Author Topic: Time for Summer Storage (Arizona's winter) (Read 7739 times)

cdflint · « **on:** May 05, 2012, 07:05:45 PM »

While you all get to gear up for summer driving, I have to store from the summers 110 degree heat. While she hides in the garage there are a few items to fix, address or modify. Any help, insight, opinion, GJ rant and Ellfs potstiring is welcome.

1. DONE - I have a CREAK happening that showed up the last couple weeks as I drove her around more. Cold is certainly not an issue. I'm not sure if it was the switchout from the ZOK bars on the front and back, B&G's being too soft, something loose underneath or something else. It seems to be in the center armrest area where it is heard the loudest. Seats aren't touching the center at all. Sound is not heard or felt while driving at speed. It mostly happens when going over small speed bumps or pulling in or out of the garage driveway. I think I'll set on the jack stands and check for any loose bolts underneath. It almost feels like there is no backbone at all there but I have DDM's race version. UGH.

2. DONE - Take off my rebar and grind down the side where my exhaust sets. I have a magnaflow and I love the sound of it but that once in awhile rattle sounds like someone is playing metal drums with rice under the car. UGH.

3. Align the hood and bumper better and somehow tack down the side skirts. I gave it to a body shop to complete but they kept for two months before I pulled it because they made more damage then correcting. Lesson learned. Spacers and finding what can hold the side skirts better. Once that tape came off, it was toast. Alignment is just off. Not pull it and sell it off, just off. Get one side to look right and the other is off by 1/2 inch. Adjust back and the front goes off. UGH

4. DONE but will get painted - Looking to plasti dip the A pillar. May try other pieces too. WEE

5. DONE - Switch boomerang dashes. I bought madmods CF dipped dash and was making a momentary switch for a garage opener out of an extra fog light switch. Painting it the right color so it will light up like a house has been a pain. Adding the larger AC rings. WEE

6. Considering lifting the rear B&G's a bit. I have the J2 staggered 19's and I cant tell if they rub but when I hit corners quickly they seem like they are on all corners. I dont see any marks anymore after I added 3mm spacers in the back. Right now they are at 27" in the back and 27.5 in the front?? Must have been a lot of settling. UGH

7. FREAKIN DONE - Fix the A/C!!! I've had for two years and never had to check to see if it worked.

This is the main reason for garaging her. Top down is getting too hot. Leather burns and drive too long it makes you schwetty. I believe the wiring got fried by the compressor when the suspension was re-welded on the driverside. I checked for freon pressure (ok), initiated the re-program with the knobs, heater works, fuses ok, air comes out but nothing cold and the compressor does not kick over. DANG IT

8. Fix rack and pinion - maybe have to switch out. I get the occasional grind sound and feeling in the steering wheel when turning the wheel too much either direction. DANG IT

I may not get to enjoy the summer weather you are having now but I will have summer nights, fall, winter and spring to drive.

NormSky · « **Reply #1 on:** May 05, 2012, 07:17:13 PM »

Same here. But I commute daily on a motorcycle. Except when temps get in the mid-upper 90's. Then it's back in the AC.

Brazen17 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 05, 2012, 08:30:07 PM »

I drive mine year round here in Vegas but I could definately understand if your A/C is not working. Went all last summer top down (with the exception of a few extremely hot days) but not gonna do it this year. Wouldn't be prudent...not gonna do it!

EarthNTX · « **Reply #3 on:** May 05, 2012, 09:11:56 PM »

I don't drive it much when it's hot here in Tx..top up for sure when I do. Nights are great, aren't they?

Gentleman Jack · « **Reply #4 on:** May 05, 2012, 11:23:44 PM »

The plasti dip is a project you do while you are doing another project. So that one is as good as done

( one coat, work on creak and rattle for 20 minutes, second coat, grind down rear brace for clearance from exhaust for 20 minutes, third coat, work on hood alignment for 20 minutes....)

Gentleman Jack · « **Reply #5 on:** May 06, 2012, 12:02:02 PM »

One other thought,

You did check the fuse for the AC right? Also check your ground, but fuse first, it's easier.

cdflint · « **Reply #6 on:** May 06, 2012, 12:21:41 PM »

Fuses looked good. I'm off to buy a floor jack. I tried to use my wifes jack from her honda pilot and just when I thought I had it high enough to place the jack stand on, TIMBER!!! BAM!!! AAAHHHH!!! checked legs, arms, head, wait... I wasn't underneath. Ok, I'm ok. Looked funny parked in the garage.

cdflint · « **Reply #7 on:** May 23, 2012, 03:35:23 PM »

So my car is slightly apart for work being done. I managed to lift the car without dropping her. Tightened up the backbone. I hope that was it for the creak sound for #1. Removed the rebar and shaved it down to take care of #2. #3, 6,7 & 8 on standby, #5 Dash is removed and wiring extra light switch and garage opener.

#4 plastidip. OK I made an attempt and I like the black look but hated the end result. I went a step further and tried stripes on the hood. Again hated the result but kinda like the look of it. Your thoughts

Plastidiped bug.

sirmeili · « **Reply #8 on:** May 23, 2012, 03:53:24 PM »

Im with you, I like the look, but the coverage looks uneven. Maybe give it a few days to dry out?

Also, how many coats did you do?

miller11386 · « **Reply #9 on:** May 23, 2012, 04:39:32 PM »

you are supposed to do many light coats. that sure looks like one or two really heavy coats.

cdflint · « **Reply #10 on:** May 23, 2012, 06:23:32 PM »

It was 4 light coats. The windshield was pretty smooth but the front pieces pulled up on the stripes. Some portions were really grainy and others were smoother.

