JeepcoMJ Posted June 18, 2019 Share Posted June 18, 2019 I’ve done it for sure this time... picked up an 05 r52 Mini Cooper convertible with no 5th gear and a broken top. Wanted one since I was 16 driving around my first car, a rabbit convertible. This one is loaded including heated seats and everything works other than the aforementioned transmission issues. Sold the last of my mj parts off, have no more mjs (for now), I really just needed a gas mileage DD that was fun, so this worked out. I paid very much under the going rate for it as well lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted June 18, 2019 Share Posted June 18, 2019 My uncle had one that was a little souped up. fast little bugger. so the top functions, but not automatically? I assume you're keeping the Libby for winter use? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepcoMJ Posted June 18, 2019 Author Share Posted June 18, 2019 3 minutes ago, Pete M said: My uncle had one that was a little souped up. fast little bugger. so the top functions, but not automatically? I assume you're keeping the Libby for winter use? The latch bracket for drivers side was broken, which threw a safety flag for the cable pull sensor. The peice I fabricated fixed that and it’s now 100% back to perfect working condition. I can even drop the top with the keyless entry remote. this one is not an S, which is exactly how I wanted it. Not as fast, but twice as fast as any Jeep, and the base model with 5 speed gets the best mpg (28-38) The KJ is down and I don’t think I’m going to fix it. The only part with no mechanical issues is the engine. I’ll either buy another one with a bad engine, or transfer the plow and such to the lifted one as it’s body is rusty. I intend to drive this year round as my every day. If I were to fix my liberty, it would be a dedicated non-registered plow vehicle at my parents house. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted June 18, 2019 Share Posted June 18, 2019 yeah, if you've got a good 3.7, it's super easy to get a working rig for cheap. plenty of those around me with bad engines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neohic Posted June 18, 2019 Share Posted June 18, 2019 Did you sell the 3800? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepcoMJ Posted June 18, 2019 Author Share Posted June 18, 2019 1 hour ago, neohic said: Did you sell the 3800? Never. I’m cutting it apart and scrapping it this weekend. But, I’m saving all the swap specific parts. its too far gone. I have no bed, it needs cab corners, rockers, floors, glass, interior, axles, suspension... ill build it on an 87+ 2.5 longbed chassis in the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MancheKid86 Posted June 18, 2019 Share Posted June 18, 2019 Quote i can only imagine your thoughts when you split the casing, it sure cleaned up nice though! diggin the new drivers side latch you fabbed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepcoMJ Posted June 18, 2019 Author Share Posted June 18, 2019 4 hours ago, MancheKid86 said: i can only imagine your thoughts when you split the casing, it sure cleaned up nice though! diggin the new drivers side latch you fabbed! Nah, it was actually in good shape. Thankfully I found a trans out of a wreck with nicer internals to use, though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepcoMJ Posted June 20, 2019 Author Share Posted June 20, 2019 Finished trans rebuild. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepcoMJ Posted June 20, 2019 Author Share Posted June 20, 2019 Disassembled the car tonight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepcoMJ Posted June 20, 2019 Author Share Posted June 20, 2019 Definitely wasn’t expecting to see this... a lot of effort went into shenanigans for the old trans Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted June 20, 2019 Share Posted June 20, 2019 holy hell, what in the blue blazes happened to it?! It' looks like it exploded and someone just welded the bits back together and called it a day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted June 20, 2019 Share Posted June 20, 2019 also, apparently now I'm going to start noticing them in the yards saw this li'l guy today Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NHMJXJ Posted June 20, 2019 Share Posted June 20, 2019 My girlfriend's sister recently totaled her daily driver (she's fine) which prompted me to do some car shopping. I saw a surprising number of Mini Coopers in the 05-2010 range for very short money. <100K miles, <$6K Why so cheap? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJXJjeepguy Posted June 20, 2019 Share Posted June 20, 2019 Oh my lawd, someone do a s###ing job, i would be pissed if I see that no wonder why ur 5th gears don't work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepcoMJ Posted June 20, 2019 Author Share Posted June 20, 2019 12 hours ago, Pete M said: holy hell, what in the blue blazes happened to it?! It' looks like it exploded and someone just welded the bits back together and called it a day. Looks like a carrier bearing let go and the carrier smacked around inside the case Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepcoMJ Posted June 20, 2019 Author Share Posted June 20, 2019 3 hours ago, MJXJjeepguy said: Oh my lawd, someone do a s###ing job, i would be pissed if I see that no wonder why ur 5th gears don't work! That was out due to the shift fork fingers being gone. I’m not even mad, this is funny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepcoMJ Posted June 20, 2019 Author Share Posted June 20, 2019 4 hours ago, NHMJXJ said: My girlfriend's sister recently totaled her daily driver (she's fine) which prompted me to do some car shopping. I saw a surprising number of Mini Coopers in the 05-2010 range for very short money. <100K miles, <$6K Why so cheap? I’ve got no idea. They’re actually pretty good little cars. Easy to work on, too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepcoMJ Posted June 20, 2019 Author Share Posted June 20, 2019 12 hours ago, Pete M said: also, apparently now I'm going to start noticing them in the yards saw this li'l guy today Pete, I actually need a couple parts off that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted June 20, 2019 Share Posted June 20, 2019 well? whatcha need? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepcoMJ Posted June 21, 2019 Author Share Posted June 21, 2019 2 hours ago, Pete M said: well? whatcha need? I need the plastic trim pieces that are on the forward runners for the top. ill take pics when I can put the top back up when I’m done with the swap on Saturday morning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepcoMJ Posted June 21, 2019 Author Share Posted June 21, 2019 Put a new rear main seal in because I’m not doing this twice. Clutch is a stage 2 that is almost new, so I left it alone other than cleaning it and the solid flywheel that was put on...that was a $500 performance kit lol. Transmission is in, engine is mounted, clutch and shifter reconnected. Feels crisp. I’m waiting for the new drive shafts and lower ball joints to arrive tomorrow, then I can button it up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepcoMJ Posted June 23, 2019 Author Share Posted June 23, 2019 Finished the mini tonight. Had a 2 hour diagnosis issue for running crappy and throwing two check engine codes that turned out to be a broken ECM connector clip. Easy fix, though. Then the convertible top had a freak out moment. That turned out to be window position sensors being out of whack. But, it runs and drives awesome with a completely silent, perfectly and crisply shifting transmission, and no funny vibrations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepcoMJ Posted June 23, 2019 Author Share Posted June 23, 2019 And, since there was an empty slot on the switch panel, I mounted the auxiliary input in that, added a Bluetooth adapter, and called it a day. I have a more permanent vehicle powered Bluetooth receiver to wire in when I feel ambitious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepcoMJ Posted June 23, 2019 Author Share Posted June 23, 2019 Lastly, I removed the factory cigarette lighter in favor of a dual 5.0 amp usb charger that also displays voltage and specific amp draw. The original lighter was in poor shape. And of course, the obligatory selfie while driving. Now that it’s all mechanically sound, it’s a riot to drive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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