[punkeyfunky]

Hi all.

This weekend, I intend to sort out my stereo[1] and I'll be fitting...

- Pioneer head unit (plus bezel & ISO wiring harness)
- 6x9's in rear

I know that a fair bit of interior needs to be removed and I'm using FAQ's provided from Mini2 (stuff like rear seat removal, down tubes removal etc)

As a contribution back to Mini2, I'm more than willing to:

- take lots of digital photographs (normally 1280x1024)
- shoot DV (if there is something better illustrated by video than pictures) and convert to QuickTime[2]
- write it all up

But... is anyone interested? Or are existing resources sufficient?

Also, I could do the same for when I whip out my factory seats and install the Corbeau ones (and all the air bag fun and games that goes with it!)

Thoughts?

Lee

[1] Custom built sub box, 10" sub and amp to be installed next week by guy at my work place here in London.
[2] I'm an Apple kinda guy with a DV cam, firewire and iMovie

[Paul]

If you build I will gladly host it!



Paul

[Jomnhta]

That is good...I am extremely interested in how to remove all the stuff at the back in order to replace the rear speaker.

[punkeyfunky]

OK... it's Friday and fitting day is tomorrow, so I guess I'll be doing as I said I would

I'll post to this thread again when complete - hopefully the install will only take a coupla hours, but it'll take me a few days to post things online (afterall, I'll be driving my MINI this weekend!)

Lee

[Paul]

Thank you, good luck!

[punkeyfunky]

Saturday was one loooong day. But still, got the jobs done.

I haven't written anything up yet, but initial pics are here:

http://punkey.net/minigallery.html

I'll be finishing the write up some time this week, and then I'll move the pics so that everything is together in one place, so that the MINI2 moderator/admin can schlurp it all up (wget I reckon...)

Currently, images are scaled down to 640x480 - I'll post up full size ones (1280x1024) later on for those with an interest or high resolution monitors.

Lee

[punkeyfunky]

I finally wrote up the first version of my 'how to'. I guess it's fairly light on text, but there are some half decent pictures in there.

I blatantly copied certain instructions from Mini2, but they're credited to Mini2 (with links) and MANIAC (for writing them).

The pics are posted at 640x480; I've got full size 1600x1200 if anyone wants them.

Mini2 admin - feel free to schlurp it all up. I can send you a tar file if thats any easier.

the link:
http://punkey.net/mini/howto.html

Enjoy...

Lee

[MINIAC]

Very nice job

I can't really take too much credit for the instructions you used from the DIY on removing interior bits as I merely word-smithed what other MINI2 members had previously posted.

When I get some time, I will use your pictures and instructions for writing a DIY on removing the rear panels to gain access to the rear speakers.

[Minimum]

One bit of information that I couldn't find on this site and would have been useful when I was tearing my MCS apart was one more detail on removing the lower rear seat cushion.

At least on the 2003 models, you need to firmly press straight down in the center rear of the seat cushion while you pull the cushion forward in order for a wire rod that runs along the lower back of the cushion to clear a steal clip that is holding the cushion in place.

I finally managed to get the wire rod to clear this clip using the wrong method. I pushed the front of the cushion firmly upward while I had my head and a flashlight under the cushion in an attempt to see what was holding the cushion there. My ear was pressed against the surface under the cushion when the rod suddenly cleared the clip with a very loud snap. This translated to a sound similar to a firecracker going off after inserting it firmly in my ear canal. The wire rod was slightly bent in the process, which I was able to straighten again with some pliers.

[stryder]

Very nice writeup, my only suggestions: to avoid people asking, is add some American english at the beginning in ('s especially for Plasters, (Bandaids), Aerial (Antenna), and 10nm (14 ft-lbs).

Also, someone else can verify this, but don't most US models of aftermarket radios just have bare wires? Something should be mentioned so someone doesn't go ack when they open the box.

[MINIAC]

Quote:

Originally posted by Minimum

One bit of information that I couldn't find on this site and would have been useful when I was tearing my MCS apart was one more detail on removing the lower rear seat cushion.

