Terrain Foot Well Lights Part 2

February 5, 2012

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The foot wells on my 2012 Terrain did not have lights from the factory.  While looking on Terrain Forum, I found out the wiring is already in place for the lights.  All you need to do is install them.  The passenger side is the easiest one to do.  It doesn’t require more than a knife or scissors to cut the tape.  The driver side is a bit more involved, but still a normal DYIer can easy tackle the project.

Skill Level: 3 out of 10 for the Driver Side.
Time: Half Hour.
Tools: 7MM and a 10mm wrench or sockets.
 Models this may work on: 2012/2011 Terrian SLE2,  2011 1LT/2LT Equinox, 2012 LS Equinox.  If you find the wire on the behind the glove box you should be good to go.


You can buy the lights online from http://gmpartsdirect.com for under $45.00 with shipping.  You can also go down to your local dealer and buy the lights from the parts department.  The GM Part number is 13503059.  You will receive both the light bulb and the housing.

Driver Side

Remove the bolt with a 7MM wrench or socket.  The bolt is under the hood lever.

Remove the bolt with a 7mm socket or wrench.  The bolt is above the gas pedal.  There are only two bolts holding the panel on.

Grab the panel under the steering column and pull straight away from the dash towards the seat.  Do not pull down towards the floor.  Six clips hold it in place.  It doesn’t take to much pressure to take the panel off.

 

Remove the four bolts with a 10mm socket or wrench. The plate will come right off.

On the left side of the opening, you will see a thick wiring harness with the wire we need taped to it.  My tape was white just like the passenger side.

Here is the harness pulled out.

Thread the wire into the light cut out and connect the bulb.  Pop the housing into place.

Put the plate back on with all the bolts and pop the cover and bolt it back on.  Enjoy!

This is one of the few projects that my wife really liked.  She has told me more than once that she loves the new lights.

Here is the Passenger Side.

I want to give full credit to  http://www.terrainforum.net/ for getting me started on this project.  I have found them to be a wealth of knowledge.

Disclamer:  You are taking advice from a Shade Tree Do It Yourselfer. Results may vary!  If this is out of your comfort zone, take it in to be fixed by a pro!

 

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Terrain (& Equinox) Passenger Foot Well Lights Part 1

January 25, 2012

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The foot wells on my 2012 Terrain did not have lights from the factory.  The SLT2 Terrains and LTZ Equinoxs come with the lights installed.  While looking on Terrain Forum, I found out the wiring is already in place for the lights.  All you need to do is install them.  The passenger side is the easiest one to do.  It doesn’t require more than a knife or scissors to cut the tape.  The driver side is a bit more involved, but still a normal DYIer can easy tackle the project.

Skill Level: 2 out of 10 for the Passenger Side.

Time: Half Hour.

 Models this may work on: 2012/2011 Terrian SLE2,  2011 1LT/2LT Equinox, 2012 LS Equinox.  If you find the wire behind the glove box you should be good to go.


You can buy the lights online from http://gmpartsdirect.com for under $45.00 with shipping.  You can also go down to your local dealer and buy the lights from the parts department.  The GM Part number is 13503059.  You will receive both the light bulb and the housing.

Passenger Side Foot well Light Install

The first step is to remove the glove box.  The box is made to be removed.  The cabin filter is behind it.  The above picture shows the lever that holds the box in.  You need to push up gentle so the glove box will comes towards you.  Once the glove box opens to the max, you can then pop the hinges out, and remove the glove box.

The picture above is the hinge.  Once fully open you pull up and the glove box will pop out, and you can set it aside for now.

My wiring from the factory was taped to the a harness with white tape.  Remove the white tape and the wire will hang free.

Here is the wire hanging free from the tape.

Pull the wire though the hole were the light is going to to snap in place.

Connect the light and pop the housing in place.

All you need to do is put the glove box back in.  The hinge will pop back in place, and the bend the lever to allow the glove box to pass.  Sit back an enjoy!

Part 2: The Driver Side

I want to give full credit to  http://www.terrainforum.net/ for getting me started on this project.  I have found them to be a wealth of knowledge.

