What Did You Do To Your HHR Today?
04-29-2013, 12:34 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: 02-03-2013
Location: Arcola
Posts: 840
04-29-2013, 01:24 PM
Deceased
Join Date: 06-30-2010
Location: Kannapolis NC
Posts: 25,739
Watched it disappear on the back of a rollback, went to go from park to drive this morning and the shifter's guts fell apart.
Bummed a ride to work, its at the dealer getting a new shifter, these things will happen with 199,000 miles on the clock.
Bummed a ride to work, its at the dealer getting a new shifter, these things will happen with 199,000 miles on the clock.
04-29-2013, 05:10 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: 03-22-2012
Location: Rogers City, Michigan
Posts: 1,012
04-29-2013, 05:14 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: 03-22-2012
Location: Rogers City, Michigan
Posts: 1,012
Fenton
Mark, I am not too far from you. If you hear of an HHR cruise in our area please let me know.
Looks like the photo you have of your HHR was taken north side Mackinaw bridge.
Looks like the photo you have of your HHR was taken north side Mackinaw bridge.
- with a couple coats of black engine enamel - 
Last edited by Blue Beast (aka Boydie); 04-29-2013 at 06:46 PM.
04-29-2013, 05:37 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: 02-03-2013
Location: Arcola
Posts: 840
Thanks Boydie! I am sticking with the Sunburst Orange but adding white to the roof and on a side scalap from the trailing edge of the front fender going across the front doors that would curve down toward the rear doors. Also I plan on crafting a front visor and rear spoiler (I don't particularly like the those that are on the market). Then I want to black out the pilars. Still a long way from having it ready to be shot. And by shoot it, you are refering to the paint correct?
04-29-2013, 06:28 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: 03-22-2012
Location: Rogers City, Michigan
Posts: 1,012
More on my taillights
Finally got the taillight job done.
Photos below show the difference between the upper and the lower openings for the taillights and backup lights. You have a good 1/2 an inch of metal to cut out. Nuts that hold the lights in are 10mm and a socket works nicely. Once you do this there is no going back.
I finally got the correct tin snips, (Wiss brand) with the small cutting end tips. Cut out as close to 1/2 inch of metal with the snips as you can then grind smooth. Grind until you get the top lens to fit exactly in the lower. Be careful... you can mark your nice paint job if you are careless. I used a round file and a grinding bit in my 1/4 inch drill motor.
You need to use the larger light socket and the larger bulb (same as the top light). If you don't change the light socket and bulb the bottom light won't shine as big and as bright as the top one.
For wiring just follow color codes and tie into the top wires. You can purchase 3 way solderless connectors to make this part easier. If you get your stuff from a salvage yard make sure to get as much wire as you can.
(I think this is a easy, inexpensive mod and I like the look of both lens coming on when you hit the brakes or use the turn signals.)
If you don't see the photos go to my gallery.
Boydie
Photos below show the difference between the upper and the lower openings for the taillights and backup lights. You have a good 1/2 an inch of metal to cut out. Nuts that hold the lights in are 10mm and a socket works nicely. Once you do this there is no going back.
I finally got the correct tin snips, (Wiss brand) with the small cutting end tips. Cut out as close to 1/2 inch of metal with the snips as you can then grind smooth. Grind until you get the top lens to fit exactly in the lower. Be careful... you can mark your nice paint job if you are careless. I used a round file and a grinding bit in my 1/4 inch drill motor.
You need to use the larger light socket and the larger bulb (same as the top light). If you don't change the light socket and bulb the bottom light won't shine as big and as bright as the top one.
For wiring just follow color codes and tie into the top wires. You can purchase 3 way solderless connectors to make this part easier. If you get your stuff from a salvage yard make sure to get as much wire as you can.
(I think this is a easy, inexpensive mod and I like the look of both lens coming on when you hit the brakes or use the turn signals.)
If you don't see the photos go to my gallery.
Boydie
Last edited by Blue Beast (aka Boydie); 04-29-2013 at 06:52 PM. Reason: photos
04-29-2013, 09:13 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: 02-03-2013
Location: Arcola
Posts: 840
Boydie,
Your light idea is brilliant! The dead zone of the lower light has always bugged me about the HHR....Well done sir. Also, I don't have anyone picked yet to do the paint job on my HHR/SUPER 8/2. When you say you haven't painted one for awhile, did you get out of painting cars? I live in Northern Indiana about three hours away from Elsie and would gladly make the drive for expert paint work!
Your light idea is brilliant! The dead zone of the lower light has always bugged me about the HHR....Well done sir. Also, I don't have anyone picked yet to do the paint job on my HHR/SUPER 8/2. When you say you haven't painted one for awhile, did you get out of painting cars? I live in Northern Indiana about three hours away from Elsie and would gladly make the drive for expert paint work!