What have you done to your wagon lately? (Let's keep the thread going!)

More minor stuff going on. As my wagon only has red flashers (not orange) I have installed LED bulbs in the rear taillights, and also polished off the black spray paint that was in the bulb housings I can't understand why they would have been black, but the polished aluminium is much brighter and throws better light.

 

Did you scrub the black out or paint over it?

 

I polished the black off with Autosol polish and a dremel (type) rotary tool. I had looked at some spray on mirror paint, but that needed to be applied to glass, from the reverse side. I was pretty happy with the way the aluminium showed afterwards without paint.

Cheers

 

Very cool. Too bad, though, you didn't take before and after pics...or did you?

 

Yep, that's them included I'm my post about 3 prior. ⬆️⬆️⬆️

Cheers

 

No no, I mean of the lighting in operation...to see if there was a difference in illumination.

 

Haha, sorry. That makes sense.

I have video, its not all that clear, and if I'm honest, I'm not sure they have made that much difference. They didn't cost a huge amount, so I was willing to give them a try. I think I'll continue on with the a 3rd light, eye height across the top of the tailgate.

Right hand side, both bulbs replaced with LED and polished
Left hand side, bottom bulb replaced with LED, not polished, top bulb is incandescent and not polished.

I have tried to add the video, but it won't allow sorry.

 

Noticed some rust bubbles, albeit ones which aren't rusted through. Got a small bottle of brush-on touch-up paint for $15.xx and painted there after removing the bubbled paint; this could be improved though, I only did the center and not around the edges. Also drove a while which was a nice thing and filled up the tank. Apparently I got 21 MPG if the figure isn't wrong, I'm not sure if I missed a receipt or not. However, one of the partial fill-ups of 4 gallons was with 100% gas and I did change the differential oil to Amsoil 75w90 (Compared to the thick stuff I had before I changed it, whatever that was - straight 90? It was a big difference) so that may account for some of the lesser fuel consumption if it's even true.

 

When I work on tail light housings I paint the insides bright white or silver over whatever is there. I used white on the 55 Chevy wagon because the rear portion is white. At that time I used Brite Bulbs which helped.

 

I'm looking for a new transmission, just put in new towing shocks on the back. Looking for a good intake, carb, and what ever else I can get to remove that darn computer lol also waiting on three pedals to finish their kit so I can 6 speed swap

 

Just had an idea of customization; putting wood in place of the interior rear door plastic. I don't have any idea if I'll even do that to my Mercury.

I'm also looking to buy a manual grease gun, got any recommendations? I don't really know any better but Lincoln is one I thought of getting. Whatever the last one is that I used which came with three tubes of grease broke pretty easily. I expect to use Ultralube or Renewable Lubricants grease once I'm done with the Royal Purple I have.

 

101 Volts, down here in the boonies there are many flea markets and yard sales. Come down and pick up the grease gun of your choice for a few dollars. Some even have grease cartridges.
Or wait a few months till it warms up there and try the yard sales.

 

I used a cheap-o advance auto grease gun, with licas oil red and tacky, I love that grease!

 

I did this 3 weeks ago on Easter weekend. Started the body part of this project. I spent the summer 2 years ago putting in a new motor, overdrive tranny, converting from drum to disk front brakes, Manual to power front brakes, external to internal reg alternator, new tubular A arms upper and lower in the front, sandblasted the floor from the under side, and installed boxed rear control arms. So now the part I cant do begins. Start of the weekend and end of the weekend below.
Ripped it all apart including most of the interior.

 

Re- as Silver-T said/asked....."No no, I mean of the lighting in operation...to see if there was a difference in illumination.

I just remembered some thing......

OK, this is NOT my ball park at all when it comes to this kind of electrical confusion! I posted about what you did,
http://www.stationwagonforums.com/f...est-to-someone-tail-lights.41510/#post-373919
,and I've done it also elsewhere(non LED). Now you have me thinking/remembering ...... At first before I even attempted a mock up for a change in lighting I tried a couple LED bulbs that would click rite into my existing bulbs ( same as your wagons basically ) I almost found them a gentle bit dimmer compared to the existing old school bulbs. A friend told me, and I can not remember exactly what he said but it came down too..... You have to change something in our old rides due to amp/volt/what ever I just can't remember(??) for them to work 100% LED bright. Myself, I figured forget that and just stayed old school bulbs. Hoping there is a member who can chine in that knows what I'm talking about...............