Page 1 of 2

Some fun projects i have been working on.

Posted: March 6th, 2011, 3:52 pm
by SilverXJ
Figured I would post a few other project I have been working on for the XJ between screwing with my failure of a stroker.

First I made a gauge bezel/overlay. I had been thinking about doing something like this for a while since I have access to a router at work. Previous I had one of the cheap stainless 2d ones found on ebay. The final nudge to get me going came from a friend in Canada (got in touch with him on an Australia brake buy I was working on) that mentioned he would like something similar to the chrome surrounds found on newer vehicles. I purchased a gauge cluster for test fitting and scanned it in to my computer. From there I brought it into illustrator and drew the shapes needed. After several test cuts and alterations in Illustrator I came up with what you see below. It is 6061 T6 aluminum, sandblasted then hard anodized grey. The text and symbols were etched on the laser at work. The speedo and tach have 45* bevel and the other gauges are straight cut. 3 different designs were made. The one that has "Supercharged" on it is for the guy in Canada. This project went well over a year in production. It is pure bling but it came out better than expected.

Image
Image
Image
Image

The second one I was working on is a multigauge. I wanted some extra gauges, but didn't see anything I liked. Just purchasing somethign would have been too expensive, too many and have taken up too much room. When you start adding crap to the interior you realize how limited the space you have to work with is. The gauge will display engine vacuum, oil pressure, oil temp, and transmission temp. I can also later add other sensors and features to it if I want to. It is based on an Arduino Duemilanove (http://arduino.cc/en/). The Duemilanove has 6 analog inputs and 14 digital input/outputs (http://arduino.cc/en/Main/ArduinoBoardDiecimila). It is programmed in C. Amazingly I actually remembered how to program in C. The display is a 16x2 trans-reflective LCD amber in color. It is encased in a 4 part plexi housing; clear back, clear mid section, black front with clear lens. The housing was also cut on the router. The Arduino and its power supply)it takes 7-12v for input) are mounted behind the glove box. For temperature I used ISSPro sensors, oil I used an Autometer sensor, and for vacuum I will tie into the factory MAP sensor. I normal operation it will display oil temp, oil pressure, transmission temp, and vacuum. Should the oil pressure drop too low, the oil temp get to high, or the transmission temp too high it will sound an alarm (really annoying) and display the out of spec parameter (which can be seen in the images). I used a RAM mount to attach it to the mirror arm. The oil pressure sensor is at the back of the block where the stock sensor has been relocated to. The oil temp sensor is placed after the oil filter where the stock oil pressure sensor use to be. The transmission temp sensor will be placed after the hot hard line and before the soft line for the cooler that I installed earlier.

Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image


The last project is a more concealer radar detector. A few years ago I had made a concealed mount for my Valentine 1 on the over head console out of fiberglass, as seen below, and used its remote display mounted on the dash. I was unhappy with a) where the remote display was mounted (low right of the gauge cluster) and the fact that the Velcro that was holding it on kept falling off. I decided to mount it behind the dash it self. I used the router to cut a hole in the dash panel to the upper right of the gauge cluster then cut a lexan panel to fit flush in the hole in that hole. I also put some tint on the back of the lexan to disguise it further when off. The display was converted from all red leds to different color leds indication signal strength and the band. The mute/function button was installed on the dash below the toggle switch for the Lightforce lights I installed years ago. Now I have a completely concealer and out of the way radar detector.

Image
Image
Image
Image
Image

I am also working on a headlight leveling system found on the European XJs. I have the switch installed and wired but have not yet installed teh leveling servos and brackets.

Image


I still would like to cut some new pedals on the router and a battery hold down. Maybe some other stuff if I have time.

One last image or everything:

Image

Re: Some fun projects i have been working on.

Posted: March 6th, 2011, 5:48 pm
by shawnxj
like the remote valentine setup. might have to steal it for mine. also like the second gauge cluster bling

Re: Some fun projects i have been working on.

Posted: March 7th, 2011, 7:40 am
by amcinstaller
good to see someone who loves aftermarket toys almost as much as me!! :cheers: looks great! anything more in there?

Re: Some fun projects i have been working on.

