LoJac963's Deuce Build
 

Figured I'd post my build thread over here since the H2 members seemed to have died off at the other forum I frequent....

enjoy

This is how she sat at the dealership the night I went to test drive. Bought the 2 that night after a long debate at the dealership regarding the trade in of my 06 GTO.




First thing I couldn't stand were the gigantic chrome nerf bars. Did some research on options and fell in love with the U-steps. Finally found a set for a great price. They were pretty beat up so I had them chemically stripped and PC'ed. Insanely better than those huge chrome nerfs.






Next was the DRL's change to LED's. The SMD's are quite a bit brighter than the stock bulbs and look a hell of a lot better.




Something I've always done is change over the interior to LED. Much brighter, crisper light.








After that I put in a Lev-o-Gage just for fun.




Next on the list was a Volant air box. I couldn't stand how much of a PITA it was to take the stock lid off so I opted for a Volant.




Pic of the silicone coupers and t-bolt clamps I used. The Volant adapter included is worthless.

Re: LoJac963's Deuce Build
 

Next I decided to play with Plasti-Dip. Sprayed the chrome stock fuel door.




After doing the fuel door I figured I might as well do the rims also. Get rid of all that chrome in one go!






Next I put in the CF look dash pieces.








Up next......the roof rack

Re: LoJac963's Deuce Build
 

Picked up a Gobi Stealth for $850 shipped brand new. Install was interesting getting the gigantic thing on top of the truck.










Here are the 2 rear lights installed




Now onto the bigger project. I didn't like the idea of only 1 light in each section on the front of the rack so I opted to make my own double light brackets.

Started with a 1" x 4' piece of aluminum stock




Cut that down into 12" sections




After quite a bit of cutting, filing, drilling and threading we went from this




To this




Here is one of the brackets painted and ready for the rack.

Re: LoJac963's Deuce Build
 

This is the final product with all the lights on the rack






Stay tuned, definitely more to come hopefully soon!

Re: LoJac963's Deuce Build
 

Small update, finally ordered and received my Gobi ladder. Went with the driver side but now I'm thinking one on the passenger would look good too. I didn't drill the hole the instructions say to, just used the factory hole with the included bolts and the set screws on the bottom.

Re: LoJac963's Deuce Build
 

Also finished wiring up all the roof lights, one hell of a project.

One switch runs the center 4 lights, one switch runs the outside 4 lights and the far switch runs the 2 rear lights.

Switches



Pics of the wiring for everything:







The wiring runs through the side marker trim down through the outside window trim, through the cowel cover down next to the side vents and into the engine compartment.

Center 4 lights on:



Outside 4 lights on:






Here is all 8 lights on:





And finally the rear lights:




I need to take it out somewhere very dark and see how these things light the road up. They seem very bright but we will see.

Re: LoJac963's Deuce Build
 

THAT IS SO COOL !!!!!

How in the world am I EVER going to keep up????!!!

Now we definitely need to meet up for lunch someplace soon. We have the same color H2. Mines is more of the chrome direction. But I must say that the black really sets it off nicely !!!

:perfect10s: :jump:

Re: LoJac963's Deuce Build
 

Here's another update but let me preface this by saying:

I am a firm opponent of HID's in reflector housings due to the massive amounts of glare. All my vehicles so far have had factory projectors but I cannot justify spending (at this moment) the $1,000 on STARR projectors and I have absolutely no desire to break apart my lights to attempt a retro fit. I have done it in the past but is more hassle than its worth IMO.

Anyway here are DDM Tuning (which I order all my HID's from) 55 watt 10,000K HID's with relay harness.

55 watt kits look one level lower on the Kelvin scale due to the higher wattage washing the color out so they are actually closer to the 6-8k color. Surprising to me the 7" round housings we have do a halfway decent job with the glare compared to other vehicles I've seen on the road.

Pics of the ballasts and wiring:



Heads finaly match my DRL's now:



ALL the front lights on:



I'll have those damn STARR's one day........lol

Re: LoJac963's Deuce Build
 

lol thanks man, I have more to copy over so stay tuned....

Re: LoJac963's Deuce Build
 

Small update. I picked up a set of Delco Remy 4 note horns. 4 horns in total to make the train horn sound, apparently these used to be stock in the old caddies.

