-
Posts
3,586 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
183
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Gallery
Everything posted by Fifty150
-
How about simply buying online?
-
Dog-Friendly Accessories/Modifications?
Fifty150 replied to rfkavanagh's topic in Accessories and Modifications
Get a partition. Then the dogs can have the entire rear of the vehicle. -
Installing Aftermarket Radio/Nav Unit
Fifty150 replied to Beta Don's topic in Audio, Navigation and SYNC
What are you installing? Your new unit does not come with a vehicle specific installation kit? Your new unit does not have a harness, that you can then pair to the OEM harness? Check with Scosche and Metra. They will usually have everything that you need, from the new dash, to connection harness, to antenna adapter. -
Power point (2014-) modify to not be always live?
Fifty150 replied to rmcinak's topic in Accessories and Modifications
I know it is tough to find a dead battery in the morning. It is just as bad to find broken auto glass and that someone had stolen all that stuff that you left in the charger overnight. I live where vehicles are constantly broken into. Sure, the obvious is electronics. But anything of value, or simply anything, left in a vehicle will be stolen. Even an empty backpack or grocery bag. They don't know what is in it, or that it is empty. It's worth breaking your window, to see if anything is in the bag. Even items of clothing are stolen. Some people will think nothing of breaking your window, to take a shirt or jacket that you left on the seat. One local agency police chief lost her gun and badge. I make a habit of clearing out my vehicles, so that nothing is left in them overnight. I know. It is a real pain in the you know what. And since most of us think of our vehicles as our personal space, we tend to fill them with items of comfort and convenience. Phone chargers, navigation aides, tools, birth control, music players, coffee cups, and whatever else to make your commute safe and comfortable. But now I limit myself to whatever I can carry in a backpack. Just like taking the bus. Extra jacket, umbrella, phone charger, sex toys, backup gun, Morakniv, sandwich, coffee thermos, underwear, latex gloves, multi-plier, cable ties, duct tape, hair ties, camp stove, fire starter, tablet computer, spare socks, and a toothbrush. If it all fits in the backpack, then it goes with me out to the car. And when I go home, everything goes back hone with me. I don't leave anything in the car anymore. I'm thinking that I could leave a Morakniv in the car, just in case I "accidentally" find myself driving into the wilderness and get lost in the woods. -
Don't ever be afraid of drilling holes into your car. Sometimes, you need to drill holes to install what you want. Communications equipment works best with an antenna mounted onto the roof. Over the years, I've drilled plenty of holes to install aftermarket lighting products. I'm already eyeing that extra metal above the windshield, between the windshield and the roof, as an ideal mounting spot for a 52" LED light bar. Those huge spoilers don't simply stick onto your Honda with double sided adhesive. Just make sure that you apply a little bit of Rustoleum to protect the bare metal, and use a little silicon to seal the hole from leaks. On a side note, WeatherTech Rain Guards install just as easily as the ProClip mounting base. They snap right in without tools. Ford 2016 Transit Connect Side Window Deflectors - In-Window-ChannelPart #: 80751
- 24 replies
-
Sliding Doors Don't unlock
Fifty150 replied to correllbil's topic in Alarms, Keyless Entry, Key Fobs & Remote Start
It could be a number of issues. I am guessing that your remote is unlocking the other doors when you press the unlock button. We can assume that the remote is working. What happens when you press the remote to lock the van? Do the doors lock? There could be an issue with the van's Body Control Module computer. Or the lock and mechanism is worn. As years go by, the opening and closing, plus locking and unlocking, creates wear and tear. Sometimes, it's wiring. Take the door apart. Check the lock. Inspect the wiring, look for shorts, broken connections, and poor grounding. -
Bought a new key and Fob today
Fifty150 replied to cruisinkruty's topic in Alarms, Keyless Entry, Key Fobs & Remote Start
Not every dealership has a locksmith on staff. Most dealers don't have the equipment to cut the keys either. The dealerships can order from the manufacturer, which could take a very long time. Stock the key blanks, transponders, & remotes along with the equipment to do all the work, and have a locksmith on salary. Or subcontract that type of work to a local locksmith who has the tools to service automobiles for most manufacturers. In Norte Califas, check out Lock World. Ebay has keys, but who is going to cut & program them? I've had transponder keys made at Wal*Mart. Home Depot has transponder keys online. Here is what you do. Make a bunch of $3 keys at a local hardware store. Epoxy your key under the dash, next to the ignition, close enough so that the ignition will always "see" and "transpond" with the key; so the the vehicle will "think" that your transponder key is close to or in the ignition. Then simply use the el cheapo keys to start your vehicle. Sure, you've now defeated your own security system. Your car is now just about as easy to steal as a Pacer, Gremlin, or motor scooter imported from China. But you have saved a few hundred dollars. That is just about as good as leaving your doors unlocked, windows down, and key in the ignition. But who really wants to spend the extra bucks on keys, when you have already spent tens of thousands of dollars on a car? My Transit Connect came with 4 keys. I did not ask why. No reason was offered. Each key came with a sticker which was printed with numbers. I save those just in case they were needed as "key codes". I now save everything that comes with the car. Unlike my brother, the dummy, who throws everything away including the owners manual with the radio unlock code on his last car. The radio was useless after installing a new battery under the hood. -