Disclamer:  You are taking advice from a Shade Tree Do It Yourselfer. Results may vary!  If this is out of your comfort zone, take it in to be fixed by a pro!

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Pictures & A Family of Cars

January 24, 2012

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Pictures may be worth a thousand words, but they don’t share the complete tale. And, the complete tale might be a bit wordy, so a brief “Reader’s Digest” version….

1973. The newly-redesigned Monte Carlo was named Motor Trend Car Of The Year … and I was born. Coincidence? Fate? Ironic twist?

Three years later my parents bought a brand new 1976 MC, which started my “love affair” with the model. I quickly began pointing at other MCs, saying “arlo”. Then, six years later, my parents bought a 1981 MC SC (leftover in 1982), which I still have today. For a few short years, it was bliss … 2 Monte Carlos in our family. But, within 2 years, “my” 1976 MC was gone, replaced with a 1982 Chevette. At least the Chevette was RWD.


Eight years later, in the fall of 1992, I started my family of MCs when I purchased my first car, a light green 1979 MC Landau (center of the above photographs), in Indiana, which had a 267 V7 (NOT a misprint!) engine, replaced in 1996 with a 350 V8. The black 1976 MC Landau (2nd from right) followed in December 1998.  Even though I swore I’d never own a black car, I couldn’t resist purchasing this one from the mother of a friend of a friend who was only selling it because it wouldn’t fit in her new townhouse garage. A year later, the aforementioned 1981 MC SC (2nd from left) joined. Three years after that, the 1972 MC (far right) was purchased (March 2002), completing my goal of having one of every generation.  (Though, when I was a kid, my goal was to have at least one of every YEAR of EVERY generation!)  Just over a year later, the 1987 MC LS (far left) came from Ohio, after I decided that I missed my former 1988 MC LS “too much”. I’ve come close to selling one or more of my MCs over the last few years, but so far, none of the current family members are leaving.

That written, my car family has had a few revolving doors, including that 1988 MC LS, and hopefully will have a few more revolving doors, including, but not limited to…
…mid-late 1970s LTD/Thunderbird
…1975 Caprice Classic convertible
…1976 Caprice Classic sedan
…1989 Caprice Classic sedan
…1987 MC SS Aerocoupe
…2011 Dodge Charger.

Right now, though, a “winter warrior” 1979 Caprice Classic sedan completes my car family:

 

And, yes, that is a MAJOR “Reader’s Digest” version…!

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Stop SOPA

January 18, 2012

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Stop SOPA  https://www.google.com/landing/takeaction/
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Welcome the Terrain!

January 11, 2012

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My last post was about the Trailblazer leaving the family.  The Trailblazer had almost been in our family for ten years.

We both come from GM Families.  My wife’s family is a Buick Family, and mine is a Chevrolet Family.  It was natural to look for a GM product that fit our family needs.   We have a seven year old daughter, and plan on not having any more kids.  The Trailblazer was my wife’s nice daily driver and vacation vehicle.   We both work in health care, and live in the country.  A 4wd SUV fit into our life nicely.

We knew we were going to replace the Trailblazer soon, and my wife has been looking at cars, crossovers, and SUVs for about a year.  We first started out looking  at cars.  She had missed driving the Gran Prix that we had before the Trailblazer.  When we started getting really serious, she when back towards a SUV/Crossover.

We narrow the search to the GMC Acadia, or a Chevy Traverse.  The Acadia is far better looking than the Traverse.  Both of them were in our price range as a Front Wheel Drive.  We looked at a few, and priced a few.  We started looking at used ones to see if we could get a AWD in our price range.  That is when we stumbled on to a used GMC Terrain, and took it for a test drive.

We had looked at the Equinox and Terrains but only in passing.  We like the ideal of having the third row of the Acadia, but we took the Terrain for test drive.  The used Terrain drove nice, and had more room than we expected.  We did some research and found we could get a new AWD Terrain with a Sun Roof, Heated Seats, and nicely appointed for the cost of  FWD Acadia.

GM decided to top off my points on the GM Card, so a new Terrain was in our future.  We went to Auffenberg GMC in Carbondale, and they were able to find us a Terrain that was option like we were looking for.   We bought a Black 2012 SLE-2 Terrain.  Auffenberg was easy to deal with, and I was highly satisfied.