Here's the horns before install:



Here are all 4 installed, these are the two behind the front grill:



Driver side:



Passenger side:



Here is a short vid of what they sound like. I was already getting late by the time I had the wiring finished up so just tapped the horn a couple times:



I love the sound of them, they are definitely loud and beat the hell out of the baby stock horns!

Re: LoJac963's Deuce Build
 

Ok gents here we go. LED's came in today....well now yesterday ugh. I've been working on this for probably about 7 hours so far.

Some issues here and there, definitely not as easy as I thought and may be in a little over my head with all this.

So here's some pics of whats done so far. The colors are much darker in person, dark blue and dark red.

Driver Door controls:



Passenger seat heater controls:



Steering wheel buttons:



Headlight, rear washer controls:



Now here is the circuit board from the radio. I didn't mind ripping it all apart because I needed to replace 2 buttons with white showing through that were there when I bought the truck:



Radio complete:



TC2 buttons:



Best pic I can get of the 4x4 selector buttons. This set uses a big clear plastic reflector to direct the light to all the buttons. As you can see they are barely lit so I have to figure something out with that....



Oh and now my two steering wheel controls on the top are doing crazy things to the radio-I'm waiting for some solder wick to arrive tomorrow because I know I some how got some solder on one of the button contacts so I'm hoping all that is.

So now that the steering wheel controls and radio are done I have come to the conclusion these LED's are TOO BRIGHT!!! If I turn the dimmer down a bit then slight dark spots show in addition to them still being bright. The reason I didn't buy the diffused LED's is because the mcd was about half of the clear water lens. Game plan now is to order some blue diffused and use them in the climate controls and see how they look compared to the radio.

So far its going good, not looking forward to redoing the radio if I decide to keep the diffused LED's...ugh.

I'll keep this thread updated!

Re: LoJac963's Deuce Build
 

Another update:

So the wife came home from work and I figured I'd have her take a look at everything I've gotten done. She was less than enthused to say the least. She made 2 valid points, one being the blue is just too damn bright which I agreed and two the blue just didn't look classy for a truck like an H2 to which I EVENTUALLY agreed lol.

She suggested to do everything in white to which I thought well its all in white stock. BUT white LED is much much crisper and clean than the stock white. So I ended up taking out one of the steering wheel controls and threw 2 white LED's in there and here's the result:



Definitely a crisp clean white but also insanely bright. This is now the route I'm going, however the major change will be using diffused lenses on everything to tone down the mcd of each LED. White and not as bright I think is going to turn out very very nice and will match my next project that's in the mail ;-)

So more LED's on order, I guess I'll just leave the truck torn down this week, no point in putting it all back together just to rip into it again. I'll keep you all updated.

Re: LoJac963's Deuce Build
 

Ok gents here we go, project 95% complete with the exception of the door window controls on all 4 doors. Those have reverse mount SMD LED's which I cannot find anywhere HOWEVER the passenger airbag LED was an SMD and I desoldered it and worked in a 3mm LED in its place and it works great so that is my plan with them. So another LED order going in for those.

The blue is gone, white is in!

Here is the center stack, the white is awesome. Completely crisp white, I used diffused LED's this time so no hot spots. For some reason the 4x4 controls and traction controls have a blue lens so they are a little blue:



Driver seat controls:



Headlight controls:



Airbag switch, used a non diffused which resulted in a little hot spot so I may replace with a diffused white when I place my next order:



Steering wheel controls:



Passenger seat heater I left red:



Roof buttons:



And this is completely badass!

Escalade gauge face with aftermarket white needles. I replaced all my cluster bulbs with white LED's but the gauge overlay is tinted blue which gave everything a nice subtle blue color. I really like how it turned out!



This project is not for the faint of heart. Quite a few of the button packs are not meant to be disassembled just replaced if you have issues with them. However with enough persistance everything does come apart...very carefully!

I am so glad the dull stock yellow/white is gone!

I'll update again once I get the window controls finished up.

Re: LoJac963's Deuce Build
 

Ordered a Purple Cranium Spyder rear diff protector. Took about 2 weeks from time of order to them fabricating and powdercoating the thing and getting it to my door. Not too bad.

