The Car Mod Thread...

[A.Goldberg]

That's not to mention that while stuff like the transaxle and the like is out, its a REALLY GOOD idea to go ahead and replace any potential wear parts-and there will likely be enough that are close or over due if you're talking a 15+ year old car. Even though it's a big initial cost, stuff like engine mounts, front end bushings/joints, CV joints, belts, hoses, and the other things I'm sure I'm forgetting are a LOT easier to change at this point, and you could be looking at $1K+ in parts. If the car is a manual, it's a good time to change the clutch-again unless it's brand new(20K miles or so) it's a whole heck of a lot easier to get to at this point than it is down the road. Even so, it's a lot cheaper to do it upfront than have to do it with the engine in the car.

It's sort of like when my dad had the head changed on his truck, I virtually forced him to buy a new timing belt and water pump on the philosophy that if the old one has to be removed anyway, it should be replaced with a new one.

Yeah that's a great point. If you're already in there there's a lot of stuff you "might as well do" since the car is taken apart... assuming the swapped engine isn't practically brand new.

It's one of those things- like you're doing the water pump so you might as well do the timing belt, or the timing belt is due for a change, so you might as well due the water pump. If you're in there, there's not sense in waiting for catastrophic failure.

 

[A.Goldberg]

3. Eye doctors can't do anything for night-blindness. It runs in the family, My grandpa has it, my mom has it and I have it.

So the self admitted night blind drives at night? Great! That sounds responsible. Again, I will mention a lot of medications make this worse whether you realize it or not. Congenital night blindness usually is a result of poorly working rods* and as with many eye conditions, is associated with your maternal side of the family.

So I think the best solution to headlight issue would be to restrict your license from driving at night

*of the retina (not to be confused with pants)

 

[MatthewLTL]

So the self admitted night blind drives at night? Great! That sounds responsible. Again, I will mention a lot of medications make this worse whether you realize it or not. Congenital night blindness usually is a result of poorly working rods* and as with many eye conditions, is associated with your maternal side of the family.

So I think the best solution to headlight issue would be to restrict your license from driving at night

*of the retina (not to be confused with pants)

There is times I HAVE to drive at night, expecially when sunset is around 5PM in winter, Taking well-lit streets or with both Hi and Low beams on (passing lights) I can see ok. That's part of the reason I want fog lights and either Hyperwhite Helogens or LED headlights. Being that my front Switchback LEDs are brighter than my headlights, those on with the headlights actually help. The Fog Lights will be wired in to turn on with the parking lights.

 

[bunnspecial]

There is times I HAVE to drive at night, expecially when sunset is around 5PM in winter, Taking well-lit streets or with both Hi and Low beams on (passing lights) I can see ok. That's part of the reason I want fog lights and either Hyperwhite Helogens or LED headlights. Being that my front Switchback LEDs are brighter than my headlights, those on with the headlights actually help. The Fog Lights will be wired in to turn on with the parking lights.

Just to get this clear...

You're complaining about other people burning your retinas with their HIDs, but it's okay for you to drive along with your front end lit up like a Christmas tree and with BOTH your high and low beams on?

Drivers with hi-beams coming up on me burn MY retinas out since they're shining right in my eyes(or right in my rearview/side view if behind me) but other types of lights don't bother me.

In fact, I'd dare say that factory HIDs bother me less than halogens since they ARE-by design-self leveling. If you haven't noticed, even a factory halogen on low beam can "pop" like a high beam when the car is cresting a hill or hitting a big bump since the headlights will-from your perspective-be pointed "up" like a high beam for a moment.

This generally doesn't happen with factory HIDs, and is also why a proper retrofit is very expensive.

 

[D.T.]

Hahaha, I didn't realize that during my HID comments ... the inbound ride has HIDs Road trip to Minnesota!

 

[MatthewLTL]

55

Just to get this clear...

You're complaining about other people burning your retinas with their HIDs, but it's okay for you to drive along with your front end lit up like a Christmas tree and with BOTH your high and low beams on?

Drivers with hi-beams coming up on me burn MY retinas out since they're shining right in my eyes(or right in my rearview/side view if behind me) but other types of lights don't bother me.

