BUILD THREAD 81 Buick/Olds Turbo Wagon 02/15/2024 More Parts!

[Rktpwrd]

Stellar job Jim, as usual!
I'm enjoying the more in depth descriptions of the work your doing along with the photos - like icing on the cake. Please keep it up if you can!
🙂
Are you going to cover epoxying in the lenses and how you set the depth on them etc? Or is everything already too far past that point? Just curious as I've never seen coverage on this mod before...

I love your build style btw, you're doing it exactly as I would.
It's like you're in my head... You might want to get outta there tho, it's pretty scary in there...!!!
😱
Donovan

 

[liquidh8]

Stellar job Jim, as usual!
I'm enjoying the more in depth descriptions of the work your doing along with the photos - like icing on the cake. Please keep it up if you can!
🙂
Are you going to cover epoxying in the lenses and how you set the depth on them etc? Or is everything already too far past that point? Just curious as I've never seen coverage on this mod before...

I love your build style btw, you're doing it exactly as I would.
It's like you're in my head... You might want to get outta there tho, it's pretty scary in there...!!!
😱
Donovan

Donovan,
Thanks for the kind words! Since this WILL be a driver, I have to stop myself sometimes from going overboard. I am trying to remember to take more pictures as I go along, looking at your thread has me doing things like that this way others can see what is involved. Most of the time I get so wrapped up in what I am doing I forget to take any pictures. So I will try my best to take lots of pictures!

For the lights, I will cover that, I figured I would make a thread like was suggested, I do have some pictures, but figured I would save them. Now, cutting out the light holes has already been done. But, I will take some scrap sheet metal that 5 have a go through making the holes and the like so the story can be complete.

I too dig your build, great craftsmanship and attention to detail!

 

[liquidh8]

Well, I did get the 8 way connector in. I managed to get the Tail light harness done, the outside part anyway. I have to add the connecter to the car side, and run 2 more wires in the car, but no biggie. I must admit I didn't take any pics of the wire harness, since that is just one of those things that pictures are kinda useless. I did solder and heat shrink everything as always.

I have to get the bumper mounted back up, and mess with the front lenses. I'll be contacting my buddy today to see if we can get a solid date for me to take this to his booth.

 

[Longroof79]

Hey Jim,
I'm glad to hear that the plug worked out well. Will you have a separate plug for trailer lighting..
like something that will disconnect at, or under the bumper?

 

[liquidh8]

Hey Jim,
I'm glad to hear that the plug worked out well. Will you have a separate plug for trailer lighting..
like something that will disconnect at, or under the bumper?

Jack, I installed a 7 pin trailer plug behind the bumper. I'll take some pics today.

Here is the bumper hanging on the mounts, it's leveled, just there to test the lights and wires. I thought I took a video but it didn't save. I'll take another one today of the taillight operation.

Here is the 8 pin plug from American Auto Wire. The grommet required a 1 1/2" hole, while the stock hole is 1 3/8".



Here is the stock grommet.



Here is the new grommet and plug installed. All connections are crimped, soldered, and covered in heat shrink. I also upgraded the ground wire size.



MMM beer.



I put the LED boards in the bumper just to check the operation. I installed to LED flashers, one for the turn signals and one for the hazard flashers.



I have decided to buy new taillights to hack up for the LEDs, so they are nice and clear and bright.

 

[O. D. Showtime]

That's looking great Jim! I really like the look of the marker lights in the side of the bumper....nice work! and a few steps closer.....

 

[liquidh8]

Hey Jim,
I'm glad to hear that the plug worked out well. Will you have a separate plug for trailer lighting..
like something that will disconnect at, or under the bumper?

Jack, I installed a 7 pin trailer plug behind the bumper. I'll take some pics today.

Here is the bumper hanging on the mounts, it's leveled, just there to test the lights and wires. I thought I took a video but it didn't save. I'll take another one today of the taillight operation.
View attachment 44430 View attachment 44431 View attachment 44432 View attachment 44433 View attachment 44434

That's looking great Jim! I really like the look of the marker lights in the side of the bumper....nice work! and a few steps closer.....

Thanks, it looks dimmer from the angle of the pictures, but they are gonna work well.

 

[Longroof79]

Wow! Those leds are bright. One of these days I may have to consider going that route.
Nice work on the plug setup. too. It certainly makes the OE plug look like sh*t.

The bumper turned out really nice...it's like a sculpture..or work of art. It's no doubt a work of art. It also worked out nicely with the hitch coming out of the bumper. I also love the the marker lights in the bumper...that's really trick.

I makes me want to rework another bumper and ditch the one on my car now. I gave my friend a spare bumper that I had for his Cutlass Cruiser...oh well. It would have been nice to be able to have the clearance for the tailgate. I may still try to shorten the tailgate cables and find new swage eyes. Finding the right size is difficult.

 

[liquidh8]

Here the pics I promised. After the bumper is in I paint I will repaint the backside black to cover all the primer and the like. But you see the trailer plug from the bottom, and then from the rear view with me laying on the ground. It is unnoticeable unless you are looking for it.

 

[liquidh8]

Wow! Those leds are bright. One of these days I may have to consider going that route.
Nice work on the plug setup. too. It certainly makes the OE plug look like sh*t.

The bumper turned out really nice...it's like a sculpture..or work of art. It's no doubt a work of art. It also worked out nicely with the hitch coming out of the bumper. I also love the the marker lights in the bumper...that's really trick.

I makes me want to rework another bumper and ditch the one on my car now. I gave my friend a spare bumper that I had for his Cutlass Cruiser...oh well. It would have been nice to be able to have the clearance for the tailgate. I may still try to shorten the tailgate cables and find new swage eyes. Finding the right size is difficult.

Thanks Jack, I am happy with the LEDs so far, but the rear test will be when I install them in the lenses. I hope they stay nice and bright.

I wouldn't know your bumper at all! it looks great an I used it as a photo reference for what I wanted to do with mine. The only reason I didn't tuck it up as high as yours was for tailgate clearance. Since I plan on doing something in the cargo area, I needed the gate to open fully.