D2 - Renovation / Modernisation / Tips & Ideas anyone?

[mx5boy]

Hey guys,

I would like some ideas on giving my D2 (2001) *Andora* a makeover. (If anyone remembers some of my original posts this was my partners car - now mine and my primary form of transport by choice.)

I don't need any 4WD equipment with the exception of side rails and maybe a newer UHF antenna. (Modern)

I would like to however update the headlight assembly or at the very least change the indicator assemblies (side and front to clear ones). (D2a like).

I'm also entertaining the idea of a sunroof (but not necessary).

The other thing I would like advice on and this has proven tricky for me in the past is to renovate the polycarbonate / plastic strips / door handles, factory roof rack and rear view mirrors which have faded over time. And of course the dreaded decals. (replace or renovate?)

Latest photo: (Blue Mountains last weekend.)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/01/689.jpg

Thanks again in advance.

mx

[Tombie]

MX - You are doing the right thing now - Drive it...

Just keep it tidy and use the thing for its intended purpose :)

[mx5boy]

MX - You are doing the right thing now - Drive it...

Just keep it tidy and use the thing for its intended purpose :)

Done. :)

What I probably need to know is what exterior trim cleaner and protector other forums use and trust.

I've used McGuire Gold Class Trim detailer on other cars with excellent results.

One dubious car detailer I asked suggested Mr Sheen.. (was he kidding?)

Cheers,

mx

[iPom]

If you are needing advice on detailing products try this site A world for detailers... (http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/)


Dave

[Tombie]

We use Mr Sheen on Motorcycles a lot...

And I'm not the only one....

Only on the bright stuff though...

[Barney2803]

We use mr sheen on our boat all the time and the previous owner did from new. Keeps the fleck and gloss in the paint quick fresh even after 20 years of being baked by the hot south Australian sun added with the reflection off the water.

[Franz]

Done. :)

What I probably need to know is what exterior trim cleaner and protector other forums use and trust.

I've used McGuire Gold Class Trim detailer on other cars with excellent results.

One dubious car detailer I asked suggested Mr Sheen.. (was he kidding?)

Cheers,

mx
I was told by a LR panelbeater that the best thing to use is used engine oil! I have done so for a while now and it works just fine (and, its cheap).

[BMKal]

I've got some stuff in the shed called "Forever Black". Pretty sure I got it from Supercheap. Works well on the wheel arches / door handles / rubber strips at the bottom of the windows / bumper bar etc. I generally only need to use it once a year.

Don't get it on your paintwork though - masking tape is a good idea. ;)

Nice looking Disco by the way. I wouldn't waste my money trying to change the lights - more trouble than it's worth.

[mx5boy]

I've got some stuff in the shed called "Forever Black". Pretty sure I got it from Supercheap. Works well on the wheel arches / door handles / rubber strips at the bottom of the windows / bumper bar etc. I generally only need to use it once a year.

Don't get it on your paintwork though - masking tape is a good idea. ;)

Nice looking Disco by the way. I wouldn't waste my money trying to change the lights - more trouble than it's worth.

Thanks again. Word of warning with the Meguires detailer, DO NOT use it if it's going to rain.

It worked a treat, however when it rained yesterday it smudged all over the paintwork below the door handles. It came off easily though.

Has anyone put LED lights in? (rather than the normal brake and reverse globes?)

mx

[BMKal]

Has anyone put LED lights in? (rather than the normal brake and reverse globes?)

mx

I put one in the high level brake light in the back door - didn't work.

Think it has something to do with the resistance of the globe.

I tried the globe elsewhere and there was nothing wrong with the globe - so fitted a standard light bulb and that's still working without problems.

[schnitzel]

I've done quite a bit of LED work in my D2a. First - the park lights at the front, then I took out the console above the driver and passenger heads and installed aircraft cockpit maplights, green LED's for ambient lighting of the centre console, a spotlight to light up the centre console glovebox (linked to a microswitch in the glovebox). Then, I did all of the interior light fixtures. Next, I put ambient lighting (green LEDs) into the door latch recesses and the front footwells. Last, I installed "puddle lights" under the door sills which go on when the doors open and finally I linked these to white LEDs that come on when you open the doors also. It's all a bit naff but the upshot is that my wife likes the car more now!

