Ernie The 2002 - A slow restoration

[72MetallicMalaga]

IH8MUD and 2002FAQ, two of the best auto forums out there, too, IMHO.

[NYNick]

10 hours ago, ErnieThe02 said:

Thanks!  Took 7 years to get the Land Cruiser looking like that.   Highly recommended as a stablemate!   

Yes, altough the LC gets about half the MPG than the 02.

I'm the original owner of mine.

[ErnieThe02]

Today Ernie received one new tail light lens and all LED rear lights (running lights, brake lights, backup lights).

When I have a few minutes Ill spray the inside of the tail lam assemblies since they look more like charcoal than shiny silver.

Better change of avoiding read end collisions now that I can be seen.

 

[2002iii]

19 minutes ago, ErnieThe02 said:

Today Ernie received one new tail light lens and all LED rear lights (running lights, brake lights, backup lights).

When I have a few minutes Ill spray the inside of the tail lam assemblies since they look more like charcoal than shiny silver.

Better change of avoiding read end collisions now that I can be seen.

 

Adding a 3rd center mount brake light in the rear window makes a big difference in visibility, especially for trucks and SUVs.

[billy g]

1 hour ago, ErnieThe02 said:

Today Ernie received one new tail light lens and all LED rear lights (running lights, brake lights, backup lights).

When I have a few minutes Ill spray the inside of the tail lam assemblies since they look more like charcoal than shiny silver.

Better change of avoiding read end collisions now that I can be seen.

 

 

Nice! Did you go with the BMW tail light lens or the aftermarket?  I'm literally just about to order replacements for mine and I'm still undecided about which to buy.

[ErnieThe02]

1 hour ago, billy g said:

 

Nice! Did you go with the BMW tail light lens or the aftermarket?  I'm literally just about to order replacements for mine and I'm still undecided about which to buy.

I went aftermarket as I assume the replaced one on the other side was.   Matched perfectly and fit pretty darn well.   TBD on how they age but at that price who cares.

The LEDs made a huge difference….really noticed the help on reverse lights.   If you aren't familiar with superbrightleds.com, they have a vehicle configurator and you plug in make, model, year and they show each category (rear, front, cabin etc).  I chose red for anything with a red lens, amber for side markers.   I have the license plate bulbs which come with built in balasts.   Not expensive.

 

[ErnieThe02]

2 hours ago, 2002iii said:

Adding a 3rd center mount brake light in the rear window makes a big difference in visibility, especially for trucks and SUVs.

Which vendor do you recommend for center high mounted brake lights?   I’m all about not getting rear ended 👍

[halboyles]

57 minutes ago, ErnieThe02 said:

Which vendor do you recommend for center high mounted brake lights?   I’m all about not getting rear ended 👍

I might be a bit prejudiced 😉but these are one of the best custom fitted options out there:

 

Third High-Center LED Brake Light | 2002s Only

WWW.2002SONLY.COM

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Our Third Brake Light is produced with the same plastic used by auto manufacturers for exterior trim parts. This filament, ASA, is designed for robustness in automotive use. The lights are the same SAE/E4 approved Hella 12-LED versions designed for use as replacement third...

 

[billy g]

43 minutes ago, ErnieThe02 said:

I went aftermarket as I assume the replaced one on the other side was.   Matched perfectly and fit pretty darn well.   TBD on how they age but at that price who cares.

The LEDs made a huge difference….really noticed the help on reverse lights.   If you aren't familiar with superbrightleds.com, they have a vehicle configurator and you plug in make, model, year and they show each category (rear, front, cabin etc).  I chose red for anything with a red lens, amber for side markers.   I have the license plate bulbs which come with built in balasts.   Not expensive.

 

 

That's great your replacement lens matched the other side!  I won't have to worry about that since I'll be replacing both.  My main concern is fitment, which has me leaning OEM.  Good to hear yours fit well, though.

[2002iii]

1 hour ago, ErnieThe02 said:

Which vendor do you recommend for center high mounted brake lights?   I’m all about not getting rear ended 👍

My 2002 has one that came out of old police cruiser, lol.

 

You can go to the junkyard and find a car with its rear windshield at the same angle as the 2002.

 

A few people have used red LED strips on the top off the rear windshield.

[NYNick]

8 hours ago, 2002iii said:

A few people have used red LED strips on the top off the rear windshield.

This is what I did. I think mine were originally designed for motorcycle pedals. Cheap, ($15? IIRC) unobtrusive and easy to install, they light up nice and bright for the people behind me.

[ErnieThe02]

New brake slave arrived.   Hope to get it in sometime this week.

Next up, clunk diagnosis.   Sounds driveline related (maybe Ill get lucky and it’s the slave but I’m generally not lucky).    Sound happens as clutch engages after shifting so a few usual suspects will be on the list (drive shaft, flex disc, output flanges, rear diff, drive shafts, centering bearing etc)

Having a recently retired BMW mechanic in Rhode Island do a tip to tail once over in the next couple of weeks so Ernie will be ready to roll.

[johnny02]

Hi-

   Welcome to the club.  I'm up in Florence with a 76 in Inka that I just mostly finished "restoring".  I would say let me know if you need anything but it looks like you've got it well under control!  

   

[ErnieThe02]

6 hours ago, johnny02 said:

Hi-

   Welcome to the club.  I'm up in Florence with a 76 in Inka that I just mostly finished "restoring".  I would say let me know if you need anything but it looks like you've got it well under control!  

   

Thank you!   I know I’ll need help and will definitely reach out.  I just dropped Ernie off in Rhode Island for a full physical.   Ran great on the backroads and tons of thumbs ups from other drivers.

[roadhog0]

Best third brake light in my opinion is big and high. These cost less than 20 bucks on ebay, are not extremely noticeable when off, and they're bright! The adhesive on them could be better, but otherwise a solid piece! I just adhere it to the window.