Time to align

Okay, okay, no more rhymes, promise.

Anyway, spent some time working on it yesterday and managed to get the back end done.

Took out the helper springs and the spacers. This allowed me to lower the back end down where I wanted it but keeps the spring perches away from the driveshafts.

Next up is an alignment, tint and paint.

Then I'll be mostly done for the year.

Next spring will be rims and go-fast parts.

A little more progress

Weather has been horrible lately (well, for working on cars at any rate). Weeks of rain.

Anyway, we had a break in the rain for most of the day and I took advantage of it to finish up one of the outstanding projects.

I've had the new radio for a while but wasn't sure how I was going to install it. In most Miata's they end up hanging out of the dashboard and it's just not attractive. Problem is, my car already had the generic kit for this kind of setup, I'm low on project funds and didn't feel the need to spend $80 for a DDMWorks kit when I know I'm going to make a custom plate, later, when I install the amp/sub/gauges.


So what I did was shave the back of the console cover and then trim back the dash kit. This allowed me to put the radio, with it's trim plate, behind the console.

This gives a cleaner, more factory, look while giving me a nice head unit with both IPod controls built in (USB cable comes out the back of the radio, just plug IPod cable into it and it's all set, no adaptors) and BlueTooth (haven't set that up yet).

Also, the install was easier then I thought it would be. After shaving the back of the console so it was level (there are two screw holes for a blanking plate that have to be ground down) I only had to notch about 1/4 of an inch out of the actual kit.

So, end result is a not horrible looking generic Metra-type kit saving me a few dollars (short term). Time to move back to the rear of the car and re-do the rear coilovers. Shouldn't take long but I'm leary of starting today, the weather already looks like it's turning.

Maybe next weekend.

Much progress!

As you can see it's been a busy week (well, mostly the weekend).

Roll bar, installed.
Suspension, installed.
Wheels, painted.
Tires, mounted/balanced.

Even vacuumed the floorboards.

So what's next? First up is finishing the suspension. I need to adjust the back end up about another .5 to .75 inches. After that it's off to the alignment shop (all four wheels and the steering wheel currently disagree as to which direction the car should be moving).



After that it's on to stereo (ordered a Kenwood KDC-MP642U) that needs to be installed.

Then it's back to ordering/finding parts. I need new windows for the doors (mine are scratched, badly), some more speakers and various other parts. Oh, and paint.

Yup, it's a project. And projects like this never end. It's part of the charm.