4RingAR’s Timeline and Pic-Whoring Thread

[A6Avant]

Best looking Allroad... Hands down.

[awdjunkies]

^^ WTF? If you're mixing a batch of eggs, I'm coming over for breakfast LOL.

[4ringAR]

Update, sort of.

Meth kit STILL hasnt been installed, ive been stupid busy with school, work, and the rest of my life.
Got a motorcycle, but its not a ninja 250r, its a 78 yamaha xs400. it needs work, and lots of it. i dont think i will end up keeping it because i just dont think i have time to fix it. fortunately i dont have much invested in it, got it for free +$70 for a new set of tires.

[awdjunkies]

Cool looking bike man, very vintage. ...Yeah, I still come in here from time to time and about how my AR could one day become lol.

[awdjunkies]

:drool: Yep still drooling over this timeline.

[4ringAR]

Thanks! Hey, did you ever get those wheels on your car?

Summer Update / "State of the Union"
Well the car is officially over 10 years old, with over 130,000 miles. This summer she has really started to show her age. First I drove up the street to drop a bunch of trash in a dumpster and I noticed a lug nut on the ground...it was mine. After putting it back on and double checking the other 19, I went to the car wash, feeling guilty like I had been neglecting my car. There I noticed the passenger fender turn signal tangling out of the fender. I guess the tab broke off. It's still tangling...it's been a couple months. Ordering a new one today. Also noticed the trunk popper button inside the drivers door has broken tabs and no longer sits flush. Two days ago the hood strut stopped working...ghetto replacement is a piece of PVC. Then the remote stopped working, at least the lock part of it....I can still unlock with the remote. The transmission fluid leak/seep is still quite significant, i think it's starting to get on the garage floor, that tranny's time might be ending soon. She takes a while to start/turn over when the engine has been sitting for like an hour, especially if its hot outside. Cranks like a charm on a cold start though. Oh and she tried to kill me yesterday with the widowmaker.

On the otherhand, I just(finally, after 9 months of it sitting in a box) got my water/meth kit installed. And depite her age, she still hauls...both ass AND stuff.

pvc hood prop yeeeaaahhh buddy


hooked on dat blue crystal


Quick video, this sound never gets old to me.

[4ringAR]

These would sure go well with that meth kit! (NO! I told myself I spend any more on modifying this car after the meth kit was installed.) Stage 3 or Ninja 250R, your choice! (Or be responsible and save the money!)


$2000 for stage 3 including inlets aint a bad deal, and only 500 more for headers! Ive laid such perfect groundwork for this too--meth, custom exhaust, gutted downpipes, etc.... I want MORE power, a motorcycle would be an easy solution to this need for speed, but I could have a 400+hp station wagon! Oh boy Ive got some thinking to do!

[in2thenightaudi]

Two days ago the hood strut stopped working...ghetto replacement is a piece of PVC.

This happened to mine too. When I changed my oil this weekend, I had to use a 2x4 to prop it open. Also driving on the highway my bellypan ripped off the other week. Scared the sh*t out of me when it came off at 70mph!!!

[btsline04]

These would sure go well with that meth kit! (NO! I told myself I spend any more on modifying this car after the meth kit was installed.) Stage 3 or Ninja 250R, your choice! (Or be responsible and save the money!)


$2000 for stage 3 including inlets aint a bad deal, and only 500 more for headers! Ive laid such perfect groundwork for this too--meth, custom exhaust, gutted downpipes, etc.... I want MORE power, a motorcycle would be an easy solution to this need for speed, but I could have a 400+hp station wagon! Oh boy Ive got some thinking to do!

Oh come on...you better stop playing with us! YOU KNOW you are gonna order the FT!

[bryzf1]

DO IT!

[allroad-drvr]

+1

[allroad-drvr]

this ass shot is sickkkk

nice touch with the tint on the tails

I have the same color AR....liking the door blades

[awdjunkies]

I have the same color AR....liking the door blades

Seems like we have the same taste


Oh and 4RingAR, to answer your question, no it's still in my garage waiting for some friends/members to come over and help me put her together, so I can enjoy them wheels

[4ringAR]

The Allroad is still running strong and problem free, though I still need to replace the dangling fender marker.

