Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Ready To Tow!

Troy called today and wants to pick KITT up tomorrow so he can get the engine and transmission installed. That means we had to get KITT ready to tow. First things first, even though KITT loves his roller skates, the auto dollies had to go.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/s5MUTJbz2Sfy5yeAt-fbBeBAM0hvsLSuVKpRsyoVOSY0ByRglSx7jWuFnzXe1Xnn5VQCbQXN76ncs2xraqt_zcxwvJe-nVqgM2H0O2HuaKSmilDHx5ssgKS-_1Zez5M-NSgo0tmELzrnVOGmGMIHCGosHuMFwmlpJPWTjXEIgZ6u9XWOwIgx5AHISRj-Dyk5_T6X-5XuXFq0d2AX5IVY0C4c9SbwdUNSDm6BvoGi9Wk5FoMFkdu3DUO3R0KlaIUM39XA4-btp-9xhT044hUFibwWrmxxhHUcJB5mBo_f9IK29W5R0-Yh4X8tTCP4N4IXOesYvVj8fhJjI5TujSgBOi1VRMbiOo1G23ryPzG92OqefFHAN30rpStdgB1JWjWZTxTdeASjNmZKm9LsVbXfnGAaaAoD55e-RJW2HFHiS2rotJi3iME8vBRepdYS5OeaaAJZz54DKyqm7J6ZgKvUT9tOm8Ypp8RsxhO8QwQXO9V99IHSEy9ycIyxHGG1PC1cW3bfca5Dpcj7PAXb9nmYNPqNpoNB6PwfIsilbC374x5_q3dGqqg_SNeBLlebTOPk-K9WSrzluq8vmoFljVrRDFz3aGMgYRln=w1258-h943-no

Saturday, July 9, 2016

Preparing For Engine And Transmission Install

When we went through the tubs labeling everything we discovered that the transmission cross-member still had not been treated with POR-15. It was caked with years of road grime and oil! This is what it looked like after I sprayed the majority of the grime off with the pressure washer while it was in a tub to help contain the grease/oil.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/T4i0Ny7GnvS-_96hHpnY1SgykBwRwif_qus0sth-VHV2naQX4VG94XeCFHemdXzmRF6EYeCzY2NFCf6QbQM6JaPbjcTDv1-vdVCLzOoZfCYk_UJt2pA_7jxnP8HtJeBGOZeg0mgci5EbynuMDSqYngPP5-SMQqhxo94S605oFeTvUEjiXZemMSZY6s3U00ps4poBYH7YjhkMbTTtxiKX9xEmnY2m4UILwzxAyFET2XvFr4SNy-Y_PEP1IUAeSlNwElYbxflSviCf9Kun0uWtIFNGH8tSrIb7SYEuS42PPxyccHdTO97KYzeFxZLswUAOdg96TQ2WoHjzzJ6O4c1uF9e1CtzqPx6ILbUoEMgqf6gdHOSWzdd5_Ry2SBv6QJjECdSHAv2VkatiIPIkbXBImFypM-v9m-RcfEIBre5iauojw-im1H3FdkRFj5vZupVEANQfMtwjqg9j2iAH_uLIKS--T4b2EnxVUnO4DMN8UDRwLKdPsBaiHiI8iYDMEn1-2brTUkAR9iuvRjObm76DUtDanoA3lozcpqMqnq8ZEPmCAM7OzN7qpptBCQDoavyU1SBksfHNgivgtHnMGKOHMXr_lOmGxAuE=w1258-h943-no

Thursday, June 23, 2016

Project: K.I.T.T. Made The News!

I was interviewed by the Aberdeen American News for a story on Project: K.I.T.T.! They also did a short video portion to accompany the online story. I even made the front page in glorious color!

The story and video are included below. If you hover over the story you will find controls in the top right corner to pop it out full size for easier reading.

It was even quite popular on Twitter! I have included the tweets below the article.


