V1 Robinjo #405 Full Cage - 2006 SS/SC Build "Drago"

[Robinjo]

Day 49 9/30/2022
Working hours: 1.0
Total Hours: 132.5
(Assembly Hours: 71.5)
Aligned the Goblin, it only took about an hour. It was super easy to do the string method. Tip: the thinner string you can get, the better. I should have used red fishing line and may go back later. The vehicle drive so much better now, we got up to about 35-40 mph with no darting or pulling. I was able to get on the throttle to get to the 35-40 mph, which caused my son to grin like the Cheshire Cat. I went to install the power port in it's place, but got the wrong cushioned bar clamps. Home Depot only had up to 1 inch, so I'm ordering some 1.5 inch ones from Bezos.

Link to string alignment:

No photos from this, I should have taken some but I was lazy and in a hurry.

Actual photos of my son during the ride:


Items to complete:
Install Hood and Windshield
String Alignment
Power port

Issues to deal with:
e-Brake Cables (still wrong)

 

[Robinjo]

Day 50 10/09/2022
Working hours: 1.0
Total Hours: 133.5
(Assembly Hours: 72.5)
Took a bit of a break for the last week. We have planned to go to Disney, Sea World and Legoland for about a year now and the trip time was finally here. We used the boys fall break and a bunch of PTO to go to Orlando for the week. Back home after a 14.0 hour total time (11.5 hours driving) and it was time to get some things finished. On the trip I ordered the DF Quick Release kit and it arrived, that's for tomorrow

Today we installed the hood. We had previously installed the bracket and screen, so this was just installing the unit. I had to trim a little off the hood as it was hitting around the front lower mounts. After a bunch of trim and test, it finally went on. The bolts in the cabin are 4mm Allen heads and 11mm lock nuts. Oh, I did have to re-drill on of the windscreen bracket bolt holes in the fiberglass hood. When trimming fiberglass, be sure to wear eye protection and a mask. The hood and windscreen knock off a lot of the noise and make driving at low speeds great. My wife and I could actually chat a little during the test drive. If you do not like your husband/wife/BF/GF/etc. then leave this off so you can avoid conversation.

Windscreen Installed:


Hood Installed:


Items to complete:
Install Hood and Windshield
Power port

Issues to deal with:
e-Brake Cables (still wrong)

 

[Robinjo]

Day 51 10/11/2022
Working hours: 0.5
Total Hours: 134.0
(Assembly Hours: 73.0)
Installed the DF Quick Release Steering Wheel Kit. I cannot recommend this enough if you want to get in and out of your ride easily. I'm 5'9" and 170-175 pounds, so not overly portly. It was still tight getting under the stock wheel during climb in and had a bit of trouble during climb out. I'm not going to post photos here, just the link to the install instruction I made. There seemed to be a lot of 'how do I install' questions and no clear tutorial so here you go. Hopefully it helps someone in the future.

DF Quick Release Steering Wheel How To

Since there isn't a clear direction on what to do for the DF Quick Release (QR) kit, I thought I'd post what I did as I just installed it. I didn't use the 'horn' button as I couldn't get it to stay in even after cutting the wire clip. I would also play with the unit a bit to see how it all...

dfkitcar.com

Items to complete:
Power port - Ordered bar clamps
Get Inspection (still waiting on the state)
Get Insurance
Get Tag
Drive this beast legally.....

Issues to deal with:
e-Brake Cables (ordered new cables again....)

 

[Gtstorey]

How long has your stuff been at Montgomery? If it's been more than 2-3 weeks, you may want to start calling.

 

[Robinjo]

How long has your stuff been at Montgomery? If it's been more than 2-3 weeks, you may want to start calling.

I started trying to get them Monday, but those Jabronis were off for Columbus Day. Tried again yesterday with no luck, so trying again today. I think it's been over 3 weeks at this point.

 

[Gtstorey]

Are they still asking you to make an appointment time for the call? That actually worked ok for me although they usually called sometime the day before the appointment.

 

[Robinjo]

I just spoke to the state rep at the application group. They reviewed my paperwork and said 'great job, hardly anyone ever has everything right the first time'. So @Gtstorey , thanks for the leg work and information! They are sending out an inspector with a VIN plate for review. The lady told me that once I sign the title form that the inspector has (assuming I pass inspection) that I can actually go get the tag with that. She said the same day. Of course, I'll need insurance, which I have lined up so it'll be a couple days after a passing inspection but I'm getting closer!

 

[Robinjo]

Day 52 10/15/2022
Working hours: 2.0
Total Hours: 136.0
(Assembly Hours: 75.0)
Installed the power port using 1.5" bar clamps as my original spot would have been very hard to reach. I like where it is now, slightly hidden behind the cluster on the passenger side. Also go the e-brake cables sorted out and finally got cables that were right. The part number 15875458 is what you need if your ordering new cables. Last thing we did is installed a rear view mirror. The kit below is what I got, sits pretty well and I can see behind the Goblin a whole lot better. This is pretty much finished for now. There are upgrades to be made but I'll figure all that out after driving it a good bit.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MYTQTTN?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Items to complete:
Power port - Ordered bar clamps
Get Inspection (still waiting on the state)
Get Insurance (already lined up)
Get Tag
Drive this beast legally.....

