racer's 2004 Neon SXT

Post by **racer12306** » Tue May 15, 2007 4:32 pm

i went to the auto parts and get a few of the little push clips so i can install my trunk lid carpet.

i dont think i updated that here, i scored a trunk lid carpet from a 2000 neon at the junkyard in perfect condition for cheap.

i also decided that i am going to get a rear sway bar from a 2000 neon so that i actually have one. gonna get a set of brackets from daaboots, or if he decides not to make them hopefully he will give me the drawings so i can make them.

i also got thinking that i can put the catch can in the stock airbox. then it would be completely hidden except for a couple hoses. and then i would move my catch can drain over and mount it on the CA180 brace.

To Do List
* fix illumination on the volt gauge
* full size spare - JonnyMopar looking for a 15" wheel/tire combo
* make a new catch can
* get the adapter from crutchfield so my xm will plug into the cd changer port
* make custom LED underhood lights w/OEM-look and finish
* make a CA180 brace
* possibly make a skid plate (debating on material, might be lexan, aluminum or steel. lexan is looking good and cheap)
* try to make my own front and rear strut tower braces
* install trunk lid carpet
* get stock rear sway bar and install
* later in the summer install all new poly bushings in the car since the control arm burshings look pretty shot

Completed
* make/install short antenna
* new floor mats
* switch back to stock radio
* SRT-4 ACR spare tire cover
* tinted side markers/third brake light
* UDP
* Autometer Phantom Voltage Gauge in an SRT Boost Gauge pod
* Pistol Grip Shifter w/boogers and JM bushings
* LED 3rd brake light

Post by **racer12306** » Mon May 21, 2007 10:43 am

I installed my trunk lid carpet and I cleaned up my install of the LED third brake light.

The carpet really cleans up that area and makes it much more presentable IMO.

The way I did the wires for the third brake light makes it look factory IMO.

Ill try to post up a pic or two tonite.

To Do List
* fix illumination on the volt gauge
* full size spare - JonnyMopar looking for a 15" wheel/tire combo
* make a new catch can
* get the adapter from crutchfield so my xm will plug into the cd changer port on the stock radio
* make custom LED underhood lights w/OEM-look and finish
* make a CA180 brace
* possibly make a skid plate (debating on material, might be lexan, aluminum or steel. lexan is looking good and cheap)
* try to make my own front and rear strut tower braces
* get stock rear sway bar and install
* later in the summer install all new poly bushings in the car since the control arm bushings look pretty shot

Completed
* make/install short antenna
* new floor mats
* switch back to stock radio
* SRT-4 ACR spare tire cover
* tinted side markers/third brake light
* UDP
* Autometer Phantom Voltage Gauge in an SRT Boost Gauge pod
* Pistol Grip Shifter w/boogers and JM bushings
* LED 3rd brake light
* install trunk lid carpet

Post by **racer12306** » Mon May 21, 2007 4:58 pm

as promised pictures

WykedHellFire · Post by **WykedHellFire** » Mon May 21, 2007 4:59 pm

as I said in the other thread. carpet looks great bro!

Post by **racer12306** » Wed May 30, 2007 5:55 pm

To Do List
* fix illumination on the volt gauge
* full size spare - JonnyMopar looking for a 15" wheel/tire combo
* make a new catch can
* get the adapter from crutchfield so my xm will plug into the cd changer port on the stock radio
* make custom LED underhood lights w/OEM-look and finish
* make a CA180 brace
* possibly make a skid plate (debating on material, might be lexan, aluminum or steel. lexan is looking good and cheap)
* try to make my own front and rear strut tower braces
* get stock rear sway bar and install
* later in the summer install all new poly bushings in the car since the control arm bushings look pretty shot

Completed
* make/install short antenna
* new floor mats
* switch back to stock radio
* SRT-4 ACR spare tire cover
* tinted side markers/third brake light
* UDP
* Autometer Phantom Voltage Gauge in an SRT Boost Gauge pod
* Pistol Grip Shifter w/boogers and JM bushings
* LED 3rd brake light
* install trunk lid carpet

NeonBluSXT · Post by **NeonBluSXT** » Wed May 30, 2007 7:10 pm

Awesome Mr. Racer! The carpet does clean it up a lot. Well done!

Post by **racer12306** » Wed May 30, 2007 7:21 pm

Thanks Dee Dee

Just wait till I get it all done, it will have the options that Dodge should have put on it

NeonBluSXT · Post by **NeonBluSXT** » Wed May 30, 2007 9:00 pm

Your welcome of course

Dont be making to many changes now... Ill want them all LMAO! Great job tho - keep up the awesome work!

Post by **racer12306** » Wed May 30, 2007 9:06 pm

I'm probably just going to do whats on the list above, nothing too major.