Thursday, June 16, 2016

KITT, We've Missed You Buddy!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/QgdByqgjonzgpKmhvpvYQPfKTnxIq9nCVeatIlbZlMbO23rMyV5_hY-WO6E9IzmcWatpJJnUqOtKxIbVYUWRjx_blgQg3yBOEXngWBmd7MzoQrbkiKxGYHG7eKe_HlCzEo1TMAVM-NDdqPPiZ-Tp0zE2dgpyC4DtzoZkWKleq5uNdXWti2G6jH25Nh4fAUZOIur9p6tCUpqBEvmSrJvA6E5fjEML4ZYZc89Y2dU2z6WaBRSI1PSHKd0G76KAk6KnwwD9j4fIZ_3Len5LiNreXNiRlCHhWJRYgk8eGazyax_7S0GMe4FCnMOZfHqlyqHJwI6dGUoahSrrqdHuxriuzLKWf4hV8HN37qLlll0ho1ZV8i-o9dfehtJfpzsZCN_s2duP-SHNiRdmtGE4aQCyOumUGjTi8cadAuBUY6MfDJ7C9YFO6y1S6hCm3_AY7273VPuguH1DIDm4W0lN7mwh2ac4qiIgQ0YzyPklZvnjq6EVM3qDYJrZnknMu2PubzbSUWB3Oss0T3tSvGbXQeHBwAJMaRadElJgSb21VKxoNnbxYtCR5fcuWexC7Nz7_9_JUIwF5XyH0tbXWT7yDjrnH30lOE9hbxfu=w1258-h943-no

Done With KARR Back To KITT

I am finally satisfied with KARR and can move on...

KARR is back from the shop and has new polyurethane front lower and upper control arm bushings, upper and lower ball joints, polyurethane end links, polyurethane sway bar bushings, and front spring pads.

He also got a new ignition module, pick up coil, distributor cap, and rotor. He seems happy, but with KARR that isn't always the easiest thing to tell. He is spoiled for sure, of that I have no doubt.

Here are the new Fiero chrome valve stem caps.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/SdRMO8vVnYNi_srm9N0mvydhD43zk3XE64QoSDEdiJj3zZf7GdMrADb2eO-4L5chT0HPPJiOx9FrN1ZN9qKERmEmGFSmIr4dI1PjL_w8XUOapI9V7fBoDs2wTBwIwnfGVW0V3JLZA00r0b9mVEjr2V5w_FnQ4WQot6OiR4xATthpwnp-n6DTpec9q6BkfWD9k0fjBfxyOSPq1PVgDSnmS40sv3fnpp--eyMw0ecixsP3m5dqx4r00Y0R874s1GyBZqUapCeQ7iJ9cRsTAWIiHgCm39Fvfr3LMv1F4JP4X3jB-O8FgcdkDjgGmkkR1Lf_LyTkv66WKYty5JDGb321disWjGQbsbT_x2iVAX9CbW6llRZzllk7IIP2pXe5caUrzjRhylL0UIaGt3AFqZTrtk3uiUepCcVLmOCkiU_G0jMS7xxIw-i_w-v0TjOhQtNRG0_jgoICLbVLovbMmAkz8_tThZUBh2-VNShUFw63PWJHxX3Wa44iFZt-OWzeldvHSkPrL7ubkcmwrqxOhour-bEzD7j6X8b1G-8s_liyzX55v4eerIKjFzdvakAmSMFWvKKQewr_a9hYPZsaN7cDPucAoh-qhcFZ=w1258-h943-no

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Fate?...Pieces Of The Past

We had something really amazing happen while reupholstering the seats in KARR. When we were taking the old fabric off we noticed the date stamped into the back of the material. It read 5 29 86 and it was 5/29/2016 the day we were working on them. Thirty years later to the day! Is that not awesome? I mean what are the odds!?

