'08 TL Progress Thread by UA7X
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UA7X (04-20-2015)
#82
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Looks good.
#83
Instructor
Thread Starter
What should I do about the color difference in the two pieces? The factory ones on my car are the sorta brushed silver color and these two new pieces I have (which did not come from a TL) are chrome..
I'm pretty sure I want them to be the same color, but not sure how I should go about doing that. Paint? Vinyl?
I'm pretty sure I want them to be the same color, but not sure how I should go about doing that. Paint? Vinyl?
#84
Racer
Looks good man! I honestly can't see the imperfections you're talking about with the decal.
I'm with you on the chrome pieces, they definitely should be color matched. Light sanding, primer, paint and clear sounds like the best option to me. You can't screw up a paint job on such small pieces. I don't think dipping them would hold up very well so low on the front bumper, too many ways they could get damaged.
I'm with you on the chrome pieces, they definitely should be color matched. Light sanding, primer, paint and clear sounds like the best option to me. You can't screw up a paint job on such small pieces. I don't think dipping them would hold up very well so low on the front bumper, too many ways they could get damaged.
#85
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^^^ Agreeed
#87
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^^^ You can't, but I can!
Oh look-done already...................damn I'm good.
Oh look-done already...................damn I'm good.
#88
Instructor
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Well done! I had a feeling you had the power to do that. Thanks a lot Steven!
So I got my LED DRLs installed yesterday. The bulbs are cheap eBay ones because I just wanted to see how I liked the color. The output is terrible of course unless it's cloudy outside, which is what I expected.
I think I like the color and will probably order some high quality bulbs soon.
So I got my LED DRLs installed yesterday. The bulbs are cheap eBay ones because I just wanted to see how I liked the color. The output is terrible of course unless it's cloudy outside, which is what I expected.
I think I like the color and will probably order some high quality bulbs soon.
#90
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Thread Starter
Whites look really nice, but everyone does whites. So the orange stands out a little more. Also I think they look aggressive and menacing this way lol
#92
Instructor
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If I ever pull apart my headlights I will definitely be getting demon eyes.
#93
Jeff
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I would have got bruce to do it when he did mine but its highly illegal and I didn't want to mess with all that heat LOL
If you have the extra cash I would def send your lights to Bruce, the work is unreal man
If you have the extra cash I would def send your lights to Bruce, the work is unreal man
#94
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Thread Starter
Oh really? I had never heard of it being illegal, maybe it's not as big a deal out here. That WRX I saw had backed into his parking space so he was basically advertising it lol
#95
Instructor
Thread Starter
I may consider doing the lights afterwards, but i also really want to pick up a Type S front a-spec lip... I haven't officially decided on that yet though.
#96
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Wow, very unique!
#97
Instructor
Thread Starter
Got some updates and pics coming soon..
For today though, I finally took care of my center console armrest cushion. Replaced the foam inside and it is nice and poofy now :-)
For today though, I finally took care of my center console armrest cushion. Replaced the foam inside and it is nice and poofy now :-)
#99
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I need to do that to my center armrest too.
#100
Instructor
Thread Starter
It's actually pretty easy, but it's messy so I would recommend wearing gloves if you have a box of the nitrile or latex ones handy.
Basically all you need is a screwdriver, a razor or scissors, spray adhesive, and up to 2 square feet of 1/2 inch high-density foam (I bought mine at a local fabric/crafts store).
I should've taken pics, I don't know why I didn't.
First remove the armrest from the center console by removing the four screws and sliding it off of the hinge.
Then remove all the other screws that hold the cushion section to the plastic sliders/brackets (pay attention and remember where they go).
Finally you will see the leather wrapped around the edges of the armrest, should be just adhesive holding it on. Mark an outline of where the leather is sitting so you know how to reinstall it. Mine was pretty easy to peel off but take care to not rip or tear the leather.
After you get the leather cover off, clean out and scrape off all the old foam. Once that's clean, set the plastic piece on top of your new foam and get sort of an idea of how to wrap it before spraying the new adhesive.