Critterman · « **Reply #11 on:** May 23, 2012, 08:29:12 PM »

I like the look as well

ihawk95 · « **Reply #12 on:** May 23, 2012, 09:07:55 PM »

I like the look also....alot!

The hood does look uneven. I don't think drying time will change that. We sprayed 4 very light coats on my wheels and it doesn't look uneven and it was difficult to get them even given the shape. Maybe the chrome surface and shape of the wheels masks some of the uneveness.

cdflint · « **Reply #13 on:** May 27, 2012, 11:13:17 AM »

I'm working on the dash today and I have a switch for the devil eyes on the headlights. I need to get a wire from the engine compartment to the dash. Where is the best place to get a wire through? Or do I need to drill a hole for it?

On the AC, fuses looked good. Freon looked the right pressure (I'm surprised since it has not been used in two years) but the one wire I can see looking down on the compressor looks possibly melted? Not sure yet. I may consider just taking it in rather than pulling the IC pipes to look at something I'm not sure I can fix.

Sol Asylum · « **Reply #14 on:** May 27, 2012, 01:31:24 PM »

On the right side of the firewall near the battery there is a wire harness that runs inside the car, I would just route it with that harness.

NormSky · « **Reply #15 on:** May 27, 2012, 05:20:28 PM »

I did my window surround with Plastidip. It turned out great, so great that I don't think I could return to silver.

Kelu · « **Reply #16 on:** May 27, 2012, 05:35:02 PM »

Quote from: NormSky on May 27, 2012, 05:20:28 PM

I did my window surround with Plastidip. It turned out great, so great that I don't think I could return to silver.

How many cans u used?

Gentleman Jack · « **Reply #17 on:** May 28, 2012, 01:22:27 PM »

Quote from: Kelu on May 27, 2012, 05:35:02 PM

How many cans u used?

Easy to do with less than one can. Takes longer to tape everything off. Lots of light coats is the key. I had some trouble with the rubber seals, so be careful there.

cdflint · « **Reply #18 on:** June 10, 2012, 12:05:43 PM »

Took the car out for a test run and the creak is gone.

The family got together and peeled and mostly rubbed the plasti dip off the hood. Poor spraying on my part. 1/2 peeled off well and the other was like rubber gravel. No marks though andclean underneath. I'm finishing the dash hopefully today. I just need to add the larger A/C rings. Flipped an extra traction button to a garage door opener. Sanded and painted to look like a house. Rewired to an opener and mounted it underneath the dash. I took Sol Asylum advise and punched a wire through and sealed it off for my extra lights on the headlights. I'm waiting on my headlights to arrive Tuesday to finish all the wiring there. Pics to come as complete.

My biggest issue is the A/C. Again, checked the fuses in the engine compartment, ok. Checked the refrigerant, ok. Took the intercooler pipe off to get to the compressor and the wiring looked ok. Is there any other ideas before I bite the bullet and take it in?

Is there a way to check the compressor?

cdflint · « **Reply #19 on:** June 23, 2012, 06:16:40 PM »

Added Madmods boomerang dash, handle and a/c vents. I went with Sirmeili's advice on shadow chrome on the guage cluster and shift ring (Thanks). I tried to do the same on the larger A/C rings but they were not chrome so it didn't come out well. I ended up painting them black.

I also added a garage door opener with an additional traction switch sanded down and repainted. I added an additional switch for the devil eyes. Ended up pulling one of the headlights halo wiring and led strip.

DANG IT!!! I really need to clean my car.

Critterman · « **Reply #20 on:** June 24, 2012, 10:14:30 AM »

Lookes good.

Gentleman Jack · « **Reply #21 on:** June 24, 2012, 11:15:01 PM »

Quote from: cdflint on June 10, 2012, 12:05:43 PM

My biggest issue is the A/C. Again, checked the fuses in the engine compartment, ok. Checked the refrigerant, ok. Took the intercooler pipe off to get to the compressor and the wiring looked ok. Is there any other ideas before I bite the bullet and take it in? Is there a way to check the compressor?

You keep referencing the fuses in the engine compartment, have you checked the ones in the passenger footwell? I don't know if there are any AC fuses there, but might as well check?

GJ

cdflint · « **Reply #22 on:** June 30, 2012, 12:14:42 PM »

Well it is time to admit that I'm an idiot. Over 100 degrees the past couple weeks and no a/c has been almost unbearable. So I'm going to the dealer. Then I thought before I do I'll try the paperclip test. So I opened the fuse box pulled the #15 fuse and jammed it in the 30 & 87 slots for fuse. Nothing! Then in looking at the slot where he fuse was there a 5 slots? The fuse has only 4? Looking at the picture for where the fuses go... Yeah it was in the wrong slot.. It was in the wrong freaking slot!!! I totally overlooked where the fuse was. Haha on me. I'm special. Added freon and now its cold.

Next up up steering issue and gapping adjustments. I just hope its not a bolt sitting there and I end up pulling everything off to find it.

Gentleman Jack · « **Reply #23 on:** June 30, 2012, 12:21:39 PM »

Flint,

Did you check the fuse?

Kidding. You are certainly not the first person to do that... (he says knowingly)

Glad you have cold air again!

cdflint · « **Reply #24 on:** June 30, 2012, 01:20:37 PM »

Fuse is good!

Pride is down.

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Author Topic: Time for Summer Storage (Arizona's winter) (Read 7739 times)