9 in stock to try as well, but the last two are very heavy compared to the moggy box. Oh and you would want to change the rear axle ratio, 4.55:1 van standard, is no where near as good as 4.22:1 saloon. I think I've even got a 3.9:1 midget one kicking around somewhere! Andy G (Who has got more ideas that time to try them!) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianthesnail96 Posted June 17, 2015 Share Posted June 17, 2015 I think an LT77 is heavier (and taller) than a Type 9. Left field choice, 1700 O series and LT77 out of a Sherpa/ Freight Rover... if you can find one. MGB OD 'box is a massive great lump! I fancy putting a Perkins Prima turbo (using Marina 1700 petrol, Freight Rover diesel & Montego bits!) with an LT77 behind in a Mk3 Marina estate someday, would go like the clappers and do 40mpg+. Still think Marina 1275s are much better in Marinas though. They even did vans you know... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugsley Posted June 17, 2015 Share Posted June 17, 2015 Consider a Mazda RX8 gearbox instead of the Type 9, they're readily available, cheap and an adaptor plate for them is for sale on ebay. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
edcayton Posted June 17, 2015 Share Posted June 17, 2015 (edited) You can fit a Triumph overdrive box (from a Spitfire, not sure what else) to an A series, easier to find an A+ from a MarItal because they have the correct backplate, flywheel etc, but you'll probably need to do a lot of work to the floorpan and tunnel. Ed Have to say if I was going to do a lot of work to a Moggy van I'd want much better bits than Suzuki van stuff. Edited June 17, 2015 by edcayton Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted June 17, 2015 Share Posted June 17, 2015 Consider a Mazda RX8 gearbox instead of the Type 9, they're readily available, cheap and an adaptor plate for them is for sale on ebay. Has anyone tried to fit a rotary engine to a Moggy van? 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
keefr2 Posted June 17, 2015 Share Posted June 17, 2015 Consider a Mazda RX8 gearbox instead of the Type 9, they're readily available, cheap and an adaptor plate for them is for sale on ebay. Nice box too! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
keefr2 Posted June 17, 2015 Share Posted June 17, 2015 Has anyone tried to fit a rotary engine to a Moggy van? And I thought putting one in an MGB was a bad idea...!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium petethemole Posted June 17, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 17, 2015 A quick Google shows 2 saloons in Australia but no vans. Loads of other interesting engines as well.... Pete 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted June 17, 2015 Share Posted June 17, 2015 And I thought putting one in an MGB was a bad idea...!! Someone has done that! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
keefr2 Posted June 17, 2015 Share Posted June 17, 2015 Someone has done that! I know - that's why I thought it was a bad idea....!!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catweasel Posted June 17, 2015 Share Posted June 17, 2015 Years back,people put Fiat twin cams in Minors. Not easy to get now though. How about fitting a complete Mazda MX5 engine andd 'box? Disc brakes of course.Wondeer if the back axle will fit as well. I had a 1760 Cortina lump in mine with an Anglia axle on the back.150 brake was quite exciting! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
edcayton Posted June 17, 2015 Share Posted June 17, 2015 I think a K series out of a Rover 25 or 45, or an MG ZR or ZS would be easier and you can get these cars as cheap as chips. Frontline do all the bits to fit them into a Spridget, dunno what gearbox they recommend though. Ed Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianthesnail96 Posted June 17, 2015 Share Posted June 17, 2015 (edited) You can fit a Triumph overdrive box (from a Spitfire, not sure what else) to an A series, easier to find an A+ from a MarItal because they have the correct backplate, flywheel etc, but you'll probably need to do a lot of work to the floorpan and tunnel. Ed The Triumph 'box (Spitty and Dolomite, Vitesse as well I think) is the same as the Marina one, albeit with different ratios & some variation in input shafts IIRC. Was tempted to stick one in my Marina estate (I really like the one in the 1850 Dolly I play with occasionally- dropping in and out of 3rd OD is great for spirited driving on twisty roads!) but it requires quite a lot of surgery to the transmission tunnel to go in, so it'll get a type 9 instead. MX5 engine/ 'box is a good shout, there's a few in Triumphs that I know of, I'm sure there are some in Minors too. Both flavours of Mk1/ Mk2 are cracking engines without too much electrickery to get in the way of enjoying them, and donor cars are dirt cheap now. Edit, I think that's what you were saying actually, sorry! Edited June 17, 2015 by brianthesnail96 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugsley Posted June 17, 2015 Share Posted June 17, 2015 Years back,people put Fiat twin cams in Minors. Not easy to get now though. How about fitting a complete Mazda MX5 engine andd 'box? Disc brakes of course.Wondeer if the back axle will fit as well. I had a 1760 Cortina lump in mine with an Anglia axle on the back.150 brake was quite exciting!My Dad has a 1.6 Twin Cam in his Traveller, which goes quite nicely. I saw a 2.0 Twin Cam Minor at a show over the weekend - I bet that goes like stink! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium MJI Posted June 18, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 18, 2015 I think an LT77 is heavier (and taller) than a Type 9. Left field choice, 1700 O series and LT77 out of a Sherpa/ Freight Rover... if you can find one. MGB OD 'box is a massive great lump! I fancy putting a Perkins Prima turbo (using Marina 1700 petrol, Freight Rover diesel & Montego bits!) with an LT77 behind in a Mk3 Marina estate someday, would go like the clappers and do 40mpg+. Still think Marina 1275s are much better in Marinas though. They even did vans you know... If you want to drop a Diesel in any of those look at the 5 cylinder one! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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