Follow the directions for the spray adhesive and apply to the foam and to the plastic. Then stick them together and cut off the excess foam.
The hardest part for me was reinstalling the leather, trying to stretch it over the foam and then reapplying new adhesive to the tabs, I don't really have any tips except to clean the leather immediately if you accidentally get any adhesive on it.
And that's it! Put it all back together and let your elbow enjoy that New-Car comfort!
Basically all you need is a screwdriver, a razor or scissors, spray adhesive, and up to 2 square feet of 1/2 inch high-density foam (I bought mine at a local fabric/crafts store).
I should've taken pics, I don't know why I didn't.
First remove the armrest from the center console by removing the four screws and sliding it off of the hinge.
Then remove all the other screws that hold the cushion section to the plastic sliders/brackets (pay attention and remember where they go).
Finally you will see the leather wrapped around the edges of the armrest, should be just adhesive holding it on. Mark an outline of where the leather is sitting so you know how to reinstall it. Mine was pretty easy to peel off but take care to not rip or tear the leather.
After you get the leather cover off, clean out and scrape off all the old foam. Once that's clean, set the plastic piece on top of your new foam and get sort of an idea of how to wrap it before spraying the new adhesive.
Follow the directions for the spray adhesive and apply to the foam and to the plastic. Then stick them together and cut off the excess foam.
The hardest part for me was reinstalling the leather, trying to stretch it over the foam and then reapplying new adhesive to the tabs, I don't really have any tips except to clean the leather immediately if you accidentally get any adhesive on it.
And that's it! Put it all back together and let your elbow enjoy that New-Car comfort!
Last edited by UA7X; 06-04-2015 at 11:32 PM. Reason: Typos
#101
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It doesn't look like a difficult job. Finding the time is the harder part.
#102
Instructor
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I just ended up driving around without an armrest for a couple days lol.
Here's a pic of the foam I bought. They sold it by the yard and I basically have enough to do the job again if I ever need to.
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Oh Sickest TL (06-07-2015)
#103
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Thanks for posting that.....it helps a lot!
#104
Race Director
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fixing the armrest is one of the best things.
nice progress!
nice progress!
#105
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I need to knock this mod out.
#107
Well done! I had a feeling you had the power to do that. Thanks a lot Steven!
So I got my LED DRLs installed yesterday. The bulbs are cheap eBay ones because I just wanted to see how I liked the color. The output is terrible of course unless it's cloudy outside, which is what I expected.
I think I like the color and will probably order some high quality bulbs soon.
So I got my LED DRLs installed yesterday. The bulbs are cheap eBay ones because I just wanted to see how I liked the color. The output is terrible of course unless it's cloudy outside, which is what I expected.
I think I like the color and will probably order some high quality bulbs soon.
#108
Instructor
Thread Starter
Thanks for the offer, but I actually already upgraded my DRLs and I'm pretty happy with them. Just because I'm curious though, what brand and specs are yours?
Here's a pic of the upgraded bulbs..
Amber/orange LED DRLs
#110
Instructor
Thread Starter
Two years ago, I bought those original low-powered orange DRL's for cheap, and I also bought fog light LED's from formula-J87 (which were more expensive and slightly higher powered), so I could compare the quality and light output. The cheap LED's failed and actually literally came apart after about a year. The ones I bought from formula-J87 are still going strong and I've had no problems with them after 2 years.
#111
Instructor
Thread Starter
Time for some updates!
I picked up this set of TSW Mirabeau wheels. 18x8 +35.
Also, I found one of the only sets of OEM color-matched mudflaps left in the country. (Parts locator at the dealership only showed two left in the US). Also, they sold them to me for less than what I would've paid for aftermarket unpainted mudflaps!
I picked up this set of TSW Mirabeau wheels. 18x8 +35.
Also, I found one of the only sets of OEM color-matched mudflaps left in the country. (Parts locator at the dealership only showed two left in the US). Also, they sold them to me for less than what I would've paid for aftermarket unpainted mudflaps!
