Most cost effective upgrades- thanks to Qxxx and Pwnin for the inspiration

[NickD85]

So I'm home from school for a few weeks, and I got right back to work on the car. I really missed it. I've got a huge list of things that I'd like to do, and thought id share two particularly good one's that have become a reality over the past two days. They're so cheap and easy that I think everyone should give them a shot if you like what you see.

MOD 1: Mesh grille, inspired by QXXX4's awesome Qx (http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2344399)



Made from carefully cut, and cleverly wire tied "gutter guard" from Home Depot. This took me less than 3 hours, and cost less than 10 bucks. I love the way it looks, especially with my clear corners and fog lights. I like it SO much more than a billet grille. We'll see how that galvanized steel holds up. I still think that I want to paint that center piece back to gold. I'd LOVE to paint the whole car black, but that's a big job and would obviously take a lot of time and effort.

MOD 2: 4.7 microfarad capacitor on factory tweeter, inspired by Pwnin O'Brien



A while back Pwnin did a writeup (zerothread?id=443885) on a mod for the factory Clarion tweeters, that involved changing the capacitors, to effectively change the crossover, and allow the tweeters to do their job. Stock, as Pwnin pointed out, and as I too noticed, they pick up only the highesttt of frequencies. This mod costs less than $3 and takes less than an hour. The difference is tremendous, and I couldn't be happier.

[abadlovesong]

Looks good. I like it. I might actually do this to my '01 Pathy. If not for looks, but for function. Last time i washed her, i found half of a dead bird underneath my radiator on a cross bar. Didn't remember hitting one but sucker got cut in half when it was hit. Ugh, that was fun to clean.

The tweeter mod is a great idea too!

[Natedogg1701]

oh the tweeter mod is great, but IMO the factory sound system is not lound enough, well if you use an aftermarket radio where you use rca cables to send signal to the factory speakers like i do its not, but the mod is a dam good idea and very intuitive, kudos to pwnin, that guys got some great ideas.

[fueler]

no offense but the painted grille looks like you got it off a black QX4 at a junkyard!

nice chickenwire grille i have the same thing but i painted mine black so you cant see it. it really helps protect the AC condensor from damage.

nice tweeter mod. i ripped mine out and threw them in garbage and replaced with JBL components

[01qwhite]

Grill looks great man, where did you get your headlights an foglights

i cant wait to do the tweeter mod

[abadlovesong]

nice chickenwire grille i have the same thing but i painted mine black so you cant see it. it really helps protect the AC condensor from damage.

When i do this mod, i plan on painting it black. i'm using it for the protection, and for a clean look.

nice tweeter mod. i ripped mine out and threw them in garbage and replaced with JBL components

this is a temporary fix till i upgrade my speakers. if this took longer, then i wouldn't even bother. but it's nothing, so i'm gonna do it.

need to upgrade my head unit first before i start changin the speakers out.

[fueler]

When i do this mod, i plan on painting it black. i'm using it for the protection, and for a clean look.

it protects. within one month of owning my QX4, i ran right down to baja for some high speed runs. hit 100mph for a long stretch and a rock hit the AC condensor, drained all the freon, cost me $500 to fix which prompted me to do the chickenwire, which ive had on for 5 years now with no further problems.

need to upgrade my head unit first before i start changin the speakers out.

very true. makes no sense to upgrade one without the other.

[abadlovesong]

it protects. within one month of owning my QX4, i ran right down to baja for some high speed runs. hit 100mph for a long stretch and a rock hit the AC condensor, drained all the freon, cost me $500 to fix which prompted me to do the chickenwire, which ive had on for 5 years now with no further problems.

ouch. i was lucky i only hit a small bird. but i must have been moving fast when i did to only find half of the poor guy. And at least i didn't have to emergency land in the hudson..

[NickD85]

Grill looks great man, where did you get your headlights an foglightsi cant wait to do the tweeter mod

Thanks guys,regarding the lights, I removed the orange inserts of both the heads and fogs, by first removing the clear lenses of both. It takes the careful use of a heat gun, which you use to soften the sealant that holds the lens on. As you work, carefully pry the lenses off with a wide screwdriver or chisel. The lights must absolutely be off of the car to do this. It can be done in a weekend and I think it's a very aesthetically pleasing upgrade... and that one's free if you've got the tools

[Pwnin O'Brien]

Have you had any issues with state inspection (or police) regarding the clear corners?

