So the goal here is to do everything as frugally as possible without cutting corners. Hence I felt it appropriate for the Locost Forum
These are the 2 best pictures from the auction listing
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Here is the listing link if anyone is interested. I paid $550 for the thing
https://www.propertyroom.com/l/2008-wes ... /12213119#The first thing I did once I got it home was to make a mental list of the obvious things I needed.
1. Ignition key.
It didn't come with a key for the ignition and I assumed it was because the whole fleet uses the same key.
I went on the manufacturer's website and through the dealer network found one 30 minutes from me and shot them an email. Turns out I was right and the NYPD most likely kept the key as a spare and I was charged $26 for a new key that's on it's way ground from Canada.
Other alternatives were getting the key impressioned which would cost between $95-$110 according to the only locksmith out of 5 I spoke to who even still provides this service. Or purchase a new ignition from overseas for anywhere between $32-$300 USD. I'm glad I was able to get a key ordered.
2. The doors are not attached.
One is off its hinge and I need to figure out if it's a plate with threaded holes or nuts that go on the inside and the other is missing the striker for the latch. I may have to make one. This one is further down the list of to-do's but it was the first thing I noticed from the pictures and kind of a big deal but I could drive the thing doorless and put a helmet on.
3. Both rear tires are flat.
I borrowed a pair of doughnuts from a friend who has had 3 Kia Spectras 2 of which he's driven until junk and was kind enough to loan them to me. The factory rims are a 4x100 bolt pattern 13" x 4.0b 155/80r13 tires. I plugged one tire that had a screw in it and it inflated with no issues. The other tire however immediately started blowing air out of 2 cuts in the sidewall. I'm no forensics expert but I've seen dozens of tires with sidewall damage and these were definitely made with a sharp blade. I looked up a replacement tire and there are only cheap China brands I've never heard of for $30-$40 plus the $10 fee to have the used tire spot mount them. Or Cooper has a tire that'll cost me $70 and Kuhmo has a tire that I believe was closer to $80 installed. I want to try a pair of 14" rims but right now all I have are 15" steelies that I don't know how I came into possession of. It snowed before I had a chance to try them out and I put the Doughnuts on so I could push the thing around at least. I doubt they'll fit.
4. I hotwired it and it wouldn't start
I purchased new spark plugs as a habit I have whenever I get a new vehicle. I went to attempt to start it as-is and it would crank but it sounded like a lack of spark.(I've begun to be able to hear these things) I went to check the plug wires and discovered that wires 1 and 2 were purposely cut. Cheapest replacement set I could find were OEM for $50 shipped from overseas. I knew the spark plugs and key also fit a first generation Hyundai Accent so I went to Arch Auto Parts and asked to see a set of plug wires. They had the exact same connectors as the 2 wires I still had intact although the wires were an inch or 2 longer. I bought them for $19.73. I came home and changed out all 4 spark plugs and all 4 were stuck in place. I hurt my hand against my ring from how hard I had to pull on the ratchet and the hex part of each plug was rusted
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put anti-seize on the new ones and I was putting in the last new plug(5:56pm) my SO called me to pick her up from work. I finally got home at 10pm, put the dielectric grease on the connectors and hooked them up before putting the airbox back on. I hooked up my jumpstarter and hotwired it again. Started up on the first sound of cranking
The spark plug wires go under the left hand part of the airbox(the black plastic wrapping around the oil fill cap) You can kind of see the 2 cut wires
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5. It didn't come with a battery
According to the parts manual the battery is some kind of maintenance free battery with a positive post like on most cars and a screw in negative like on Motorcycle batteries. Surprise surprise I was only able to locate the part number in the UK and India. I am going to take the measurements to Costco and get a battery for it there. I have a battery out of a car I junked that has worn terminals for a core. When I attempted to start it the first time I hooked up a jump starter and it burned some of the plastic on my negative clamp. After replacing the spark plug wires the second attempt at starting caused no issues. Hopefully I find a battery that fits because as you can see from the airbox picture the battery goes in at a fairly odd angle.
6. The cam locks are missing from 4 of the 6 locations that use one.
The doors each use one in the trailer-type paddle handle latch (2) the fuel door uses one(3) as well as the compartment under the seat(4) so that's the 4 missing. There is still one in the "hood"(5) which covers the front pocket housing the front suspension, hvac system, and brake booster, as well as the trunk(6) still has its cam lock. I ordered a pack of 10 Keyed alike off of Amazon for about $70. I could've ordered 6 from McMaster-Carr for $7.87 each for a total of $47.22 plus shipping but I had a gift card from Amazon for switching my gym membership to bank transfer payment instead of credit card and I had points from my Amazon credit card. I also fear there are going to be dozens of other locks left with the same key if I go the McMaster route. Plus I like having the extra 4 because I plan to replace the current trunk with a tool chest and plan to change that lock to match the rest with the possibility of added separate compartments for a jack and/or small generator.
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7. It needs a paint job
Since I plan to use this for my business and the NYPD were kind enough to take a paintbrush to their decals instead of scraping or steaming them off I need to get this painted. Preferably professionally, although maybe just in a plain cheap black or blue, and then have decals added. My logo large on the hood, smaller on the doors with my company name and number and something cool on the rear engine/cargo compartment.
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This is my business card. The logo is stock from Vista print but I like it a lot and Vista Prints term and conditions don't allow for copyright or trademark claims. So it's all free use.
I welcome any ideas or suggestions. Even ridiculous ones that see impractical. It's great to take insane ideas and scale them down to something practical and ingenious/creative.
Thank you guys for your hospitality.