Posts in Year 2023

Center Console Lid Re-Upholstered

In the previous post, I installed aftermarket seats in the 2005 G35 coupe.

However, the center console lid was still a faded beige color, so I purchased a red cover for the center console lid (Figure 5) from eBay for about $25.

This post describes how to re-upholster or install that red cover permanently to your center console lid to match the seats color.

Simulating the Seat Side Airbag Sensor

In the previous post, I installed aftermarket seats in the 2005 G35 coupe. However, the airbag lights were on and the codes being shown, as in Figure 1, were B1129, B1022 and B1034 (not pictured). This is due to the fact that the side airbags are not present in the aftermarket seats. In this post, I describe how to simulate the airbag sensor using a 2.2 Ohm 1/4 Watt resistor and this process is also incorrectly referred to as airbag delete. You already “deleted” the airbag when you removed your stock factory seats, you want to simulate the airbag sensor to make the Airbag Control Unit think that there is an airbag present. That is done with a 2.2 Ohm 1/4 Watt resistor.

Aftermarket Braum Seats Installed in the Infiniti G35 Coupe

I had been looking for a deal for good red seats for my interior for almost 7 months now, since I am going for a certain look for the Infiniti G35. I finally got a great deal on a pair of used red Braum seats for a price of $550 along with a separate deal of a pair of seat brackets by Planted Technology for $200 for the pair off Facebook Marketplace. I got these in March but finally got time to install the seats today, in May ! This post describes how to remove stock seats and install replacement seats in the G35 Coupe.

Installing a RAM® Mount in the Toyota 4Runner

There are many ways to get a phone or GPS mount installed in your Toyota 4Runner, but one of the most sturdiest ways, that will survive off-roading is to use the driver’s handle near the A-pillar.

In this post I show you how to install a RAM® Mount with the X-Grip® for your phone or GPS, with simple hand tools.

Carbon Fiber Wrapping the Infiniti G35 Coupe

In an earlier post we plastidipped the front grille and emblem on the Infiniti G35 coupe. But the G35 was seeing further paint wear issues as seen in Figure 1 and 2. The roof was looking pretty bad and starting to rust.

So I took a couple of quotes off Facebook Marketplace and Instagram for local installers who would install a carbon fiber wrap on the hood, roof and trunk. In the end I went with A. B. Wraphouse who did a fantastic job. He is just a young guy doing this from his home garage and is just into doing car cosmetic changes.

SFI Padding and Vinyl Cover for Blackbird Fabworx Rollbar in Miata

In the previous post I wrote about getting the Blackbird Fabworx rollbar professionally installed on the 1999 Mazda Miata. But if you want to drive the car on the street, you also need SFI padding on the rollbar to reduce the chances of the driver getting a concussion or worse in the event of an accident.

Bethania Garage, that sells the competitor HardDog rollbar, also sells SFI padding and custom stitches a cover for the Blackbird Fabworx rollbar. However, they do not advertise that on their site. You have to email them.

Blackbird Fabworx Rollbar in Miata

In September of 2019, with great fanfare and urgency, I purchased the Blackbird Fabworx rollbar for my NB Miata MX-5.

Now, after more than 3 years of the rollbar sitting around in my garage, I finally gave up on installing it and went to T&Z Auto Service in South River, NJ run by Mr. David Deerson and paid him to install it professionally.

His pricing was acceptable and now I finally have a beautiful rollbar in the car and am ready to go to the track for an HPDE event. Below are some pictures.

A 2-ton Shop Crane for $160

It is winter here, and while getting bored I was looking for shop cranes, engine hoists or cherry pickers for my garage to purchase just in case I may need it in the future. Someone 15 miles away was selling one for $160 with light surface rust. So I went to check it out.

…and I purchased it.