But last week I picked up a new project incase my life isn't already busy enough...she's a 1966 Pontiac StarChief Executive. 74k original miles, the 389(yes, 6.4 liters of V8 fury) runs strong though it could use a bit of a tune up, interior is in great condition, the exteriors not bad just a couple rust spots by the fenders and could use paint, and the headlights have a wiring issue and dont work. Planning on dropping it low by cutting the springs, cutting out and welding in some patches for the rust, new paint(turquoise and silver?), wire wheels, general engine tune up, dual exhaust with glasspacks, and fixing the headlight issue. I only paid 1500 for the car, I feel I can put in 2000 more to make it a sweet low rider/cruiser, and then if I want I could probably flip it for a few grand in profit.

[awdjunkies]

How's the AR doing? I miss seeing pics of it...

[4ringAR]

I guess Ill update this then, its been nearly year.

Early December 2011 I was pretty stressed with school and personal things, and we had our first snow, so I went for a Crest Run to the top of Sandia Peak in the middle of the night. Long story short ABS stopped working so I thought I was braking but I was just sliding. Almost drove off a cliff, but saved it by drifting the corner. Kissed the guard rail with the rear bumper/quarter panel, but could have been much worse(death). Restarted the car and the ABS worked again.

A couple weeks later the viscous cooling fan exploded(It was a very cold, rainy/snowy day, and it happened right after I started the car, so I think icing was to blame), and punctured the radiator.
I decided to replace the radiator and fan myself, and battled with it on and off for months. Id get to a part where I didnt have the right tool and would put it on the back burner since I was so busy with school, work, and building a racecar. Then I finally got to replacing the radiator, and it turned out RockAuto sent me a radiator for an A6, not an Allroad, which didnt fit right. I threw in the towel and had a local shop fix it in May.(Yes, 5 months after it died)

Since it got the radiator fixed in May, the HVAC doesnt work, along with level control and the radio needs to be turned on and off manually. For some reason there is a short causing it to blow a fuse, causing all these things. Im also getting a code for the oil temperature sensor(gauge doesnt work) and the headlight leveling(i think this has to do with the level control being off with the rest of the dashboard issues).

BUT

The engine is still running very strong at just under 140,000 miles. It pulls hard at any speed, butter smooth power delivery and engine note.

I bought the plans for a hitch from a member on this forum, that I planned to have Waterjet cut and then weld all together, but then the Waterjet company said they would do it but never called me back, and it too got put on the backburner. I still really want to hitch it up, so Ill look into waterjet cutters here in Denver now.


Oh and a picture and video of the racecar that consumed 18 months of my life

[awdjunkies]

I guess Ill update this then, its been nearly year.

Early December 2011 I was pretty stressed with school and personal things, and we had our first snow, so I went for a Crest Run to the top of Sandia Peak in the middle of the night. Long story short ABS stopped working so I thought I was braking but I was just sliding. Almost drove off a cliff, but saved it by drifting the corner. Kissed the guard rail with the rear bumper/quarter panel, but could have been much worse(death). Restarted the car and the ABS worked again.

A couple weeks later the viscous cooling fan exploded(It was a very cold, rainy/snowy day, and it happened right after I started the car, so I think icing was to blame), and punctured the radiator.
I decided to replace the radiator and fan myself, and battled with it on and off for months. Id get to a part where I didnt have the right tool and would put it on the back burner since I was so busy with school, work, and building a racecar. Then I finally got to replacing the radiator, and it turned out RockAuto sent me a radiator for an A6, not an Allroad, which didnt fit right. I threw in the towel and had a local shop fix it in May.(Yes, 5 months after it died)

Since it got the radiator fixed in May, the HVAC doesnt work, along with level control and the radio needs to be turned on and off manually. For some reason there is a short causing it to blow a fuse, causing all these things. Im also getting a code for the oil temperature sensor(gauge doesnt work) and the headlight leveling(i think this has to do with the level control being off with the rest of the dashboard issues).

BUT

The engine is still running very strong at just under 140,000 miles. It pulls hard at any speed, butter smooth power delivery and engine note.

