Cheap/Free Modifications
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From: DFW
You can mod your fender inlet, to compliment the silencer removal, its like 6 or 7 bucks.
also for about 5 bucks you can paint your oem grill, and dramatically change the front end look of your truck
-Patrick
also for about 5 bucks you can paint your oem grill, and dramatically change the front end look of your truck
-Patrick
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From: Nietzsche's Closet
Originally Posted by etrevino103186
i am liking that mirror a lot where did you get it from i want to get one too. is that the best price anyone have any input?
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From: Lone Star State
Originally Posted by Nihilism
I got my auto dimming mirror (new, not used) on eBay from a seller named yovus. Sometimes you can get a new auto dimming mirror on eBay for a little bit less than $50 if you are patient enough to find the right auction or if you are willing to get a used one.
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From: DFW
Originally Posted by etrevino103186
do you use the uv feature?
pat what are you doing in waco?
pat what are you doing in waco?
Originally Posted by ThumperMX113
What kind of paint did you use? How has it been holding up?
-Patrick
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From: Lone Star State
Originally Posted by Nihilism
I sometimes use the UV feature on the mirror. I think it’s a cool feature to have on the mirror.
pat: yeah i am going to school at baylor, where are you going?
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From: Reno, TX
Originally Posted by ChrisAdams
Just to keep it more or less straight on the antenna reception thing
. It is the length, not mass or height exactly that governs how the antenna will receive. But there are so many factors that it gets too complicated. Ground planning, just to name one factor that improves with a shorter antenna.
An ideal antenna for FM is wrong for AM. And of course the reverse is true.
Normal antenna is 34 inches roughly. It has to do with the wave length that you want to receive. They figure 34 is sorta right for the most popular frequencies.
However, short antennas that are built that way originally are 'folded' wire, thus possibly closer to the ideal length. They will be an even percentage of the correct wave length and thus form a good wave guide.
Bottom line, cutting a three-four inch chunk off the regular antenna will cause some stations to come in worse, some to come in better.
That is a pretty minor adjustment.
Most of us have had telescoping antennas. That was standard back when people listened to the radio, pre Tape, Disk, Sat.
You were supposed to adjust it for your best reception on your station. No one did that, of course. Most left it wherever it ended up, or yanked all the way out at all times.
So it is not a big deal to bob one unless you just happen to listen to a station that needs EXACTLY the stock length. Even then it will still pull it in, just not as well.
As to using the antenna as a feeler gauge, interesting concept but anyplace low enough to hit my truck is not high enough to drive or walk under so...
Maybe if you have ten inches of lift and big tires, but a stock truck...
Chris
. It is the length, not mass or height exactly that governs how the antenna will receive. But there are so many factors that it gets too complicated. Ground planning, just to name one factor that improves with a shorter antenna.
An ideal antenna for FM is wrong for AM. And of course the reverse is true.
Normal antenna is 34 inches roughly. It has to do with the wave length that you want to receive. They figure 34 is sorta right for the most popular frequencies.
However, short antennas that are built that way originally are 'folded' wire, thus possibly closer to the ideal length. They will be an even percentage of the correct wave length and thus form a good wave guide.
Bottom line, cutting a three-four inch chunk off the regular antenna will cause some stations to come in worse, some to come in better.
That is a pretty minor adjustment.
Most of us have had telescoping antennas. That was standard back when people listened to the radio, pre Tape, Disk, Sat.
You were supposed to adjust it for your best reception on your station. No one did that, of course. Most left it wherever it ended up, or yanked all the way out at all times.
So it is not a big deal to bob one unless you just happen to listen to a station that needs EXACTLY the stock length. Even then it will still pull it in, just not as well.
As to using the antenna as a feeler gauge, interesting concept but anyplace low enough to hit my truck is not high enough to drive or walk under so...
Maybe if you have ten inches of lift and big tires, but a stock truck...
Chris
Anyone who thinks antenna length doesn't matter doesn't know enough about electronics to own a pair of snips that would cut the antenna.
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From: Simi Valley CA
I like the painting of the grill black. I think that is the best cheap mod I have seen yet. But, as I think it has been said before in this thread, just detail your truck. A little spit, polish and elbow greese does more than some mods that cost big bucks. A clean truck is a well inspected truck.
Last edited by MeanGene; Aug 28, 2006 at 01:14 AM.
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From: Nietzsche's Closet
Originally Posted by etrevino103186
next question what exactly is it?
pat: yeah i am going to school at baylor, where are you going?
pat: yeah i am going to school at baylor, where are you going?
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From: San Diego
Funny thread.
anyway, I cut my stock antenna down to about 12 inches, and drilled out the ball, and re-attached it.
In theory, my radio reception should have suffered, but in absolute HONESTY it is minimal to not noticable. I consider myself an audiophile, and have a fair amount of experience with car and home audio...and I would say that the loss of reception is neglibable.
I cut it for cosmetic reasons (obviously) and I think it looks GREAT. It looks factory with my other mods... fits a lowered/street stance great. And the best part is I don't want to watch that damn antenna bouncing all over the place as I drive down the road. It's very stable now.
But hey, different strokes for different folks. You think that my mod was a cheesey addition to my truck? Congratulations, ask me if I care
I know my truck is VERY clean and as far from overdone as a truck this modified could be, so I won't lose any sleep over anyone's differing personal preference.
anyway, I cut my stock antenna down to about 12 inches, and drilled out the ball, and re-attached it.
In theory, my radio reception should have suffered, but in absolute HONESTY it is minimal to not noticable. I consider myself an audiophile, and have a fair amount of experience with car and home audio...and I would say that the loss of reception is neglibable.
I cut it for cosmetic reasons (obviously) and I think it looks GREAT. It looks factory with my other mods... fits a lowered/street stance great. And the best part is I don't want to watch that damn antenna bouncing all over the place as I drive down the road. It's very stable now.
But hey, different strokes for different folks. You think that my mod was a cheesey addition to my truck? Congratulations, ask me if I care
I know my truck is VERY clean and as far from overdone as a truck this modified could be, so I won't lose any sleep over anyone's differing personal preference.
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Originally Posted by Lumadar
Funny thread.
anyway, I cut my stock antenna down to about 12 inches, and drilled out the ball, and re-attached it.
In theory, my radio reception should have suffered, but in absolute HONESTY it is minimal to not noticable. I consider myself an audiophile, and have a fair amount of experience with car and home audio...and I would say that the loss of reception is neglibable.
snip
anyway, I cut my stock antenna down to about 12 inches, and drilled out the ball, and re-attached it.
In theory, my radio reception should have suffered, but in absolute HONESTY it is minimal to not noticable. I consider myself an audiophile, and have a fair amount of experience with car and home audio...and I would say that the loss of reception is neglibable.
snip
Which since you live around SD would not affect you much. If you are within ten miles of a small station or twenty miles of a high watt station you can pull the antenna off and still get a decent signal.
On bobbing the antenna, where you live makes the biggest difference.
While I am in the same area code as San Diago, I'm 200 miles north of your city.
Here we have two stations within twenty miles and four within thirty. Most of our stations are 50-80 miles away through the mountains.
So any loss of reception is noticeable, but the thick 11 inch 'stubby' antenna I put on my truck gets about 80-85% of the OEM signal.
Works for me, I listen to my DVD-SD JVC or the local talk station, which I pickup with no antenna...
Chris
