Best Mods under $50...

[durghon]

$7 universal truck bench seat cover from BigLots. My rear seat is pretty dirty so this hides it well enough. It's suppose to be for both the seat and backing but didn't fit well on the backing.

And yes, I am to cheap to spend money on good seat covers.

 

[Heartworm]

Lined the inside of my Tuffy Console with Damplifier Pro. Helped a lot. Left untreated, those Tuffys sound like a steel drum.

 

[3pits]

I cut down my shifter so my knee would not keep hitting the button. It was pretty easy, I took it apart, threaded the die onto the metal rod. I cut the rod and the tubing to match and re-assembled the whole thing. I had the hack saw and die... so it was free and pretty quick, I think I took 2 inches off the shifter height, it makes a huge difference.

I also got some LEDs from oznium.com they are about 2" long and have 6 or so LED's in each one...they have double sided tape on the back of them, I used an extra dash switch. I put one on the computer and one on the ac vent tube (both lighting up the floor boards) making kind of a courtesy light.. but I mainly use them for when I drop something into the floorboard at night...

 

[Spook50]

I cut down my shifter so my knee would not keep hitting the button. It was pretty easy, I took it apart, threaded the die onto the metal rod. I cut the rod and the tubing to match and re-assembled the whole thing. I had the hack saw and die... so it was free and pretty quick, I think I took 2 inches off the shifter height, it makes a huge difference.

I also got some LEDs from oznium.com they are about 2" long and have 6 or so LED's in each one...they have double sided tape on the back of them, I used an extra dash switch. I put one on the computer and one on the ac vent tube (both lighting up the floor boards) making kind of a courtesy light.. but I mainly use them for when I drop something into the floorboard at night...

GREAT idea with the LEDs! The real clincher would be if you could put them ina circuit that would make them dim to off like the newer cars, and have it connected to the dome light circuit so they'll come on when the doors open

I might have to look into this......

 

[3pits]

I don't know if LEDs are dim-able, I am sure someone here knows, but wiring it into the door switch would be easy

I was thinking of putting something similar in the glove box (but since I almost never go in the glove box it is way low on my list), in the covered and uncovered center console spots too.. using the single LEDs you can buy.

I put one of their superflux 4 chip leds (it is about the size of a 45 cal bullet) just protruding from my windshield gasket just to the left of the rear view mirror similar to a map light .. works pretty good and does not cast the shadows my overhead behind the front seat light does and does not blind you either because it shines more downward,, I tucked the hot wire in the windshield gasket and grounded it to the rear view mirror mounting screws

 

[Spook50]

I don't know if LEDs are dim-able, I am sure someone here knows, but wiring it into the door switch would be easy

Depending on the LED, they can be, sorta. The ones I have in my dash from Superbright will dim down to about half the dimmer's range of travel, then just shut off when they don't have enough voltage to stay on. They're not as dimmable as incandescents, though.

 

[ntsqd]

When I was building the YJ from Hell for my friend Rod (RIP) I put LED courtesy lights under each outer corner of the dash, under the rear of the Tuffy center console, inside the Tuffy center console, and in the glove box. They were all wired to the dome light circuit.
I am surprised that they will dim at all.

 

[DustyFJ]

I cut down my shifter so my knee would not keep hitting the button. It was pretty easy, I took it apart, threaded the die onto the metal rod. I cut the rod and the tubing to match and re-assembled the whole thing. I had the hack saw and die... so it was free and pretty quick, I think I took 2 inches off the shifter height, it makes a huge difference.
...

too funny I was just looking at cutting mine down the other day. I was lifting a drink out of the center console the other day and it hit the shifter and spilled all over the floor. That thing seem slike its right in the way.

 

[hjdca]

one cig lighter into three...

I picked up this three hole cig. lighter jack that fits perfectly in the console hole in the FJ62. I bought it at a T/A truck stop. I put velcro on one side and attached it to the side of the hole. This one has leds that show low, med, high charge. You just plug it into the dash, run the cord under the shifter boot, then tuck the extra underneath the lighter jack. It fits perfect and gives you room to stash your phone while charging. Not pictured - I also bought the Cobra 110 inverter that will plug right into one of those jacks and charge my laptop also. Here is a picture of the setup.

