My QX4 build pt2

[anyonebutme]

Continuing thread from my previous rebuild thread, I feel I made enough small changes to warrant an update. Still haven't got around to replacing the suspension bushings I need to. Flickr reduced the free account pic limit to 1K, so I won't be taking a lot more pics from now on.

I noticed the cheap light bar I installed didn't appear to throw light correctly, gives a hot spot down low and right instead of straight out. Turns out the lenses inside it were not aimed correctly. I installed a new rally light bar from Diode Dynamics while I took apart the cheap one to see if I can fix it. It seems aligned better now but I think I'll install it as a reverse light or on the work truck. I also changed out the cheap LED high beams to a more expensive and better aimed brand. It helps a bit but if I were to rely on the high beams alone I would spend the money for a better LED replacement, maybe Diode Dynamics SL1.

The Diode Dynamics SS18 seems built way better, and throws light further, but it's around $100 more expensive than my old light bar. 20% off black friday sale helped. Dollar to lumens the Amazon special is hard to beat if it's aimed correctly, as long as you're not expecting Baja Designs distance. I chose the combo pattern, but may purchase another long distance lens to see how much further I can get it to throw. You can also see the Comet ham radio antenna on the roof. It also draws twice and amperage so I'm right on the edge of what the high beam light wiring can support I think. If it gives me trouble I'll remove the stock high beam lights as they aren't doing that much anymore.

IMG_20181201_145711322_HDR by Chris Patterson, on Flickr

IMG_20181201_145732557_HDR by Chris Patterson, on Flickr


Next up was ham radio install and APRS setup. There is no cell reception where the rally is located so only communication is amateur radio. The tablet is connected to the radio and transmits my location, speed, some other info, and allows text/sms and waypoint information to be passed back and forth. Also shows me location of other APRS stations via their GPS data. Later with winlink will allow me to send and receive email and stuff via radio, neat stuff. The one pic from eye view doesn't show it, but I can read the display from that weird angle. To mount it I removed the sunglasses holder and like magic the head unit was exactly the right height and shape to clip in using the holder button. So I can push the button and remove the head unit if I wanted to to prevent theft or something. I didn't plan it that way, just worked out. I can put the sunglasses holder back when I sell and nobody would know the difference.

IMG_20181215_163548151 by Chris Patterson, on Flickr

IMG_20181215_163623915 by Chris Patterson, on Flickr

IMG_20181215_163413373 by Chris Patterson, on Flickr

IMG_20181215_163450131 by Chris Patterson, on Flickr

The mount is from Pro Fit International, then a short ram arm and ram 7" tablet holder. I modified a micro USB charging hub so it simultaneously charges the tablet while communicating with the radio. Apparently none of the commercially available USB hubs that say they work with windows tablets actually do so, had to buy a few before I looked up the actual USB protocol and modify one. I didn't have the correct size screws to mount it but it works anyways, just not as pretty. Now I just need to route the dash cam wire out of the way and it'll look clean.

IMG_20181215_163642493 by Chris Patterson, on Flickr

Next on the list is removing the running boards, they are rusted and in the way. Mud flaps. Suspension redo, bushings, springs, and shocks. Still needs new wheels and larger tires, 2 are leaking, maybe nail or maybe cracked wheels again. One of the exhaust sections broke off, so will take care of that.
Maybe turbo it or something, it's gutless, lol.

Someone asked about the type of roads I use it on, but not quite THAT fast:

[youtube]https://youtu.be/lqHQEV0tLLo?t=2m6s[/youtube]

[youtube]https://youtu.be/NMDI53gOFiQ?t=47s[/youtube]

[anyonebutme]

I forgot to mention another reason I took out the cheap light bar. It caused interference with the ham radio due to unfiltered circuits in the LED board. The Diode Dynamics makes zero noise. The LED headlights make a tiny bit of noise, hardly noticable. The voltage converters on the HID Daylighters make a bit of noise when starting up but become silent after a few seconds as the bulbs heat up. I never checked if the light bar made noise on the car radio because I don't use it because it sounds like trash, probably blown speakers, but at least the CD changer still works, lol.

[Niti QX4]

Wow! Very nice!!

[anyonebutme]

Testing laser light modules as high beams, found that the blinders built inside our high beams preclude their use.

Bare laser module compared to LED high beam qx4:

IMG_20191217_130658_9 by Chris Patterson, on Flickr

Laser module inside high beam housing:

IMG_20191217_130453_4 by Chris Patterson, on Flickr

I didn't feel like taking the headlights apart to modify the housings and remove the shields inside the projectors, so installed them in the fog lights of one of my trucks.

IMG_20191226_180015_9 by Chris Patterson, on Flickr

low beam:

IMG_20191226_183611_2 by Chris Patterson, on Flickr

high beam:

IMG_20191226_183613_7 by Chris Patterson, on Flickr

Low beam with laser:

IMG_20191226_183617_8 by Chris Patterson, on Flickr

high beam with laser:

IMG_20191226_183620_3 by Chris Patterson, on Flickr




These tiny lasers are no joke when it comes to throw. Also not bad for 16w of power draw. The OSRAM laser units in the BMW i8 and Audi R8 are even better, but cost a LOT more. I might buy a few more and build a custom housing to mount some to the QX4, but that is far down the list. I need to decide if I'm going to pump the money into this car to get the suspension sorted or keep it as it is. Would really like a small lift and new wheels and tires. I also been thinking about a manual transmission swap, I am not a fan of this transmission at all. I think I can get 20MPG out of it with a manual from the pathfinder.