Builds First LC, HZJ77 Build "Kengo" (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter Blomdala
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- #42
Back to a more normal pace of a couple hours here and there slowly improving the truck. It’s just a blast to drive so it doesn’t NEED more tweaks ha.
First up is lighting. I personally love LEDs, I’ve been playing with them for awhile and this 24v has been a fun challenge. I did get some LED headlights installed (similar to city racer but they are OOS) and that has been awesome. I love good headlights. Next was other interiors lights. Most of the tiny bulbs were out in the truck, and some of the other larger (I think t4?) one I just replaced with LED as I took things apart. I found some cheap bulbs that have a nice diffuser and circuitry so they are happy with 24v. however for the little guys I had to do some more work. In this case a can ALMOST fit a 1/2w 4.7k ohm resistor in place of one leg and it makes a very nice brightness, not overly bright like normal. So I have one on the AC controls and the cigarette lighter ring. Eventually I’ll have the energy to take the whole center apart and get to the gear selector light again HA!
First up is lighting. I personally love LEDs, I’ve been playing with them for awhile and this 24v has been a fun challenge. I did get some LED headlights installed (similar to city racer but they are OOS) and that has been awesome. I love good headlights. Next was other interiors lights. Most of the tiny bulbs were out in the truck, and some of the other larger (I think t4?) one I just replaced with LED as I took things apart. I found some cheap bulbs that have a nice diffuser and circuitry so they are happy with 24v. however for the little guys I had to do some more work. In this case a can ALMOST fit a 1/2w 4.7k ohm resistor in place of one leg and it makes a very nice brightness, not overly bright like normal. So I have one on the AC controls and the cigarette lighter ring. Eventually I’ll have the energy to take the whole center apart and get to the gear selector light again HA!
- Thread starter
- #43
Next was working on the missing speakers in the rear. It had some super classy home stereo speakers sitting in the back when I got it, and I ha e been searching for the right size to drop in there. My main goal was to try and hit 2 birds with one stone. A speaker that fit, that comes with a grill that I could attach without poking new holes in my sweet panel fabric. I settled on sole Rockford 6.75” speakers. I was going to get the JBL, but the price was right and the grill was a better size. Eventually I’ll get some replacement grilles from Japan, but I think these look pretty good for now.
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- #44
Lastly I finally settled on a head unit. I went back and forth about wireless CarPlay (I get like that’s over kill) but I really enjoy my phone holder with wireless charging. Then a pioneer popped up for 100$ off so I snagged it. Very happy with the deck, great capacitive screen that doesn’t look strange with polarized sunglasses on and all the right features. When I got into the manual I found out there is a manual “mute” wire which I didn’t know was a thing but It’s perfect! There is no dial to quickly turn down music, and I was worried about that. I had a left over coin tray that I fit a switch into and now when I hear a strange noise or my kids are losing it, flip of the switch. So cool. My mounting brackets were missing so it’s only mocked up in there, but it looks great! (Brackets are ordered).
last picture is my favorite gyudon place in Japan, my wife went to mitsuwa today and brought it back for dinner! Love it!
last picture is my favorite gyudon place in Japan, my wife went to mitsuwa today and brought it back for dinner! Love it!
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- #45
Ah one more thing I forgot, the truck was stuck in 4HI do to a dead solenoid. Because I don’t want to pay $374 for a new one, I scoured the web and found a new Isuzu 24v VSV that has the same body, inputs, and plug as this one. Only had a different bracket, and for 40$ it’s worth a shot! Will update when I get it!
FJBen
SILVER Star
Stuck in that same boat of wanting a double din car play stereo, or just going single DIN marine deck since I do take the top off every summer.
I've had 2 stereos stolen in previous vehicles so I'm seriously considering the ol @theglobb portable bluetooth speaker setup. I really do like the amp/sub stereo at them moment, gives a nice thump for sure, I just needs to get a smaller hidden setup and not have to worry too much about thieves...IH8THIEVES!
I've had 2 stereos stolen in previous vehicles so I'm seriously considering the ol @theglobb portable bluetooth speaker setup. I really do like the amp/sub stereo at them moment, gives a nice thump for sure, I just needs to get a smaller hidden setup and not have to worry too much about thieves...IH8THIEVES!
