Progress thread: Tonto

[Tonto]

Just wanted to say hello from Newcastle

Editing this post to add all my mods to date instead of having them randomly through thread.

When i first got my J (She's called Letty (Fast & Furious...))



Then my first mods were interior lighting

I then debadged the rear and sides

Then it was time to change repeaters for the smoked ones.

Add a K&N panel filter

Then came the Heko's which I have since took off and sold on

LEDs for the rear number plate which do look awesome 

Then it was time for the reverse parking sensors

Then I finally got around to doing the footwell lighting, I went for blue as its one of my favourite colours (behind green)

Another outside shot 

Then I got around to getting some vxr pedals which are awesome and do look the part

I then got the rear windows tinted, makes a big difference in the sun, the back is cooler and helps shade my little one.
I've bought some touch up paint as being a white car the bumper takes a hammering unfortunately :(

But unfortunately due to flying roof slates I cant touch up this dent on the edge of my bonnet...

Now I really need to do something about the cloudy chrome as up close it looks terrible so any ideas are appreciated
And so far this is how my Letty is looking, I do have things planned for the outside but got a few more things to do inside first

So I have just received some new white interior leds to replace the blue, I have red leds in the map lights, and I have 4 48 smd panels on the way so I can re do the front footwells and add to the rear footwells too. will post more pics when they have arrived been fitted.

Next plans are to finally get around to doing door handle leds and if I have to take door card off I may as well do puddle lights, so will see how that goes.

Then onto the outside where I plan to do the following
-Paint callipers green
-Metal pressed number plates as plastic ones have started to peel
-Debadged front grille
-Flyeye the fog lights, going to leave headlights as they're darker anyway
-Finally get around to getting decent DRLs (leds) and new white main & dipped beam bulbs
-Carbon effect wrap wing mirrors & roof
-Dual exhaust is on my list
-Eventually look to getting a pedal box (maybe a remap or tuning box from dtuk)


As for now I think that is all, as always this takes time especially with having a 5 month old daughter so we're skint

So now I have all four footwells with the red LEDs.


Next up is the door handle and pockets lighting!
Today I done the door handle lights and they look great, next is door pocket lights when the rain stops!



Just as it was getting dark today I fitted the pocket lights, so glad I did! Big thanks to the how to thread, and everyone who contributed!






This morning I fitted the shark fin. It's a cheap one at £4.95 and it's excellent so far as it hasn't affected the signal on my radio! It did come with a blotch in paint so I had to use touch up pen which since I know it's there it has ruined it for me... But still looks so much better than standard!




Some alloy door pins!!


Then a good clean as new shop had an autoglym sale on!! Since it was sunny she got a good wash and wax!

[Rusty2009]

Welcome to VXOC

[tucpal]

welcome

[Tonto]

Thanks guys, been reading a lot of threads by you two. mainly how to's lol. I just got my11 Astra J 2.0 cdti sri last week. I'm wanting to add red leds to footwell, interior lights, door handle, then white leds to vanity mirror, glove box and boot. Think I'll be able to do the interior lights just not the ones what needs soldering or splicing or whatever. So footwells and door handles will get someone else to do for me Are all the interior lights the same T10 W5W 501 bulbs?

[Rusty2009]

Yes mate all interior lights are T10 bulbs.

[Tonto]

Yes mate all interior lights are T10 bulbs.

I've ordered these for glove box and boot light - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/301445826489?_...EBIDX%3AIT

and these ones for interior lights - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161334144137?_...EBIDX%3AIT

just need to find the ones for the vanity mirrors..

[Rusty2009]

These are the ones I've used very good, the seller has put them up by a pound for some reason.

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.vie...1043024683


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[Tonto]

These are the ones I've used very good, the seller has put them up by a pound for some reason.

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.vie...1043024683


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excellent, thanks mate. Will get some ordered. Need to find someone or somewhere local to fit footwell led's..

[grahamfromoldham]

Hi Tonto,

I fitted the red footwell lights a couple of weeks ago on mine and they're quite easy to do, assuming you're a hands-on person. Cost me less than a tenner for everything, LED's, cable and Scotchlok connectors, all bought off Ebay.
Good luck with it.

[Tonto]

Hi Graham, I'd love to do it but I'm not that confidant to attempt it myself. But depends what i get quoted for fitting to whether i do it myself

[grahamfromoldham]

I doubt you're passing Winsford, Cheshire but the offer is there for me to do them for you if you are.

[Tonto]

I doubt you're passing Winsford, Cheshire but the offer is there for me to do them for you if you are.

Appreciate the offer mate, but no i doubt i'll be near anytime soon.

[Tim@Prestige]

Hi & welcome!

I hope you enjoy your time on the forum.

[Tonto]

Hi & welcome!

I hope you enjoy your time on the forum.

