Modding Tips, Tricks & Hints

[GrantK]

How about a thread with "Wow! Why didn't I think of that" non-mod specific tips and tricks to make modding and/or working on your truck easier?

I'll start with a few simple ones.

*) When removing small trim panels/pieces, use a paint marker to ID where the go on the back side. It makes putting them back where they go easier when there are ones that look alike.
*) A back-packers head lamp will put light right where you need it when your hands are full or you can't get work-lights in the right place. I use the Princton-Tec EOS.
*) It always seemed that I didn't have enough plugs for lights, drills, Dremel, soldering, etc when working on vehicles. So I picked up a 8 outlet power strip and a 30' extension cord to replace the stock cord on the power strip. Now I always have enough outlets.
*) Freezer bags with white labeling areas are great for putting small parts in. They're tough and you can write where they parts are from on the label area with a Sharpie.

 

[FactoryRide]

Good idea for a thread!!

Hadn't thought of the head lamp. I have a small LED with a magnet on the end that helps when up under the floor board or doing similar stuff.

I like to use zip-ties for everything! haha They help keep some of the excess wiring up under my dash from dangling down and in the way.

 

[GrantK]

Good idea for a thread!!

Hadn't thought of the head lamp. I have a small LED with a magnet on the end that helps when up under the floor board or doing similar stuff.

I like to use zip-ties for everything! haha They help keep some of the excess wiring up under my dash from dangling down and in the way.

I use ZIP ties all over the place as well. Along with keeping things neat and tidy, they allow having extra wire in place so when you pull off a panel for something else, you just cut the ZIP tie and have lots of slack in the wire to move the panel around.

 

[FactoryRide]

I use ZIP ties all over the place as well. Along with keeping things neat and tidy, they allow having extra wire in place so when you pull off a panel for something else, you just cut the ZIP tie and have lots of slack in the wire to move the panel around.

Exactly. That's how I wired my lights without cutting excess wire! They're also all over the wires I have ran for the stereo I put in and removed a month later. lol

 

[1engineer]

Major mods I made were to vehicles back in the '80's. I will give you guys one very important tip though as even with my small mods I do now (vent shades, tires, etc because of the high milage I drive)

Most Important Tip:
1. Sit down and plan all the mods you ever want to accomplish and develop a timeline when you want to achieve these mods! No impulse or spur of the moment buys!

This way you can plan and research and sometimes save big bucks by moving your mods around depending on an opportunity buy (from the FS thread for example) or a special sale from Ducmonsta as another example. Bottom line: Plan as many mods as you want up front and research them to death and move them to take advantage of opportunities be they availability or cost. Good Luck!

 

[Hellamatic]

Use Never-Seize while installing any bolts that are exposed to the elements (unless they specifically require Loctite or another product.) Also, it's a good idea to apply a little Never-Seize between the rim and hub whenever installing aluminum wheels. Galvanic corrosion can cause the rim to stick to the hub and it can become very difficult to remove. I've ran into situations where I've had to use large gear pullers, a bottle jack between the tire and frame, or even dropping the truck off the jack from a foot up with the lug nuts loosened in extreme situations.

 

[Hellamatic]

Another tip I just thought of, though not specifically mod-related....

Buy a good quality bottle jack, a 1/2" drive breaker bar, and the right sized socket for your lug nuts, and carry these tools in the vehicle at all times if you can spare the room. There's nothing worse than being on the side of the road in crappy weather and trying to use the junk tools that come with your vehicle.

I'm sure this thread will become a great source of random info and tips....I'm looking forward to everyone's input!:snacker:

 

[kenski]

Freezer bags with white labeling areas are great for putting small parts in. They're tough and you can write where they parts are from on the label area with a Sharpie.

I use these or sometimes just the produce bags from the grocery store. The point is, use clear bags so when you go rumbling through stuff, you don't have to open and re-tie each bag to see what's in it.