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- #48
It’s a tough situation for sure, and the backup camera is what always brings me back to a double din! Fingers crossed for no issues with theft, but I’ve got some plans for theft prevention. I’m watching my truck like a hawk everywhere I go now hahah.
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- #49
been working on a few things here and there, but mainly just driving the thing. Took my girls camping and it was a great trip, no hiccups or surprises. Everything felt good but I’m looking forward to getting new front spring bushings, hopefully coming in the next week or so.
friday nights are when they get to watch a movie, so movie night was on the drive. Classy I know.
I also put the gauge pod and gauges in for the up coming turbo, and routed the applicable connections.
friday nights are when they get to watch a movie, so movie night was on the drive. Classy I know.
I also put the gauge pod and gauges in for the up coming turbo, and routed the applicable connections.
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- #50
Today I dug a little deeper to solve and issue I noticed on day 1. The rear windows seemed to have been running into the body. Not what I want to see, and as a guy from CA I have an exceptional fear of rust(because everything is so rust free there!)
So after checking out some GRJ76 manuals I removed the windows to find the cause and fix. I had tried adjusting all the mounting screws but that didn’t change much, it seemed like the front glass to hinge area was what was moving
it was like that on both sides.
don’t forget your magnet for this...
So after checking out some GRJ76 manuals I removed the windows to find the cause and fix. I had tried adjusting all the mounting screws but that didn’t change much, it seemed like the front glass to hinge area was what was moving
it was like that on both sides.
don’t forget your magnet for this...
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- #51
I also installed my “I don’t want to buy a new one” tape before removing the last fasteners.
The two screws holding the hinge parts on were pretty loose, and they have a little adjustment slide room in them. So I took the screw off, put a little locktite on them, and tightened them down with the top hinge slid in, and bottom slid out to try and pick the rear up.
keep the hinge parallel with the glass edge
top hinge goes this way
bottom hinge slides out like so.
The two screws holding the hinge parts on were pretty loose, and they have a little adjustment slide room in them. So I took the screw off, put a little locktite on them, and tightened them down with the top hinge slid in, and bottom slid out to try and pick the rear up.
keep the hinge parallel with the glass edge
top hinge goes this way
bottom hinge slides out like so.
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- #52
All buttoned up (don’t torque the nuts too much, it’s about 4ft lbs!) and the gap is now great. Water can escape, and no more rubbing!
gaps look good all the way around.
My youngest was driving the whole time.
that’s it for now, hopefully get a few more things documented in the coming weeks. Happy thanksgiving everyone!
gaps look good all the way around.
My youngest was driving the whole time.
that’s it for now, hopefully get a few more things documented in the coming weeks. Happy thanksgiving everyone!
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- #54
I decided on Auto meter, they are a reasonable price, good reputation, and I could get very basic black and white with orange needle to help match the other gauges!
@PradoOnHudson Gauges.
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- #57
@PradoOnHudson Here is the mount that I got. I looked around and could only ever find 2 pod units. It would be nice if I could get a 3 to add my trans temp, but I'm OK with just a 2 pod for my boost and EGT. Autobox ships quickly and with the exchange rate its a good price. Tight fit in some areas, but it when its in, its in there. No complaints about it!
@Blomdala Thank you for the link! I'm also considering which gauges to get, with a priority on pyro, boost, and water temp, so thought one of these isspro dual pyrometer and boost gauges might help in the situation I could only find a two pod unit.
Any thoughts on the reliability on of combo gauges?
Any isses with fitment of the autometer gauges in the SAAS pillar?
Any thoughts on the reliability on of combo gauges?
Any isses with fitment of the autometer gauges in the SAAS pillar?
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- #59
Yeah I think a nice dual gauge is an easier option than finding a 3 gauge pillar mount.
When I ordered it, I wasn’t worried about trans temp, so it was perfect then HA. I have an ECT rather than a hydro a440 so I’m not too worried about it.
I’m unfortunately sort of new to the gauges game, but isspro seems to only have good comments about their function and quality!
For figment it’s tight on the windshield gasket side, took a little prying to get it to get under enough. I snipped a bit of the top edge because I didn’t want a hole in my headliner and it felt like I was pushing wat to hard to get it lined up. Probably could have trimmed a bit more on the gasket side edge. But it fits in there nice now.
Fitment looks great from the photos!
