The Sleepy Cruiser (Sparkly Car)

[sleepycruiser]

If it's a plastic mount and what looks like a plastic strap it sure will. Did you nut & bolt it or just use self tapping screws? Either way, the plastic is gonna give at some point.

Please don't take my comment as rude, but that's one hell of a projectile if it were to come loose in an impact. Especially when it's already at head level. Wits End is totally correct about secure mounting with a metal bracket. Also, heaving having (couldn't resist) it at the driver location is most ideal if you consider the time it would take to run to the back, open the hatch and get it in action, especially if you have to assist kids getting out of their seats. Fires spread quickly. But it's at the ideal location if most of your flammable endeavors happen when parked with the tailgate open and grill burning.

I applaud you for at least jumping in and doing stuff to your truck. I've been the biggest slacker around here for the last year or two. Are you gonna be able to make the M&G to show off your truck? I think we'll have a lot to talk about with our musical backgrounds.

No, you are correct. I considered the projectile issue....I am going to order a metal mount to replace it. I drilled into the back pillar and screwed it down...it isn't going anywhere...BUT, like you said that doesn't mean the actual bracket couldn't break. I am going to find some alternative mounts that won't break.

Unfortunately, I won't be at the M&G. I really want to come over and meet everyone....but my wife and daughter are flying back in today and have been gone since last week. Also, I am not completely sure that the LC is up for an almost 4 hour drive yet. I have continued to baseline etc, but I have a few other things I need to do before taking long trips....one of those being the brakes etc. They are fine I think at the moment...but I will feel much better once my brakes are completely revamped.

Definitely kicking myself!!

 

[sleepycruiser]

Ok, new mod time. I ordered some eBay under the hood LEDs. It comes with a hood switch but I put in just a 3 prong rocker. I ordered 2 orders of 12" led strips. I got everything hooked up but blew a mini fuse when I was hooking it up bc I touched the wires like a dummy...yeah I know....I should have disconnected the negative.

Here is the packaging etc....I will get pics of the lit up engine bay tomorrow once I replace the fuse. HUGE difference. I absolutely recommend doing this!!!

Seller gives a 1 year warranty as well. I asked him to combine shipping and he knocked $5 off of the total. Had it from Hawaii in 4 days.
Under Hood LED Light Kit - Automatic on/off - Universal Fits Any Vehicle White | eBay
LED Strip - 12" 30 LED Chips 5050 SMD - Automatic Hood Light Add-on | eBay

 

[RedHeadedStepChild]

That is a great idea.

Question regarding LEDs and the cold blue light: does anyone else feel like there's a lot of light, but no contrast so you still can't see s***? Or is that just me?

 

[jdayment]

That is a great idea.

Question regarding LEDs and the cold blue light: does anyone else feel like there's a lot of light, but no contrast so you still can't see s***? Or is that just me?

I feel the same way I havent found a balance yet.

 

[Rice]

That is a great idea.

Question regarding LEDs and the cold blue light: does anyone else feel like there's a lot of light, but no contrast so you still can't see s***? Or is that just me?

You nailed one of the very problems inherent in LED technology. Today's 'white' LEDs happen one of two ways ... red, green, and blue LEDs mixed (RGB) and a newer blue LED coated with a phosphor to emit longer wavelengths. They both suffer from the same thing ... we perceive white but most of the spectrum is still missing so "color rendering" of objects reflecting the light, say from items under the hood, is poor. The LED market is ridiculously strong so hopefully additional innovation will follow.

Wow ... I must need some sleep. Sorry for the hijack.

 

[JToobe]

You nailed one of the very problems inherent in LED technology. Today's 'white' LEDs happen one of two ways ... red, green, and blue LEDs mixed (RGB) and a newer blue LED coated with a phosphor to emit longer wavelengths. They both suffer from the same thing ... we perceive white but most of the spectrum is still missing so "color rendering" of objects reflecting the light, say from items under the hood, is poor. The LED market is ridiculously strong so hopefully additional innovation will follow.

Wow ... I must need some sleep. Sorry for the hijack.

 

[sleepycruiser]

I can see just fine with them and way better than my shop light which gets super hot.

They fit perfectly with the curve of the hood.

Rocker switch to turn on and off as I need. I have a hood switch, but decided not to use it.

LEDs only.

This is with the shop light only.

 

[markdrm1]

Great thread, saving it for future project ideas. I especially enjoyed the discussion about Marty's. I remember enjoying drinks, food, and music there till nearly sunup..... I spent a lot of hard earned money at 5 points music hall and the purple onion too. Keep up the posts. RTR

 

[markdrm1]

I ordered LEDS to fix some lights that were out in the dash cluster and the aC controls. Getting the dash cluster wasn't too bad. Takes about 5 minutes.

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I may have missed it in the wealth of information in this post, but where did you get the LED's that re-illuminated your AC controls? Did you use the original wiring and replace the old LEDs or did you put in a new strip or something? Im in need but haven't attempted anything like that before. Thanks

 

[sleepycruiser]

I may have missed it in the wealth of information in this post, but where did you get the LED's that re-illuminated your AC controls? Did you use the original wiring and replace the old LEDs or did you put in a new strip or something? Im in need but haven't attempted anything like that before. Thanks

For the AC controls you just use the correct LED bulb sizes. Just plug and play. No wiring to mess around with etc.