Along the lines of bagging and tagging, save EVERYTHING.

When removing a panel or something that's screwed (or bolted) on, instead of collecting the screws in a pile, I put them back where they came from -- just a couple finger turns. That way when I'm reinstalling I know exactly where each screw goes.

 

[Vegas]

Love the idea of this thread! Please keep the tips coming...

If I can throw a request out here... Any tips on a cost effective way to get into small frabriction? All I am talking about is little stuff like a battery tray or a fog light bracket... The most I would know how to do is use sheet metal and tin snips to cut it and bend it... Any other DIY methods that do not involve going to a machine shop or buying a water jet cutting tool... Maybe get a thin block of aluminum and a grinder to cut it then file down sharp edges?

 

[Hellamatic]

Love the idea of this thread! Please keep the tips coming...

If I can throw a request out here... Any tips on a cost effective way to get into small frabriction? All I am talking about is little stuff like a battery tray or a fog light bracket... The most I would know how to do is use sheet metal and tin snips to cut it and bend it... Any other DIY methods that do not involve going to a machine shop or buying a water jet cutting tool... Maybe get a thin block of aluminum and a grinder to cut it then file down sharp edges?

Buy yourself a decent little MIG welder and a good 5" angle grinder. Spend the extra cash to buy a bottle of shield gas and skip using flux core wire. I can do lots of my fabbing with just a welder and grinder.

Another tip, that's a little more esoteric......don't be afraid of wrecking anything! I've learned a lot by just jumping in with both feet, getting in over my head, experiencing moments of sheer panic, then thinking things through and coming up with a solution!

 

[KidVermicious]

Love the idea of this thread! Please keep the tips coming...

If I can throw a request out here... Any tips on a cost effective way to get into small frabriction? All I am talking about is little stuff like a battery tray or a fog light bracket... The most I would know how to do is use sheet metal and tin snips to cut it and bend it... Any other DIY methods that do not involve going to a machine shop or buying a water jet cutting tool... Maybe get a thin block of aluminum and a grinder to cut it then file down sharp edges?

Welders are awesome, but if all you're making is brackets you don't need one. Get an angle grinder with an assortment of wheels (flap disc, cutoff wheel, grinder wheel) and a big vise and rubber hammer to bend metal with, and you'll be set. Don't buy your metal at the hardware store or you'll get ripped off, buy from the scrap/remainders pile at your local metal-mart or whatever.

 

[MeBe4running]

Major mods I made were to vehicles back in the '80's. I will give you guys one very important tip though as even with my small mods I do now (vent shades, tires, etc because of the high milage I drive)

Most Important Tip:
1. Sit down and plan all the mods you ever want to accomplish and develop a timeline when you want to achieve these mods! No impulse or spur of the moment buys!

This way you can plan and research and sometimes save big bucks by moving your mods around depending on an opportunity buy (from the FS thread for example) or a special sale from Ducmonsta as another example. Bottom line: Plan as many mods as you want up front and research them to death and move them to take advantage of opportunities be they availability or cost. Good Luck!

This x2^^

I just re-wired all five LED lights on my truck as a result of impulse. I was so excited about my new rack that I rushed the wiring. I also had the mentality of "I have done this twice before" (always dangerous) no need to sit down and write a plan. I was WRONG, DO ONE! It will save you both time and major migraines in the LONG run!!

By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail. - Benjamin Franklin

 

[1engineer]

This x2^^

By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail. - Benjamin Franklin

A goal without a plan is just a wish. -- Antoine de Saint-Exupery

If you do not automatically think of these two quotes before doing any project then I guarantee you will be upset with yourself before the project is done. Just add these to the "Measure twice cut once" mantra you mutter to yourself when a mistake will cost you $$$ if you screw up.

 

[phillyd2]

Hogwash!

The only prep I sometimes do is before slicing / dicing / cutting I find out how much it would cost to buy a new part if I royally screw up. If it's overly expensive I ask a friend or two to help so that blame can be evenly distributed.