#112
The tint on your headlights fits well with the amber, primarily because it darkens the side markers, which in turn match the DRLs better
#113
Instructor
Thread Starter
Round 2 of updates!
Car lowered on Tein SS springs, added Duraflex roof spoiler, ebay OEM style trunk lip spoiler, custom license plate, black/white smoked tail lights, and Avenged Sevenfold sticker on passenger rear quarter window. These pics also show how I took off my TSW wheel center caps because I lost one during a rainstorm
Car lowered on Tein SS springs, added Duraflex roof spoiler, ebay OEM style trunk lip spoiler, custom license plate, black/white smoked tail lights, and Avenged Sevenfold sticker on passenger rear quarter window. These pics also show how I took off my TSW wheel center caps because I lost one during a rainstorm
#114
Instructor
Thread Starter
Added Stoptech front drilled and slotted rotors, Centrix rear drilled and slotted rotors, chrome TSW stickers on rims, custom Batman wheel center caps, and removed black paint from inside exhaust tips. Also had to remove the tint from the headlights because they were flaking, I had them buffed/polished but the lenses are all cracked so I will probably upgrade to Type-S headlights eventually.
#115
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Wow, everything looks really good!
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UA7X (02-06-2017)
#117
Instructor
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I've been working on a Nexus 7 tablet navi conversion for a few months. The 2008 Base/Navi model is the most ideal model for this conversion. The 2008 models have the AUX port in the center console, so the audio is a single cable plug & play setup. This means the OEM HandsFreeLink will integrate perfectly when playing music and using navigation on the tablet (audio ducking on calls or turn-by-turn navigation, etc.), the steering wheel volume and mode buttons still work normally, and the OEM audio unit equalizer settings can be easily adjusted (treble, bass, fade, etc.). The 2008 also has the A/C status shown on the mini-display above the navi screen, so no custom wiring or re-routing of that info is necessary.
Since there are a lot of software settings to figure out and adjustments to make, I decided to do a temporary mount in front of the navigation screen so I could do some in-car debugging, while still having the option to pull it out quickly if it was necessary to do any kind of major overhaul. The downside to this idea is that it's so convenient that I'm less motivated to take apart the dash to permanently mount it lol. The tablet can still be set up to turn on and off with key on/off, but it can also be unplugged and removed from the car in a matter of 3 seconds. So for those of you who were considering the tablet install but were afraid of being fully committed, I feel this is a pretty solid solution to at least see if the setup is right for you.
Since there are a lot of software settings to figure out and adjustments to make, I decided to do a temporary mount in front of the navigation screen so I could do some in-car debugging, while still having the option to pull it out quickly if it was necessary to do any kind of major overhaul. The downside to this idea is that it's so convenient that I'm less motivated to take apart the dash to permanently mount it lol. The tablet can still be set up to turn on and off with key on/off, but it can also be unplugged and removed from the car in a matter of 3 seconds. So for those of you who were considering the tablet install but were afraid of being fully committed, I feel this is a pretty solid solution to at least see if the setup is right for you.
#118
Jeff
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that setup is totally what I would do, lol just mount it over the top of it fuck it
I still use the damn tape player bro, I feel ancient lol
Looks good though man I like that pic of the car under the lift with the 2 cars over it
Do you work at a dealership?
I still use the damn tape player bro, I feel ancient lol
Looks good though man I like that pic of the car under the lift with the 2 cars over it
Do you work at a dealership?
#119
Instructor
Thread Starter
I used to work at a dealership, I was a mechanic for about six years, but I quit a couple of months ago. It was a great dealership to work at - one of the top Hondas in the country - but it's not a great field to work in if you're considerate and honest to a fault like I am. Kind of like the "Fast, Reliable, Cheap - pick only two" phrase, but it's "Honest, Well-paid, Mechanic - pick only two" lol. Overall, I loved the dealership but hated the career - so I have a lot of bad things to say but it's all directed toward the industry, not the shop or the people I worked with.