[mx5boy]

I've done quite a bit of LED work in my D2a. First - the park lights at the front, then I took out the console above the driver and passenger heads and installed aircraft cockpit maplights, green LED's for ambient lighting of the centre console, a spotlight to light up the centre console glovebox (linked to a microswitch in the glovebox). Then, I did all of the interior light fixtures. Next, I put ambient lighting (green LEDs) into the door latch recesses and the front footwells. Last, I installed "puddle lights" under the door sills which go on when the doors open and finally I linked these to white LEDs that come on when you open the doors also. It's all a bit naff but the upshot is that my wife likes the car more now!

May I ask where you sourced the LED lights from?

Cheers,

mx

[ozscott]

Use silicon tyre spray for the plastic outer door handles, mirror frames, under door trim etc. like new. Don't change the lights to those silly sudo RR lights of the D2a what you have is a classic shape with lights to match.

Cheers

[rover-56]

I put one in the high level brake light in the back door - didn't work.

Think it has something to do with the resistance of the globe.

I tried the globe elsewhere and there was nothing wrong with the globe - so fitted a standard light bulb and that's still working without problems.

LED lights are diodes...... they only work one way. you have a 50% chance of putting it in wrong the first time.:D

Terry

[mx5boy]

I put one in the high level brake light in the back door - didn't work.

Think it has something to do with the resistance of the globe.

I tried the globe elsewhere and there was nothing wrong with the globe - so fitted a standard light bulb and that's still working without problems.

LED lights are diodes...... they only work one way. you have a 50% chance of putting it in wrong the first time.:D

Terry

In regards to the LED's, so far I have purchased a number of types (neon strips) in blue and some green for the Saab.,

2 x 8 led Blue for the overhead door lights,2 x 6 led blue for the recess above the sunvisor, 2 x 6 led blue for the footwell and 3 x 30cm neon strips in blue for under the seats and in front of the subwoofer.

Gave it a test drive tonight and the effect is pretty mad! The front LED's are simply controlled by the door, however the neon strips have micro switches in case of unwanted attention as well as be able to switch them off if you have pax in the back. The effect of having cool blue low level light all around you when driving at night is pretty good and isn't distracting.

The new entry lighting set up is excellent as well. Very easy to set up and move, minimal wiring.

(on a side note the green neon leds I put in the back seat of the Saab (conv) made the cabin a bit like what you would expect in a submarine. LOL Eerie and creepy -swapped the blues in and it was nicer but I think I will stick to a single colour for each car.)

I have one small problem though, the switchable centre light is stuck on, and I am unsure how to get the housing out to check the button. I don't want to break it - whats the best way of levering it out?

The LED's can be bought dirt cheap off the internet (or if you are like me you hate buying things off their) and Autobarn store have the largest range I have seen in a showroom environment.

Cheers,

Mx

[mx5boy]

LED's done.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/01/80.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/01/81.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/01/82.jpg

Subtle... *cough coughs*

mx

[biggin]

Looking forward to Tombies comment on this one.:wasntme:
Is that a manbag on your seat?;)

[iPom]

Yep me too....If he's still around ;)

[Yorkie]

:eek: first shot looks like a fish tank, should get some fishy stickers on the windows... :D :angel:

[Marmoset]

Next up, a 6" drop kit and some 20" chromed spinners! :D

[Disco EMU]

:eek: first shot looks like a fish tank, should get some fishy stickers on the windows... :D :angel:


Next up, a 6" drop kit and some 20" chromed spinners! :D

Ease up guys ... try for constructive criticism next time eh! Whilst blue LED's may not be for everyone ... mx likes 'em.

I'm interested in your selection of audio head unit ... what've you got installed there?

Also ... if those tyres on the rear are the original Michelins ... you may want to consider replacement.

[Yorkie]

Ease up guys ... try for constructive criticism next time eh! Whilst blue LED's may not be for everyone ... mx likes 'em.

I'm interested in your selection of audio head unit ... what've you got installed there?

Also ... if those tyres on the rear are the original Michelins ... you may want to consider replacement.

was not criticism, just my opinion:), after all everyone has one. ;)

[schnitzel]

May I ask where you sourced the LED lights from?

Cheers,

mx

I got them from www.PilotLights.net (http://www.PilotLights.net)

I am flat out at work at the moment and will get around to putting up some pics soon.

