Best Mods under $50... (2 Viewers)

[vipergrhd]

hilux

Pardon the pics,yes this is on my hilux just wanted to share since also fits the cruiser.i will move it or just buy another one when i switch to h55.

John

 

[tikitweaker]

probably already been done

I have a couple of nifties for sixties.... So I needed one more cigarette lighter and I don't even smoke anymore. (there is a perfect fit hole under the fuse box for a lighter assembly) no drilling, installs in seconds. I put some self adhesive velcro on my steering column (I saw where someone used carpet, I didn't have any carpet). And lastly I found a use for a litter box that I was using as a parts wash container but it cracked over time. Don't ask me how or why I have a litter box, my English bulldog would never dream of pooping of where I might not step in it!

 

[EUROTECH1986535]

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.

use a capacitor from radio shack in line when you wire them up once you cut the power it will take a few seconds for the lights to dim and go out the lenght of time they stay on after power is cut depends on the # of bulbs and cap size

 

[Eldorado556]

Years ago I picked up an adjustable clothes rod that hooks on to the grab handles. It has two large rings on the side that you can clip a carabiner on to hang things. I used to hang my life preserver on it when I guided rafting trips.

 

[jvazquez53]

I posted this here: https://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/350371-brake-fluid-flush-any-quick-tricks.html#post5148927, but it occurred to me that it might also fit in this thread. Not so much a mod as a simple trick for bleeding brakes.

Wow! great idea! I'll try it, now I have to find a suitable vacuum port on my 3FE...

 

[tikitweaker]

The rain gutter chrome is awful and collects moisture. The chrome running along the window sills can go too. The chrome in the windshield, cargo window and rear window weather strips is functional and would need to be replaced with the rubber inserts, unless you like leaks and rust. The snake blinders serve no purpose that I know of.

O.K. so this has me very intrigued. I like the idea of less is more and am ready to go out and start yanking. Does anyone have pictures of their rig with this chrome removed. What condition is the paint in under the chrome on the gutters? Rubber inserts on the windows(from Jc Whittney or what)?? Pics?? Snake blinders, has anyone come up with a cute trick to fill the holes? I am thinking just some stainless nuts, bolts, and washers or black vinyl square anchors with threads and black screws? My 60 has been murdered out already and this would only deepen the menacing look IMO.

 

[twstrchasr]

Grab handle on the passenger side A-pillar (your wife/GF/BF/SO will thank you).

Hella map light screwed to the dash just to the left of the glovebox. ~$25.

Freebie: re-aim the rear washer jet so it shoots straight back. Great for dealing with tailgaters, they get the message fast.

Another freebie: attach a small chunk of carpeting to the steering column just below the ignition, no more noise from the keys jangling against it.

I did the exact same thing to my steering column a few yrs ago.. I used velcro strips. Female side I guess you would call it !!

 

[jfnall]

Ambient air temperature sensor

Here is an ambient air temperature gauge I put on. I didn't mount it in a permanent manner because I didn't really want to take a Dremel tool to the metal on the dash... Plus, it is operated on a small watch battery, and the backside will need to be accessed pretty easily for the battery to be changed. I simply used velcro to stick it to the metal.

Found it on Amazon.com. Amazon.com: Digital temperature meter with remote temp sensor: Everything Else

It has a cable that is plenty long. I have an Empi carb, so I don't have my choke knob in place. It is routed through the dash (drilled a 5/16" hole) and down the left side kick panel, then under the door piece that holds the carpet down, then back up the door column. The probe is in the body, between the two doors. There is probably 18-24" if cable that I bundled up inside the panel.

I will need to add something to the mounting because the LCD screen at a funny angle can't be read very easily, if at all. Especially with polarized glassed. And this gauge is not backlit. It needs to be angled up slightly.

pretty nice gauge though. Has a front "frame" so it would look very nice mounted flush into the dash, with clips that hold it in place, sort of like a flush mount rocker or contour switch.

 

[woytovich]

I wonder how high those read?

It might be interesting to put the probe somewhere important under the hood... maybe to monitor temp of the PS pump... the radiator...inside the air cleaner... ?

 

[shotgun12321]

I wonder how high those read?

It might be interesting to put the probe somewhere important under the hood... maybe to monitor temp of the PS pump... the radiator...inside the air cleaner... ?

I had the same thought, but the link to Amazon says only up to 160.....so that's a no go.

 

[gonzale20]

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

JCcharged 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).

Whats the difference with the two part numbers? Is one better than the other? I ths first part number have problems?

 

[woytovich]

I mentioned this buzzer back in post #78 in this thread and I STILL think it is the BEST mod for under $50 I have done to my 60. I WILL be installing one in my 40 (and the Datsun 240z too for that matter)

Mark

 

[Micah]

I mentioned this buzzer back in post #78 in this thread and I STILL think it is the BEST mod for under $50 I have done to my 60. I WILL be installing one in my 40 (and the Datsun 240z too for that matter)

Mark

i agree probably the BEST under $50 mod out there!!!

 

[Dynosoar]

That is my old post... glad to see its still around. The "new" part number is just that. RS just changed the number, but it's the same part. I agree it is a cheep easy way not to kill a good battery.

Dynosoar

 

[bgennette]

GPS mount - permanent

I bent and drilled a piece of brass to fit under the visor clip, soldered on a bolt, spayed it black and voila! a $2 permanent mount for my accident recorder camera - but could just as easily hold a GPS, etc.

Picture is of my right-hand-drive 62. I had to use a 60mm bolt to get the camera lower than the blue tint, but a GPS could use a shorter bolt. Plastic bolts are Ok for the light loads if you are worried about putting a piece of steel in front of your (passenger's) face.
I used brass because I had some to hand, but you could use steel. Power lead hidden under liner edge beside windscreen. Easy, simple, and (now that you have the dimensions) a very fast mod/addition.
Does stop the visor folding all the way down, but doesn't stop the visor from performing its designed purpose.

 

[MANUCHAO]

I bent and drilled a piece of brass to fit under the visor clip, soldered on a bolt, spayed it black and voila! a $2 permanent mount for my accident recorder camera - but could just as easily hold a GPS, etc.
View attachment 498481
Mine had to use a 60mm bolt to get the camera lower than the tint, but a GPS could use a shorter bolt. I used brass because I had some to hand, but you could use steel. Power lead hidden under liner edge beside windscreen. Easy, simple, and (now that you have the dimensions) a very fast mod/addition.
Does stop the visor folding all the way down, but doesn't stop the visor from performing its designed purpose.

Thats a nice diagram but now we want to see pics !!!

 

[gonzale20]

I actually bought both part numbers and they different. Sorry I didnt take picks but the newer part # is a small blk round buzzer. The specks are the same and it works just fine so far. Best mod yet

 

[Eldorado556]

Replaced the front wheel well engine bay cover doo-dads.

Stout rubber stuff I've had for years...free.

12 GM style push fasteners from Lowes, $5.20.

 

[Benjaman]

Cost $5.

Alternator cooler, via the cooler fan.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Cost $5.

Alternator cooler, via the cooler fan.