HOW TO: installing a garage door opener into your 80 (1 Viewer)

[Rkroelin]

Ooof.

While I agree sorting out all of the good information into one concise format would be best, that would take quite a bit of time.

Could we not use the wiki in a similar way that Romer created the faq? Make sections as Beowulf suggested, but instead of entirely new pages we could provide links to the existing threads? This way anyone can add a link they feel is worthy.

People have a tendency to post new thoughts to the old threads as they discover better ways, if we had a static format we might lose this ability. Having to sort through all the posts can be a pain though.

 

[Beowulf]

While I agree sorting out all of the good information into one concise format would be best, that would take quite a bit of time.

It will only take a lot of time if we dump everything on 1 or 2 guys like we did on the FAQ. Jamie and Romer have already done their share. It is up to the group to find a way to improve on it. I we could develop the template with some hard guidelines on how to prepare an article for the wiki, then we would get 20 or 30 guys to volunteer for 1 piece. Even the guys that don't DIY on maintenance could still take a wiki section by pulling together the information already in the FAQ (but interspersed with reams of extraneous posts.)

There could be cries of plagerism if we tagged a name to an article; say that Rkroelin volunteered for the "Front Axle Service" wiki article. Everything is on 'Mud somewhere... All the tool pictures, part numbers, torque specs, parts diagrams, cut-away drawings, step-by-step instructions w/pictures, and so on. It wouldn't be right to attribute that work to Rkroelin even though he would be the one that put it all together... he would simply be an unsung hero in the overall goal to create the ultimate 80-Series wiki. Maybe the volunteers would be given credit as editors or the POC for approving/rejecting changes to "their" wiki article.

I've brought up this "Ultimate 80-Series wiki" topic a couple of times in the past. Each time it has died a quick death due to a lack of support for the "too much work" excuse. I guess if it was a good suggestion then I would do it myself.

-B-

 

[Rkroelin]

It could be a combination of the two. Start out with links to threads, and as people have time/motivation it can be converted over to the standardized format.

There could be a sticky in the main forum detailing the steps needed to create the standard wiki how to, and as people come up with new ideas they could lay it out in that fashion. That way all new creation does not require converting.

 

[96r50]

The blue FJCruiser forums have a "how to & technical article" subforum that contains clean, single-poster locked threads about individual mods with links to the original threads in the first post. Maybe an 80-series sub forum of a similar nature could work?

I agree with you Beo that we need a consistent format for all the threads in the FAQ, with standardized lists of the tools, supplies, parts and such required to complete the job. Reffug and Romer and others have done an awesome job creating and compiling a lot of useful information, but maybe it's time for a bit of a reorganization, a la FAQ 2.0?

 

[Beowulf]

but maybe it's time for a bit of a reorganization, a la FAQ 2.0?

The problem with FAQ2 being a forum/sub-forum thread is that I cannot edit your posts and you cannot edit my posts. And Ken or Jamie still have to make it a sticky and add it to FAQ2. With a wiki, anyone can edit anything and it uses SVN (a version control system) to enable anyone to see and track the revisions and even revert back to a prior version if something got royally messed up. Play with the current wiki and you'll see what I'm talking about. That is the reason that I am pushing for use of the wiki instead of more threads. It is important to note that egos will need to be set aside when a wiki technical article is submitted because the article should not be personalized in most cases (custom vehicle mods being the exception.)

I also agree with Rkroelin that this should be a migration to the wiki over time once we get a template for members to use. I will check out the blue forum to see how those guys have set things up. Sounds like they're ahead of us on this one.

-B-

 

[96r50]

You're right, the wiki does make more sense as we can all contribute/correct/critique without constantly pestering the moderator to make changes. I'll just have to figure out how it works first

 

[Beowulf]

I'll just have to figure out how it works first

Go play with the one that Woody set up for us. Anyone can add or change anything as long as they are a registered user on 'Mud.

I'll try to find another automotive wiki that has done a good job documenting a specific vehicle with "how-to" and "maintenance" sections. When I find one, I'll post a link here.

-B-

 

[NLXTACY]

I'm in, just need to know where to start..