Erring on the side of caution, I would think that all modern vehicles have transponder keys. Even on my 10 year old F-150, the key looks like a normal key, but has a transponder. For the truck, I got an extra key made at the hardware store. It was only a few dollars for a regular key blank. It unlocked the tailgate and cab, plus turned in the ignition. However, the truck did not start. I was able to get a working transponder key at Wally World for less than what the dealership charged. I was hesitant and had doubts that a Wal*Mart clerk could cut a key for less than $50, when the dealership charges upwards of $200. The Wally World clerk stated that the key was guaranteed to work; if I went outside and couldn't start my car, they would issue an immediate refund. No troubles. It worked. As it turns out, not every car dealership has equipment to cut keys, make transponder keys, or even have a qualified locksmith on staff to address such issues. As with some tech work, body work, and upfitting; they outsource. In my local area, I've seen the same locksmith van at a bunch of different dealerships, both domestic and import. Lock World. Check with your local locksmith for pricing and availability. Now, even Home Depot offers the keys. I got my key about 10 years ago. Pricing may be different in today's market. But options are out there.
-
Vehicle Purchase How To
Fifty150 replied to Fifty150's topic in Buying, Leasing, Ordering & Owner Impressions
Was that a new van, with a sticker price of $18K? I suppose pricing will vary depending upon location. -
From what I could see, the rear turn signal is a 7440, and the rear brake is a 7443. Has anyone tried the plug-n-play load resistor kits? Looks simple. A pair of 12 Ohm 100W LED load resistor used to solve common bulb burnt out or turn signal problems associated with LED bulb upgrades.Simulates traditional filament bulbs to eliminate error indications for hyper-flash (quick blinking) or burnt out bulb.Load resistor compatible for sizes: 7443 (please order correct size for your need).There are two different types of adapters for size 3157 and 7443, this set of load resistor is meant for standard adapters. Please double check that you are not purchasing this for use with vehicles equipped with CK (polarity sensitive) adapters.Plug-and-play kit that requires no retrofitting, please be aware that metal piece does get hot during use. A pair of 6 Ohm 50W LED load resistor used to solve common bulb burnt out or turn signal problems associated with LED bulb upgrades.Simulates traditional filament bulbs to eliminate error indications for hyper-flash (quick blinking) or burnt out bulb.Load resistor compatible for sizes: 7440 T20 (please order correct size for your need).Plug-and-play kit that requires no retrofitting, please be aware that metal piece does get hot during use.
-
Power point (2014-) modify to not be always live?
Fifty150 replied to rmcinak's topic in Accessories and Modifications
Speaking for myself, I would never do it. For me, one of the "features" of an "American" car is the constant power to the cigarette lighter. I like being able to turn my ignition off, with my phone or whatever, still plugged in and charging/operating. I've been known to take Japanese cars and wire up the 12v power port and the stereo directly to the battery so that I can still play music without the engine running. Yeah, I know. The obvious is to turn the engine off, then turn the key back to the ACC position. But I like doing stupid things to my cars. It allows me to exit the vehicle with the music still playing, only to come back in the morning to a dead battery. The best has to be to leave your headlamps, fog lamps, and off-road lights on. That really drains your battery. -
Power point (2014-) modify to not be always live?
Fifty150 replied to rmcinak's topic in Accessories and Modifications
-
Power point (2014-) modify to not be always live?
Fifty150 replied to rmcinak's topic in Accessories and Modifications
Look in your owners manual, locate the fuse which supplies the power port, remove the fuse. Get ahold of the wiring diagram for the vehicle. Locate the positive wire for the power port. Cut the wire, then reroute it through a relay. Your load, the power port, will be "normally open" on pin 87. The "common", on pin 30, will connect to your fuse box. Hook up pin 86 to your ignition, and pin 85 to ground, and this will be your coil. Reinstall the fuse. Use a simple Single Pole Single Throw relay. -
Vehicle Purchase How To
Fifty150 replied to Fifty150's topic in Buying, Leasing, Ordering & Owner Impressions
Interesting. I always wondered how well the Costco program worked. It sounded easy enough. Just tell Costco what you want, and go with their pricing. I wonder how that works on the back end. Obviously, nobody gives cars away. And no dealerships let anything drive off the lot at a loss. So there must be money being made. Money is made on every deal, no matter how good you think your deal was. Nobody beats the dealer down to a loss. My observation is that now it's not just the dealer who has to make money, but Costco also has to make money, and it's going to be from out of my pocket. That is why I've always negotiated my own deals, as opposed to using an auto broker, or one of those internet websites that supposedly help you get a better deal. And what does "invoice" really mean? There is no way that everyone is buying "below invoice", and the dealerships are staying in business. There ought to be an investigative report done by a news documentary show on the real way dealers sell cars and make money. I would love to know how that works. How many other businesses can list prices that are extremely overpriced, a price point which none of the actual merchandise is actually sold at, then lie to you about how much you're saving because they're giving you such a great deal? -
Headliner storage access for electric
Fifty150 replied to Tiller's topic in Accessories and Modifications
This could work for you also. -
Isn't it kind of hard to get an NV200 with seats?