There are over 50 powdercoat options and different decal options. I decided to go with the Silver Hammertone powdercoat and the red decals. I really like the color combo, its enough to stand out and say HEY I'm here but not too overbearing.

Pic before install:



Installed:





More to come hopefully soon!

Re: LoJac963's Deuce Build
 

That should be everything copied over, I need to go throug the whole thing and make sure all the IMG links are correct but it should all be here. :dancingbanana:

Re: LoJac963's Deuce Build
 

I'm so jealous................:crying:

And I thought I had some cool mods. Mine pale in comparison to this cool stuff.

I'd like to change my door and dome lights with those LEDs.

Re: LoJac963's Deuce Build
 

that's no big deal at all, when we meet up we can go over whatever you want. I'll shoot you a PM once I dig up what bulbs I used everywhere.

Re: LoJac963's Deuce Build
 

you day man!

thanks

Re: LoJac963's Deuce Build
 

Latest update. Don't mind the dirty truck it rained and hailed here in AZ like a SOB the last 3 days.

Predator Brush Guard finally arrived. What happened was I received a BG with no hardware, called Hummer Parts Club and Dave had Predator ship me the hardware.....then come to find out the BG they sent was for the H3 so no wonder I couldn't figure out how it mounted. Finally got the correct BG and threw it on the truck yesterday.

I love it, I was thinking about going with the Treehugger or Demonguard but I don't do any hardcore offroading so this is more than enough for me!

Pics:





The other upside is the sides of the BG don't wrap around as far so I won't have any issues when I pull the trigger on the E&G offroad fender flares.

Re: LoJac963's Deuce Build
 

Did you get my PM on my Fender Flares?

Re: LoJac963's Deuce Build
 

I did not, I got the one regarding your BG but not on the flares. I'm going to be buying some Delta fogs right now but shoot me a PM on the price and I'll see if I can swing that also!

Re: LoJac963's Deuce Build
 

PM sent.

Re: LoJac963's Deuce Build
 

Small update, figured I'd jump on the snubby antenna train......

Also cut the stock boot to seal everything up and make it look better.

Re: LoJac963's Deuce Build
 

Another update.

GOBI axe/shovel attachment arrived on Friday. Only took about a week to get here!

Here's the pics, found a red axe and shovel. I also put small circle rubber adhesive protectors on all the contact points where the handles touch the mounts. They not only hold stronger but also keep the handles from turning. I also sprayed the metal on the axe and shovel with a satin clear coat to protect them from the elements.





More to come!

Re: LoJac963's Deuce Build
 

Next update:

I fitted in 4" round LED lights into my DRL's. The light itself if 4" but a total of 5" including the bottom mounting boss. I'll go over the install here.

These are my stock DRL's. You can see the lens is completely burned away at the top, as was the oem 4114 burned at the base. I don't know why these things run so hot.



If you've seen this thread I also added the ceramic substrate SMD LED towers which were pretty bright however these LED lights blow the towers out of the water:

Here's the lights, the right one has the mounting boss ground off:



Better pic of the mounts ground off and painted:



The back of the lights have 4 holes for mounting tabs as a second mounting option. What I did was cut some 2" long 10-32 thread studs. Screwed them into the lights and secured them with a washer and nylon lock nut:



After that it's all downhill. Those studs will fit exactly into the factory holes. I put another nylon locking nut and washer before the end of the threads to prevent the light from falling back. Then one more washer and regular nut on the back of the bumper to hold everything tight.

This way the heatsink fins do not touch any of the plastic of the bumper, these lights do get pretty toasty. I'd imagine driving though the should stay cool with wind blowing over them.

Here's a pic of one installed:



Another pic:



My LED towers were very bright compared to the factory bulbs. Here's the comparison between my LED towers on the left and the new LED lights on the right:



I still have to do the wiring, the pic above was just connected with jumpers. Shouldn't be difficult though, couple of pins, heatshrink and done.

Re: LoJac963's Deuce Build
 

[quote=LoJac963]Small update, figured I'd jump on the snubby antenna train......

Also cut the stock boot to seal everything up and make it look better.



