I enjoy watching your videos , I watch your channel to learn things about fabrication to do on my Jeep. Keep up the good work. looking forward on the mini build.
As someone who owned a 2006 mini Cooper S. Where was this when I had mine? I love it . Its a bit late but minis had spots built in to be drilled for roof racks. Build is awesome makes me miss mine. I wish I knew they made mini lifts. I would have never got rid of it.
"Hey guys, we're going to build a crazy junked out car for the gambler" Nate proceeds to build a roof rack that tons of people would line up to buy... On a sweet looking car that even I would drive!
Glad you are having fun. I think the loop should be using slightly smaller tube. And I would have loved to curve the bar to match the shape of the windscreen.
1.5 inch is the smallest die I have. I would argue I spent plenty of time building something I'm going to use once lol. Rolling the tube would only complicat something I need done quickly 👍
Perhaps mount the tiny traction boards over the window above the gas cap? I really enjoy the fabrication videos over the 'adventure' videos; your skill and intuition are apparent.
That’s a clever & purposeful project for something that’s only for one event. It’s gonna be awesome! Show us how you get the wiring routed when you hook up the lights! The routing for the wires to the roof rack lights on the Disco is something I missed in your electrical video.
It looks awesome. I always wanted to do a rally car. (those guys are nuts) I will live vicariously through your build. Cant wait for the lift and tires to tie it all together. Great content as always...
Awesome Build! I will definitely be borrowing some of your ideas to use on my Ford Transit Connect & 4'X8' enclosed trailer nomad build. As always, thank you for sharing a great video.
This Mini is RAD! The only thing that bugs me is the red vinyl is slightly off lol. I'm excited for the rest of this build! Reminds me of how crazy and creative people get with the offroad Miatas.
Great build as always. I love your builds. Just my thought here with the intent to help: I would make a mount for the top of the lights too...even a zip tie from the top down would prevent sway vibration which should vibrate wider and wider until snap. ...can't wait to see it painted.
Another incredible video!!! I have never heard of the weld washers before… I have been interested in building my own rack for my truck so I am going to seriously look into these… I have learned so much watching your channel!!! Keep up the incredible work 👍
Too funny. I experimented with those exact lights several years ago and put a set on my Jeep. They have held up all this time, are actually brighter than the old KC's I had not to mention draw significantly less juice. For a cheapo LED light I have been happy with them, to the point I replaced my factory fogs with them. Looks good Nate.
I had a mini copper when I was in England it was a 1963 it had the windows that went back and forth. It was a fun little car had the motor punched out to 1310 with a 45 Webber carb and headers
ABG!!! That thing looks awesome so far! One use you can use those HOG boxes for is to pick up trash. One of the major functions of the Gambler 500 is to pick up trash. It's technically not a race. BUT, it's a "race"? More like a rally. Typically there's the Hootie X track somewhere near Gambler land that you get some racing done. For the most part, you just drive around collecting way points and looking for trash and making amazing connections and friends. I hope to make it this year to the OG. Maybe I'll see you there in my Sirch and Rascue H3.
I love a good purpose built rig. Especially when that purpose is to just be rad. I'm all about function over form, but sometimes it's just fun to build something cool. Super excited about this build!
Her is another thought to with the them. Front and rear light bars with the curved roof rack. Paint them white so the look like there handled on your mini cooler.
The rack turned out great. I've used Rivnuts before and I like them. I used them in the bed of a pickup to mount two lengths of L-track. There is one every 6 inches over 6 feet and I smeared a small amount of RTV under the "head" of the Rivnut and in the area where the knurls are at to seal them. Mainly I was trying to prevent water from becoming trapped between the Rivnut and the bed floor and rotting the bed. I gotta be honest, seems like tabs would be better suited for mounting those lights, but it will be interesting to see how the Rivnuts perform. There is going to be a lot of vibration and this is really going to put them to the test. I have no doubt the Rivnuts on the roof will hold up. I think that kind of application is perfect for them.
Great job. Started following the channel because I own a 98 tj and do a lot of my own stuff. Dealership mechanic by trade but not a fabricator. You do some great work. Lately I have been into baja 1000 builds would love too see you build a baja entry. Maybe the mini can make it.
