"taking Oval To Blue Horizon" Lenny's Build Thread 2010-2015

[Lenny]

You totally have to see if you can get hold of a JL Beast sticker for the back if the car.

does look promissing but id fear advertising to thieves, thankfully i dont live in a rough area but you never know where you'll end up parking tomorrow.

Update:

Now that the Connects2 Digital 1.0 Fared capacitor has arrived i decided to measure it up and source a supplier for the RedBull can styled vinyl wrap to put on it.

Two ways to measure the size of wrap required,

You could use a Vernon callipers and perform some calculations:

Or

If you missed the special offer that Thursday in Aldi and don't have a Vernon Callipers you can go the easier route; by using an A4 sheet of paper, ruler and pen.

Lay the capacitor on top of the paper and wrap it around until there is a small gap between start & finish of the sheet then mark this location with a pen:

Once marked out,

Remove the sheet of paper from the capacitor and cut the A4 page in a straight line along where you've marked it with pen.

Measure the size of this sheet height and width,

As you can see in the image below mine is:

Height: 21.0cm

Width: 23.5cm

Ill update with images when i source a company willing to take on the task of printing.

[Hassen]

It's all starting to take shape now. You must have been like a kid on Christmas morning when the deliveries came. I totally agree with you when it comes to JL Audio products. I have the same sub as you and an older model mono amp. Btw, was the sub grill expensive? I might be tempted to get one to protect it as the pram keeps hitting the sub when it's the boot.

[Lenny]

It's all starting to take shape now. You must have been like a kid on Christmas morning when the deliveries came. I totally agree with you when it comes to JL Audio products. I have the same sub as you and an older model mono amp. Btw, was the sub grill expensive? I might be tempted to get one to protect it as the pram keeps hitting the sub when it's the boot.

Here's a link mate fast shipping too:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121544675832

The Irish company "Baby elegance" manufacture the "Beep Twist" travel systems fold flat and fit in the boot compartment with around 3" of a gap between the frame and the sub enclosure,

But it would make contact if you enthusiastically took a right turn :)

Here's the website: http://www.babyelegance.org/pages/999-bundle

I was dancing like Moog at the Dyno when collecting the parcels mate was epic.

Was nervous at casting out so much line before i caught the salmon but now he's in the bag I'm feeling pretty Euphoric yo!! :)

I've also sourced a supplier of Bosch S4 007 battery's for 85 inc. VAT ill keep you updated on this if it comes through successfully next month. Halfords were 140

[Lenny]

Further Update:

Dmb.uk.com have taken on the printing of tge redbull wrap for the 1.0 Fared Capacitor :)

Cheers Dave

[Hassen]

Here's a link mate fast shipping too:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121544675832

The Irish company "Baby elegance" manufacture the "Beep Twist" travel systems fold flat and fit in the boot compartment with around 3" of a gap between the frame and the sub enclosure,

But it would make contact if you enthusiastically took a right turn :)

Here's the website: http://www.babyelegance.org/pages/999-bundle

I was dancing like Moog at the Dyno when collecting the parcels mate was epic.

Was nervous at casting out so much line before i caught the salmon but now he's in the bag I'm feeling pretty Euphoric yo!! :)

I've also sourced a supplier of Bosch S4 007 battery's for 85 inc. VAT ill keep you updated on this if it comes through successfully next month. Halfords were 140

I had a look at the Baby Elegance website. Interesting stuff but I think we are covered. This new baby will prob end up using what the old baby had lol.

Dancing like Marty and Moog: We were just watching a bit of Kei to The City and they were both dancing in a carpark in Japan.

Keep me posted about the Bosch battery and at that price, it's a great deal!

[Hassen]

That Red Bull vinyl looks ace. I can so see this with the capacitor installed in your car and people asking "What's that for?" with the wires sticking out :)

[Lenny]

Keep me posted about the Bosch battery and at that price, it's a great deal!

Will do mate,

Ill be purchasing the battery on 12th Feb,

They do delivery in the Dublin area for free, i initially thought "Ok ill parcel motel it from Finglas" but the battery is 17kg so ill drop up meet&greet.

Dancing like Marty and Moog: We were just watching a bit of Kei to The City and they were both dancing in a carpark in Japan.

Kei to the city is an excellent documentary movie, DriftWorks also made a video about the other side of drift scene in Japan showing those whom risk it all on open motorway drifting for cash nothing text book when drifting in random moving traffic in a over chipped Silvia.

Its not as good as kei to the city or half as legal as mighty car mods stuff but still worth viewing.

Here's a link: ""http://youtu.be/dZjpFYlYdw8""

I had a look at the Baby Elegance website. Interesting stuff but I think we are covered. This new baby will prob end up using what the old baby had lol.