NeonBluSXT · Post by **NeonBluSXT** » Wed May 30, 2007 9:10 pm

Well that is good... I wont be able to afford 2GN pretty soon! LOLOL

Post by **racer12306** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 10:06 pm

To Do List
* fix illumination on the volt gauge - will try to do on the 30th
* full size spare - JonnyMopar looking for a 15" wheel/tire combo
* make a new catch can - bought a BWoody from slvracr
* get the adapter from crutchfield so my xm will plug into the cd changer port on the stock radio - ordered, hopefully installed on the 30th
* make custom LED underhood lights w/OEM-look and finish
* make a CA180 brace
* possibly make a skid plate (debating on material, might be lexan, aluminum or steel. lexan is looking good and cheap)
* try to make my own front and rear strut tower braces
* get stock rear sway bar and install
* later in the summer install all new poly bushings in the car since the control arm bushings look pretty shot

Completed
* make/install short antenna
* new floor mats
* switch back to stock radio
* SRT-4 ACR spare tire cover
* tinted side markers/third brake light
* UDP
* Autometer Phantom Voltage Gauge in an SRT Boost Gauge pod
* Pistol Grip Shifter w/boogers and JM bushings
* LED 3rd brake light
* install trunk lid carpet

Post by **racer12306** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 4:45 pm

Got a big weekend for the car this weekend. Going to wash, clay and wax the car. Install my BWoody catch can, fix the illumination on the volt gauge and install the audio adapter.

I have tonite and tomorrow to get all this done, plus install a catch can on an SRT.

KrackstaR · Post by **KrackstaR** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 4:50 pm

racer12306 wrote:Got a big weekend for the car this weekend. Going to wash, clay and wax the car. Install my BWoody catch can, fix the illumination on the volt gauge and install the audio adapter.

I have tonite and tomorrow to get all this done, plus install a catch can on an SRT.

you still havnt installed that damn catch can on that srt 4 yet..lol

kc2005ptgt · Post by **kc2005ptgt** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 1:17 pm

Hey Frank, if all fails on your illumination match for the Volt gauge, lemme knwo, I can send you a perfect match for it! I bought these green bulbs and now I do not need them since I changed to blue... the match is uncannily perfect!

That is the best pic I have of it. Lemme know, yours for Freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Post by **racer12306** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 10:45 pm

When I said fix illumination, I meant have it wired correctly so that the light comes on with the head lights not on all the time like it currently is.

BUT...

I was also going to pull the green bulb cover off and see how it was with just the white light. And if I don't like it that way, I will let you know about those bulbs. Thanks for the offer.

The car was washed, clayed, washed, waxed and it looks good. I will post up pictures tomorrow. I also got the audio adapter mounted, and I just need to hook up the wires. I also got the BWoody can mounted. It looks good and stock.

Post by **racer12306** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 8:51 pm

Picture Update time

I washed, clayed, washed again, and waxed the car on saturday.

The car is soooooo smoooooooooooooooooooth now. I couldn't believe it.

I think I'm going to do the beetle next weekend, that thing should look good then. 9 years of grime FTL.

I also mounted the audio adapter on Sunday. All I have to do is drill a hole and finish mounting, which I think I am going to do tomorrow.

I also got the BWoody catch can all installed. If I didn't tell you where it was, you probably couldn't find it. But the pictures were taken with my moms camera and for some reason her emailing them to me didn't work too well, but I should have pics on Wed, so expect them up on Thurs.

To Do List
* fix illumination on the volt gauge - will get done at Carlisle
* full size spare - JonnyMopar looking for a 15" wheel/tire combo
* make custom LED underhood lights w/OEM-look and finish
* make a CA180 brace
* possibly make a skid plate (debating on material, might be lexan, aluminum or steel. lexan is looking good and cheap)
* try to make my own front and rear strut tower braces
* get stock rear sway bar and install
* later in the summer install all new poly bushings in the car since the control arm bushings look pretty shot

Completed
* make/install short antenna
* new floor mats
* switch back to stock radio
* SRT-4 ACR spare tire cover
* tinted side markers/third brake light
* UDP
* Autometer Phantom Voltage Gauge in an SRT Boost Gauge pod
* Pistol Grip Shifter w/boogers and JM bushings
* LED 3rd brake light
* install trunk lid carpet
* install audio adapter to directly connect XM and iPod
* install new catch can

Post by **racer12306** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 10:20 pm

To Do List
* make custom LED underhood lights w/OEM-look and finish
* make a CA180 brace
* possibly make a skid plate (debating on material, might be lexan, aluminum or steel. lexan is looking good and cheap)
* try to make my own front and rear strut tower braces
* get stock rear sway bar and install
* later in the summer install all new poly bushings in the car since the control arm bushings look pretty shot

Completed
* make/install short antenna
* new floor mats
* switch back to stock radio
* SRT-4 ACR spare tire cover
* tinted side markers/third brake light
* UDP
* Autometer Phantom Voltage Gauge in an SRT Boost Gauge pod, gauge light working properly
* Pistol Grip Shifter w/boogers and JM bushings
* LED 3rd brake light
* install trunk lid carpet
* install audio adapter to directly connect XM and iPod
* install new catch can
* full size spare

On the To-Do list the things I really really want to get done are the underhood light and the rear sway bar. I don't think the other stuff is going to happen this summer, except for MAYBE the poly bushings.

