I knew I wanted these lights somewhere but I had no idea where to put them except somewhere on the front. Pretty vague. But then I realized I have two holes already drilled into my bumper that match the thread and diameter of these lights. Perfect. The location?
But wait don't worry. They're not going to be ugly, ugly orange. Actually during the daytime, they will look like two electric boxes of some kind. At night, I can turn them on and I now have 6 fog lights total... Not bad... Fog is dead to me...
No but check this out. I tinted them so they will blend in during the daytime. I think they came out great despite me dropping one before it was completely dry on the table. Oops!
I think it will compliment everything so perfectly at nighttime. It will make for some great shots. And who has done this? Anyway, I would like to say that I will scrap this if it looks bad but I'm sure it's not. Maybe Lexi will be a Cyclops. Remember also that I can flash these lights. So much cooler than flashing your highbeams! Ha!
And yes, if there is any miscommunication, both will be installed there. See the bolt with the washer in the other hole in the first image? It was actually for a front license plate. These lights I found have the same diameter bolt that sticks out of the back so you simply screw them in.
Tutorial
I'm going to run through this quickly and simply. I am getting my power from a switchboard. It has a set of seven inputs for your positive and negative and corresponding buttons. The unit runs off of your cigarette lighter. It can not out put more than 3 amps per button/terminal. Don't try it. I don't know what happens.
(Editor's Note: I am picking up from where I left off a few months ago due to life problems so please keep this in mind as you read.)
If you have a handheld 6v or 4v battery (up to 12v), figure out which places are positive and negative. I think the bolt type piece on the lights I have are the negative while there is a piece of wire sticking out that is positive. Whatever light you're using, make sure you hook up the leads correctly or at worst you will blow your bulb or at best, nothing will happen.
I think you can see how the install goes. Connect the wires to your main wires going to your switchboard. I would measure it out but leave extra that you can roll up and ziptie. Splice them together by winding them together after cutting off some rubber on both pieces of wire. Wrap it up with electrical tape.
When you press the button to turn this on on your switchbiard, all it does is allow current to pass from the source (I prefer cigarette lighter) to the accessory which in this case is these two lights. I think as long as they're in the right location, a couple extra small lights make the LS400 look better. Now, sad but happy to report...
That Lexi2 died a terrible electrical gremlin death where it seemed the ECU wasn't working right at times, it killed the battery cause it would only hold a charge of 11.6v. You can get more from a jump start but once you take the wires off the alternator, the car dies in seconds.
The alternator had gone out so this was the replacement. Not only did it take a very long time to get it replaced at a certain big name auto store (it took 4 different people at 4 different times to see that indeed, it is under warranty except it's listed under a 2009 Chevy Spark for some reason. I'm glad because I would've wasted money.)
So this new alt didn't work right away. I re-did the connection by breaking the connector and slipping each wire on. This worked fine for my '95 and seemed to work for this car. At least, no more battery light. But I might have finally killed the battery. And the car was overheating for some reason.
With all of this done to it, not to mention putting a new timing belt, water pump, fuel pump, spark plugs, spark plug wires and a whole bunch of sh#@.
It honestly kind of makes me mad. Hear me out. I definitely got my money's worth out of the car (maybe $1,500 because I did most things myself). Only I expected better. Let me go farther back.
Before I got Lexi2, you guessed it... There was a Lexi - a banged up 1995 LS400 that I was set on restoring. Got about a year out of it and spent a grand more than Lexi2 but it got me into these cars. The V8 was intoxicating. I've never owned such a fast four door sedan - a big one too! It smoked the majority of cars that want to race you... Especially from 40 mph! Whoooo-wee!
Yes, I love the 1990-2000 Lexus LS400 but you cannot maintain one anymore if you're broke. I sold mine because I was being given a new car on one condition - that I sell the Lexus to pay to register it. Yes, I am BROKE. Me and my wife right now - it's been hell. So yes - I traded a cool non running car for a reliable "uncool" car.
I have seriously stared at this thing to think of something I could do to it that's cool but there is seriously nothing much unless you lower it, put new rims, tint it, the whole treatment.
But we're driving broke here at Driving for Broke so my new project is getting a frankly really ugly economy looking right. Without spending a lot of money. Post your ideas! Oh and yes I do have the different rims which I will be switching out. (Did anyone catch that in the photos? 2002 vs 2005 rims.)
First thing I want to do is tint the top of the windshield. I need to look into the engine to see if it's worth, you know, working with. I'm also planning on a lot of upholstery work! I am definitely re-doing these crappy seats. Probably either in an original color like burnt orange or beige or black. Any would match the gray and black. I will probably do the dash in suede so adding a trim like the burnt orange I mentioned would look nice. I can even paint some panels in similar colors!
I think the Ford actually has a LOT to customize. And everything is super easy to remove. For example; you know the center console? Where your shifter is and maybe some cup holders and a storage compartment? In this Focus, it's one piece that just lifts out. It is SO easy to work on the interior.
I never thought I would be excited about a Focus.
To be continued...
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