Our last travel system was a three wheeler, had pneumatic tyres and constantly getting punctures so went for the baby elegance has run flats MotherCare in Carrickmines were asking 750 just for a tubular frame of buggy nothing else.

We got our full travel system all in for 570 including Iso fix base 8n local TopLine store.

That Red Bull vinyl looks ace. I can so see this with the capacitor installed in your car and people asking "What's that for?" with the wires sticking out :)

thanks mate,

Its gonna be horizontally fitted under the drivers side boot panel,

It will be rotated in such a way that only the digital display and face of the RedBull print will be visible :)

The three 4 AWG cables will exit at rear; out of view.

I've encountered a new problem with the install, regarding the XD300/1 Mono Amp

I had planned to bolt it upside down on the underside of the drivers side panel:

However; when reading the supplied instruction manual is states "mounting this amplifier upside down is strongly discouraged"

Due to the heat sink being on top, fitting upside down would drive more heat in to the amp.

Never easy is it

Glad to have found this out now in advance before fitting time,

So I'm back in the R&D lab thinking of ways to make this happen in the same location.

Must be minimum 1.5" clearance between top of amp and the panel,

I've come up with two ideas last night,

1.

Purchase four 2" bolts with 8 nuts,

Bolt through the amp then to the underside of the panel this will allow it to be in the upright position along with the gap,

Fit some black heat shrink sleeving to disguise the bolts.

2.

Make up two metal brackets bent like a number 7

Bolt top of the 7 to underside of the panel,

Bolt amp to the legs of the 7

Resulting in the amp being mounted at 45 degrees under the panel.

[GingerFlame]

Will do mate,

Ill be purchasing the battery on 12th Feb,

They do delivery in the Dublin area for free, i initially thought "Ok ill parcel motel it from Finglas" but the battery is 17kg so ill drop up meet&greet.

Kei to the city is an excellent documentary movie, DriftWorks also made a video about the other side of drift scene in Japan showing those whom risk it all on open motorway drifting for cash nothing text book when drifting in random moving traffic in a over chipped Silvia.

Its not as good as kei to the city or half as legal as mighty car mods stuff but still worth viewing.

Here's a link: ""http://youtu.be/dZjpFYlYdw8""

Our last travel system was a three wheeler, had pneumatic tyres and constantly getting punctures so went for the baby elegance has run flats MotherCare in Carrickmines were asking 750 just for a tubular frame of buggy nothing else.

We got our full travel system all in for 570 including Iso fix base 8n local TopLine store.

thanks mate,

Its gonna be horizontally fitted under the drivers side boot panel,

It will be rotated in such a way that only the digital display and face of the RedBull print will be visible :)

The three 4 AWG cables will exit at rear; out of view.

I've encountered a new problem with the install, regarding the XD300/1 Mono Amp

I had planned to bolt it upside down on the underside of the drivers side panel:

However; when reading the supplied instruction manual is states "mounting this amplifier upside down is strongly discouraged"

Due to the heat sink being on top, fitting upside down would drive more heat in to the amp.

Never easy is it

Glad to have found this out now in advance before fitting time,

So I'm back in the R&D lab thinking of ways to make this happen in the same location.

Must be minimum 1.5" clearance between top of amp and the panel,

I've come up with two ideas last night,

1.

Purchase four 2" bolts with 8 nuts,

Bolt through the amp then to the underside of the panel this will allow it to be in the upright position along with the gap,

Fit some black heat shrink sleeving to disguise the bolts.

2.

Make up two metal brackets bent like a number 7

Bolt top of the 7 to underside of the panel,

Bolt amp to the legs of the 7

Resulting in the amp being mounted at 45 degrees under the panel.

Looking at the manual for my 500/1d it says not to mount upside down.. I should've told you! Sorry :(

Personally I'd go for mounting it 45* :) and if it's on brackets and it takes a knock, the brackets will take the force!

The capacitor will look great when it's finished! :)

[Lenny]

Looking at the manual for my 500/1d it says not to mount upside down.. I should've told you! Sorry :(

Personally I'd go for mounting it 45* :) and if it's on brackets and it takes a knock, the brackets will take the force!

The capacitor will look great when it's finished! :)

I hold you solely responsible Kieran nah id still have bought the XD300 had i known this,

Personally I'd go for mounting it 45* :) and if it's on brackets and it takes a knock, the brackets will take the force!

The capacitor will look great when it's finished! :)

Kinky Thanks mate,All i can say; eBay is fantastic!

Found some 1" wide 1.5mm thick Aluminium Strips available in choice of lengths,

These strips 400mm long, gradual "C" shape bent to a "7" Shape 45 degree bracket would look proper Ace with the aluminium amp bolted on :) 200mm mounting surface for amp

see link: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271465566241

[GingerFlame]

Haha!