Thanks Tim

[DE5IRED]

Welcome buddy


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[WhelanUK]

Hello and welcome, don't forget to post some pictures

[Tonto]

Hi De51red, Hi Whelanuk, thanks,

I havent modified it as of yet, only had car just over a week,l.

[WhelanUK]

Love the colour, white J's are the best

[Tonto]

Yeah theyre lush. my first time waxing a car. i always used wash n wax together haha, took longer but looked so much better when finished.

I've ordered red leds for interier lights, and white leds for glove box and boot. Going to get white for vanity mirrors then leds for drls after that.

[tucpal]

looks very good

[Tonto]

Thank you Tucpal

[Rusty2009]

Very nice.

[DE5IRED]

Looks sweet loving the White


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[Tonto]

Thanks Rusty, thanks De51red

[Tonto]

My red LEDs were delivered today

[Tonto]

Just ordered some smoked repeaters, K&N panel filter and going to have to get Halfords to install my DRLs... I cannot get into them and unsure of how to remove the fuse box. Even had the wife out today with her dinky hands and she couldn't do it either haha.

I have also changed from red LEDs to blue, I think they look much nicer in blue, red sort of had a dull mood I think

[sheppy1]

The smoke repeaters do look a lot better than the stock ones you'll have to post some photos of your new LEDs too! making a lot of progress on your car! Looking forward to seeing lots of pics of it when you've done everything

[tucpal]

you are doing very well keep up the good work

i can move this thread to the progress section if you like lol

[Tonto]

Thanks sheppy1, some pics below, just went out now and took them as look better at night obviously

Yes you can do Tucpal please

I replaced red LEDs to blue, added white LEDs to vanity mirrors and changed map reading lights to white LEDs too

[sheppy1]

Looking REALLY good! i like those LEDs a lot red of the instrument cluster and ambient lights and the blue lights you've done yourself look great together!

Ha you beat me to it @tucpal good to have another member with a progress thread!

[tucpal]

All moved for you mate

i like the blue looks good

[Tonto]

Thanks guys, I was thinking of changing the ambient from red to blue on gear stick but when it's dark it does look nice together... Decisions lol! Will update when I pick up panel filter and again when repeaters are delivered


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[Tonto]

Just de-badged the SRi, Astra and 2.0 CDTI badges. Thanks to Cmerons how to



Now going to try and do the DRLs again lol, wish me luck

[sheppy1]

Looks clean! Like it a lot I'm still considering removing the CDTI badge from mine but not sure if I want too yet lol.

Good luck mate! They official ones or aftermarket then?

[Tonto]

I got these ones http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/400385373634?_...EBIDX%3AIT

[Rusty2009]

Looks so much better de-badged

[sheppy1]

Ahhhh with you! I thought you were going for the full replacement to match the official DRLs...Still look better than the yellow ones if those are the ones you have though

[Tonto]

Thanks Rusty mate

Ok so disaster has struck... I thought I'd have a go at the driver side drl to see what resistance there is to remove drl etc so I knew how hard to pull on passenger side. I took bulb out and put new one in, was a tiny bit slack but did click in, wiggled it a little bit and the black clip inside drl which helps hold the bulb has snapped... someone please advise...

[Rusty2009]

how badly snapped could super glue fix it? to get new one would a whole new light unit as it's not sold separate.

[Tonto]

Ah nooo, the little black part that snapped went flying... I suppose if i find it i could superglue it yes. Best go and have a look around the ground haha

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So far I can't find snapped part :(


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No luck with the snapped part :/

I've put original bulb back in for now. it seems to sit in ok. Not sure what to do as I cant afford new headlights now as baby is due in 6 weeks lol.

[Rusty2009]

using a plastic tool just close the contacts abit the bulb should then hold fine and the 2 side clips should hold it in place in the light unit.

[Tonto]

The 4 metal prong parts yeah?? Just move them in a little so it grips bulb better ??


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[Tonto]

Ok sorted that bulb out for now (I think). seems a lot more secure again after moving prongs in a tiny bit. I'm gutted that the plastic bit snapped but my long term plan was always to get something like these --> http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/331474897270?_...EBIDX%3AIT

[Rusty2009]

The 4 metal prong parts yeah?? Just move them in a little so it grips bulb better ??


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Yes mate the 4 metal prongs.

[Tonto]

Thanks for your help Rusty mate, I moved the two prongs where the clip was missing and didn't touch other side, a lot more secure now.


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[tucpal]

looking good

that happened on my old headlights very easy to do

[Tonto]

Did the bulb stay in ok afterwards?


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[tucpal]

yes they never came out

[Tonto]

yes they never came out

I've been out today and it's not been a problem thankfully..

Smoked repeaters and panel filter should be here on Tuesday/Wednesday  

Opinions on what to get next please?
De-badged grille, heko wind deflectors, mudflaps, aluminium door pins?

[Tonto]

Smoked repeaters came today