Posted: March 7th, 2011, 9:37 am
by sabinespeed
Wow, that guage cluster looks nice...I especially like the lettering along the side of the tach. Looks classy.

Re: Some fun projects i have been working on.

Posted: March 7th, 2011, 7:23 pm
by SilverXJ
amcinstaller wrote:good to see someone who loves aftermarket toys almost as much as me!! :cheers: looks great! anything more in there?
I have lots of aftermarket stuff... as far as gadgets/electronics I also have the wideband, seen at the very front of the center console. The Apexi is off to the right, but that will be replaced with a PSC1. I have a Pioneer premier head unit, infinity kappa speakers, an Infinity Basslink in the trunk and a Pioneer amp to install. There are two GM air ride compressors in the trunk and an air tank for them (recycled scuba tank actually). The two switches below the V1 display are for the Lightforce lights. One is for on all the time, one for on only with the high beams. Beside the transmission shifter is a switch for the reverse fogs (tinted glass makes the stock reverse lamps even more useless... just ask my rear bumper what it though about that tree), and another switch for the compressors. On the right side of the center console is a CB radio. I also installed an electo-chromatic mirror. I got it at a swap meet for $10.. the guy have 4 others, which I should have also purchased at that price. I also have a Viper remote start system with two way paging. I may eventually move the multigauge and wide band into the overhead center console. And I really want to build a carputer. MP3s, Garmin, OBD2 gauges, etc, all in the same place.

Aside from that I have the handmade aluminum pedals, a 5.9L leather shifter handle, diamond plate floor mats, and a lowered driver's seat. Then there is the brakes and suspension upgrade.. which I can list if you like. Lol.

Re: Some fun projects i have been working on.

Posted: March 8th, 2011, 11:31 am
by amcinstaller
for my next car i have some computer parts ill be using for a carputer. 15 inch lcd in the dash here i come!! :twisted: also, all digital designs, planet audio and a premier deck, with compustar 2 way alarm/starter :D

Re: Some fun projects i have been working on.

Posted: March 8th, 2011, 7:06 pm
by SilverXJ
15" is a little large for a carputer... hope you get a big car next time.

Re: Some fun projects i have been working on.

Posted: March 9th, 2011, 2:14 pm
by YJason
That guage cluster is really nice, it makes me miss being a machinist.

Re: Some fun projects i have been working on.

Posted: March 9th, 2011, 2:29 pm
by Tinga
Very Nice. If you ever get around to wanting to do a TJ overlay, lemme know. I'll tear mine apart and get some specs for ya :P

Re: Some fun projects i have been working on.

Posted: March 9th, 2011, 4:40 pm
by 92tank
the tj gauge cluster it the same as the xj. i think

Re: Some fun projects i have been working on.

Posted: March 9th, 2011, 5:13 pm
by SilverXJ
92tank wrote:the tj gauge cluster it the same as the xj. i think
I believe it is. The low fuel indicator may be slightly different though.

Re: Some fun projects i have been working on.

Posted: March 9th, 2011, 9:13 pm
by Tinga
SilverXJ wrote:
92tank wrote:the tj gauge cluster it the same as the xj. i think
I believe it is. The low fuel indicator may be slightly different though.
I think it might be a tad different. Of course if I actually had my effin TJ I'd check. Stoopid mechanic is sitting on my damn motor :doh:

Re: Some fun projects i have been working on.

Posted: June 21st, 2011, 5:23 pm
by SilverXJ
Just a short update. The multi gauge has been working fine, but I don't have the vacuum hooked up yet. I'll do that when I change the Apexi out for wither an FTC1 or AEM unit in the future. See below for pics. I also found something nice on the gauge bezel I didn't think of/plan on. The light from the gauges reflects on the 45* cuts for the speedo and tach. Neat.
Image

Image

Re: Some fun projects i have been working on.

Posted: July 21st, 2011, 9:36 am
by sabinespeed
I love it man. Inventive stuff.

Re: Some fun projects i have been working on.

Posted: October 7th, 2011, 2:10 pm
by TJ9999
Very cool stuff and well made!
I would love to fit a trans temp gauge on my TJ stroker but still have too figure out where and how to fix which sensor. :geek: