What's In ALM's Garage?

[5.0ALM]

Dash Cam System #2 Install

It's the RAV4's turn to get the same Viofo A329 2-Channel dash cam system.

I have a new appreciation of how easy the Mustang install was now.

Because the RAV4 is a daily driver with extended periods of parking recording being required, powering it from fuse taps using the Viofo HK4 Hardwire Kit was mandatory.

This bit is not difficult, just a PITA.

As it turned out, P/OUTLET No. 1 was a battery feed.
P/OUTLET No. 2 was a switched IGN feed.

Running the rear camera cable was same same as the Mustang.
Use your fingers and the provided trim tool to poke the cable under the headliner and door rubbers, and make your way back towards the rear.

This is where the four-letter expletives start... the damn tailgate!

Getting the cable into the tailgate.
We have two choices to feed the cable up through the rubber boots and cable management.

Looking at photo time stamps, I spent the best part of an hour getting this bit done.

Seriously, there must have been 20+ small wires running through here in that loom.

Carefully nipping the rubber boot on the inside side and using coat hanger wire to feed the camera cable proved successful. Cable ties of various sizes were tried, but all got caught up inside. The stiff coat hanger wire provides visual feedback where the end is, and you can massage the rubber to help provide a straight-as-possible path for the coat hanger wire.

End result, and you can see the rear dash cam in the mirror!

Time will tell if the dash cam affects the DAB antenna's pattern (to the right) and reception.
And that's another thing, the Mustang's DAB antenna must be in the shark fin, because DAB reception is much better in the Stang.

I originally used the static sticker to mount the front camera, like I did with the Mustang, but the windscreen frits (the black dots) caused the static sticker to peel away from the glass. To work, it relies on the glass being, well, smooth as glass.

Once you have some driving done, you can then review the footage and tweak settings accordingly.

For the Mustang, compensation for the rear window being tinted meant tweaking the rear cam exposure up.

If you saw my Raceseng shift knob install video, I managed to sneak in some dash cam footage - always handy to have extra cameras if you're into that!

I can tell you the raw dash cam footage (of both front and back) is infinitely better than what you see on Youtube, especially the front 4k camera.

That video was only rendered out at 1080P 12MBs, and YT obviously compresses it even more.
Compression is obvious with the pixelation on fast changing scene detail (ie; the motorway on-ramp foliage off to the left).

Job done.

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[5.0ALM]

Rokblokz Splash Guards

Demonstrating that you can fit the rear splash guards without having to raise the ve-hicle or take the rear wheels off.

Only basic tools required.

 

[5.0ALM]

Nerd Alert!

This could be handy in the future, the vehicle's As-Built data.
I was expecting an export VIN wouldn't work... but it does!

Enter your VIN, and you can download an XML file (which in itself is useless with FORScan etc), but doing a screen print as a PDF, and saving that PDF becomes a handy look up reference document.

I'm curious to see what the dealer changed (most likely in the Body Control Module) to disable the irritating double-horn honk upon exiting.

Time to drag out the OBD2 adapter and FORScan and have a first-time peek.

The Livinitup spreadsheet can be downloaded via the first post in that FORScan list topic by roket.

 

[5.0ALM]

Rocker Panel Graphics

I know this isn't everyones cup of tea, but isn't that great about the Mustang - we can customise it how we like it.

The plain vanilla Oxford White can always do with some dressing up, whereas a lot of other colours need nothing done at all.

These graphics came from Mustang Restyled, who by default do not ship outside of the US.
Josh, the small business owner, was extremely responsive and helpful and would have organised international shipping. I did end up getting it shipped to my hotel in Chicago when I was working there several months ago.

The difference in customer service between dealing with a large(r) company and a small business is chalk and cheese. I highly recommend Mustang Restyled.

After a failed hood spears install, entirely my fault, it's taken me six more weeks to work up the courage, and apply these.

Now moving outside where there is more room to work on the drivers side.
Something about doing the weeds before taking photos!