I call it fate.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/f5rd4pNjlhDLWA2gN3Z2GOhz_XYxXJEZ4s7xz0M2nmwc4lgZ98yBpo9ixFeCh7Yu4Dm74km901kFm0NoIug8s5x5cOyh-OpY3CiF23k-1qJwN_MmYaYT2T5840dXtjmcwTsf28cugYw0eH6zZn9llBC56kCKH8h2D12mKKZmP2l-LzfgCXKWxNqT9m4FkPim6sN6bzFZdC8wZOHdFDOnNDMlIqOfHcgiTIhEu2j6hZTHvB9d46DZU7deA6QJambLuE2sjvC05cMyxt6EhItWKzQabtdeZlvVKqtQ192FfLSsg4YGfcVYmqvLe7CSpGbToumoOfuuob9gPL3feRGQD3cugp2Zv7Lt8OcYJJ2LyNT_A9IK77rBSkN8RmEyn-N8t5TknjhW1yJTNWE7lM1qnzbyUeRS7GjkRggs6PBTqr1SAf81h7u5ifeSHCiojhOWyvuIt0ffTJ2ULERPm8hG7FTz-fup5Pl5LSou1N2Z9twgBx25NnbKeJTRT3mxFw0w5myl-oNnwcHKPomB1FrfhgKfqudYvJFWspV51xBeM6o9Ja-7A2HSWZlYvavd0BcrFysrv5NAs0FYbWONtJ0QoxlsBHaPEpHt=w1258-h943-no

Friday, June 3, 2016

And Here We Thought We Were Finished...

Today I had to take KARR to Ipswich, South Dakota for work, and got hailed on twice! It was marble sized hail, but did not do any damage that I can see. Still, not cool!

The end links came in for KARR this afternoon and since we are taking him to Sioux City, Iowa for a Boston concert tomorrow, I did not want to mess with installing them myself. I took KARR over to Troy's shop so he could install them and give him a once over before we take him on a long road trip. Or so I thought...in addition to the end links and sway bar bushings, the front upper control arm bushings and the upper ball joints are all pretty much shot. There is a ton of play in the wheels.

To say I was disappointed would be a huge understatement. We were really looking forward to taking KARR on the road. :(

I have ordered all the necessary parts, and while I am at it I am replacing the lower ball joints, lower control arm bushings and the spring pads, too. I am going with polyurethane parts, so they will last, and also help to stiffen up the front end. Since I was blowing money like the Aberdeen wind lately, I decided to also order some chrome valve stem caps with the Fiero logo, a Fiero "We Drive Excitement" t-shirt, and a fender gripper mat that has the Fiero logo on it.

I did get some good news today though...my new shift knob from Matt arrived!


So how was your day?

Sunday, May 29, 2016

Memorial Day Weekend 2016

How are we spending Memorial Day Weekend? Finishing up KARR. Here's a teaser...

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/RkFp91VxmsdfcRQfLaFWoyF95MUFFvquSm0YH4yu_Wq6cB5QxsRRdmM1yq-rrHhfHSMJowma73ZbJockPZqHe10cfEus2PtrZc4htnrd72xvs7xqha6LcHFJluwhSKBfytLkaHRnFJsVFf3qotYG6CPS2Esi37wsr1pKKaixfHd_fl4VUwp1lFohZPGLLg6FbUR14v6YeG9dIZ0uzrNjTd-Jj79ghq93uvfNzoUj7zIn7G402R-ZAMNBy2KqdemcvAXyWCHKljc5Kbkm_Oh6sDKOXJP0q9NEIFqiaHUAK68BqSNXq3t2-FCYAxFGycQ6IChhiA6l5NBDBNwIw3kJ8vNCKWna1NaGIwmeJfv37QN9OShSM5g8_5-TUVsOt2IN7hWC7MHKCvKN9eO9C42J1X3EfH7wrrzZ8kvCj6p8xWqDZRI1u97S44egVl-tMnDiKbaoh4EI_FgfXvefdofVgPQ7D7D2wr0GRucJsq5M0wRmhQ3o15M0wd3pjUZiBz8X6tRe4bIZZ0QtieNnuEdOqjGjT_t05P8oSAgv6tR-EZyyzfhBonMZaL3uo24kVWWEsyypye4jWUFWf4F8vLDLWAPUB214kZd8=w1258-h943-no

Monday, April 25, 2016

Project: K.I.T.T. Is On Facebook!

We finally did it! Project: K.I.T.T. is on Facebook! People have been trying to get us on Facebook since the Project started and we finally gave in.

