My Second Miata

[turboedpickup]

It's still slow going...but it's going! Hopefully the next update will be a more buttoned up center area - but happy with all the guides...the toggles went in without too much of a hitch. This was just to test mount and make sure everything works - it does...sort of.

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Anyone know if there are any prerequisites before the defrost clicks on? I know for the a/c - the fan needs to be ON, before it triggers. The button's for the rear defrost. I think I just answered my own question. Crap. I don't have a rear defrost (I have pigtails, but hard top doesn't have it). So this switch is only a formality. I'll need to find a use for it then...

[turboedpickup]

Well that was fast progress than I had thought Turned out better than I was hoping for! Still more to go. Need knobs and respective surrounds, and then a clock for the top center dead space.

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Items to do still...

Door cards
Center console
Finish up cleaning up the cut up dash
USB inputs
Cupholder
Recharge AC


And...figure out where the knock is coming from on the driver front. I still can't do it consistently - but it HAS happened a few times when I would push the clutch pedal in. But could never make it do it again right afterwards. Or on command in general.

[—tsingson—]

Interested to see what your plans are for the door cards. I have been researching and getting ideas but are still not sute what I want to do.

[turboedpickup]

I need to finish up the card portion. I've got vinyl ready to go on...there is the vinyl I REALLY want - but it was ~6x the cost of this one that I picked up locally. I figure I'll do the job twice...and simply double layer it for more plush if this one doesn't fit my fancy. I'd LOVE to utilize retromodern's door pull, but it's target location is where I like to rest my knee - which is why I'm redoing the door cards in the first place. Hopefully will get that part tackled in the next week or two.

I was reading your thread on the A/C recharge. Are those cans worth it? or am I better off taking it to a shop? (just needs a recharge every ~4 years)

[—tsingson—]

The AC gets cold so I think it's worth it. I mean granted, it's not cold like my 13 Expedition or anything but k am not sweating my ass off. I was glad that I had vacuumed the system a few years ago and it's held great.

[turboedpickup]

^^^ It was good to see that my system hadn't leaked all that much. It was capable of blowing air ~5 degrees cooler than ambient. It's better now - literally just right now. It'll do just fine for another few years. I wish I knew someone that had a little bit of their tank still. I'm pretty sure I only used up like ~5oz of the 20oz can.

[bogaut]

whats that metal mesh material called?

[turboedpickup]

Trade secret xD




Perforated steel

[turboedpickup]

A few updates.

The last time I took a picture of the interior, it looked like this

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Finally got to do the center console. It's my first "final draft." I'm going to change a few things like how far the new carpet sides go down to reduce the visible seams, as well as how far back it goes also to reduce the visible seams.

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But I liked how it ultimately turned out. I also bypassed the BOSE unit, got new speakers in, and relocated the stereo in the glove compartment set to "bluetooth."

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On the exterior side, it was time for a change. I looked back and it had been around a year. Then I took off my stripes, and cut my rear bumper.

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Things moving forward...

Door pulls
Door cards
Flat belly pan
Wash/clay/wax

[—tsingson—]

Looks real good. Just sits so nice.

[turboedpickup]

Inspired by Padlock (Left Lane Designs) I finally went out and got some vents from Singular. Initially was going to go for the NC vents - but then after seeing the subaru vents on the Miata, I went ahead and got them ordered.

Template laid out...

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Cuts went a lot smoother than I had expected...and faster too.

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Mark holes, drill, and clean up for final install...

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Got them in, took them for a wash (worst case of scenario - sprayed straight into the vents, and then also in the engine bay with the hood up - no problems) the next day, and then got picture taken.

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Driving on the freeway, it was odd to have more steering feel. Odd in that it felt great xD. I guess I was having more lift up front than previously thought. Also bummed out that my headlights were hazing up again. Will use a 2k clear next time I buff them out.

[turboedpickup]

I had just finally finished wrapping up my door panels. BIG progress last night and I'm happy with how they turned out. There are a few things to address. My tolerances on the door handle cover weren't open enough. I probably have ~1/16" all around, but instead need something closer to 1/8"-3/16" all around. So as of the moment, they're not sitting flush AND it's hard to open the door.

And for the passenger side I'll need to "seal" the tweeter opening better instead of just stuffing with a few more layers of foam (driver side currently). I forgot about that spot when I was trying to realign my screw holes...but it works! It has been nearly a year since the drawing/sketch I had planned out in the top pic to today's update. Wow... a year. Kids man xD



I'm still working on the speaker covers. An idea popped into my head on this morning's drive to work so I'm excited to see that move forward. Slowly but surely.

[—tsingson—]

I love the lips on the Wide Opens. Makes me miss my old ones.

[turboedpickup]

Nothing new to add except that I got a new shift knob... it feels so good in the hand. 50mm SS sphere. Simple enough.

I realized I never had an updated picture of the interior as it currently sits.

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[HarryB]

Yesss, loving it!