Hella 😎👍cool Nate. Those Riv-nuts are something I'm considering also for a project 🤔 I have banging around in my noodle 🧠. More details please 🙏. Also,, just started my self training welder program. 🤩
Rivnuts are great when used appropriately. They can provide a very clean looking mounting solution, but they have limits. I would caution against using them like Nate did to mount the lights. There is going to be a lot of vibration with how these lights are mounted. The flat light brackets are bolted to the round tube with a Rivnut, so the Rivnut is going to be resisting all of the vibration. I would not be surprised if those loosened up over time. If the mounting surface of the rack was flat instead of round, I think a single M10 Rivnut would have no problem handling the vibration, because the flat part of the light bracket would be on a flat mounting surface and the Rivnut would just be in tension instead of alternating shear as the light vibrates forward and back. I expect the Rivnut body or the hole drilled in the tube to eventually get distorted because of fatigue. Rivnuts can defiantly be used in shear, but I think the vibration is going to be the problem here. The RIvnuts used to mount the rack to the roof is a perfect application, however. These are also used in shear, but there are mounts on each corner so the rack will stay stable. Like Nate said be aware of how much force each mount will be under and spread out the load by adding another mounting leg if necessary. I think Nate's rack would be good for a couple hundred pounds, typical car roof rack use.
Yeah it looks like he just used riv nuts. Not complicated. Prob not the best long term approach for an angled bracket that's going to have constant side load from the downward pressure of the load itself. But fine for a gambler build. Heavier duty riv nuts are an accepted approach for installing even super heavy duty overlanding racks. Big thing for installing a roof rack is it needs to mount on a pinch weld. Hidden or roof channel pinch weld.
So awesome Nate! Probably one of the builds I have been the most excited about! Can't wait to be Stateside and join in on the rallies with you crazy guys!
You definitely should paint your overlander cargo box's red with white lids, like the mini cooler itself.
Really wish I lived bie you. I would have you build That rack for my jeep grand cherokee wj for sure
in addition to that, i'd paint the rack itself to black. nice job!
Just the frame of the rack looks like how franz wears his hat
Lol
My 3 year old is a huge fan of this build. He says "he's doing such a good job" about your roof rack. I dig it too.
Can't wait to see the finished project on this. Gonna be....bizarre.
Lol yes it will!
That rack is badass! Can’t wait to see the finished car.
I generally like straight matching lines and angles but that light bar just made me happy to see, I love the thing!!!
Lol thanks!
I love it when you fabricate all your stuff!
Me too!
Holy cow I really dig the “Mini Cooler” Build!!
I enjoy watching your videos , I watch your channel to learn things about fabrication to do on my Jeep. Keep up the good work. looking forward on the mini build.
Finally back to fabricating.... thanks. I enjoy watching your metal fabricating skills, that's the reason I subscribe to this channel.
Nice build, can't wait to see the mini after the lift
Its amazing how just adding the rack makes the Mini look like a rally car. Fantastic!
I'm planning on turning my r53 mini into an overland camper and your build is EXACTLY what I've been looking for for inspiration!
When you've completed the gambler, next step should be 4 wheel drive.
man i love the look of the rack,it just fits the mini.....cause its a mini cooper it just fits the charm of the car :D
Thanks!
I'm here from R53 Addicts Facebook group, can't wait to see more videos on the build, love what you're doing
Thanks for watching man! Glad you found the channel 🤘
@@DirtLifestyle I'm looking forward to seeing more on the MINI build because that's the direction I'm wanting to go with mine. Love the inspiration
Even when you are messing around in building something that does it have to be perfect - You do it the right way and it looks awesome
Thanks brother 🙏
The add on’s in the shop are looking good. The wall of Milwaukee in the black cabinets. The mini is cool for what it’s going to become
One of your best videos to date!
I absolutely love it. Everything the Italian job should have done.
Thanks for the dirt church Sunday!!
As someone who owned a 2006 mini Cooper S. Where was this when I had mine? I love it . Its a bit late but minis had spots built in to be drilled for roof racks. Build is awesome makes me miss mine. I wish I knew they made mini lifts. I would have never got rid of it.
Aaaah! My favorite Sunday evening show!
"Hey guys, we're going to build a crazy junked out car for the gambler"
Nate proceeds to build a roof rack that tons of people would line up to buy... On a sweet looking car that even I would drive!
One of my favorite videos! Can not wait to see what's next.
You are so talented. Thanks for sharing all these tips and mods. Take care brother
That roof rack is 200% overkill for the gambler damn the fit and finish is awesome good job as always
that looks sweet, reminds me of old pics from the 70s of Volkswagens all tricked out to race Baja
Glad you are having fun.
I think the loop should be using slightly smaller tube. And I would have loved to curve the bar to match the shape of the windscreen.
