So I'm finally getting around to posting a few things, and I'm not sure why but when it comes to the car I've had some severe ADHD. Basically one project would initiate the start of another project, and it kept cascading I've been going back and forth between different projects in order to adapt various components as I work through interferences, etc.
First up on the list, the center console - continued...
Majority of the sanding is finished, but I'm going to need to use spotting putty in a few spots. I fitted up all of my switch and bezel panels to make sure they fit like I want, and basically set it off to the side. Sadly I'm betting there will be waves in it, so I'll probably wind up upholstering it at some point, but for now I'll probably just paint it along with the dash (when I get around to it.
When I fabricated the top of the center console, it was really important that I maintain the functionality of the flip up arm rest (I'm not sure why, but I've loved it since I was a little kid). The retention clasp and the push button maintained functionality.
Next up on the list was my circuit board for the car. I mentioned in a previous post that I didn't particularly care for how other off-the-shelf wiring companies did their panels, so I decided I'd build my own. Basically I wanted relays to do all of the heavy lifting, so I designed the circuitry around that. All components were sourced from CEautoelectricsupply.com, and I'm not being paid for mentioning Tony's site. While not the cheapest around, his company has one of the best offerings anything auto, marine, etc. electric, so if you need something, check him out.
First I started by laying everything out. The black board you see is just a piece of 1/4" HDPE sheet that I bought at menards.
It took me quite a while to lay everything out and wire everything up, but overall I'm fairly satisfied with the final product.
Next came mounting it in the car, so I fabbed a relatively small mount out of 3/4" x 1/16" angle, and I welded it in the car.
Then came the wiring... and ouch. This one is still in progress, and it'll be in progress for some time. Everything looks REALLY ugly right now, but eventually it'll all be consolidated in wire loom.
In order to start routing cables, I had to put the engine back in the car. Since all electrical in my car is rear mounted, many of my cables had to be upsized, especially considering that I'm planning on running dual batteries. My starter, engine ground, and alternator cables are all going to be 1/0 cables.
). The inner fenders were a little tight going back into the car, but I managed to get everything reassembled. I had to remove quite a bit of material in order to clear the swaybar and shock mods, but the good news is that it clears, and the wheels tuck without hitting the inner fenders, and that includes running a 1/2" hubcentric wheel spacer!! I ran into a couple issues along the way, but they were fairly easily mitigated. The first issue was that if the car isn't at a certain height (i.e. air pressure) on the front end, the wheels rub the inner fenders when I turn. The good news is that since the suspension is designed to mimic the stock ride height/stance, the tires clear with the car standing at stock height. The bad news, is that if I wanted to go to a cruise night, and go low'n-slow, I'll have to be really careful when turning. The other issue was that the spacers I ordered were for a 98 mustang, which fits the bolt and hub diameters, but the hub depth is evidently different from a 98 mustang to an '03 crown vic (my front suspension). Basically the hub protrudes roughly 0.090" further on the '03 crown vic hubs than it does on the 98 mustang hubs. Fire up the mini lathe! I stuck the hubs on the minilathe and hogged out an additional 0.090", and they fit up like a charm.