At least on the 2003 models, you need to firmly press straight down in the center rear of the seat cushion while you pull the cushion forward in order for a wire rod that runs along the lower back of the cushion to clear a steal clip that is holding the cushion in place.

I will update the DIY.

How does this sound:

The rear seat bench on 2003 models has a clip at each rear corner and is hooked in the middle at the back, requiring pressing firmly straight down in the center rear of the seat cushion while pulling the cushion forward.

[Minimum]

Quote:

Originally posted by MINIAC
I will update the DIY.

How does this sound:

The rear seat bench on 2003 models has a clip at each rear corner and is hooked in the middle at the back, requiring pressing firmly straight down in the center rear of the seat cushion while pulling the cushion forward.

There's only one clip located behind the center of the seat cushion. After re-reading the FAQ, it sounds like all MINIs have this clip, but the first step in the FAQ could be a little clearer since simply yanking the cushion forward will probably bend something.

Right now the first step says:

Quote:

1. Remove the seat bench, by first pulling up sharply at each front corner to release the clips there, and then yanking the whole seat bench out of the rear center clip.

It might be clearer if it said:

Remove the seat bench by first pulling up sharply at each front corner to release the cushion from the clips there. There is also a clip located behind the center of the seat cushion that hooks over the top of a metal rod attached to the back of the cushion. To release the seat cushion from that clip, press firmly straight down in the center rear of the cushion while pulling the cushion forward.

[punkeyfunky]

Quote:

Originally posted by stryder
Very nice writeup, my only suggestions: to avoid people asking, is add some American english at the beginning in ('s especially for Plasters, (Bandaids), Aerial (Antenna), and 10nm (14 ft-lbs).

Also, someone else can verify this, but don't most US models of aftermarket radios just have bare wires? Something should be mentioned so someone doesn't go ack when they open the box.

Good point - I've updated the copy on my Mac; I'll commit back into CVS and upload later this evening (UK time).

Thanks,

Lee

[punkeyfunky]

Quote:

Originally posted by MINIAC
Very nice job

I can't really take too much credit for the instructions you used from the DIY on removing interior bits as I merely word-smithed what other MINI2 members had previously posted.

I see.. plagarism is complimentary anyway, huh?

Quote:

When I get some time, I will use your pictures and instructions for writing a DIY on removing the rear panels to gain access to the rear speakers.

Cool.

I can send the pics to whoever is interested - they are about 50Mb at full resolution.

Lee

[MINIAC]

Quote:

Originally posted by Minimum
There's only one clip located behind the center of the seat cushion. After re-reading the FAQ, it sounds like all MINIs have this clip, but the first step in the FAQ could be a little clearer since simply yanking the cushion forward will probably bend something.

Right now the first step says:

It might be clearer if it said:

Remove the seat bench by first pulling up sharply at each front corner to release the cushion from the clips there. There is also a clip located behind the center of the seat cushion that hooks over the top of a metal rod attached to the back of the cushion. To release the seat cushion from that clip, press firmly straight down in the center rear of the cushion while pulling the cushion forward.

I think the clips for 2002 and 2003 models are in different places. What I really need is some pictures illustrating where the clips are ... can anyone provide them?

[punkeyfunky]

Quote:

Originally posted by MINIAC
I think the clips for 2002 and 2003 models are in different places. What I really need is some pictures illustrating where the clips are ... can anyone provide them?

One of the pics in my how-to should cover the '03 model (duh, cos mines '03!).


[click to enlarge]


Lee

[MINIAC]

Thanks ... I can see the clip for securing the rear of the cushion.

I'll have to pull the seat cushion from my 2002 build to see what it looks like.

[Minimum]

Quote:

Originally posted by MINIAC
Thanks ... I can see the clip for securing the rear of the cushion.

I'll have to pull the seat cushion from my 2002 build to see what it looks like.

Yeah, that picture clearly shows the clip behind the seatbelt locks.

If you want more pictures, like a picture of the rod that the clip connects to, let me know. (I'm pretty good at removing that seat cushion now.)

[MINIAC]

Minimum,

A picture showing the rod on the underside of the cushion would be great.

Also, if possible, a picture showing all three of the clips in the same shot.

[Minimum]

I'll post them here tonight unless someone beats me to it.