Blackmoor Vituperative

Today’s big exhausting project was replacing my OEM red tail lights with white tail lights. Apparently it’s a European thing, but l did it for the looks, and to preserve my original tail lights (which are now safely and comfortably stored in the box the white lights were packed in). For the original Wraith, a black 2003 Hyundai Tiburon GT, I blacked out almost everything. For Wraith 2.0, a “Dark Matter Gray Metallic” Ford Mustang GT Premium, I am going for a ghostly look.

I love how this turned out.

Incidentally, the interior is looking bare because I am in the middle of a back seat deletion project. There are a lot of steps that need to be done in order, so I have to focus on doing one step at a time. Replacing the tail lights was super easy: six nuts. It took me about an hour, plus an hour or two watching YouTube videos on how to do it. 🙂

I think it’s interesting that terms like “Luddite” and “Uncle Tom” are misused as insults by people who know nothing about the Luddites or “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”. My knee-jerk opinion is that most semantic drift is caused by ignorance, but in recent years, I think malice has become a major cause, as well (see also, “woke”).

https://www.currentaffairs.org/news/2021/06/the-luddites-were-right

I decided to kitbash a Pioneer TS-A250D4 10″ Dual 4 ohms Voice Coil Subwoofer into the factory subwoofer enclosure rather than spend $1200 on a JL Stealthbox. In retrospect, I’m not sure it was the best choice, but the hard part is done. Now I just have to install the amp (Kicker 46CXA400.1T) and the line output converter (AudioControl LC2i) and run the wiring.

It looks better in person. 🙂

I use Obsidian as a daily journal for my own mental health, and for writing and organizing my fiction writing. I use Dropbox with Dropsync (on Android) to sync. I write primarily on my tablet (Android, using Dropsync), and occasionally on my desktop (Windows 10). I follow these rules:

1) Set up different configuration folders for my tablet and my desktop in Obsidian under “Files and links”. (e.g., “.obsidian-ulthar” for my desktop, “.obsidian-s9fe” for my tablet).

2) Always exit Obsidian when I am done.

3) Do not use Dropsync to auto-sync on my Obsidian folder (Android only).

4) Set up my Obsidian folder in Dropsync, including hidden files.

The hood latch lever was a quick install. Using a heat gun to remove the stickers from my visors took a little longer, but it was easier than I expected.

I wasn’t happy with how loose the charging port for the trickle charger was, so I reinstalled it using some JB Weld (epoxy putty). I also added some corrogated wire protector while I had the plastic trim off. I’m happy with it.

I also installed the mounting plate for my front license plate (my car did not come with one). The adhesive tape needs to set for a couple of days before I can attach the plate to it.

Trickle charger port

One of today’s projects was installing a trickle charger port on the Mustang. It’s charging now. Woot!

Sound tube delete

I also removed the sound tube. Who thought that thing was a good idea? There’s too much extraneous crap in the engine bay already.

Removing the sticker from visors

The visors are currently in the freezer. I am hoping it will allow me to peel off the stickers. If that doesn’t work, I’ll try heat. (Update: I will be trying heat.)

Remove carbon filter from intake

I had intended to remove the redundant carbon filter from the air intake, but it was already gone.

Window tint

Oh, by the way, that window tint is by Details In Motion, in Charlottesville, Virginia. I got that done this week. 😎

https://www.detailsinmotionva.com/contact

• Mustang projects: charging port, sound tube delete
• https://www.blackgate.net/blog/category/about-me/project-wraith/

Registered the Mustang yesterday and sold the Tiburon today. The end of an era — and the beginning of a new one.

I have a 2023 Mustang GT with the 9-speaker setup but no subwoofer. My intention is to replace the speaker, add an amp, and wire it into the back speakers using the same method as shown in this YouTube video:

https://youtu.be/XxNDhOutHzw?si=LwDcEGA_EOq7Vyls

My current parts list includes:

• Rockford Fosgate R500X1D Prime 1-Channel Class D Amplifier
• Pioneer TS-A250D4 10″ Dual 4 ohms Voice Coil Subwoofer, Black
• Skar Audio 4 Gauge Amplifier Wiring Kit – Blue, Copper Clad Aluminum, SKAR4ANL-CCA

l think these are these good choices for this purpose, but I am still doing research. My intention is to keep it under $400, not including the enclosure (which was $175 delivered).

I have never installed a sub in a system without a dedicated output for the sub. I might need some kind of audio high-pass/low-pass splitter between the rear deck speaker wires and everything else. An amateur-friendly one, I hope.