[NickD85]

I'd think the clear corners would be the last thing they'd pick up on. I don't actually think our corners need to be orange, as they don't serve as the blinkers. My understanding was that you need an orange signal (but I removed that too, by getting rid of the orange discs in the fog lights). I could be wrong though. But nope, no problems with either, or for that matter the tinted taillights, or nonexistent front plate

[t_b0ne3]

If you want orange blinkers up front after you clear the fogs use Sylvania sivler star amber bulbs,they look like they were dipped in oil all different colors but light up amber. I have them in my harley blinkers and they are tight!

[Evak]

That grill looks great! Any pictures of where you zip-tied on the back or some type of walk-through? Instead of painting the truck black, on other boards guys have been using vinyl wraps. I have thought about doing it myself.

[Qxxx4]

lookin good! the mesh is a pain to keep clean, after my first winter it wasnt as shiny as before

guys i know im never on much, my q is a MESS, I just finished school, moved to a new town, and am in the middle of job interviews and stuff. Plus theres loads of salt and snow on the ground so the q is dirrrrty. as soon as spring rolls around i will be here 24/7 again haha

i keep checking in on my blackberry tho,seems definately are more happening in the summer!

[fueler]

coolgood to see you around, qxxx4. i commented you on cardomain but ya never replied! im im yucatan peninsula of mexico right now. 30 mins from cancun. the weather kinda sucks here, about 70F in the day but cloudy and sometimes raining. San Diego definitely has better weather.

My QX4 is freshly detailed inside and out, and hidden in a locked garage right now as soon as i get back, im cruising straight to the beach to cruise the strip. I miss my sound system!!!

[GRNMACHINE]

Lookin good. I second the request to show how/where you attatched the mesh (especially the lower section)?? Few years ago had a rock go thru A/C condensor as well. Been looking for something that looks okay and still serve as protection to the condensor.

I also have to check out the tweeter upgrade when the weather gets a little warmer.

[exvin]

WOWWWWW - Grill looks great!

I wish I could do something custom with my 2000 Pathy grill

[abadlovesong]

WOWWWWW - Grill looks great!

I wish I could do something custom with my 2000 Pathy grill

You can! I just did it the other day. I just need to wash the pathy so it looks nicer than it does now. I'll put some pics up as soon as that's done, and where i secured the mesh.

edit - i found this thread just now, and Holidazed had done this mod to his pathy a year ago. He's got a few pics on how to take off the grill but not where the zip ties are. i'll hopefully get those up tomorrow
Modified by abadlovesong at 8:14 PM 1/18/2010

[GRNMACHINE]

Any pics yet?? Really want to see where the zip ties are attatched. Thanks

[KyooX4]

If you want orange blinkers up front after you clear the fogs use Sylvania sivler star amber bulbs,they look like they were dipped in oil all different colors but light up amber. I have them in my harley blinkers and they are tight!

They aren't available in the size bulb the front turn signals require, only the rear signals. You can get chrome coated signals for the front, but the light output isn't that great.

[NickD85]

Any pics yet?? Really want to see where the zip ties are attatched. Thanks

Sorry man, i've been back a college for the past two weeks, and sadly 200 miles away from my Q. It's nothing that's too hard to figure out though, if you want to do it, all it takes is a little patience and some careful thought. There are three pieces of mesh. The top one isn't zip tied at all, just inserted between the two halves of that bumper piece (take it off the car, disassemble, cut a piece of mesh to fit, reassemble). The second piece is both sandwiched and attached with zip ties, also done with the bumper piece off the car. The bottom piece is purely zip tied. You can figure out a few key locations to drill holes and zip tie, where they won't be visible unless your're under the car/REALLY looking for them.

[GRNMACHINE]

Thanks for the info Nick. When it warms up I will check it out better. I have a grill guard so getting the bumper cover off wont be as easy. Will need some time in warm weather to remove the guard and the bumper cover.

Much Appreciated.