In fact, I'd dare say that factory HIDs bother me less than halogens since they ARE-by design-self leveling. If you haven't noticed, even a factory halogen on low beam can "pop" like a high beam when the car is cresting a hill or hitting a big bump since the headlights will-from your perspective-be pointed "up" like a high beam for a moment.

This generally doesn't happen with factory HIDs, and is also why a proper retrofit is very expensive.

I have not had to drive with the passing lights on since my LED install, In fact, most of the night driving can be done with JUST the DRL LEDs (with parking lights on of course) and if its a dark road turning on the low beams is more than enough. I did have to re-aim my headlights (passenger side headlight actually). Like I stated my DRLs are BRIGHTER than my headlights so on a dimly lit road they are more than bright enough. Part of the reason for wanting LED Headlights is I can get a 5200LM kit for $50, "Look like HID" Halogens for $40. whereas the headlights I have now (stock) are about 1000LM. The LED DRLs are 1000LM each hence why having them makes driving at night easier now.

 

[MatthewLTL]

Hahaha, I didn't realize that during my HID comments ... the inbound ride has HIDs Road trip to Minnesota!

Huh?

 

[bunnspecial]

55

I have not had to drive with the passing lights on since my LED install, In fact, most of the night driving can be done with JUST the DRL LEDs (with parking lights on of course) and if its a dark road turning on the low beams is more than enough. I did have to re-aim my headlights (passenger side headlight actually). Like I stated my DRLs are BRIGHTER than my headlights so on a dimly lit road they are more than bright enough. Part of the reason for wanting LED Headlights is I can get a 5200LM kit for $50, "Look like HID" Halogens for $40. whereas the headlights I have now (stock) are about 1000LM. The LED DRLs are 1000LM each hence why having them makes driving at night easier now.

Matthew,

I'm still not sure if I'm following you. Regardless of how your LED DRLs look, you SHOULD be running your low beams at night. Even if they don't help YOU see any, part of the point of headlights is for other drivers to see you and you should have headlights where people expect headlights to be. It's the same logic as why you should always have your lights on in the rain-even if you can see fine, it's important for other drivers to see you.

If your DRLs are brighter than your headlights, they are probably either illegally bright(meaning that you're doing the same thing to other drivers as they're doing to you) or it could be that your headlight lenses are so cloudy that your headlights aren't putting out that much light. I was absolutely astounded at how much of a difference polishing the lenses on my LS made.

BTW, halogens naturally have a color temperature of somewhere around 3500K(just guessing without looking it up). If you want HID "look" halogens(I think most HIDs are around 5500-6000K) the only way to get that is going to be with a filter on the bulb to filter out the longer wavelengths of light. The net result is that your lights are going to be even dimmer than now. I don't really understand the point of putting these lights on-especially since in one sentence you deride HIDs and in the next want your car to look like it has them.

 

[D.T.]

Huh?

I have a new ride on the way. It has HID headlights (and LED fog/running lights), and I guess I hadn't really considered that fact during the discussion of the merits of OEM HID lighting.

So in jest, I suggested driving to, then around MN, with my HIDs, hoping to target some unprepared, light sensitive Daewoo drivers ...

 

[A.Goldberg]

There is times I HAVE to drive at night, expecially when sunset is around 5PM in winter, Taking well-lit streets or with both Hi and Low beams on (passing lights) I can see ok. That's part of the reason I want fog lights and either Hyperwhite Helogens or LED headlights. Being that my front Switchback LEDs are brighter than my headlights, those on with the headlights actually help. The Fog Lights will be wired in to turn on with the parking lights.

That's my point, you shouldn't be driving at night if you're not able to. Just like you wouldn't give a completely blind person a driver's license.

There are many people in the world who are legally mandated to only drive during daylight hours so to vision problems. I'm sure they manage. Take a taxi or über instead.

 

[2298754]

There are many people in the world who are legally mandated to only drive during daylight hours so to vision problems. I'm sure they manage. Take a taxi or über instead.

What is uber? Don't tell its one of those new apps on those fancy smartphones that are just a waste of money.

PocketPC is where it's at. If I can't get the app on there, it is worthless to me.

 

[determined09]

What is uber? Don't tell its one of those new apps on those fancy smartphones that are just a waste of money.

PocketPC is where it's at. If I can't get the app on there, it is worthless to me.

Uber is a taxi service.
https://www.uber.com

 

[bunnspecial]

PocketPC is where it's at. If I can't get the app on there, it is worthless to me.