They'll look good mate! Decent price aswell if they've got a decent edge on them! :)

[Hassen]

Agreed, eBay is brilliant for getting random things like that rather than looking around in the shops. Best bit of it all, it's open 24/7! Just don't drink and eBay :P

[Lenny]

Haha!

They'll look good mate! Decent price aswell if they've got a decent edge on them! :)

Never thought about the edge,

Could always file it down or somthing,

There's a maintenance workshop in well work lol with a team of 8 dedicated members,

Had them weld a Random Cat for the Levin, they may oblige by bending these strips for me and smoothing the edges so as i don't tare an articular vein and bleed out sorry was doing First Aid Refresher course last Monday

Agreed, Ebay is brilliant for getting random things like that rather than looking around in the shops. Best bit of it all, it's open 24/7! Just don't drink and Ebay :P

+1 alcohol and eBay Auction never mix

Speaking od drunk ideas have you saw this:

http://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/topic/66589-check-it-out-glitter-bomb-via-post/

Only P.I.T.A. im experiencing now is DMB giving me the Polar shoulder with providing me payment details to begin processing the capacitor decal, those guys used to be awesome service, ford must have badly beat them up after they stopped printing custom ford badges seem reluctant now to print RedBull label.

Where else can i get it printed?

I've searched google but prices are up around 30 GBP.

[GingerFlame]

Never thought about the edge,

Could always file it down or somthing,

There's a maintenance workshop in well work lol with a team of 8 dedicated members,

Had them weld a Random Cat for the Levin, they may oblige by bending these strips for me and smoothing the edges so as i don't tare an articular vein and bleed out sorry was doing First Aid Refresher course last Monday

+1 alcohol and ebay Auction never mix

Speaking od drunk ideas have you saw this:

http://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/topic/66589-check-it-out-glitter-bomb-via-post/

Only P.I.T.A. im experiencing now is DMB giving me the Polar shoulder with providing me payment details to begin processing the capacitor decal, those guys used to be awesome service, ford must have badly beat them up after they stopped printing custom ford badges seem reluctant now to print RedBull label.

Where else can i get it printed?

I've searched google but prices are up around 30 GBP.

I used to work for a motocross shop.. Who print custom graphics. I could ask them for a quote for you?

[Hassen]

Maybe try some of the print shops in Dublin who do wraps?

[VickiW]

Plenty of fine country boys with a printer in your own town!!! Hon Wexford

[Lenny]

I used to work for a motocross shop.. Who print custom graphics. I could ask them for a quote for you?

Maybe try some of the print shops in Dublin who do wraps?

Ah ill leave it for the moment guys,

Ill maybe wait until i have it all installed, then come back to fitting the vinyl decal encase it gets scratched or somthing in the installation process,

Main thing i suppose is; i know what i want done with it and the size, just a matter of sourcing someone willing edit it to size and press the print button on there machine, if you could enquire for a quote Kieran that would be great.

Ive been making progress on the brackets;

The JL AUDIO XD300/1v2 Amp is 180mm (7.1") long,

So I've purchase two aluminium strips:

Width: 1/2" (12.7mm)

Height: 1/4" (6.35mm)

Length: 500mm (19.7")

Quantity: 2

Link: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281354092811

Better to have too much length than too little was only a few penny's in the difference between choosing 400mm (15.8") or 500mm (19.7") lengths,

The 45° downward slope will be 190mm (7.5")

This leaves me with 310mm (12.2") length to create a nice "C" shape bend followed by 190mm (7.5") straights for bolting through the boot panel with some 1/2" large diameter M6 washers assisting grip on the inside of the panel.

I'm thinking ill use some of the excess 9mm MDF (left over from the amp cavity panel install) to create a small square section around:

180mm x 143mm would provide a nice spread of the amplifiers weight.

Securing with two M6 bolts on each aluminium bracket; through the plastic boot panel and the 9mm MDF followed by securing with 1/2" washer and a lock nut.

No chance of them ever ripping through the plastic.

Only problem left to solve on this is;

Forming a nice equal "C" shape bend on the aluminium lengths,

Ill drill them out and marked up then ask the guys in work to bend them for m3 using a vice, hammer and 1.5" pipe.

[Lenny]

Update on progress:

DMB got back to me with an image of my print for the capacitor:

Looking Sweet yo!!

[JC600]

Cool, liking that Lenny......wonder if they can do a 80's coke can for the ignition coil on the Escort. :)

[Lenny]

Cool, liking that Lenny......wonder if they can do a 80's coke can for the ignition coil on the Escort. :)

that coke can idea would look sweet mate,

Perhaps custom printed hydro graphics would be best when its so close to the engine,

If you can find a graphic on google images email it to Dave and he will be happy to work with your requirements.