-
Converted 2015 LWB Wagon into a Van
Fifty150 replied to DonShockley's topic in Accessories and Modifications
I suppose we all make decisions that best suit our individual needs and wants. For me, the short wheel base would have been better for maneuverability and parking. Having only 5 seats would usually leave me out as the driver on any outing since someone else would be able to carry more passengers. Living in The City, being able to squeeze into small parking spots is a huge advantage. Not so important if you live where there is plenty of parking. But the long wheel base would be better for carrying passengers and cargo. Although the obvious observation would be that if I had really wanted to move large cargo, I should look at a larger van or truck. In addition, if I wanted to simply carry passengers, a larger van would also serve better. In the end, I remembered what my dad told me about trucks. If you don't get an 8' bed, then you didn't really buy a truck. I guess if I only cared about carrying 5 passengers, I could buy a sedan. I bought a long wheel base, and now I'm driving around by myself with all the seats flipped down, including the front passenger seat. Kind of nice being able to flip over that front passenger seat and having a work surface to write on or eat lunch off of. I could simply do more with a long wheel base, so I decided to to sacrifice being able to squeeze into small parking spots. Fortunately, I also own a pickup truck for cargo and towing, a small import for fuel economy and parking, and a motorcycle just because I like motorcycles. -
USB & 12v in front center console
Fifty150 replied to Fifty150's topic in Accessories and Modifications
-
USB & 12v in front center console
Fifty150 replied to Fifty150's topic in Accessories and Modifications
Kydex is a great idea. A lot of people like the idea of using that to "produce" their own "custom made" holsters. Me? I simply use whichever holster is issued with my firearm. I suppose, since you're only cutting to size and drilling holes, that there would be no need to heat the item first? -
Headliner storage access for electric
Fifty150 replied to Tiller's topic in Accessories and Modifications
Lots of options out there. I always advise against visor lights, dash lights, or any lights that are mounted in the vehicle interior. Why? They tend to reflect lighting into the vehicle's interior. At night, it's more of an issue. How discreet do you need your vehicle to be? Grill lights are simple. You can easily acquire "switchback lights" and have the option of running them as daytime running lights, and LED flashers when needed. Rear mounted switchback lights could also be wired for rear facing work lights, auxiliary turn signals, and "excuse me" flashers when you cut people off as you're responding "code 3". Switchback LED lights are easily found on Amazon dot com, along with the simple flasher units to make them wig wag. I personally prefer that my unmarked vehicle stay unmarked. Strobe flashers can be hidden within OEM light housings. Low profile speakers can be tucked behind the grill and bumpers. On my pickup truck, I used the high mount stop light's clear bed lights. Disconnected the OEM lights and taped over the unused wires. Installed LED lights in red and blue. Then wired them to a simple alternating flasher. Of course, with a pickup, there is a lot of room for improvising. Simple wig-wags wired into the high beams were good enough. My siren speaker is tucked behind the grill so that nobody sees it. But it's okay, since I will not be conducting traffic stops in my personal vehicle, on my own time. -
USB & 12v in front center console
Fifty150 replied to Fifty150's topic in Accessories and Modifications
Now I have to think about other power needs, like installing an inverter somewhere. Nothing like being able to travel with appliances. -
USB & 12v in front center console
Fifty150 replied to Fifty150's topic in Accessories and Modifications
-
USB & 12v in front center console
Fifty150 replied to Fifty150's topic in Accessories and Modifications
-
USB & 12v in front center console
Fifty150 replied to Fifty150's topic in Accessories and Modifications
Just a hint. The cover plate which comes with the kit does not fit, i.e. cover the OEM hole. I went to Tap Plastics, and had a larger cover plate manufactured. I added 1/2" to the top & bottom. You could have them countersink the holes too. If you happen to have your own sheets of plastic handy, and have the tools to cut and drill holes, then you could simply make a new cover plate on your own. For me, it was just easier to pay a couple of dollars. I don't happen to have random pieces of plastic sitting around.