Final result:

I have to work out why I can screw up a hood spear so badly, being a single segment, but the rocker panel graphics comprising of 10 segments each side can be done quite OK.

Matt black tends to hide any imperfections so much better than a gloss black vinyl, I know that.


And a very un-exciting time lapse below, starting after the large rear segment was already on.

I was constantly referring the passenger side to measure the distance between the inner segments, which I was applying separately. This was because the front protective layer had ripples in it. ie; wasn't dead flat with the vinyl behind it. You can see that in the image below:

To be sure the squeegee was making proper contact on all of these segments, they were applied individually. Not hard, just took a bit longer.

 

[VB50GT]

Looks really good on the white car.

I don't want to poke the bear...but the hood spears would really finish it off...

 

[jimgt2k24]

Since you are now a 'pro' at these side strips, the similar/segmented hood strips would look great too!

 

[5.0ALM]

Looks really good on the white car.

I don't want to poke the bear...but the hood spears would really finish it off...

Since you are now a 'pro' at these side strips, the similar/segmented hood strips would look great too!

Mustang Restyled do have three variants of hood spears.

But, nah, I've had two attempts at hood spears (from different suppliers) and have managed to screw it up on both occasions.

I know my limits, and when to give up!

 

[5.0ALM]

.FLAC Audio Files

An unexpected discovery tonight!

Not sure if this is in the manual or not (the html manual is vague and generic, slow and painful to use, and I avoid it unless desperate!), and just discovered by trying it out, you can play .FLAC audio files on the B&O system.

The red glowing USB stick fits in nicely with the red Slammer weighted shift knob.

 

[PKs]

.FLAC Audio Files

An expected discovery tonight!

Not sure if this is in the manual or not (the html manual is vague and generic, slow and painful to use, and I avoid it unless desperate!), and just discovered by trying it out, you can play .FLAC audio files on the B&O system.

The red glowing USB stick fits in nicely with the red Slammer weighted shift knob.

They also play on the 2018+ but I have mainly moved to YouTube music in the car.

 

[5.0ALM]

It was disappointing that nobody was interested in a cars 'n coffee last weekend or next weekend.
(As advertised in the Meets and Events section of this forum)
Even more so how the previous weekends were wiped out with rain and storms in SE QLD.

So, it was long overdue to go for a drive, and a few days ago out to the ever faithful Fernvale Bakery for a coffee and cake.

Beware!
Mr Plod with a radar speed gun sitting in his 4WD along the main drag catching those not adhering to the 50kmh town limit.

It's been a few months and the Titanium Black exhaust tips from Burg Design have not come loose or anything.
I reckon they look much better than the factory tips.

It was quite a warm day on Tuesday, so ventilated seats are a great thing to have.

With music cranked up loud, on to Esk, where another cafe was discovered... will keep this as the coffee destination next time I'm out this way.

Along with some quiet roads around the Wivenhoe dam area, where you can give it a squirt.

Just over 200 clicks of fun.

And for those with a manual, I can highly recommend a weighted shift knob.
The extra mass of the knob makes changing gears effortless, and very satisfying.

 

[VB50GT]

I've gotta say I didn't even see the post about rescheduling the trip - my bad. I'd be keen to catch up next weekend if you're up for it (weather permitting of course...).

 

[Binchicken1979]

I didnt see the rescheduling either. I wonder if there is a way to turn on specific notifications for that tread.....

Edit: Found the Watch button for that part of the forum. Now I will be notified when Events are posted so I dont miss them. Keen to check out everyone's ride.

 

[VB50GT]

Good idea - I just turned that on too

 

[Binchicken1979]

Damn, only 200km driven. I have had mine for only a couple of weeks and clocked just over 600km's. Couple of long drives to see family and friends, and any other excuse to take it for a drive

 

[Deano1978]

Damn, only 200km driven. I have had mine for only a couple of weeks and clocked just over 600km's. Couple of long drives to see family and friends, and any other excuse to take it for a drive

I suspect that's only the km Adam clocked up on the pie run

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