[Hassen]

Nice one Lenny. Did they say when they can get it back to you?

[JC600]

that coke can idea would look sweet mate,

Perhaps custom printed hydro graphics would be best when its so close to the engine,

If you can find a graphic on google images email it to Dave and he will be happy to work with your requirements.

It's on the inner wing so won't get hot, back in the day lol.....we used cut the coke, beer cans etc and wrap them round. :)

Dave done my number plates, top job he does. :)

[Lenny]

Nice one Lenny. Did they say when they can get it back to you?

no i didn't ask but i don't need it until May, I'm guessing five days via Royal mail, DMB don't charge much for shipping to Ireland as its only a hard backed envelope,

It's on the inner wing so won't get hot, back in the day lol.....we used cut the coke, beer cans etc and wrap them round. :)

Dave done my number plates, top job he does. :)

Excellent i didn't know that mate,

I just googled "RedBull can print" and the graphic came up, unfortunately its not in English think its German but it will do,

There was one in English but the silver sections were more white than proper silver,

If you can find a can print then Dave can print it see what i did there.... Can print it.

Anyways,

Asked the maintenance guys in work yesterday if they could bend these aluminium strips when they arrive,

They said they don't have the facility's to get identical bends on both strips,

They could blow torch it and bend, but may not bend accurately,

They recommend i consult there outsourced engineering contractor whom manufactures bespoke applications and ask if they can bend it,

They also advised that aluminium can be quite brittle when bending,

So ill enquire with the company when the strips arrive.

Ultimately the amp will be mounted in the desired position at 45 degrees,

It may not be these aluminium strips that's holding it there i may have to chose an alternative material.

[Lenny]

Little bit further on with fitting things together today,

Unpackaged the 4Ch Amp to size it up on the panel:

Looks pretty discreet :)

I then positioned the cables with connectors on the opposite side:

Baring in mind the amplifier connections will be the opposite when mounted on the outside of th3 panel i.e left will be right for the connections passing through the panel.

Ive now screwed down the three connectors to the panel.

Left plug is: front Speakers output from amplifier

Right socket is rear Speakers output from amplifier

And of course the vibe socket is power and sensor feeds

Im now waiting on the 19mm and 22mm hole saws to arrive from china enabling me to drill the corresponding holes,

Fit the grommets,

Mount the amp and fit the cables.

ALso awaiting 0.5metre RCA extension cables to return back in to stock on eBay shop to terminate them at rear of panel aswell,

When in normal operation it will look somthing like this:

The extra socket saw on the left is audio feed from the headunits internal amp,

This feed can be used to plug in the front speaker connection;

In the event the panel with amp needs removing and rear seat folded down,

The front Speakers can be powered directly from the headunit :)

simply unplug from the panel and plug in to this socket instead if needing to remove the panel.

Ive also listed some excess items open to offers i dont like holding exces

http://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/topic/66675-audio-upgrade-items-sale/

[Hassen]

This is going to be the tidiest electric install in Ireland. Mine is a total sea of wires, that I can't bring myself to tidy up as it's behind the back seat

Lenny I got some bits and bobs for you. Send me a pm with your address and I will post it over as these might come in handy soon.

Also, do you think it's too early to start a thread for the Irish Meet for this year?

[Lenny]

This is going to be the tidiest electric install in Ireland. Mine is a total sea of wires, that I can't bring myself to tidy up as it's behind the back seat

Each to there own mate i don't feel need to justify this is how i like to do it freedom of expressing individuality,

Perhaps I'm heavily OCD or fine attention to detail maybe both i dunno but feels pretty awesome i have to say

For me as a dedicated ford enthusiast five years now and modifying past nine years; its the attention to detail and planning and seeing the plan come to reality is what i enjoy the most, making it look factory fitted can at times be a challenge but its always part of my goal all it takes is a little extra time and planning to keep it looking OEM, for me if it doesn't look factory and i cant make it work i don't fit it, and I've not rejected any mod yet :)

Lenny I got some bits and bobs for you. Send me a pm with your address and I will post it over as these might come in handy soon.

No

its cool thanks I've bought 40 door card clips myself in the last update and I've got a dash panel removal kit on the way from Micksgarage.ie free shipping within Ireland brilliant,

Thanks for the offer but No I'm all planned out.

Also, do you think it's too early to start a thread for the Irish Meet for this year?

No need to ask me mate go ahead, earlier the better you organise it chance of gathering more people, I'm happy to arrive at the location same as everyone else on the day :)