Post by detlion1643 on Jul 7, 2018 21:20:30 GMT -5
Yea yea, I know, the title is so eye catching!
So in June I had to get the vehicle inspected. It failed of course with the one front strut needing replaced (they were leaking). I also had to replace a tail light cause it had a crack in it. I opted to order my own parts after researching/youtubing how to change the parts out.
$1000 dealer parts + labor quoted (only 1 side of strut).
$300 brand new warrantied parts by myself.
Tail light $120 and a few minutes to change. Pop out a plastic cover in the trunk area, remove 2 nuts and the whole thing just pulls right out. Insert new tail light, clip into place, tighten 2 nuts, and replace plastic cover. Cost was so high because the hybrid versions of the vehicle uses LED tail lights.
I opted to go with quick strut assemblies (with the springs already installed on them) and link bars to do at the same time, $180 total for both sides in the front. My neighbor has done them once before so he was able to help me out. The work doesn't involve taking off the brakes or anything, so it seemed like it wouldn't be that bad. The hardest part was breaking free the rusted bolts/nuts, since we didn't have a torch available, just lots of breaker bars and strength. About 30 minutes to remove parts combined and 30 minutes to put new parts in combined, but about 2 extra hours to break free some of them rusted bolts/nuts.
Anyways, after doing that work interest was sparked again to do something with the vehicle. I had a usb hub and a voltage regulator ordered a year or so ago that I never got to use, time got away from me. But now's that time!
My first chore was to find somewhere to mount 4 distribution blocks, a voltage regulator, and a 7 port usb hub. I didn't want to use any spaces in the trunk area as they are already being used for jacks and tools. I looked at a few access panels in the trunk area as well but decided against it (they are directly behind the tail light not a separate cargo area). I tried under the center console but there wasn't enough room. The only place I could really find was under the drivers seat. So I took measurements.
My items currently include:
1 x 0 gauge wiring kit (currently in transit still )
1 x 0 gauge wiring kit (currently in transit still )
2 x distribution blocks (0 ga -> 4 ga)
2 x distribution blocks (4 ga -> 8 ga)
1 x voltage regulator
1 x 7 port powered usb hub
The area under the driver seat measured 11" from front to back, 7" from side to side, and 5" to the bottom of the seat. I then cut a piece of particle board 11" x 7". Particle board was free, otherwise I would have used something better. I then mounted the distribution blocks to it. The voltage regulator and usb hub are not mounted yet as I'm still determining position. The 6ft of my flush mount usb cable is pictured still packaged, that's a lot of cable!
I'm actually thinking of moving the usb hub forward and voltage regulator over, so I can put something at the end of it to prevent it being kicked or anything bad getting on it (due to weather, snow, rain, salt, etc)...
Anyways, this is where I'm currently at, and although it's slow going, it will be worth it in the end.