I put mine on last night. It looks pretty sweet, but I noticed a loss of reception on most of the stations in the St. Louis area. Kinda bummed about that, as I really like the look of it.

Re: LoJac963's Deuce Build
 

I only listen to XM so I have no idea about the radio reception lol.

Re: LoJac963's Deuce Build
 

Outstanding :beerchug:

Re: LoJac963's Deuce Build
 

Thanks! Another update coming this week. :D

Re: LoJac963's Deuce Build
 

Here's the next update. Picked up a Plus1 foglight bar. Came used with some scratches so I repainted everything, added some higher wattage bulbs and mounted it. I love the look of more lights at the bottom!

This was the bar when it first arrived:


Painted and installed:



Another shot:



All the lights on:



Now if I could just find those cowel lights for a good price!!! lol

Re: LoJac963's Deuce Build
 

So I'm in the process of getting rid of the Plasti Dip and going with more permanent stuff.

This is what I used for the fuel door:



I didn't think it would wrinkle quite as much as it did but its pretty cool looking:





Also will be painting my rims with engine enamel low gloss black. I pulled the wheels today, wire wheeled the hell out of the hub centers and sprayed them black. Touched up the plasti dip on the center of the wheels to see how everything would look and I really like it with the caps off.

Next will be to have the wheels rebalanced to get the weights off the outside, strip them and paint them with rattle cans so I don't have to worry about peeling plasti dip.

Here's a pic of one of the wheels:



I'm also thinking about getting long splined lugs in black so they completely cover the studs and stick out a bit but I still have to look around a bit.

Re: LoJac963's Deuce Build
 

looking great lojac!! Great Mods. Love all the LED work. Something I def need to do as a few of mine are out in my truck. If you ever do gather up the bulbs you used for the meetup you were discussing with another member let me know. I live in Phoenix and would def be interested in a meetup.

Re: LoJac963's Deuce Build
 

oh awesome, where in phoenix? We are both west valley.

Re: LoJac963's Deuce Build
 

43rd ave and glendale.

Re: LoJac963's Deuce Build
 

Well well, it sounds like the Phoenix H2's need to have a meetup someplace in the northwest valley sometime soon!!!! (I recall years ago back when I had my Tundra, it was really great to meet up with fellow Tundra owners and see what they have done to their rigs and listen to the stories about the mods they did and how they did them.)

LoJack and I have been teasing one another about doing mods on our H2's, its like each week one of us has a new mod to do but after looking at his rig, theirs no way I can compete with him. Hes just got mod after mod done and I just sit here in awe of his creativity. Its almost like watching an artist paint a picture on a canvas and end up with something so cool, you end up saying to yourself..........damn, I wish I had thought of that mod. :D

Anyway, lets plan on getting everyone rounded up soon at someplace between all of us. :beerchug:

Re: LoJac963's Deuce Build
 

^lol you're too funny man. If you want do knock out some of them like the LED's just let me know. That could easily be done!

We all should definitely meet up. I wonder how many other H2's are on the sites here in the valley. Maybe we should start posting in the regional sections to see. :dancingbanana:

Re: LoJac963's Deuce Build
 

I can remember seeing quite a few over the past few years here in the greater Phoenix area. I'm definately in to meetup sometime. And Lojack I'm definately interested in seeing your guages and doing an LED swap on the interior.

Re: LoJac963's Deuce Build
 

well then, lets check our calendars and pick a few dates that everyone's off from work then select a place to meet at around lunch time. Usually restaurants like TGI Fridays, Applebees, Chilis', or Red Robin make good meet & eat events, and we have plenty of these here in the valley.

Just a thought. Once we have this done, I will make a post in the Local Events & Activities forum for the Az Hummers and see if anyone else can show up.:popcorn:

Re: LoJac963's Deuce Build
 

I work nights at the hospital....3 days a week so I should be able to make just about anything in the afternoon. :beerchug:

Re: LoJac963's Deuce Build
 

LED's look great! Wish I was in the area as I would pay you to help me do mine. I don't have people like that in my area that would do mods like that so I am either doing it myself and figuring it out on my own or it's just not happening. Let me know if you are ever in the UT are for a week or so... Lol!