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A new chrome grill is in the future of the Terrain.

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We bought the AWD model with 2.4L I-4 VVT.  I test drove both the V6 and the four.  I didn’t see a reason to move to the V6.  We are not towing with the Terrain, and we both like the ideal of  20/29 MPG of the four.  We are currently getting 25 MPG with our driving styles.  The old Trailblazer would get 18 MPG, so this is big setup up for us.  We were in the Smokie mountains, and I was surprised how well travel up and down the steep side roads.   I wouldn’t shy anybody from buying theh 2.4L I-4 unless you are wanting to tow.  I was on the fence, but I am a believer in the VVT. My only wish for the AWD system is a switch to  turn the system on manually.  We haven’t had a snow yet to test the Terrain out.  When we do I will do an update.

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I like the touch screen in the dash, but my wife doesn’t.  She is worried about what it will look like in ten years.  Everything is laid out nicely, but there are a few misses.

Why would you not have the cruise control set button on the turn signal shaft?  It has been there since the 80s.  I know it is on the steering wheel, but it going to be a hard habit to break.

The center stack  is a bit to far forward for me.  I find myself having to lean forward to make changes to the radio.  I do like the layout and looks for the stack.  The usb connection and the power plugs are in great places.

You must like the color red.  Everything glows red at night.  It makes me feel the Terrain was going to be Pontiac until they closed.  I like the red, but it may be over the top for some people.

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The back seat has much more room than our Trailblazer did.  The doors are wider and easier to get in and out of.  The seat will travel foward, but I don’ t see us ever moving the seat.

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I would rather have the seat fold flat instead of moving back and forth.  The angle isn’t bad, but it could be flat.

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We lost a bit of room in the back cargo area compared to the Trailblazer. We didn’t have a problem packing for a mini vacation, and had plenty of room for everything.

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Overall, the Terrain is fitting our needs nicely.  The Terrain rides great, and is easy on the back on long trips.  We love the extra gas mileage.  This will be a long term relationship, and so far so good.

 

 

 

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Decorating Vehicles

December 9, 2011

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We see them coming down the road towards us … vehicles decorated for the Holidays.

Over the last few years, I’ve seen more cars decorated, more than I remember seeing as a kid. I’m not sure if it is just because I’m NOTICING more now, or if, indeed, more people are decorating their mode of transportation. Either way, it’s an easy way to bring the warmth and spirit of one’s home decor with wherever one drives. In many cases, it’ll bring a smile to other motorists, too.

Some, though, scoff at the idea of decorating a car. They say it is too gaudy or too distracting. I suppose that depends on the type of decoration(s)….

I’d guess the most-seen style of decoration is the wreath on the front grill. I’ve also seen cars with strands of those small lights outside and/or inside. I’ve seen icicles hung from the rear view mirror. I’ve seen a brown pickup with a red nose on the grill and “antlers” on the roof.

I’ve even decorated my cars with garland…

My 1979 MC & former 1988 MC LS, circa 1996/1997:

 

My 1976 & 1979 MCs, 1999:

 

My 1979 Caprice Classic sedan, 2010:

 

So … what decorations have you seen? Do you decorate your vehicle(s)?

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Fair well Trailblazer! You will be missed.

December 5, 2011

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In 2003, we traded our 99 Grand Prix for a off lease 2002 Trailblazer.  We knew that we wanted an SUV at the time.  We looked at the Chevrolet Tahoes, but my wife didn’t like driving my truck because of size, and felt the Tahoe would be harder to drive, and park than my truck.  The Chevrolet Trailblazer was a good size, and it would pull our pop up camper that we had at the time.  We made the deal and kept the TB for nine years.

The Trailblazer started showing it’s age this year.  We replaced the radiator this past spring, and had to replace the switch that controls the four wheel drive a few years back.   Other than a few maintenance item it has been a solid SUV.  After a 130,000 miles, we just start getting a little leery of driving it on long trips. I has never stranded us anywhere, but we felt it was time for the it to find a new home.

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We normally take the Trailblazer on vacation with us.  The TB has been to the Gulf Coast twice, Smokie Mountains three times, Orlando, New England, and a bunch of shorter vacations.   It was always a pleasure to take on vacation.  There was enough room to put all of our stuff in the back for a weeks worth of fun.  We only have one child, and I am sure if we had a second one there would be plenty of room for their stuff too.  When pulled our pop up camper in the Ozark Mountains in Missouri, and never had an issue pulling up and down the steep hills.

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Some didn’t care for the sea of gray on the dash.  I will admit there was a bunch of gray, but most of the dash was laid out well.  My wife really liked the number of gauges on the dash.  She never like idiot lights in other cars.  There are three cup holder in the center console which were very handy.  I never did care for the seats.  They were not horrid, but could have been much better.
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The Vortec 4200 was a great motor.  The motor always had plenty of power.   The motor growled until it warmed up in the cold weather, and the noise took some getting use to.  You couldn’t ask for a better vehicle to drive in the ice and snow.  The Trailblazer would run circles around my Z-71 Silverado.  The Auto four wheel option was nice on patchy ice packed roads.  We both work in health care, and we made it into work everyday in the winter weather.  We would average 18 to 20 mpg with the TB.  I will be nice to have a vehicle that gets better mileage.
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The Saturday after Thanksgiving was the last day that we owned the Trailblazer.  My wife said “The TB was part of the family.”  The Trailblazer took Sarah home from the hospital when she was born. It has been with us for nine of the fourteen years we have been married. She almost cried at the dealership when we handed the keys over.  My wife knows that the TBs life is going to go down hill from this point.  We both hope that it goes to a good home, and is taken care of.  The old Trailblazer will be missed, but we now have a replacement.  We can only hope that it treats us just as well.  I will have a post about it soon.  I will tell you that it is a GM product.

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Thanksgiving

November 23, 2011

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This time of year, we should be give thanks.  Since this is a car blog, I will spare you with the sappy stuff and I tell what this Motor Gnome is thankful for.

I am thankful that somebody decided that we needed to build a useless train to the top of the mountain to eat donuts.

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I am thankful for my wife and travel buddy who likes to eat donuts on mountains.
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I am thankful for my Dad.  He taught me the lessons of you broke it you fix it.

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I am thankful for my GPS!  Even if they are wrong sometimes.

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I am thankful that being different in the car world can be cool.
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I am thankful that my seven year old daughter loves to be in the shop with me.   She is going to grow up pretty, and scare the boys with her knowledge of cars.  How many kids know how to change a tire or identify an alternator?  Mine can!
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There is so much in the world that is wrong today.  Thanksgiving is the time to focus on whatever things are positive in your own life.

Peace out.

 

 

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A Walk Across the Mississippi River

October 30, 2011

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I have been wanting to walk acoss the Missisippi River  since I learned about the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge.  We went on a beautiful Friday this summer.  Here is some history of the Chain of Rocks Bridge.  http://www.rollanet.org/~conorw/cwome/article4.htm

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You have to enter the bridge from the Illinois side.  The road is not marked well, but we still found it.  The lady at the rest area warned us to make sure our car didn’t have anything in it to make it a target.   I don’t think I would go at night, but felt safe during the day.

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Half away across the bridge, you can see downtown St.Louis. The buildings in the water is one of the water intakes for the city.
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I loved the VW painted on the bridge.

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In the middle of the bridge is a fire truck. I haven’t really found much information about it, but it does make a nice back drop.

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I enjoyed the day.
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This bridge has a dog leg.  The bridge is built over part of the Mississippi that is hard to navigate.  The bridge was built to allow the ships to go down the  river easier.  I am sure it didn’t make trucks easier to meet of the bridge.

I would highly suggest walking across the Mississippi river to just about anybody.  It is a must for anybody following Route 66.

 

 

 

 

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Miata Car Clubs.

October 10, 2011

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I took this picture last weekend at the pumkin patch. I don’t think you can carry very many pumpkins home in a Miata, but it was a beautiful day for riding with the top down.  I have ran into a couple of diffrent Miata Clubs.  They are a great fun loving bunch.  If I owned one, I would have to find a club and enjoy driving with the top down.

I love a club that wants to drive and enjoy cars.

 

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