Robert from the Pilot Lights mob is an absolute gentleman - this isn't just some dodgy Chinese-run LED webstore that you'l never hear from again if something goes wrong - I can't recommned them highly enough - you'll understand why once I can get some pics up.

[schnitzel]

43127
Here is a pic from the installation process... If anyone is interested, I'll tell you the long and painful story of my "fun" with getting a feed from the interior light circuitry to power some foot-well and puddle lights... Fun? Not so much...

I'll take some shots of the finished job for you all. Funny anecdote - when putting the final screw back in to the overhead console, I don't know what I was thinking but I used the wrong one (one from the door trim I think). I now have a nice little pimple in my roof skin - tip for young players - don't use long screws in the overhead console...

By the way - I've gone with Green LED's throughout - with white LEDs for the map lights and foot-well/puddle lights.

[mx5boy]

Looking forward to Tombies comment on this one.:wasntme:
Is that a manbag on your seat?;)

Manbag? He he, sounds very Kath and Kim. It's just a satchel bag (or as friends refer to it the electronics handbag) thats big enough to cope with tablets (Galaxy / Iconia), iphone, detachable faceplates, smokes, wallet etc etc.

I suppose I could wander around with a Coles recycle bag.:D:D


:eek: first shot looks like a fish tank, should get some fishy stickers on the windows... :D :angel:

In reality it's not that bright - I was using night settings on my camera as well as adjusting the angle of the LED's.

Cheers,

mx

[mx5boy]

Ease up guys ... try for constructive criticism next time eh! Whilst blue LED's may not be for everyone ... mx likes 'em.

I'm interested in your selection of audio head unit ... what've you got installed there?

Also ... if those tyres on the rear are the original Michelins ... you may want to consider replacement.

Got rid of the Michelins a long time ago, it's there as its the spare, I haven't got round to putting the new tyre back on (Dueller A/T 694's - not bad - not so good in mud).

The head unit is an ALPINE MDA-117E (MP3/WWA/AAC CD receiver.

(please excuse the poor pictures - taken by iphone)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/02/1498.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/02/1499.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/02/1500.jpg

The head unit is matched up to an AMP and a Sub Woofer, *both of which are easily removed from the back.

I listen to loads of trance / dance / techno music etc and simply download my music onto a SD card that plugs into the USD / SD adaptor for the head unit. Thats a lot of music (and the unit shows songs/ playlists / artists etc) you can shove onto a 32GD SD card!

:p The blue LED's are for my benefit only. Are easily adjustable so as not to be garish and are controlled by microswitches. (there is green in the back as well)

Cheers,

mx

[schnitzel]

Okay, This stuff has all been in for some time, but the photos have been slow coming... What is it all? Green LEDs in both front footwells and the door latch handle recess. I got the idea from the Mercedes benz G-Class. These are on constantly when the lights are on. Looks good and a dimmer switch allows adjustment.

If you open the doors, you have both a puddle light shining on the ground immediately beneath where you'll step and white light in the footwell...

Above, the centre console has 3 LEDs which ambiently shine down onto the console around the gear selector and the Elec Window switches - also dimmable. There is a green spotlight linked to a microswitch in the glove box to light up said glovebox (Green won't wreck your night vision if you have to open the glovebox while night driving). Two white aircraft cockpit maplights are controlled by the chrome switches with the Green LED rings around them - these are the best feature as the D2 has no damn map lights on the big whopping blinder that hits you straight in the eyes!!! On top of all of that is the UHF - the split face mounts up nicely with the actual radio unit mounted on a custom tray under my seat. The remote speaker sits mounted on the plastic trim above the top of the seat belt swivel. Happy with it all so far - want to integrate a volt meter or something else up there too... eventually...

The first three pics are of the overhead console, #4 is the "puddle light" under the passenger side door pocket, #5 is the two foot well lights on the passenger side (long green one, bright white).

[Infiltrator]

aaa

[catch-22]

Autoglym - car cleaning products, car care products, car valeting, car detailing (http://www.autoglym.com/enau/product-proddetail.asp?v06VQ=JID&Range=1)

Best product for external trim. Stay well clear of Mr Sheen and Meguirs...

Just make sure you apply it properly. You don't need a lot at all as it spreads well