 

[jangoforhire]

Get one of these:

It may seem like an unnecessary tool (because it is), but I guarantee that you will find WAY more uses for this than you ever imagined once you have one. I originally got it to help with running wires, but have used it to find bolts I dropped, see if there was room behind a panel...etc. All jobs can be done without this, but it just speeds things up so much - it's just really useful to have. Plus the one I have has an LED light, hook, and magnet that can be attached which really comes in handy (especially the magnet).

I have this one here and love it: M12 Red Lithium 12-Volt Cordless M-Spector 360 Digital Inspection Camera Kit-2313-21 at The Home Depot

 

[Hellamatic]

Hogwash!

The only prep I sometimes do is before slicing / dicing / cutting I find out how much it would cost to buy a new part if I royally screw up. If it's overly expensive I ask a friend or two to help so that blame can be evenly distributed.

Good to know I'm not the only one that does this

 

[Hellamatic]

Get one of these:

It may seem like an unnecessary tool (because it is), but I guarantee that you will find WAY more uses for this than you ever imagined once you have one. I originally got it to help with running wires, but have used it to find bolts I dropped, see if there was room behind a panel...etc. All jobs can be done without this, but it just speeds things up so much - it's just really useful to have. Plus the one I have has an LED light, hook, and magnet that can be attached which really comes in handy (especially the magnet).

I have this one here and love it: M12 Red Lithium 12-Volt Cordless M-Spector 360 Digital Inspection Camera Kit-2313-21 at The Home Depot

I agree - I have a DeWalt inspection camera that I use every so often. I don't use it a lot, but when the right situation arises, you'll be glad you have one.

Just keep in mind it's probably not for medical use......

 

[dadigab]

Just keep in mind it's probably not for medical use......

Oops now you tell me! Wished I came here first. I just wanted to see my spleen.

 

[KidVermicious]

Oops now you tell me! Wished I came here first. I just wanted to see my spleen.

So?

You can't leave us hanging like that...

 

[Antman]

*Get yourself a nice set of trim removal tools like these from Griot's Garage.





*Whenever I get rid of anything that has lots of parts (washing machine or lawn mower for instance) I strip anything useful before I chuck it. I save fasteners from everything and keep them in a small organizer bin. Bolts, screws, washers, j-nuts, C-clips, rubber bumpers, etc. Same goes for wiring and connectors. These little parts have saved my a$$ a million times.

*Work in a clean environment with good lighting and music. Less clutter = less stress and more fun when (not "if") you F-up.

*Running wires through a rubber grommet? Lube them up first (I use dielectric grease- easy to remove once done)

*If you carry a pocket knife make sure the clip isn't exposed on your pocket. You will scratch your paint! Same goes for other jewelry...Mod naked?

*If working under the dash for any length of time, take the damn seat out! It only takes 4 bolts, a wire clip and 5 minutes. Save your back and neck.

*Make sure you have the time set aside to do what you want to do.

*Use good quality tools. USE GOOD QUALITY TOOLS! Otherwise you will eventually get hurt.

*When using a Dremel wear safety glasses. When lifting a truck use jack stands and chocks. When wrenching in tight spaces wear gloves. When painting wear a mask. Safety is not for sissies. You want to see your kids grow up, right? Do it.

*Shrink wrap stuff. Shrinkwrap diameter a little bit too small for your job and you don't have a larger piece? No prob. Insert a needle nosed pliers into each end end open the pliers to stretch the wrap a little bit. Works like a charm.

*Any wiring that is out in the elements requires liquid electrical tape, and or dielectric grease if you want it to last. I use it so much I eat the stuff.:jk:

*I use this all the time.

*Soldering irons only work when they are clean and HOT. If I had a dollar for every PM I got about this...lol!

*Stick epoxy is your friend if something breaks. It's awesome stuff!




*And last but not least...