I bought the plans for a hitch from a member on this forum, that I planned to have Waterjet cut and then weld all together, but then the Waterjet company said they would do it but never called me back, and it too got put on the backburner. I still really want to hitch it up, so Ill look into waterjet cutters here in Denver now.


Oh and a picture and video of the racecar that consumed 18 months of my life

Wow, that's crazy.. I am glad you were able to cheat death my friend... Thanks for the update...

Oh and by the way, Congrats, that thing looks FUN!!!!

[khalimadeath]

Dude that racecar is bad ass.

[4ringAR]

We designed and built every component on it, its kinda my pride and joy. We placed 10th overall out of 80 teams in Nebraska in June. Its absolutely the craziest thing to drive. 0-60 in about 4.25 seconds, and can pull 2g's around a corner. Its impossible to describe how much fun it is to drive. We run a 500cc Yamaha snowmobile engine, it makes about 60hp, and weighs less than 500lbs, so it has basically the same power to weight ratio of an Audi R8.

[OGBULLYLOCDAWG]

Any idea what % tint that is all around on the AR?

[4ringAR]

Came with the car...Im not sure, but Id guess maybe 35% or a bit lighter, its definitely lighter than my A4 had(30%).
I do know I cant find anywhere that can color match it now that Ive had the rear window replaced.

[4ringAR]

I caved. The allroad is in the shop getting the electricals sorted out as to why the HVAC doesnt work. Hopefully the bill isnt too painful.
When I get it back Im going to give it a good wash, wax, vacuuming, and interior detailing.


A few other updates.
Last week I fixed the wiring on my meth kit and re-polished the headlights because they had become very cloudy again. I finally did clear cornered headlights while the car was apart between last December and May.

[4ringAR]

Got the car back today, the bill was painful. But HVAC, radio, outdoor temp, air-ride controls, heated everything, and oil temp sensor all work flawlessly like new again. It was in the shop for 2 weeks, searching for the issue which turned out to be a rogue 18gauge wire behind the dashboard that had chaffed off the insulation and was shorting out. If they hadnt found it by the end of the day yesterday, I was going to pull the plug on the car and sell it/part it out.

Im definitely glad to have the car back and ready for winter. Time to put the car in wintermode, ski season has begun!

[awdjunkies]

Got the car back today, the bill was painful. But HVAC, radio, outdoor temp, air-ride controls, heated everything, and oil temp sensor all work flawlessly like new again. It was in the shop for 2 weeks, searching for the issue which turned out to be a rogue 18gauge wire behind the dashboard that had chaffed off the insulation and was shorting out. If they hadnt found it by the end of the day yesterday, I was going to pull the plug on the car and sell it/part it out.

Im definitely glad to have the car back and ready for winter. Time to put the car in wintermode, ski season has begun!

Son, I am not sure what you've been smokin'? But it's messing with your reasoning!!! LOL

[4ringAR]

I had done some calculations, and it was right up to the point where it was going to be more financially responsible to part the car out than continue throwing money at it trying to find the electrical issue. After what I had invested in the radiator fiasco and this, Ive spent the approximate worth of the car in repairs over the past 9 months. If I had to spend any more, I just didnt see it being worth it. With what I had spent, I felt I could still break even parting the car out.

That said, I sure am glad I got it fixed, its an awesome car, I love all of its features. but now that im "all in" on the car, Ive been eyeing a DVD/navigation headunit for a bit now, i feel it really modernizes the car. Will likely be the next modification. My pops got this Kenwood in his car recently and its pretty sweet. It has all the features I want, is one of the less expensive units available, the touchscreen is responsive and smooth reacting, seems to have a fast processor, graphics are really nice, and the nav is done by Garmin so its real intuitive and the maps are good.

And yes the color can be changed to red, to match other interior lighting.

[blkrhyno]

What model is it ? And does this mean you are keeping the allroad ?

[4ringAR]

Its a Kenwood DNX-5190.

Yes Im keeping the car since the shop found the wire that had chaffed through the insulation, was grounding out, and causing electrical mayhem.