1.5 inch is the smallest die I have. I would argue I spent plenty of time building something I'm going to use once lol. Rolling the tube would only complicat something I need done quickly 👍
@@DirtLifestyle this is fair, gotta build it to the specs that you need it for. If it's a quick build makes sense to just get it done
"ive been working on the land rover to much"
Story of my life lol
Lol
Perhaps mount the tiny traction boards over the window above the gas cap? I really enjoy the fabrication videos over the 'adventure' videos; your skill and intuition are apparent.
Not a bad idea 👍
I haven't completely decided on a location yet
Totally awesome, can't wait to see this rig in action!
Nice work Nate, it looks great. I'm looking forward to the lift and front bar builds, this is a fun project👍
All coming together! Your fab skills are top notch, Nate. 👍🤘✊
Thanks!
I am HEAVILY invested in this Mini Cooper series. I’ve always wanted to do a build like this 🔥🔥
That turned out great!! Can't wait to see how it holds up to the thrashin'!
Dig’n it Nate. I would not be surprised AT ALL if we see a new Mini Overland/Rally trend here in the Great NW. You saw it here first people…
Lol that would be cool!
That’s a clever & purposeful project for something that’s only for one event. It’s gonna be awesome! Show us how you get the wiring routed when you hook up the lights! The routing for the wires to the roof rack lights on the Disco is something I missed in your electrical video.
Looks clean , very nice work dude
I’m loving this already.
Looks awesome Nate.
Thanks!
That's sick AF I love it good job!! I'd totally rock my Mini like this!! 👍🏼
Your eye for design is very good! I really like your way of making the details gradually, as the building progresses! Great work, again! 👍😀
So fun! I love the roofrack!! I think im going to copy the rally-look in my rack- build
the bender sticker made my day
It looks awesome. I always wanted to do a rally car. (those guys are nuts) I will live vicariously through your build. Cant wait for the lift and tires to tie it all together. Great content as always...
Totally nailing the rally look. Lovin the mini cooler👍
Awesome Build! I will definitely be borrowing some of your ideas to use on my Ford Transit Connect & 4'X8' enclosed trailer nomad build. As always, thank you for sharing a great video.
Someone down the road is selling a mini just like this one. Your rally build makes me want to buy it and follow along on your build.
Love the build as you go style, nice work.
I really like the design , you've got a good minds eye !!
This Mini is RAD! The only thing that bugs me is the red vinyl is slightly off lol. I'm excited for the rest of this build! Reminds me of how crazy and creative people get with the offroad Miatas.
Great build as always. I love your builds. Just my thought here with the intent to help: I would make a mount for the top of the lights too...even a zip tie from the top down would prevent sway vibration which should vibrate wider and wider until snap. ...can't wait to see it painted.
I agree, but man, if he is testing the riv-nuts to the fullest, to see what they will withstand? This will be a great test
Giving me inspiration for my mini coopers!
Yep, like-in the rack so far. A design idea that's time has come.
Another incredible video!!! I have never heard of the weld washers before… I have been interested in building my own rack for my truck so I am going to seriously look into these… I have learned so much watching your channel!!! Keep up the incredible work 👍
Too funny. I experimented with those exact lights several years ago and put a set on my Jeep. They have held up all this time, are actually brighter than the old KC's I had not to mention draw significantly less juice. For a cheapo LED light I have been happy with them, to the point I replaced my factory fogs with them. Looks good Nate.
I had a mini copper when I was in England it was a 1963 it had the windows that went back and forth. It was a fun little car had the motor punched out to 1310 with a 45 Webber carb and headers
Great job, great thought process on your builds!
That's quite the rack but it looks really good dude luv the halo & the lights can't wait to see it lifted Nate 😱👍😎
You’ve got some bad ass fab skills. That looks great.
Thanks!
Really enjoying this build. I think the style is spot on.
ABG!!! That thing looks awesome so far! One use you can use those HOG boxes for is to pick up trash. One of the major functions of the Gambler 500 is to pick up trash. It's technically not a race. BUT, it's a "race"? More like a rally. Typically there's the Hootie X track somewhere near Gambler land that you get some racing done. For the most part, you just drive around collecting way points and looking for trash and making amazing connections and friends. I hope to make it this year to the OG. Maybe I'll see you there in my Sirch and Rascue H3.
I love a good purpose built rig. Especially when that purpose is to just be rad. I'm all about function over form, but sometimes it's just fun to build something cool. Super excited about this build!
Next year I need to build something for the Gambler. Love how this is coming together.
I think Rally is a better direction for me to take the Touareg rather than Overlander. Thanks for the inspiration.
Looks awesome. Not a riv-nut fan in sheet metal, curious to see how they hold up. Loving this build so far.