 

[wxm]

The problem with FAQ2 being a forum/sub-forum thread is that I cannot edit your posts and you cannot edit my posts. And Ken or Jamie still have to make it a sticky and add it to FAQ2. With a wiki, anyone can edit anything and it uses SVN (a version control system) to enable anyone to see and track the revisions and even revert back to a prior version if something got royally messed up. Play with the current wiki and you'll see what I'm talking about. That is the reason that I am pushing for use of the wiki instead of more threads. It is important to note that egos will need to be set aside when a wiki technical article is submitted because the article should not be personalized in most cases (custom vehicle mods being the exception.)

I also agree with Rkroelin that this should be a migration to the wiki over time once we get a template for members to use. I will check out the blue forum to see how those guys have set things up. Sounds like they're ahead of us on this one.

-B-

Wiki is a good choice, except it is not very friendly with external document. I guess that we probably don't have to worry too much for that here.

The other suggestion - besides tools, torque spec, it will also be helpful to include a shopping list for parts.

 

[tea LC]

nice job... can't wait to try, after i build another garage bay...

 

[Rkroelin]

I would be willing to get this started by compiling links (from the existing FAQ and what isn't on it that should be) and laying them out in the wiki with whatever structure we come up with. Then we could start converting them to the official format. I can even do a few of the conversions.

So, we need to come up with a structure, a layout and an initial list of items to include.

Ryan

 

[finderscuba]

Another "bright" idea

I wired up something similar on my previous truck but I wired it via a relay to the high beams. One quick flash of the high beams and the garage door opens or closes. Even more stealth!

I've yet to transfer over the set up to my Cruiser though. This setup uses the truck's power to run the transmitter. This also means I won't rundown a remote battery whenever I use my high beams. And since I can flash highbeams without the key in, I can open my door without starting the truck. The whole setup is mounted behind the grille near a headlight - better range than just the standard remote I find.

So far none of my neighbours have inquired as to why I always flash my brights on or near my driveway. They think I'm nuts anyway...

 

[NLXTACY]

I wired up something similar on my previous truck but I wired it via a relay to the high beams. One quick flash of the high beams and the garage door opens or closes. Even more stealth!

I've yet to transfer over the set up to my Cruiser though. This setup uses the truck's power to run the transmitter. This also means I won't rundown a remote battery whenever I use my high beams. And since I can flash highbeams without the key in, I can open my door without starting the truck. The whole setup is mounted behind the grille near a headlight - better range than just the standard remote I find.

So far none of my neighbours have inquired as to why I always flash my brights on or near my driveway. They think I'm nuts anyway...

Its actually a GREAT idea. I don't think I can do it without the HOA getting really pissed at me.

 

[Lka1988]

Its actually a GREAT idea. I don't think I can do it without the HOA getting really pissed at me.

Even more incentive to do it...

IH8HOAs

 

[alia176]

So far none of my neighbours have inquired as to why I always flash my brights on or near my driveway. They think I'm nuts anyway...

I can see it now...the would be burglars are flashing their lights on your driveway at 3am trying to open your garage door

 

[NLXTACY]

Just so that there is a link to the labels to print:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/274776-switch-relables-printable-single-sheet.html

 

[wxm]

I finally get one of the hazard switch (from 4x4CPOSEADOG) and am thinking about using it for the NLXTACY's garage door opener mod. Just to make sure that the following switch wiring is correct:

 

[NLXTACY]

Man this was an fun project. I will have to check the EWD but that looks correct.

 

[wxm]

Man this was an fun project. I will have to check the EWD but that looks correct.

and it looks to me either two out of 6, 9 or 10 should work as an on/off switch. I have also checked the back light with my HP power tester, it seems to be working fine. But still like to make sure...

What did you end using for the power source for the back light?

Many thanks, Joey!

 

[NLXTACY]

What did you end using for the power source for the back light?

Many thanks, Joey!

I used the wiring from the ashtray light being as it isnt being used anymore since it was "adjusted" to fit the CB.

Also, the battery died on it today. I am working on a different project box and I have been talking to some of the electric engineers at work to extend the range of the antenna

I wanna be able to open the garage from the grocery store dammit!!!