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hydrolastic to dry

Posted: Thu May 28, 2020 2:48 pm
by kevs 1961 mk1
hi all ive a 61 morris mk1 that im starting on , the front subframe is in rough condition ,I have also a very good hydrolastic front subframe ,how easy is it to convert it to dry , I know you have to flatten or grind off the locating lugs for the displacer units but is that all or are the top arms needing swapped out as well cheers in advance for any help with this

Re: hydrolastic to dry

Posted: Thu May 28, 2020 5:01 pm
by whistler
You're going to devalue the car if you fit a hydro subframe as they weren't introduced until around 1965.

Re: hydrolastic to dry

Posted: Thu May 28, 2020 5:14 pm
by kevs 1961 mk1
it aint gona be totally original anyway mate just a very good usable car

Re: hydrolastic to dry

Posted: Thu May 28, 2020 6:15 pm
by Spider
The Top Arms are different. You can use the Hydro Arms, but it will be a much harder ride.

You'll also need to run Hilos as the Towers on the wet frames are 1/4" taller.

If you do run with the Hydro ones, the hole that currently holds the bump stop in place needs to be drilled to 3/8" clearance for a Shocker Bolt.

Re: hydrolastic to dry

Posted: Thu May 28, 2020 6:41 pm
by kevs 1961 mk1
Spider wrote: Thu May 28, 2020 6:15 pm The Top Arms are different. You can use the Hydro Arms, but it will be a much harder ride.

You'll also need to run Hilos as the Towers on the wet frames are 1/4" taller.

If you do run with the Hydro ones, the hole that currently holds the bump stop in place needs to be drilled to 3/8" clearance for a Shocker Bolt.
cheers mate thanks for the info il probably use the dry arms and run hilos front and back

Re: hydrolastic to dry

Posted: Fri May 29, 2020 5:47 am
by TECH396
Don't forget the shock mounts on the body, as well as new, dry upper arms.

Re: hydrolastic to dry

Posted: Fri May 29, 2020 11:39 am
by snoopy64
Good hydro front subframes are hard to come by... sell it and buy a dry one! :)

Re: hydrolastic to dry

Posted: Fri May 29, 2020 1:26 pm
by Andrew1967
snoopy64 wrote: Fri May 29, 2020 11:39 am Good hydro front subframes are hard to come by... sell it and buy a dry one! :)
That was my thoughts too.

Re: hydrolastic to dry

Posted: Fri May 29, 2020 1:47 pm
by kevs 1961 mk1
Andrew1967 wrote: Fri May 29, 2020 1:26 pm
snoopy64 wrote: Fri May 29, 2020 11:39 am Good hydro front subframes are hard to come by... sell it and buy a dry one! :)
That was my thoughts too.
might do its in excellent condition ,freshly powdercoated too ,Image

Re: hydrolastic to dry

Posted: Fri May 29, 2020 2:15 pm
by snoopy64
When i needed one 5 years ago it took ages to find one... everyone says oh the front ones never go 'cos they are covered in oil... well i took mine off and when it was blasted it was very thin in places and had a couple of patches!!!

Re: hydrolastic to dry

Posted: Sat May 30, 2020 10:47 pm
by AndyPen
Certainly be a shame to hack a nice hydro like that up :?

Re: hydrolastic to dry

Posted: Sun May 31, 2020 2:25 am
by bwaminispeed
Of course, you could just install the wet subframe, and, leave it wet (supposing it still has the hydrobags in it)......

They don't have to connected to rear ones, you can just pump them up separately........

I once spliced the front end of a wet MKII Mini to the back half of a MKI wagon, and, just pumped the hydrobags up, made it easy to adjust front ride hight, drove real nice that way.......