E21 Project Thread - Part 2

[Bassboy3313]

After further looking and comparing the H4 lights with the e21 headlight buckets, it seemed like it was going to be lots of tedious work that may not even be correct. I ended up selling those lights and picking up a set of vw mk2 smoked crosshairs instead. These come with the buckets and adjusters already attached.

Talking to a guy who has done this retrofit before, looks like just a bit of trimming on the vw bucket to fit the shape and size of e21 bucket. Then just clearance a few spots on e21 bucket and tack weld them together. Shouldn't bad. Here are some pics he sent me of what he did.

My initial thought was to just trim up the vw bucket and weld on mounting tabs to bolt to existing location on core support. That would involve a lot more careful measuring that this guy's way since using the e21 buckets will position the lights correctly to fit flush with the grilles.

That's where I'm at right now with those.

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[Earl]

Do you still need your euro parts with this fix?

[Bassboy3313]

Nope. That was one of the reasons why I decided to go this route instead too.

[Jdesign]

Those will look awesome. Good choice.

[Bassboy3313]

Ordered a 90mm wheel stud kit for black friday and also made my hvac gauge/switch panel. Added some texture which turned out to be a little overkill, but whatevs. Looks kind of military-ish.

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[straight6pwr]

better make another for Earl, I know he's drooling over that. (from the aneurysm)

the visible layers of past versions are a little meh, but it's a race car so function>form.

[Bassboy3313]

Wheel studs showed up super quick!

Also finished up my custom headlight buckets for the vw golf crosshairs. Needs to be adjusted till straight but gives a good idea what it will look like.

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[HipMF]

Wow, guess I haven't been following this recently...

1. I dig the lights. Reminds me of all the old-school customs that used to use lucas tri-bars.

2. $700! damn. Glad I managed to get a good deal on mine. I got a super-clean one from California with an aluminum/polyurethane dogbone off of bimmerforums for $400

3. Hope you put a chase nipple or something between those two handy-boxes (picture with the amputated crab and Jack Daniels bottle). It's been a while since I've picked up a code book, but I'm pretty sure that wire running through holes in a metal box in direct contact with wood is generally not acceptable.

[Bassboy3313]

HipMF said:

3. Hope you put a chase nipple or something between those two handy-boxes (picture with the amputated crab and Jack Daniels bottle). It's been a while since I've picked up a code book, but I'm pretty sure that wire running through holes in a metal box in direct contact with wood is generally not acceptable.

I used romex for all wiring, which is acceptable to run through wood studs without EMT. Should be fine between those 2 boxes and double protected with romex through EMT everywhere else.

[HipMF]

Puting romex inside EMT is actually also illegal for heat-disipation reasons. Although there's an exception for verticle runs less than 6 feet in residential basements (IIRC)

Not saying that it's a problem, or that it's going to start on fire, just that it would be a code violation if you hired someone to put it in. Owner-installed electrical is usually exempt.

[B C]

Extension cords from the neighbors house ftmfw

[Bassboy3313]

HipMF said:

Puting romex inside EMT is actually also illegal for heat-disipation reasons. Although there's an exception for verticle runs less than 6 feet in residential basements (IIRC)

Not saying that it's a problem, or that it's going to start on fire, just that it would be a code violation if you hired someone to put it in. Owner-installed electrical is usually exempt.

Interesting. I am no electrician, but my thought process was this ... 

Both romex and THHN wire have the same temperature rating which doesnt make sense to me. Also, romex can be run in insulated walls which you'd think would be illegal for heat-dissipation reasons then too. Another reason I used romex with emt is because a) I already had the romex sitting around and b) to protect it from getting damaged due to it running along the backside of a work bench. 

Either way, I DO WHAT I WANT!!!!!!!!!

[straight6pwr]

codes are there to protect us against idiots. i think they overreach into the world of personal property. i agree with bucketmouthboy, its your own damn house to do with as you please. you will probably say 'well who wants to buy a house that might be dangerous', to which I would respond A) thats what inspections are for and 2) i like to live dangerously

common sense > codes

[HipMF]

Yes, the codes are over-reaching. Designed for worse-case scenario, with multiple failures required to kill someone or start fires... still happens amyway.

They come out with a new code book every four years and have to do something to justify their jobs, so they keep adding to it.

[Bassboy3313]

Forgot to post last weekend, but I began tearing down the rear euro trailing arms to replace the wheel bearings while I had everything off the car. Well, the axle nuts proved to be a PITA for any of my hand tools and/or air impact guns, So I summoned the help of Brain (Snap) with his massive electric impact gun. With some heat, pounding with a mini sledge and the electric impact, the axle nuts proved no match. Ordered new axle nuts and cotter pins. Now the fun begins with replacing the inner & outer bearings/seals on both trailing arms.

[YoungCR]

whats different about the trailing arms on euro models?

[B C]

Harambe doesn't like drum brakes

[Bassboy3313]

YoungCR said:

whats different about the trailing arms on euro models?

larger wheel bearings and disc brakes

[straight6pwr]

disc brake upgrade, nice.

its a good thing an e21 rear axle nuts have cotter pins. brian would have gotten confused by lock plates.

[KaiserRolls]

straight6pwr said:

disc brake upgrade, nice.

its a good thing an e21 rear axle nuts have cotter pins. brian would have gotten confused by lock plates.

lol