 

[sleepycruiser]

@Rice @mtweller
@jdayment

I will just keep my 100 stuff in this thread too since I probably won't be modding it as much and it doesn't need its own thread.

Ok, so the headunit....Corehan. I had read about the Joying units and had read mixed reviews, but mostly positive. So through that channel I somehow found Corehan. They have several models, but this one had the best reviews.

Amazon.com: Corehan 7" inch Android 5.1 Lollipop Double Din In Dash Radio Car Video Player with Bluetooth Wifi GPS Navigation System: GPS & Navigation

So I was looking for something cool, I didn't care if it played dvds bc there is an overhead DVD player in my 100. I wanted it to have video out (more on this later) so I could run a video out to the overhead DVD and play the same things. My thought was to put movies on an SD micro card and not have dvds all over the place. This unit will take up to 2x 32gb micro ad cards. It also has a built in storage of 16gb. Some of that is used with the built in gps, etc so I think useable storage on the actual unit is around 11-12gb. I started putting all of our old dvds etc on hard drives a while back....so I can fit around 40-60 full movies on a 32gb card. Mostly for my daughter for trips.

The speed of the unit is awesome. It changes between apps seamlessly. Changing between movies is quick...no load times....basically as quickly as moving between songs on a cd.

I had just decided before I installed it that I was going to download and install Google maps on it and use that as GPS....but with that you basically have to download certain routes and then use offline. I don't have an unlimited data plan so I need to use an offline app. The built in GPS app is awesome. We use a TomTom for trips, but I really prefer the iGo gps that comes with the Corehan unit.

Picture is great. Definitely has glare in the sunlight but all screens do. Anything a tablet can do, this can do.

My only issue came when I installed it and I wanted to test the video out...it wouldn't work. I thought maybe I was missing some setting (there are tons of settings). I emailed Corehan and they verified the video out did not work on this model....even though the Amazon description said otherwise. They refunded me 30% of my purchase price...which I was pleased with.

Customer service: They are incredible. I have emailed them at least 15 times to try to figure certain things out and they AlWAYS respond (keep in mind the time difference). They are super helpful and I promise you you will not find a more responsive company. I haven't.

Overall I am super excited. I have had Sony head units, Alpine, Pioneer....none of those had the options or clarity as the Corehan. If this thing lasts a few years it was absolutely worth it. It comes with a 1 year warranty.

I am probably going to sell the Pioneer DVD/gps out of my 80 and put another one of these in it.

I also hooked up a Bluetooth obdii unit so I can use the Torque app with it.

Let me know if you have any questions. You can connect it to the internet...,my LC now has its own email address...lol.

Also let me say this....even though they did give me a refund....I wouldn't hesitate to pay full price for one of these and feel great about it. I hope everyone has the same experience as I have had with it and the company.

 

[sleepycruiser]

In some of the pics you can see some LED screen bleed (at the bottom). They assured me that it wasn't a major issue and they refunded me 3% for that...lol.

You can mirror you iPhone to it (or Android), Bluetooth music, etc

I haven't even scratched the surface of what it can do bc I am not familiar with Android...but so far I love it.

We are going on a 9 hour trip next week and hope to really check it out.

 

[jdayment]

That is slick we are going to pull the trigger soon might go with this and you can help me install it.

 

[sleepycruiser]

That is slick we are going to pull the trigger soon might go with this and you can help me install it.

Would love to. Now that I know what I am doing as far as amp bypass, etc it would go much much quicker.

 

[jdayment]

Would love to. Now that I know what I am doing as far as amp bypass, etc it would go much much quicker.

Its going to be even more of a pain in the ass with mine since i have the Mark Levinson system from what i understand but it can happen itll be a fun project.

 

[pawwright]

Its going to be even more of a pain in the ass with mine since i have the Mark Levinson system from what i understand but it can happen itll be a fun project.

I don't know the LX470 systems much - do you have the integrated HVAC controls on your 2001 or are they separate from the head unit?

 

[jdayment]

I don't know the LX470 systems much - do you have the integrated HVAC controls on your 2001 or are they separate from the head unit?

I do not have nav so no integrated controls the 100 series forum is confusing when it comes to radio stuff because of all the different variants. I definately have it easier with no nav though from what I have seen the guys with nav its quite a task to swap out.

 

[sleepycruiser]

I do not have nav so no integrated controls the 100 series forum is confusing when it comes to radio stuff because of all the different variants. I definately have it easier with no nav though from what I have seen the guys with nav its quite a task to swap out.

Should be the same setup (I think) as any other if you don't have the Nav and AC control. I might have enough speaker wire left over to run yours from the amp under the seat to the back of the head unit. We would have to hard wire the speakers under the seat instead of using an adapter. But it would save you $30.

 

[jdayment]

Should be the same setup (I think) as any other if you don't have the Nav and AC control. I might have enough speaker wire left over to run yours from the amp under the seat to the back of the head unit. We would have to hard wire the speakers under the seat instead of using an adapter. But it would save you $30.

Once i get the head unit and panel ordered we can tear into it and figure it out

 

[sleepycruiser]

Also, in mine I didn't have to buy any type of extra head unit trim, etc. Basically fit into the double din hole except I actually have to use a dremel to trim some of it back as the Chinese androids are a little larger than the stock hole.