Looks awesome always wanted to do a lifted Mini Cooper rally type build
Well imagined, well built. 👍
Looks awesome! You could market that!
Awesome idea!!!
Her is another thought to with the them. Front and rear light bars with the curved roof rack. Paint them white so the look like there handled on your mini cooler.
Did that Rascal on that many look so good great job
Loving this build!!!
I love these fab vids👍🏻
Really like your fabrication videos.
Looks great! Put some lights on the back!
This is my style of vehicle 10000%
Lol hooray! Someone that can appreciate what I'm trying to do here 🤣
I often feel like my vision gets lost on some folks...
@@DirtLifestyle Bro I’m using your videos as inspiration for my own diy overland 80 series Landcruiser build. Keep up the great work man!
The rack turned out great.
I've used Rivnuts before and I like them. I used them in the bed of a pickup to mount two lengths of L-track. There is one every 6 inches over 6 feet and I smeared a small amount of RTV under the "head" of the Rivnut and in the area where the knurls are at to seal them. Mainly I was trying to prevent water from becoming trapped between the Rivnut and the bed floor and rotting the bed.
I gotta be honest, seems like tabs would be better suited for mounting those lights, but it will be interesting to see how the Rivnuts perform. There is going to be a lot of vibration and this is really going to put them to the test. I have no doubt the Rivnuts on the roof will hold up. I think that kind of application is perfect for them.
I was a bit worried half way but I liked the end result.
I think it looks cool as hell.. another nice job.
Looks good man. Looking forward to your baja bug build
I love baja style racks!
It’s looking sweet! Nice work. Drinking game: every time you say rack...
Lol
Shop looks like it received a makeover as well. Looking nice
This looks Amazing bro great job!
I really love the low profile roofrack, minus the light frame 😂
Great job. Started following the channel because I own a 98 tj and do a lot of my own stuff. Dealership mechanic by trade but not a fabricator. You do some great work. Lately I have been into baja 1000 builds would love too see you build a baja entry. Maybe the mini can make it.
That would be rad!
I freaking love it I would definitely do this one day
Dude, this is SOOO cool.
Awesome as always Nate, keep it up man!
Hella 😎👍cool Nate.
Those Riv-nuts are something I'm considering also for a project 🤔 I have banging around in my noodle 🧠. More details please 🙏.
Also,, just started my self training welder program. 🤩
Rivnuts are great when used appropriately. They can provide a very clean looking mounting solution, but they have limits. I would caution against using them like Nate did to mount the lights. There is going to be a lot of vibration with how these lights are mounted. The flat light brackets are bolted to the round tube with a Rivnut, so the Rivnut is going to be resisting all of the vibration. I would not be surprised if those loosened up over time. If the mounting surface of the rack was flat instead of round, I think a single M10 Rivnut would have no problem handling the vibration, because the flat part of the light bracket would be on a flat mounting surface and the Rivnut would just be in tension instead of alternating shear as the light vibrates forward and back. I expect the Rivnut body or the hole drilled in the tube to eventually get distorted because of fatigue. Rivnuts can defiantly be used in shear, but I think the vibration is going to be the problem here.
The RIvnuts used to mount the rack to the roof is a perfect application, however. These are also used in shear, but there are mounts on each corner so the rack will stay stable. Like Nate said be aware of how much force each mount will be under and spread out the load by adding another mounting leg if necessary. I think Nate's rack would be good for a couple hundred pounds, typical car roof rack use.
@@Fix_It_Again_Tony,, thanks for your insight 👍.
Much appreciated.
Really wish you would have covered drilling into the roof
Not sure about the details, but Looks like he just drilled holes and used rivet nuts for the threaded inserts (google “riv nut” or “rivet nut”)
Yeah it looks like he just used riv nuts. Not complicated. Prob not the best long term approach for an angled bracket that's going to have constant side load from the downward pressure of the load itself. But fine for a gambler build.
Heavier duty riv nuts are an accepted approach for installing even super heavy duty overlanding racks.
Big thing for installing a roof rack is it needs to mount on a pinch weld. Hidden or roof channel pinch weld.
Looks cool love the rally look
So awesome Nate! Probably one of the builds I have been the most excited about! Can't wait to be Stateside and join in on the rallies with you crazy guys!
Dude really cool stuff 🤘🏻. Love the new look 👊🏻
Sweet rack, I can’t wait to see the rest of the Mini build!
That rack looks awesome!
I love it I own a little vw baja bug so it was definitely inspiring!
absolutely love the build it look bad ass