My car has been lying dormant for the last few months. I haven't done any new mods in a while, and a few things have broken. My taste has also changed. Thus, I have decided to do a complete overhaul of my car.

It's broken down into 4 phases:

Phase 1: Interior paint-done
-Redo colorscheme inside
-Make center of dashboard white -done
-Make AC/Side pieces silver -done
-Paint center kickpanel white -done, panel wrapped in tweed after paint chipped easily
-Paint storage compartment assembly white. Leave ashtray, switch-panels black.project cancelled, now looking into a black burlwood dash kit

Phase 2: Rework LED Silhouette-done
-Remove LED pods (a few broke and the light is too dispersed for my taste)-done
-Replace with precisely spaced 10mm LED bolts-done
-Place 4 good LED pods under rear bumper-scratched, no good led pods left

Phase 3: Interior Overhaul, pt 1-done
-Strip back of car down to the floor.-done
-Apply eDead to entire area.-done
-Add LED pods to strut towers. Wire to door switch for trunk lighting.-delayed
-Repair broken lights.-done

Phase 4: Interior Overhaul, pt 2
-Get windshield chip repaired.-done
-Have windshield mirror-mount button installed.
-Install Gentex auto-dimming mirror.
-Rewrap headliner with interesting fabric.-done. (hatch and door panels come next)

Phase 5: iPod intergration, step 2
- Rework dash storage compartment to create sliding iPod dock pedestalproject scratched, I like what I've got

Miscellaneous Modifications:-done
-Have front grill painted black-done
-Redo Pinstriping-done
-Redo tail lights?-done
-TYC Smoked Side Markers -scratched, I like what I've got

NEWLY ADDED:

-Replace green roof handle LEDs with white (green clashes with the tweed; we can't have that)-done
-Replace windshield-glaring green LED cupholders with better-positioned white ones-done
-White LEDs in door panels to shine on the ground (1 each on door switch)
-Chrome Exhaust Tip to tastefully fill out hole -done
-Paint Door Switch Panels Silver
-Remove bag-hook LEDs (they were serious overkill and you could see the exposed LED, which is a big no-no in my car)

Here's how the car looks right now:


















Wish me luck!

 

sweet! ill definetly watch the progress. btw, quick question, how do the underbody lights hold up? i want to do that, but ill probably hold off theyre prone to breaking or cracking.

thanks,
scott

 

The LED pods I used didn't take the winter too well. About 2 or 3 of them detached, and a couple of them just won't light anymore. These LED bolts should hold up better: http://www.superbrightleds.com/mini_tubes.htm (scroll down past the Round LED accent lights that I used last time to see the 5 and 10mm LED bolts).

 

cant wait bro, good luck with your mods.

 

seems like you have some great ideas

 

creative genius at its best because it talks as well as walks.

shows us the process, the path, the results


i like th' 'brelly! Hope that stays put.

as for the rest: redress your b'ch'n B to a T

keep us posted often

 

I started work on the center dash pieces today.

I picked up some Testor's spray primer (gray), testor's paint (silver and white), and high grit sandpaper from the local hobby shop (always best to support local businesses over huge chains).

I started by taking out the center dash piece.

After it was out, I took it apart. I started by removing the 2 brass-colored screws on the back, lifting the 3 black plastic tabs, and pulling out the A/C control unit. Once that was out, I gently removed the clear plastic light diffuser by pulling straight backward. Finally, I pushed the translucent illumination sticker things off and stuck them to wax paper to keep them sticky. Be careful not to crease these.

Once my bezel was totally stripped (the vent things are easy to remove), I sanded the old white paint until it was smooth and hit it with a few coats of primer. Remember: slow and steady wins the race. A lot of thin coats are better than one super thick one. It's also good to lightly sand/brush off anything that may have stuck to the paint during drying and to leave about an hour between coats.

I also primed and started painting the center kickpanel and painted my A/C ***** silver. (The testor's silver paint is an awesome match for OEM interior silver).

Tomorrow I'll paint the center dash piece.

Progress pics (sorry for the blurry one, but you get the idea):





The umbrella is staying. I might make new straps for it though.

 

now I have the bug to paint my RS2's center unit. It all comes out pretty easily? I'm totally green.

I want to make my center unit totally yellow for first interior mod. ... can always change the color again.

cool max ac



====addendum:

Question: are you going to put the rear seat back in?

Am wanting to have my car cleared of that seat and spare tire and cubby for maximum room for boxes or "van look" inside. Just thinking on this early stage.

carry on....

 

Max,

I love the umbrella/hatch mod, could you PM me how you went about doing it or share with us all if you don't mind?

 

Umbrella hatch mod is pretty easy. All you need is a drill, some snaps, and some straps.

Here's how I did it:

1. Remove hatch panel.
2. Measure 4 squared up holes for your snaps.
3. Drill 4 holes to set snaps.
4. Set snaps.
5. Measure and cut 2 straps from leather or whatever material. Set snaps in each end.
6. Reinstall.

 

Started painting things white and reapplied the pinstripe.

 

thats awesome....cant wait to see more for real!

 

Off to a good start Max. Will keep watching for updates!

 

Phase 1 is almost done. The center dash pieces are all painted, I've just got to repaint the door switches silver.

 

NEW PICTURES:

 

^ i dont get it


anyone, Max2k, its looking really good. im impressed

did you put some new lights for your underbodies then? they look really good and i knew you said some had went out due to elements.

keep up the good work

 

wow realy nice and what kind of lights u have under the xb.those are sweet

 

nice re-do on the LED undercarriage....sorry, bu ti def had to steal that idea from you...i threw the multicolors under mine though...cant wait to see what else you do, we'll have to meet up sometime.
keep up the goood work

 

LEDs under the side skirts are redone with 10mm LED bolts from www.superbrightleds.com. The old LED clusters didn't last the winter and were long overdue for replacement.

Ryan: I'll be at this thing: https://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=65336. Hope to see you there.

I'll take more pictures of the interior after I get it all finished up. More pictures of the LEDs when I figure out a place to take them with good light.

Stay tuned.

 

Keep up the postive energy, Max

Favor: please put a portrait of you and your car to the xB portrait/owner thread

https://www.scionlife.com/forums/vie...4533&start=100