[awdjunkies]

I had done some calculations, and it was right up to the point where it was going to be more financially responsible to part the car out than continue throwing money at it trying to find the electrical issue. After what I had invested in the radiator fiasco and this, Ive spent the approximate worth of the car in repairs over the past 9 months. If I had to spend any more, I just didnt see it being worth it. With what I had spent, I felt I could still break even parting the car out.

That said, I sure am glad I got it fixed, its an awesome car, I love all of its features. but now that im "all in" on the car, Ive been eyeing a DVD/navigation headunit for a bit now, i feel it really modernizes the car. Will likely be the next modification. My pops got this Kenwood in his car recently and its pretty sweet. It has all the features I want, is one of the less expensive units available, the touchscreen is responsive and smooth reacting, seems to have a fast processor, graphics are really nice, and the nav is done by Garmin so its real intuitive and the maps are good.

And yes the color can be changed to red, to match other interior lighting.

I hear ya man,
That dvd/nav looks really good. This is the one I got in mine, this time around(First AR, I had the RNS-E)..Sorry for the crappy phone pic but, it does everything I want it to do and more...:



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

[4ringAR]

what model/make unit is that? looks pretty good!

I went to the european auto scrap yard and picked up a compass mirror from an RS6. Had to recalibrate it, but that was easy. I feel like a friggin explorer with this thing.
old one with no compass and fluid bubble:


shiny new, rs6 one with compass!

[awdjunkies]

what model/make unit is that? looks pretty good!

I went to the european auto scrap yard and picked up a compass mirror from an RS6. Had to recalibrate it, but that was easy. I feel like a friggin explorer with this thing.
old one with no compass and fluid bubble:


shiny new, rs6 one with compass!

Nice!!!^ Mine is a Clarion NX501

[4ringAR]

I got some other goodies for the car in the mail while it was in the shop(not expecting it to be such an intensive situation) but I installed them today, and will have some installed pictures...soon.

1) I got this little Griffin Dual USB charger, 2 usb's, charge 2 things at once! It plugs into any 12V socket, and sits maybe 3/32 of an inch out of the socket...very low profile! Its lower profile than the stock cigarette lighters, so it wont get easily knocked out, and you can close the ash try with it in! Charge cellphones, iPods, cameras, whatever. Ive read that because its only 1amp per plug, it either wont charge iPads or it charges them very slowly, but I dont have an iPad, so not an issue. And theyre like $10 on Amazon, super cheap.



2) I wanted to try heated wipers because I hate having the blades freeze up in heavy snow. I went with HeatFlexx(www.HeatedBlades.com) because they use the new "aero" style blade, and looked well put together. $50 (+$9 shipping, but thats free if you use "SNOW" promo code), is only a few bucks more than new blades from pep-boys or something anyways, so what the hell, might as well try it. Install was easy, they use pretty generic push-type plugs(looks like HP or similar laptops power plug), so putting it together is cake. just plug it in on each blade, run the wire down the firewall and ziptie it to the wiper arm(only negative i have to say is the included zip ties were too small to be useful), and either hard wire it using the included ring terminals, or use the 12V socket connector thats included. They will come on at 40*F automatically with little thermo sensors right inline the wiring, right by the blade. I might redo the wiring and have an on-off switch with LED indicator, but its ok for now. Its supposed to snow later in the week, cant wait to test them out. Like I said, Ill get some installed pictures of it soon. I need to redo the zipties on the wiper arms, I only had white ones available and so it looks like shit right now.


Generic aero wiper blade vs heatflexx. Looks basically the same, but the Heatflexx has a connector for the wiring


3) I decided to paint the front turn signal bulbs silver since the headlights are clear cornered. That was easy, certainly looks better than the orange bulb sticking out in the headlights.

[4ringAR]

Also, I got a new LED boost gauge light bulb. I used to have an LED one in there, but it was kinda too blue for the rest of the gauges, and it began flickering and eventually died. I put a standard 194 halogen bulb in, but it was worse than the blue, very yellow in comparison to the rest of the instrument cluster gauges. Found an LED bulb by Sylvania at Pep Boys, color matches the gauges well but is a fair bit brighter. Im happy.

