Credit goes to N0DIH and Illumina for the idea...
Junkyards are unique in that you have access to parts from a wide range of cars at a (usually) reasonable price. You are also able to get a feel for the parts purpose and see how the factory installed it if your particular yard happens to be a "U-Pull-It" style yard. This comes in handy when using parts off of other cars, and adapting them to your own.
One common feature I add is express down windows. Many cars come with express down for the drivers side only, and usually have the express down built into the switch itself. GM cars like Bonnevilles and most Cadillacs used a seperate 4 wire module, allowing you to retrofit express down to almost any car with power windows, and to any window you choose. The module is also ruggedly constructed and well sealed from the elements. The module is a black rectangle, approx. the size of a pack of cigarettes and is located in the drivers side door. There are four wires going to it. It releases from its bracket by a tab you push toward the module and slide the module out. Wiring is straight foward, the pink wire gets spliced to the 12v feed at the switch (use a test light to find it with the key on). Next, unplug the window motor and find out which wire gets +12v when you hold the switch in the down position. cut this wire about two inches back and connect the Brown wire to the switch side, and the Brown/White wire to the motor side. Take the remaining wire and splice it to the remaining wire going to the window motor. Thats it, that window now has express down.
Another common mod is swapping clusters for digital ones. The only downside is the mileage stays with the cluster. If you couldn't care less, you might consider this mod. Here is a wire chat comparing the two clusters. (http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=156811&postcount=10) Most of the wire colors are the same, just located in different spots on the connector. With a small screwdriver to release the wires from the connector, you can repin the connectors and make it work. Search for posts by my username on digital dashes for tons more information.
I also add Twilight Sentinel to cars not so equipped. The latest being a friends CRX. It looks complicated, but it is pretty easy to install. The wiring colors change from year to year though, so posting them doesn't help unfortunately. Older Devilles are the cars to get this out of, Sevilles have just about everything integrated into the BCM.
The latest project is a Heads up display from a Bonneville SSE. It is a standalone unit (not integrated into the instrument cluster) and seems adaptable to vehicles equipped with an electronic VSS. (may need a "yellow box" or some other form of adapter for ratios and such) The HUD includes Speed, Directional indicators, Low fuel warning, High beam indicator, and "Check Gauges" warning. The VSS input wants to see 4000 pulses to ground, per mile. This HUD is probably going to end up in the previously mentioned CRX. Picked up the display for $6.... Something to consider.
Anyone else have any good modifications from junkyard parts? Post them up!
Junkyards are unique in that you have access to parts from a wide range of cars at a (usually) reasonable price. You are also able to get a feel for the parts purpose and see how the factory installed it if your particular yard happens to be a "U-Pull-It" style yard. This comes in handy when using parts off of other cars, and adapting them to your own.
One common feature I add is express down windows. Many cars come with express down for the drivers side only, and usually have the express down built into the switch itself. GM cars like Bonnevilles and most Cadillacs used a seperate 4 wire module, allowing you to retrofit express down to almost any car with power windows, and to any window you choose. The module is also ruggedly constructed and well sealed from the elements. The module is a black rectangle, approx. the size of a pack of cigarettes and is located in the drivers side door. There are four wires going to it. It releases from its bracket by a tab you push toward the module and slide the module out. Wiring is straight foward, the pink wire gets spliced to the 12v feed at the switch (use a test light to find it with the key on). Next, unplug the window motor and find out which wire gets +12v when you hold the switch in the down position. cut this wire about two inches back and connect the Brown wire to the switch side, and the Brown/White wire to the motor side. Take the remaining wire and splice it to the remaining wire going to the window motor. Thats it, that window now has express down.
Another common mod is swapping clusters for digital ones. The only downside is the mileage stays with the cluster. If you couldn't care less, you might consider this mod. Here is a wire chat comparing the two clusters. (http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=156811&postcount=10) Most of the wire colors are the same, just located in different spots on the connector. With a small screwdriver to release the wires from the connector, you can repin the connectors and make it work. Search for posts by my username on digital dashes for tons more information.
I also add Twilight Sentinel to cars not so equipped. The latest being a friends CRX. It looks complicated, but it is pretty easy to install. The wiring colors change from year to year though, so posting them doesn't help unfortunately. Older Devilles are the cars to get this out of, Sevilles have just about everything integrated into the BCM.
The latest project is a Heads up display from a Bonneville SSE. It is a standalone unit (not integrated into the instrument cluster) and seems adaptable to vehicles equipped with an electronic VSS. (may need a "yellow box" or some other form of adapter for ratios and such) The HUD includes Speed, Directional indicators, Low fuel warning, High beam indicator, and "Check Gauges" warning. The VSS input wants to see 4000 pulses to ground, per mile. This HUD is probably going to end up in the previously mentioned CRX. Picked up the display for $6.... Something to consider.
Anyone else have any good modifications from junkyard parts? Post them up!