Since we do not use Facebook for anything else, we are not sure how active we will be on there. However, we will for sure post all of our blog posts on that page.

https://www.facebook.com/ProjectKITTblog/

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

KITT's Tow Bar And An Update

Today I found out that Billy of Knight Designs is changing the way he will be selling his products and is discontinuing everything except his fiberglass parts. Here is the update in his own words:

PLEASE READ ALL.....twice. lol
Hey guys I hope everyone is well.
I have some announcements to make. Please share this with friends so everyone can be informed of the changes.
I am wrapping up the last of all my paid orders. After those are complete I am shifting the way I sell parts. From that point on I will no longer be taking orders. I will simply build parts and put them up for sale auction style right here on facebook.
This means there will be no long wait times for those who have the funds. So here is the example, I build a pilot bumper, I post pics or vids of it here, I say the start price is 1250, I let it run for a posted time, when the time is up the best offer gets the bumper.
This eliminates the long list, the long waits, and most of all the stress of a long list and long wait. Granted all my guys are good customers, and are very respectful. However I stress myself out because I don't like making people wait. It is what it is though, because it is only me building the parts. If I sub it out, it just won't be the same, the quality would suffer and I just can't have that.
ALSO
I am scaling back the options. I am running one last set of towbars and blackouts. After that, once ALL my stock is gone for fab, and miscellaneous parts (overlays, plastics,switches, etc) I will only be offering fiberglass parts. Many but not all of the things that I was the first to bring to the hobby can now be found in other places so not much use in me buying tons of stock to sell here and there. I have knight rider stuff coming out of every nook and cranny and I am a bit tired of it.
So to rehash I am gearing up to run one last set of blackouts and towbars. I will make a separate thread request so I know how many to build.
Thanks guys, if you have any questions please ask.

I have to have a tow bar if KITT is to look authentic, so I added my name to the list tonight. Here is what the the tow bar looks like.



Saturday, March 12, 2016

KARR: This Is How I Roll

As promised, here are KARR's new wheels and tires. I think there are very similar in style to the old low profile wheels, but the difference in ride is nothing short of amazing!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/6TJQFl3Lj-_FmvENPFe-gI40KRghaKkBg6KIFAQsACfZuMpdh0PaKvZOrvf9lVQJp1qhSmFNRpe6hAXDVtg2nN7WQuv1RMUSuC2rBsV5dWTSmr4FMS9we839w1khxlllMci8stH8EFuIs_9Bpk7BJy82l81CAWHib_ZePs6Y3FfTe5Kk7JlsIAiuLV5mQNc2CfI6xXVjHn6OJP1nwbrWtQXSFY9TaJSgBKYHXp2jqdPAvKkSKSgHeWYGcBhRX1hE3yz6KZTFeSBnc0tWJkIRrmnw37BGEGbP48FucYud6oG3Lu_mOohNboYllBMHGsbgG4j7YpMwAmJn3wk31o5RATJL_vj3MqR7R2dZk2Jm4vfvtHxV9C02a6a5YZiyuRXXHwDVfysZ6OtyoGNrl9NsJKDF9HIFPhoFXkibKjQRfi5eo0FGyNq2CJ2CrHUk3E65_y3Z1C4_aAvaWryK8uLfF19MHpJAMZU4JBY3coF2byBJwnGq50ecb0ddzQIdgxgG8A--PNYODFZrCmRtMwPqRrWUxtU_y0wxGDFBqWsBwsF9ftjdmNygcDz0QtmRnsQiNwMVlg=w1260-h946-no

Friday, March 11, 2016

Revisiting The Taillight Harness, Part 3

Over the last few days I have been working on cleaning the contacts. I started with the contact that was in the worst shape. As you can see, this one was very heavily corroded. 

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/1NUtqTNHsc2GI5nvWq7BKU69-woRj3QFiQ1xqjALT6R5wSM4gCf1ABwlBC65AmW_rh_DbHlBwARX9fu0x8KVhvhdU0wxH2zbumh7zck2S3CUoQx1hhF_no-8W9TqEY2TniDMepxDHbWl6XflLbagc4g60F_7F7NS8s_kphD4P2xgQRRmK2K8CjLFGX3zednqdo6MuOgDlsTWdgHyieb50gx_JrSV8HPDz54ykAU3TO57FB3WgxYjlZtvzr26b2yxpUjUTXViWkTzbpwoCnQ7mizLb86foV2BVhwa-yQLiS1MqU6bXOt5nHEwkSHFaFsXKX-Ofnpeo__E2Cwr1vWawX-4PJvbNofaBetrsckc4MAB1dek_W5EcxxLhWttmH8ANMk9OZiKgfJz0641P_6DZJp_Se-PUCbs1g8a1WkTtfl70Us5V0iM4wwCLtJDKlZJF8wlNfwUS8XXPvTb7CtAc1HmenXSL5Z5BnVS7C0GobCAgZ3offqqPvuPhTEzpsoZP_qh7ULu0TKQC8wXI-or1U0Kz4_wjmEAxFdEFZitYV6fdGaBk1mS_Ewkj4CSc6E0PFkRxQ=w1260-h946-no