Here you can kinda see the blueishness of the old LED.


And new LED that is actually white, but bright

And some of the heated wiper wiring



Cant really even see any of the wiring.


And USB plug


And painted turn signal bulbs in clear corner headlights


Sorry most of the pictures are blurry, I couldnt get the camera to focus.

[awdjunkies]

^ I like that, very recessed..
PS: Dude!! what's with the Quarters?

[4ringAR]

Youve heard of making it rain at the strip club? Well when I go to the strip club, I make it hail!

Lol kidding I keep quarters in my ashtray since I use them at the car wash. Clearly, I havent been washing my car as much as I should, since Ive got a ton of quarters.

[awdjunkies]

Youve heard of making it rain at the strip club? Well when I go to the strip club, I make it hail!

Lol kidding I keep quarters in my ashtray since I use them at the car wash. Clearly, I havent been washing my car as much as I should, since Ive got a ton of quarters.

LMAO!! I was like WTH? but yeah, the carwash thing makes sense... I guess that's what the kids call it now days since you go to get WET hahaha j/k

[4ringAR]

YOUVE GOT TO BE FUCKING KIDDING ME. FUUUUUCCCCKKKKKKK.

Im driving to work this morning, and all of a sudden the battery light comes up on the center console. I look at the voltmeter, and notice its pinned to 8V, and freak thinking the alternator isnt charging or something, then notice where the trip meter normally is it reads "FUSE" so I realize Ive just popped a fuse. I then also notice all of the lights on the dashboard, save for the instrument cluster and the LCD screens on the radio and HVAC are out.

I get to work, and started pulling fuses to see which one has popped. Its number 15, which is a 10amp mini. I had a few in the car, so I put a new one in, turned on the car, and all was well. I get off work, and decided to try turning on the headlights because i know it is a lighting issue. POP.
I pull over, put a new fuse in, and replaced the LED bulb in the boost gauge with the old halogen one, thinking this might be it. Works fine, I start driving, get cocky and turn on the lights, no pop. Great, it was the LED bulb.

I get home, and decide to hit up PepBoys for another pack of fuses to verify that it was the bulb. Turn on the car and POP. This is with the halogen bulb. I try with the boost gauge wiring completely disconnected. POP.

I drop the kick panel and start poking around, verifying all the aftermarket "homegrown" wiring is all good, it looks to be, but i decide to disconnect it all to make sure its not causing the problem. and POP.

Youve. Got. To. Be. Kidding. I am so fucking sick of electrical issues. At least its only the lights that are affected, and not my heated steering wheel. It makes me want to punch walls....must...resist....Ive got a history of either hurting my fist or putting holes in walls, depending on the type of wall. Niether is desirable.

[Vinchenzo51]

New wiper blades grounding out somewhere?

[4ringAR]

That shouldnt be it, I completely disconnected the wires for that and it still blew the fuse. Besides, it is not connected to that circuit at all, and it only happens once I turn the headlights on.

I called the shop and they suggested disconnecting the HVAC unit because it was throwing some strange codes when they were searching for electrical issue #1.

So i pulled the radio and pulled the HVAC...success! No fuse pop. But just to be sure its the HVAC, I plugged JUST the radio back in. POP. So its the radio. Well, just to be certain, I unplugged the radio again, POP. So I have no idea what it is still.

[4ringAR]

Teaser of what Im working on right now(hint: the wood wont be there when Im done)

And a snowy picture from the other morning


Oh also this weekend I also got a new pneumatic hood prop, after over a year using the pvc pipe LOL. And a new rear wiper blade, how exciting!

[4ringAR]

Got this LED Interior light kit in the mail today. Everything is brighter and crisper looking. Im pretty happy. The kit is mostly complete, but not totally. However it is a good start towards a full LED interior.
I used the rear dome lights for the license plate, and one of the cargo lights for one of the rear footwells. Cargo area is still brighter with 1 LED bulb than with both stock bulbs. Also still need the bulbs for the lights above the vanity mirrors, the glove box light, and that one light on the hatch so you dont hit your head. Ill also need a set of reverse lights now to go with the license plate bulbs!