2014-02-21
This evening I installed the
Grimmspeed Hood Struts. They say it helps to have a second set of hands, but this was very easily a solo task.
Grimmspeed have gone green and no longer provide printed instructions, so you find them online
here.
What's in the box? A couple of struts, top and bottom brackets, and a bunch of bolts/nuts. Ooh, and a sticker.
-----------------------------------------------------
2014-02-22
A local member very kindly installed a hard wire for the Escort 9500ix radar detector.
Here's what comes in the bag:
Here's the "before" cable cluster fuck:
And here's what it looks like when finished (the mute switch is right by the drivers leg, just above the seat bolster):
Later I'll replace the poxy suction cups with the $10 3M'd Ebay clip and mount the detector higher so it gets a clear rear window sweep. C'mon Canada Post!
-----------------------------------------------------
2014-03-01
Replaced all interior incandescent bulbs with LED's.
WARNING: do not use a metal pry to remove the door bulbs. You will short circuit your BIU (Body Integrated Unit). Ask me how I know this. You can also ask me why I'm pissed off that there was no warning anywhere of this possible outcome. I only found out what had happened because the interior door courtesy lights
won't turn off (hello battery drain). I Googled it and found this thread a little too bloody late:
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21537
... and another thread from another forum which I can't seem to link here.
2014-03-12
Dealer has replaced the BIU under warranty. I was surprised not to have to pay labour so I bought them a 12 pack of Steamwhistle for their troubles. Big thanks to Centaur for fitting the car in for both visits without appointments (the beer may have helped).
Before/After pictures:
License Plate:
Trunk:
[img]https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7312/12889045134_***2b5913b.jpg[/img]
Vanity:
Door Courtesy Light:
Interior (after):
-----------------------------------------------------
2014-03-02
Today I installed the Helix clear crystal side markers. Typically, this should be a quick job. I found the Diode Dynamics LED's were sitting loosely and only working intermittently. This OCD guy goes into nerdrage mode and had to strip them out several times before he was satisfied they wouldn't randomly give up on him. I ended up padding the wires to ensure they engaged properly. Fitment of the side markers wasn't perfect and both of the "A" clips disappeared into the cavity inside the front bumper. Much swearing, rattling, bashing and an extended magnet later they were recovered and swapped out for the clips on the OEM side marker.
These side markers are also prone to leak and mist up. Acting on the advice of FT86Club I pre-empted doing this when they were full of water and sealed them with silicone adhesive the day before install.
Before (showing that bloody "A" clip on the left):
After:
End result:
-----------------------------------------------------
2014-03-02
Fitted the chrome amber bulbs and finished off the LED interiors... this time without frying the BIU.
