My Planned Rotus Mods

[solder_guy]

These are the projects that I plan to do with my Rotus when I get it:

 

 

 

*1. Amber torpedo LED lights on the front fenders. I got these off eBay and plan to wire them to work as both running and front directional blinkers.

 

 

 

1a. I opened up my spare trailer converter circuit to see how it is wired. Only 4 diodes and two large resistors! I need to test this circuit to see if it will work with the LED torpedo lights.

 

 

 

2. >Muth motorcycle side mirrors with red directional LED chevrons and forward facing yellow LED markers. Here's more info: >forward yellow LEDs. I only have one RH mirror. $25 off ebay. I need to buy the other LH one.

 

 

 

UPDATE: I found three of these mirrors for sale NEW! All three for $150! What a deal! These cost $300 for a pair! Now I have two new pair for about $210.

 

 

 

UPDATE: The spare pair went up on eBay and sold for $150.

 

 

 

*UPDATE: I got the modifed Muth Mirror back from the machine shop. They did a great job making an aluminum insert for the gutter in which the LED wires run and cover them up.

 

 

 

*UPDATE: Mirrors mounted by Dennis at his shop. 15-Aug-06 Look great!

 

 

 

2a. The red directional chevron and yellow LEDs will also light when the brakes are applied via the Muth Multifunction Module.

 

 

 

2b. Quick flash when backing up via the Muth Multifunction Module

 

 

 

2c. Tick flash to simulate alarm mode when left unattended via the Muth Multifunction Module. Ref: Velleman mini kit (MK126).

 

 

 

2d. I will wire the "third door" chevron strobe function of the Muth MultiFunction Module to activate when the horn is sounded.

 

 

 

2e. I purchased the >Muth MultiFunction Module which integrates all of the above functions. This circuit retails for $119. I got it for $1 plus shipping on eBay! March 15, 06. What a deal!

 

 

 

3. LED ET light or CHMSL on rollbar. Bought a bar of low profile LEDs off eBay. Nov 10, 2006. I will make it quick flash too!

 

 

 

4. Windshield Wiper Delay circuit with variable control and relay. I've built this one already .. simple $6 delay circuit kit from Velleman (MK111).

 

 

 

5. Forget Audio amplifier with speakers.   The Rotus is too loud.

 

 

 

6. Small 12v power jack for accessories (not the big cigarette socket).

 

 

 

7. Transistor based engine timing circuit. Either stock Toyota or kit. Junkyard. Nov 5, 06. Still need to pick up the electronic distributer that this works with.

 

 

 

8. Pushbutton for brakelights to deter tailgaters.

 

 

 

9. Heater (Thanks Mazda! 31-Jan-06)

 

 

 

10. LED brakelights and parking running lights.

 

 

 

11. Keyed Switch to off/on the electric fuel pump.

 

 

 

12. Quick release steering wheel.

 

 

 

13. Dash mounted rearview mirror (purchased off eBay).

 

 

 

13a. Maybe change to autodimming rearview mirror.

 

 

 

14. Headlight buzzer (Easy!)

 

 

 

15. Safety headrests above seats. I may have a friend embroider "ROTUS" in the fabric.

 

 

 

*16. Manual choke. Dennis installed.

 

 

 

17. Cruise control. (Stock Toyota setup from junk yard vs. Audiovox off eBay.)

 

 

 

*18. Electric cooling fan / radiator fan switch

 

 

 

19. Both oil light (idiot) and oil gauge sensors. "Y" in the block. Bought the oil light off eBay. Nov 5, 06.

 

 

 

*20. Analog Clock (gotta be analog). Mazda gave me his.

 

 

 

21. Battery Quick Disconnect. Bought off eBay Nov 15, 06.

 

 

 

22. Starter Quick Disconnect

 

 

 

23. *Voltmeter in the dash. Dennis installed. Ammeter?

 

 

 

24. Oil Quart Low light? ('76-'77 Celica feature. Doubt this can be done. Gotta compare the oil pan to the Celica one.)

 

 

 

25. Gas Tank Low light?

 

 

 

26. Insulate driver foot well (either Reflectix, or Frost King.)

 

 

 

27. Butler Built NACA ducts (one or two?)

 

 

 

*28. Floorboard fire extinguisher (NAPA). Bought Jan 06.

 

 

 

29. Brake fluid level sensors (easy to find standard Toyota reservoir float switches). Got three at the junkyard. Nov

[DizRotus]

I had #s 3, 8, 9, 11 (racing switch to disconnect rear mounted battery instantly), 13 (Ford Escort mirror glued to lower inner portion of windshield), 16 and 17 (J.C. Whitney).

I used all of them.  The heater came in handy on many occasions, as did the cruise on long trips.