Issues to deal with:
e-Brake Cables (ordered new cables again....)
Cruise control not functioning

 

[Robinjo]

Day 53 10/18/2022
Working hours: 0.0
Total Hours: 136.0
(Assembly Hours: 75.0)
Just passed 'inspection' and have a State o' Alabama VIN plate. Just waiting on insurance to come through this morning and down to the DMV for a plate. Also, reserved the plate that my son wanted. I tried to convince him of something to do with the Goblin name but he wants DR4GO (Drago). It's sort of fitting since the thing is red and black like a dragon. Maybe one day if I learn to tune I can put in a flames step so it'll shoot fireballs.

For the state of Alabama paperwork, use the following information (credit to Gtstory). They said that I was one of the rare few that actually does this right the first time, so it works (at least twice now).

Alabama Registration Procedure

I finally got my registration complete today, tag in hand. I'll go into depth on the procedure when I get time to pull it altogether. It is actually pretty simple, but the important part to remember is that if you buy a motor or transmission separately, they will insist on a notarized bill of...

dfkitcar.com

Items to complete:
Get Inspection
Get Insurance
Get Tag (reserved)
Drive this beast legally.....
Get helmet
Register for next Autocross event in November 6th or 19th

Issues to deal with:
Cruise control not functioning. (Ordered new switch and need to drive over 25mph to test)

 

[escapepilot]

Congrats! You beat me to the finish line. I'm waiting on seatbelts to arrive then inspection. Hopefully, they will be here today.

 

[Robinjo]

Congrats! You beat me to the finish line. I'm waiting on seatbelts to arrive then inspection. Hopefully, they will be here today.

Ah shucks, I wish I had held onto my old ones. I got a new set from Gtstory because I had doubts over my stock one. I think they were ok and I hope to never test them, but better be safe than sorry here.

 

[Robinjo]

Question on the LED resistor kit. If you are running a LED 3rd brake light do you just run the resistor in the positive line? Is it directional like the diodes?

https://store.dfkitcar.com/products/led-resistor-kit

 

[Rttoys]

Mine is a 06, but I’m not running a third brake light and the cruise still works.

 

[Gtstorey]

Resistor is wired in parallel to the 3rd brake light. Resistors are not directional.
More details LED Headlight, Turn Signal & Brake Wiring | DF Kit Car Forum

Several people have had success on the 2006 SC without adding in the resistor.

 

[Robinjo]

Resistor is wired in parallel to the 3rd brake light. Resistors are not directional.
More details LED Headlight, Turn Signal & Brake Wiring | DF Kit Car Forum

Several people have had success on the 2006 SC without adding in the resistor.

I know others didn't have a problem with the resistor, I was just trying to understand how the resistor went in. If I have it right, I branch off the power wire before the 3rd brake light and just ground the resistor alone (not into the 3rd brake light line).
1. Check for power at the switch
2. Check all sensors for contact- it looks like they are really sensitive according to Loogle. Maybe my brake one is not making full contact?
3. Check 2A fuse at BCM for EPS/STR.
4. Remove upper clutch switch and test it. I believe the lower is working since I can start the vehicle.
5. Install resistor (ordered)

Anything more I might be missing?

 

[Gtstorey]

Anything more I might be missing?

Bring it to my house once you are driving it and I should be able to see what it's doing with a my Tech2 clone.

Or do like I do and spend most of you time driving on roads curvy enough to not be able to use cruise anyway.

 

[Robinjo]

I would like to drive it distances that cruise would be nice. Like maybe to Gatlinburg which is 5 hours away. Not at first, maybe in the summer.

We can link up sometime after I know it’ll make an hour trip. I can also bring over the extra HX pump.

 

[Goblinfanclub1234]

I know others didn't have a problem with the resistor, I was just trying to understand how the resistor went in. If I have it right, I branch off the power wire before the 3rd brake light and just ground the resistor alone (not into the 3rd brake light line).
1. Check for power at the switch
2. Check all sensors for contact- it looks like they are really sensitive according to Loogle. Maybe my brake one is not making full contact?
3. Check 2A fuse at BCM for EPS/STR.
4. Remove upper clutch switch and test it. I believe the lower is working since I can start the vehicle.
5. Install resistor (ordered)

Anything more I might be missing?

I ran all of my resistors across +12V and ground for each individual light on the car so if I need to remove the light I just take it out in 1 piece. I think I will remove all of my lighting for autocross.

 

[Robinjo]

Day 54 10/20/2022
Working hours: 0.0
Total Hours: 136.0
(Assembly Hours: 75.0)
I now have insurance and a tag. Took the Goblin out on it's maiden voyage outside my neighborhood and discovered cruise does work. I guess I wasn't going fast enough to engage it when I was trying it out previously. That was a nice surprise. What wasn't nice was stopping to get fuel maybe 5 miles from my house and breaking the plastic shift linkage. I was able to manually select a gear (happen to be 2nd) and limp it home. I took the last spare linkage that Gtstory gave me and fixed it. I was able to drive again, but definitely need a couple more of these end links to have in reserve.

Tagged Note: my local DMV had no idea what to do with this, so it took a bit. They asked me multiple times if it could even be tagged. In the end it worked out though. Just be prepared to be at your DMV for a bit as most places haven't seen these before.


Items to complete:
Get Insurance
Get Tag (reserved)
Drive this beast legally.....
Get helmet
Register for next Autocross event in November 6th or 19th (if warm enough)

Issues to deal with:
Cruise control not functioning. (Ordered new switch and need to drive over 25mph to test)

 

[Gtstorey]

The Madison County License Department was the easy part for me once I got the state paperwork. They didn't look at it twice and handled it like any other vehicle.