I'm still digging the Palm IIic I got yesterday-color screen and everything! It syncs great with my PowerMac G3 and does everything I need it to do.

For my next series of work, I'm going to use my Apple Quicktake 200 to document everything. After all, the 3 megapixel images(640x480) are more than enough.

 

[A.Goldberg]

I'm still digging the Palm IIic I got yesterday-color screen and everything! It syncs great with my PowerMac G3 and does everything I need it to do.

For my next series of work, I'm going to use my Apple Quicktake 200 to document everything. After all, the 3 megapixel images(640x480) are more than enough.

I was just going to mention my Newton. I could hire and uber by using the external modem.

I wonder if the apple is available for the Handspring Visor or Sharp Wizard?

 

[2298754]

Uber is a taxi service.
https://www.uber.com

Taxi service? And I have to use a smartphone?

What a stupid idea. Why do you need that? You have two legs and can walk.

If not, I pull out the yellow book and look up the nearest taxi company!

 

[determined09]

Taxi service? And I have to use a smartphone?

What a stupid idea. Why do you need that? You have two legs and can walk.

If not, I pull out the yellow book and look up the nearest taxi company!

Yes, it's a taxi service, where use their own personal cars as the taxi. They have first past a background check. Yes, I think that you do have to use the uber app on your cellphone. I've never use uber before.

FYI. Uber can be more expensive than just the regular taxi service.

But walking depending on how far you are walking can take a really long time.

 

[2298754]

Yes, it's a taxi service, where use their own personal cars as the taxi. They have first past a background check. Yes, I think that you do have to use the uber app on your cellphone. I've never use uber before.

FYI. Uber can be more expensive than just the regular taxi service.

But walking depending on how far you are walking can take a really long time.

Personal cars? That's very interesting.

What if the brakes are broken and the tires are bald. It's not safe. My two feet are safer!

I don't trust this new fancy technology. No need for it.

 

[determined09]

Personal cars? That's very interesting.

What if the brakes are broken and the tires are bald. It's not safe. My two feet are safer, no?

Yes, Personal Cars. I understand your concern about the level of safety of these Uber Cars. But if someone wants to become an Uber driver, their car needs to pass an Uber car inspection first in addition.

 

[2298754]

Yes, Personal Cars. I understand your concern about the level of safety of these Uber Cars. But if someone wants to become an Uber driver, their car needs to pass an Uber car inspection first in addition.

How do i pay for them?

I don't like bank accounts so i only use cash and change. Can I give them a roll of quarters?

 

[A.Goldberg]

Personal cars? That's very interesting.

What if the brakes are broken and the tires are bald. It's not safe. My two feet are safer!

I don't trust this new fancy technology. No need for it.

Especially if the car has airbags. It would be nice if the app told you if the car was equipped with rear side airbags. I suppose you could always choose to sit in the center seat.

 

[2298754]

Especially if the car has airbags. It would be nice if the app told you if the car was equipped with rear side airbags. I suppose you could always choose to sit in the center seat.

Airbags? Those aren't safe at all. What if they randomly blow up when I'm riding in the car.

Is there a "no airbags" option on this über?

 

[A.Goldberg]

Huh?

Hey Matt,

You have always touted yourself as a safe, non-distracted driver, incapable of ever getting in a car accident (whether that be hitting something/someone, or something /someone hitting you.

I would just like to point out that between ~2:00 and the end of this video, you were driving your car while recording yourself talk. I might recommend, a great way to not get in a car accident is not to be distracted while driving. This is absolutely reprehensible behavior. You are going to hurt someone doing this.

 

[determined09]

How do i pay for them?

I don't like bank accounts so i only use cash and change. Can I give them a roll of quarters?

You may be able to pay for them in cash. You have you go through the uber transaction to is if a cash payment is an option in your city.

 

[2298754]

You may be able to pay for them in cash. You have you go through the uber transaction to is if a cash payment is an option in your city.

What is an uber transaction?

So I just walk outside and wave my hand up in the air to get one, like a taxi right?

 

[bunnspecial]

For Matthew's benefit-proof that the gas gauge does work. The temperature gauge is still pegged off because the car wasn't warm when I took this photo(it takes the cast iron block a while to get up to temperature).