Monday, March 7, 2016

Revisiting The Taillight Harness, Part 2

Next up: The taillight sockets. I decided it would be impossible to try to judge the condition of the contacts in these sockets without taking them apart and seeing just what was inside.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/tCRVSNdIGR9FU4FLU_PXoKY7eEMp2egdAfhJLWbGEI5h2K2eUNjvaGSHuWLw9atObd-b88KzrskCZayHdJEvX1C5nt3V-87Jf5-Niy0O10wnqRnhV4OUQFfXJYQCg_K-E5YhW3GH6_I2cVykCqYWqeYK9A6SpokfJii_lCb99GedoYdVYMUWGAvzNqKVV8n9A8G8ofp5fUq1O9QBHwzCyPFNmwravRZ-3xyS7f14tQlo-f7rAJRJmA5seRR5lcIEnDL1fdgEnZRo1w0vzOo43AwYtp9XdpYSdxu6glf3URfR8M5tr_LuKLUbKGukR3b3bkXOolbiDQrq9iFtzQy7tyfLKhC3pSTYTUysRUBEjHo56YvMoFgusanay1icpTkBjYjXvWpF2R-MBG-3B5Z7xje7dtpbzC9c9bZlIpPLA2MoAdepXgBDRXtetPxZdo2DgqBl0QDHwZHNXixD0pkX32e6flw5aZ174DetwS44dOcLCXpAkDfDiMB9IuNrIKBPyaDblBzUTfdzH7HdLKoVAIEOrT9cyoIUJZeeu6fMHVtfSwZAsWoFMxjxaC21t0J5nVI_FQ=w1251-h938-no

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Revisiting The Taillight Harness

The last couple of days I have been working on restoring the taillight harness. Although I am completely redoing all of the wiring in the car, the taillight harness is one section that will have to be reused. I had previously removed the plastic loom and marked the position of all the breakouts as I cleaned the wires.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/w6pBapEZzXfbZ0hoYlm2afA4o4Hj6PFPT6Ym_Rps87_2DfiumjrGs08NGTHWGdoaiFy2E096ytYFbWEf7p5RWHNY2Ea3cPXBY5KTBhe5HBwPLt10heyXPGeSkg2ZX17ZuRGpEjJ_kJ6v3oKhJ0gCYaRGsl4HEvt0KZHgXAUiAa3fwAQ7ez64LUSSonxJ0-nHRwkFHZoC3cIlb7_82O7iRPw4x8cKuQzsq5GzkY4wbxbqwTtoEq8GAJfZRx1pRnzRsa5mwo6DRWr1WM0TO_TYfaBu3uCh8g5UkLx0jVXtk9jizOoP3gxVLJ-NgPG_xdyt17NrUVBnwGB57NswLolun4sM-j8q_0jalUj1KswJt3ChRK2sLwRvsBTV2plBIq_KlIfZ-wLWUIIjtgHNLwubXL751JDd2nbY7u5O9C9OeTKkiwxkwY81fU9bcWhkG-eMu9HWwMhnqncHf-ekLuLg-RW7cLJ5nU6Z9L6014r_e6dHP3wnPDR2CBKnEX34VrAe52vlDVYzNYFsSuhrvWFoopr4md3_bm4L2Be2kXvGgcBMRRbFfcaNh7HBNNkHNceKq_RmIQ=w1251-h938-no

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Removing The Window Hardware

After work on Monday I removed the hardware from the driver side window. There were four rivets that needed to be removed in order to get everything off of the glass. I am used to being able to just drill out the rivets, but these rivets are not traditional rivets. They have a long threaded shank protruding through the rivet head. I knew that I would have to use my high-speed rotary tool to cut off the shanks before I could drill them out, so I started with that.