 

[CrackedCranium]

this is one of my favs

first is the rod and reel holder on the back of the rear seat.
18inches of 3/16 rod a little heat and some different size shaft in a vise.

 

[Front Range 4x4]

Since there hasn't been anything new here for a while I thought I'd toss up and under $5.00 mod. The door pockets are a bit lacking and while cleaning up my garage I ran across a couple of these $3 utility pouches. 4 self-tapping screws, washers and less than 5 minutes time.

 

[cherbini]

Gotta bump this one. Did it at lunch today. Genius. If you haven't done it yet, do it on your way home today.

JC

I did it again!! I left my lights on after driving through a daylight headlight section of road. When I got back to the car the battery was DEAD.
I charged it up overnight and then drove to Radio Shack, I purchased a Mini 12v buzzer (Part# 273000055)(NEW PART # 2730059). This is a very small less than 1 in (2.5 cm) box with two wires (black and red) coming out of it. My '82 has the old type glass fuses. '83 and later have the blade type (I believe).

Pulled the headlight (left) fuse and pushed it back in with the red wire between the fuse and the holder. Then I took out the Gauge fuse and did the same with the black wire.

Now if the ignition is in the ON or Acc. position and the headlights are on there is no buzzer. However, if you turn the ignition to OFF and the headlights are on you get a 75 db buzzer telling you to TURN OFF THE LIGHTS!!!!!

The cost of the buzzer is a whopping $3.29. They have fancy 2 tone buzzers and chimes if you want to spend between $6.00 and $9.00.

This is a super easy mod that will save you a lot of agrivation.


Dynosoar

 

[TLC Norway]

i love that buzzer... mine melted or something... if i shut down the engine with the key, the engine was still running. Until i turned off the lights. That beeing said, i never forgot to shut off the lights, had the 2H sound reminding me...

(maybe it melted due to 24volts )

 

[Benjaman]

These cost $54. and there lots of fun. Very loud!!

-RH1

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horn by MyWeirdStuff, on Flickr[/IMG]



under hood-2 by MyWeirdStuff, on Flickr

 

[BG_TX]

Cheap window screens (appr $15)... Keep the bugs/dirt/debri out while snoozing (or 'cruising') with the windows down. I put these together about a year ago, used them a couple of times and store 'em behind the cargo panels. The construction, generic as it is, has held up over time.

1 - 36"x84" fiberglass screen (makes 2 window screens)
1 - 1/2"x10' magnetic tape
1 - 2" duck tape
1 - roll of fishing line

Cut the fiberglass screen in half endwise. Make a template of the window, fold the screen over the template with one end meeting the bottom of the template and the other end hanging 3" below (cut the excess). Cut the sides around the template leaving 1/4" overhang (the top should be the fold and the bottom remains open). Sew the side layers together with fishing line and seal with duck tape. Cut magnetic tape the length of the template bottom and tape it to the lowest hanging end (leave 1/4" overhang). Fold the screen/magnet over itself, sew it closed and seal with duck tape. Open your door, slide the screen over your window frame, close the door and chill bug free...

The magnet running the length of the screen secures it to the door and the double screen layer does a good job of keeping out bugs.

 

[Tofudebeest]

That is god-damned amazing. Next time I have a Cruiser, I am making those bitches.

 

[marksilv242]

I like the idea of removing all of the chrome strips and gonna do it. Just got my FJ-62 from AZ and have some minor touch-up to do. Great time to do this. Great thread...

 

[TLC Norway]

These cost $54. and there lots of fun. Very loud!!

-RH1

Whats fun about them? i need louder horns, want train horns...

 

[LakeCruiser]

Are you talking about the chrome strips along the body beneath the doors? I got a 62 and they are missing. There is no rust there and I was considering replacing them because there are a few open mounting holes. It sounds like I shouldn't replace them eh? Any suggestions on how to treat this part of the body that will look nice and prevent rust?

 

[Heartworm]

At most hardware stores there is a row of little carboard boxes with all sorts of bolts, screws, and assorted doo dads. I found plastic plugs that fit the holes along the rockers where the chrome "snake blinder" strips were. Unfortunately, they are black plastic. Worked great for my rockers which are covered with bedliner. Have not found anything that covers the square hole associated with the snake blinders though.