Life2's summer projects

[Life2]

I'm sorry but this will not be some crazy in-depth restoration project, fortunately my gen 3.5 is damn near mint. Also, this will not be about an awesome FI setup or even a manual swap

I have enough toys keeping me entertained and I'm only waiting on the next one once Subaru launches their version of the FT86.

So what the hell am I doing if I'm not trying to make my car fast or look pretty?

Well I like the gen 3.5 a lot...but it's a pretty spartan car even as an XLE when you try to compare it to even the lower end of the spectrum for modern cars. With that said I'm aiming to make the interior a little bit more appealing over this summer. I will gladly entertain any and all suggestions for things I can do and if it's reasonable enough and can be pulled off so in the end it can appear stock I will be very down to do it.

My plans as of right now...

-Buy a center console from an I4 model and fit in a bottle holder (so sick of small cup holders) and iPhone tray where the handbrake would go.

-Use the switch cutouts from the I4 center console to control some things. The first one will be to control the C pillar lights I will be installing. Not sure what the second switch will do, feel free to offer ideas.

-Cup holders and a phone tray for the rear armrest

-Replace all interior lights with LED's



So first I started off with the custom center console. I picked up this phone holder/cup holder combo from Zipboys. For some reason I assumed it was plastic....turns out it's foam



Well since it's foam it was easy to cut up at least



So obviously if I just put this cup holder in the change tray of the console it's gonna protrude a lot...well that's why I decided to dremel out the change tray a bit (this becomes a problem later...)





Now to cut out the top a bit to fit the phone tray...Note the lack of car and general not giving a shit about doing this perfectly...



But of course I cleaned it up a bit and made a little mock up



Then here comes the fiberglass!









Now something I've been contemplating is the middle part where the opening for the handbrake is, not being strong enough. So I flipped the console over and loaded 'er up with some more resin....



Updates will be coming but unfortunately I spend around 10 hours a day working/commuting to and from work. All I ask is PLEASE no flaming. If you don't like what I'm doing that's fine. I work in the pharma industry so I obviously have NO automotive training at all. I just do this for fun when I come home from work. Thankfully I have a decent work ethic so these things will get done and they WILL look good.

[Chris Crash]

I LOVE it. Major props for breaking out some glass and doing some custom work....don't see much of that anymore these days...

Keep up the great work dude! It's gonna look sick as hell.

[Life2]

Thanks a lot Chris! Yeah this stuffs a pain in the ass to work with so I appreciate the support.

I Had to take a temporary hiatus from the center console to figure out how to get my USB port to charge my iPhone 4 which apparently requires more energy than a typical USB outlet.

I started sanding my console and cutting out the locations for the switches and the cupholder itself. Sprayed on a quick coat of paint just so I could more easily see where I need to sand....and because I wanted to pretend I was done.



Now for my USB port, I pretty much just hacked up one of the USB cigarette lighter adapters for this. Added some resistors to work out my power issue.







Wooohooo! My phone may actually be charged once in awhile now

[Life2]

Got my head up display going


Tomorrow I'm gonna apply some clear mirror film to that part of the windshield so it reflects more sharply.

[animated_zombie]

First off awesome work! Defiantly keeping an eye on this one! But if you don't mind me asking, where did you find (or make) the HUD? I've been wanting those for both of my rides, and it seems as though you've gotten the look I've been looking for.

Thanks in advance, and keep up the good work!

[oopssorryy]

Your doing so nice work in there. You could spring for some heated leather seats or something. Maybe get some tint on the windows, new exhaust.... I really dig you car, keep going with these projects on your interior will make the Gen 6 guys jealous!

[Chris Crash]

I'm guessing you'll be doing a handbrake to ebrake conversion? Or are you just going to pretend you don't have either?

[CBZED101]

I'm curious about the HUD as well...or is it just the Iphone app?

[Life2]

Thanks guys!

I have 20% tint already but definitely a good call. As far as the exhaust, not my cup of vodka.

As for the hand brake, I'm keeping the foot brake. The e-brake slot is fibgerglassed over.

As for the hud....just an iphone app. Totally trollin for replies. But I will say it's quite a good one. As much as I want to mold a real HUD into my dash, I can't justify that for this car. It's not something I drive fast enough to need it in. However, it's a VERY awesome way to make your car look infinitely more modern. It's extremely accurate too.

[animated_zombie]

Well damn... oh well. Keep up the good work though!

[oopssorryy]

Dang, I was wondering about the HUD as well. Just another reason to get an IPhone i guess. I understand about the exhaust, my minds a bit stuck on it, as mine fell off....