Adding modern gadgets

[Chapap]

I’m sure doing these kind of things would be quite expensive, but has anyone tried adding modern factory tech to their old vehicles? I briefly priced backup sensors and they’re like $100 a pop.

things like blind spot, parking sensors, radar cruise, proximity key/ push button start (with actual security involved), 4 corner tpms, auto wipers, etc.

 

[Curious Hound]

I haven't seen much of that.

Rearview mirror with compass and temperature is pretty easy. Adding a Bluetooth enabled data screen for navigation, backup camera, music and hands free telephone calls is fairly common. It can even be done in a single Din head unit cavity. Remote start/ pushbutton start has been done. The rest of what you mentioned could be cool. If you do it, please share project info and pictures.

Many of us who enjoy these older vehicles do so because of the simplicity. But don't let naysayers deter you. If it makes you happy and gives you the truck you want, do it.

 

[bobbywalter]

WOLFBOX 12“ Mirror Dash Cam Backup Camera,1296P Full HD Smart Rearview Mirror for Cars & Trucks, 1080P Front and Rear View Dual Cameras, Night Vision, Parking Assistance, Free 32GB Card & GPS https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0811Q28N6/?tag=959media-20

 

[Chapap]

I haven't seen much of that.

Rearview mirror with compass and temperature is pretty easy. Adding a Bluetooth enabled data screen for navigation, backup camera, music and hands free telephone calls is fairly common. It can even be done in a single Din head unit cavity. Remote start/ pushbutton start has been done. The rest of what you mentioned could be cool. If you do it, please share project info and pictures.

Many of us who enjoy these older vehicles do so because of the simplicity. But don't let naysayers deter you. If it makes you happy and gives you the truck you want, do it.

I thought of it cause this truck is about as hard as a Camaro to see out of for me. I’m pretty oversized sitting in it tho- have to kind of duck to see out the back or over shoulder… and have to eat the steering wheel to see under the rear view mirror when making right turns. The B pillar (single cab) makes the left side very blind. And I can hardly turn around to look straight back when backing. It’s the strangest thing to have a truck so small, yet so hard to see out of. I need to install my blind spot mirrors.

 

[bobbywalter]

Grape Ape

 

[cbxer55]

Blind spot mirrors are a big help. They make it so you don't even have to turn your head to see if anyone is next to you. I see vehicles in the blind spot mirrors and my peripheral vision simultaneously. I have them on all of my vehicles.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Do you have your mirrors set correctly? If you see the side of your vehicle in your mirror then they are incorrect! The mirror should be showing the lane beside you... When it's set correctly you should see a vehicle disappear from your windshield mirror as it appears in your side mirror.

 

[bobbywalter]

Do you have your mirrors set correctly? If you see the side of your vehicle in your mirror then they are incorrect! The mirror should be showing the lane beside you... When it's set correctly you should see a vehicle disappear from your windshield mirror as it appears in your side mirror.

Grape Ape.....
Needs custom roof
.

Mirrors don't work confined in cab.


Cause.....Grape Ape

 

[1990RangerinSK]

Do you have your mirrors set correctly? If you see the side of your vehicle in your mirror then they are incorrect! The mirror should be showing the lane beside you... When it's set correctly you should see a vehicle disappear from your windshield mirror as it appears in your side mirror.

I tried that a while back. Not being able to see the corner of my vehicle freaked me out, especially backing up (I don't look over my shoulder when I'm backing up, I use my outside mirrors.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

It does take getting used to, and the backing up can be a pain unless you have remote mirrors.

 

[1990RangerinSK]

It does take getting used to, and the backing up can be a pain unless you have remote mirrors.

The only way I could do it would be to adjust my mirrors so that the corner of my car is JUST outside the inner edge of the mirror. I just have to remember that it's *there*, and with my memory......

One thing I have never understood: I look over my left shoulder (in ANY vehicle), most of what I see is "B" pillar. I look over my right shoulder, I see out the side windows. Yet, the convex mirror is on the RIGHT side of the car, when it would be better on the LEFT.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I really dislike the factory convex mirror. I prefer to put on my own 2" convex on the upper outside.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I can run a backup camera wirelessly via my Garmin GPS, I do intend to do that at some point.

I do have my phone thru bluetooth on my radio which is nice. Truck automatically syncs and streams Pandora when I start it and I can call/receive calls without wrangling a phone as I steer/shift which is very nice.

Kinda meh compared to the newer stuff but I also have added an auto dimming compass/thermometer rear view mirror which is slick.

Not much of the rest of the stuff in the OP interests me.

 

[Chapap]

Do you have your mirrors set correctly? If you see the side of your vehicle in your mirror then they are incorrect! The mirror should be showing the lane beside you... When it's set correctly you should see a vehicle disappear from your windshield mirror as it appears in your side mirror.

I usually like to set the side mirrors so there’s a little gap between the side and rear. Convex takes up the slack (once I put it on). I can move my head to the side to see the gap. Problem is that I’m so close to the rear view, a slight change in seating position makes it show me the bed or sky… and I’m often changing position cause the roof is about 2” too short… I have to pick which part of my spine is slouching for a given trip. I really wish I got an ext cab. Of course that’s part of the charm of the single cab.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Some of this kind of stuff has been done to my green Ranger and some is on the wish list. I have LED bulbs just about everywhere, want to swap the mirrors to get puddle lights, do the mirror turn signal conversion (if I can ever find the parts, the tech article specifies but I haven’t found a source) and want to add green LEDs to the bottoms of the doors wired as puddle lights. I have a double DIN DVD player and wired up a backup cam. Sun visors were replaced with ones that have a video screen. Kicking around the idea of trying to do one of the 360* cameras and maybe blind spot sensors. Have a NES knock off console to go in and a CB is on the list. Plus whatever else I decide to play with.

That said, the backup camera has mostly been used just to hook up the trailer. It’s all more novelty than need for me.