I also did one more little mod that I really like. Jason cut me a set of SXT decals in the etched glass vinyl and I put them on the side mirrors. Now, I messed these ones up a little, and I have to scrape off the lettering on the pass side, but I have two more decals so I can do it over.

hansken_yo · Post by **hansken_yo** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 10:36 pm

nice man, but you should of taken off the warning label on the passenger mirror.

Post by **racer12306** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 10:38 pm

yeah, i realised that after i put it on, thankfully jason had another pair with him so i bought another pair and im going to fix that and spend more time centering and such. I thought the driver one was straight but after looking at it while in the car it isn't.

ill fix it.

loko498 · Post by **loko498** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 9:16 pm

bad01neon wrote:i did the same thing for $10 with some rods from a zx2 trunk

How did it turn out? Pics please? Same results as the $80 kit?

NeonBluSXT · Post by **NeonBluSXT** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 7:50 pm

Frank, did you ever get the License plate holder I sent you? I was wondering if it made it in time for the show for ya. I looked in the feed back section an didnt see anything, thats why I am asking. Hope it came an worked out well for ya

If it didnt for some reason let me know.

Post by **racer12306** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 9:05 pm

Damn it, I knew I was forgetting someone. I did get it, I'm leaving feedback now.

Thanks

NeonBluSXT · Post by **NeonBluSXT** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 5:09 am

No problem, Im not worried about the feed back, just wanted to make sure you got it is all.

Post by **racer12306** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 4:47 pm

No more pistol grip

ragek23 · Post by **ragek23** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 1:15 pm

surprised you would ever let go of that thing

Post by **racer12306** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 4:33 pm

but it was replaced with something a little different.

felt like it was time for a change.

but of course i went and bent my adapter so i have to make a new one.

Post by **racer12306** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 10:36 pm

I picked up a "poor mans lift" aka "apartment livers lift" from sears the other day. Got it on sale too. $40 for a jack and two stands and then $15 for two more stands.

I'll be doing my maintenance at my apartment now, instead of driving to my parents. But big stuff will be done up there.

Post by **racer12306** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 11:03 pm

Well, to replace the pistol grip I bought a B&M T-Handle from Advance Auto. I had been running it on my previous adapter, but when I tried to take it off the aluminum on aluminum contact must have galled up the surface and the adapter didn't make it.

I ended up wraping the handle in a towel and then put a big pipe wrench on it to get it off. The top 4 or 5 threads came off in the handle, so I had to pick them out and run a tap through it to clean it up a little.

I got another piece of aluminum from work and started hacking away at it. I believe I was able to replicate the features of the old adapter pretty well. I haven't measured it yet, but it fits well. I ran out of time so I don't have it properly mounted. That will come next week.

I am using it, it feels comfortable. I'll take a pic of it tomorrow.

I still have some polishing to do on it, I want it to have a near mirror finish. Thankfully, I have a lathe tha will spin it at 1100rpm, so I don't have to work too hard on it.

I also bought a set of sway bar brackets from daaboots. I probably won't be able to put them on until after the fall semester. But I didn't want him to stop selling them and then I have to buy new struts if I wanted a sway bar.

Post by **racer12306** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 10:11 pm

Here's a pic of the new adapter with the knob

I took this pic the weekend of carlisle...

So the car is officially out of warranty.

Post by **racer12306** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 9:39 pm

I finally found the extra set of stickers I bought from Jason at Carlisle and I picked off the old ones and put these on. I went with the top of the mirror because of the stupid lettering on the pass mirror.

Don't really know exactly how they look in daylight as it was dusk when I got them on. So I don't even know if I like them.

A couple more pics of the shifter. (I learned my lesson to post pics with a dirty car. So since I cleaned it today I snapped a couple more)

And a pic of the soft spare tire cover with the full size spare in the well.

Its really not that bad. Before I had misc things, rags and such, in the well with the donut. But now I put the full size in with the face of the wheel down and I use the pocket it creates as the storage space. The jack and wrench that comes with the car is towards the front by the back seat.