 

[solder_guy]

I had #s 3, 8, 9, 11 (racing switch to disconnect rear mounted battery instantly), 13 (Ford Escort mirror glued to lower inner portion of windshield), 16 and 17 (J.C. Whitney).

 

I used all of them.  The heater came in handy on many occasions, as did the cruise on long trips.

 

 

 

 

 

How was the heater setup?

 

 

 

How was the switch setup to the battery?

 

 

 

I've been looking at my own cruise control on my '87 Celica. It's generic .. so maybe I can go yank one out of a junkyard and make it work. I can test the parts .. because I already have a working model.

 

 

 

Rob Mitchell, Atlanta, GA

 

 

[slngsht]

Rob, what's the status of your car?

[solder_guy]

Rob, what's the status of your car?

 

 

 

Last I talked to Dennis .. the head was still in the shop!

 

 

 

1. He has the side curtains that I bought from Ted.

 

 

 

2. He should have the VW windshield mechanism and motor that I bought off eBay.

 

 

 

So what do you guys think about the Muth mirrors??

 

 

 

Rob Mitchell, Atlanta, GA

 

solder_guy38715.9743402778

[DizRotus]

Rob,

The heater came from Rotus, but it was an aftermarket setup.  Dennis Hedges could elaborate.

The small core barely fit under the dash just inside the firewall.  The clearance for the wiper mechanism was minimal.  The temperature was controlled by opening valves in the heater hoses.  When the valves were closed the coolant went in a loop that bypassed the core.  A multi speed fan was built into the core. 

Another feature that I found useful was a rocker switch on the dash that turned on the electric cooling fan.  It would override the thermo switch.  That way I could turn the fan on whenever I was concerned about overheating, which was never a problem, even in traffic.

 

[slngsht]

 

Last I talked to Dennis .. the head was still in the shop!

 

 

 

1. He has the side curtains that I bought from Ted.

 

 

 

2. He should have the VW windshield mechanism and motor that I bought off eBay.

 

 

 

So what do you guys think about the Muth mirrors??

 

 

 

Rob Mitchell, Atlanta, GA

 

 

 

 

Hey Rob,

 

Saw your car today. Dennis said not to worry, she's stored inside smileys/smiley4.gif[/img] </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> He said he's personally going down to the shop to see what the problem is with the heads.</p><p> </p><p> </p>

[solder_guy]

Thanks for the update about the car! Does she still look good or is she starting to get a little ratty?

 

I'll add the radiator fan switch to the list of mods.

 

A heater is still of great interest to me.

 

Rob Mitchell, Atlanta, GA

Edited March 2, 2009 by solder_guy

[slngsht]

You'll have alot of cleaning to do. I did not look at your car in detail (I only had 5 minutes there), but I didn't see any evidence of rust or anything.

 

 

 

Cheers.

[solder_guy]

The Harley Muth Mirror is sooo cool! For fun I touched the two wires to my car battery .. to see how it looks in the dark .. very bright!!! Very cool! There is no doubt in my mind that this mirror will work well with my Rotus and increase visibility when both changing lanes and braking! I'm so glad that I found this one RH mirror on eBay at a great discount. Now I have to buy the LH one $$$. Just for the safety factor it's worth it!

 

They can be purchased at discount for $300 / pair. Wholesale for $400. I got the RH one for $40 which included shipping!

 

Rob Mitchell, Atlanta, GA

Edited March 2, 2009 by solder_guy

[solder_guy]

I've updated my mods list .. so I just want to bump it up.

 

 

 

A machinist is working with my Muth signal mirror. The problem is that when the stem is switched to bend upward, the wire is exposed in a gutter the length of the stem. So he is working to fit a piece of metal to fill the gutter. When it is finished I'll get a pic to show. Should look fine.

 

 

 

Rob Mitchell

 

 

[solder_guy]

I've updated my mods list .. and Dennis Hedges has mounted the modified Muth Motorcycle mirrors on my car.

 

 

 

Dennis has mounted the carburetors that I rebuilt.

 

 

 

And he received the tires that I had shipped to him.

 

 

 

The long wait for the Rotus is near! (FINALLY)

 

 

 

Rob Mitchell

[slngsht]

Are you still planning on picking it up? Give me some advanced notice if you come up.

[solder_guy]

Are you still planning on picking it up?

 

 

 

Unfortunately no ... I am going to have it shipped down here after all.

 

 

 

Tires are 195/60HR-14 Yokohama AVS ES100. Summer Sport tires.

 

 

 

The racing tires set with only 20 miles on them which were part of the wheel rim auction .. were *accidentally* thrown away by someone associated with the seller. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/confused5.gif

 

 

 

Rob Mitchell

 

solder_guy2006-08-19 23:57:32