Automotive - General

Replacing Original Aim Solo Battery

How to replace an original Aim Solo battery for under 8 bucks, including where to find a suitable replacement battery and required specs

Changing Toyota Camry Hybrid Inverter Coolant

Guide to changing Toyota Camry Hybrid inverter coolant, including information on running the inverter pump with an aftermarket TechStream-compatible OBD USB cable

2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid Spark Plug Change

Instructions for Toyota Camry Hybrid spark plug change, including links to all tools and parts required to complete the job properly

Running Lap Timer on Android Auto

Guide to running a lap timer on Android Auto, including RaceChrono, Harry’s Lap Timer, or Track Addict

2012 – 2017 Toyota Camry Cabin Air Filter Replacement

Guide to cabin air filter replacement on a 2012 to 2017 Toyota Camry, including a link to the correct filter to order and pictures of installation

2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid Air Filter Replacement

Guide to 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid air filter replacement

2012 Toyota Camry Brake Light Replacement

Guide to brake light replacement for the 2011-2019 Toyota Camry, and likely similar for related models like the Prius, Corolla

Drill Battery Power for a TS-100 Soldering Iron

Guide to making an adapter for drill battery power for a TS-100 soldering iron, with links to the parts required

Quickjack BL-5000SLX Review (And Does An NA Miata Fit?)

A Quickjack Bl-5000SLX Review that includes comparison to MaxJax, Ezcarlift, and Full-height Lifts, as well as whether it will fit an NA Miata

Quickjack BL-5000SLX Setup Guide

Quickjack BL-5000SLX Setup Guide including gotchas and details missing from Bendpak/Ranger’s included manual, such as priming the power unit

Storing a Trailer

Storing a trailer to maximize tire life, including how to lift the trailer and put the frame on cinderblocks, as well as covering the tires

Click "send" to save the config, ensuring you're saving to all possible devices

Setting Bluetooth GPS Receiver to 10hz

How to set a U-Blox or Reyax GPS receiver to 10hz, including the sub-$50 DIY Bluetooth GPS receiver mentioned in another article

sub-$50 DIY 10hz Bluetooth GPS Receiver

DIY 10hz bluetooth GPS receiver for use with Harry’s Lap Timer, RaceChrono, iPhone, and Android that costs less than $50 in parts

Repacking Trailer Wheel Bearings

Repacking trailer wheel bearings on a standard car hauler, including jacking up the wheel and disassembling the hubs, plus EZ-lube usage

Finding Oil Leaks with UV Light

Using a UV light to help determine exactly from where a car is leaking oil

Recharging Car Air Conditioning

Recharging car air conditioning properly using a vacuum pump, manifold gauges, and r134a

New ball joint in place, with the grease zerk on

Lower Balljoint Replacement on a Scion Tc

How to replace a lower balljoint on a Scion Tc

Coolant Flush on a Scion Tc

How to do a coolant flush on a Scion Tc with Zerex coolant

Outer Tie Rod End Replacement

Guide to outer tie rod end replacement, done on a Scion Tc but should apply to most cars.

05+ Toyota Tacoma Front Diff / Transfer Case Oil Change

How to change the front differential and transfer case gear oil in your 2005+ Toyota Tacoma

Automotive - Ford F-150

Fixing an F-150 Third Brake Light Leak

Guide to fixing a third brake light leak on a 2009-2014 Ford F-150, also generally applicable to other year F-150s and trucks with correct gasket

F-150 Transfer Case, Front and Rear Differential Fluid Replacement

F-150 Transfer Case, Front and Rear Differential Fluid Replacement, including fluid type and capacity and an easy approach to the front differential

2009-2014 F150 Mirror Removal and Replacement

As you can tell by the theme of my F150 upgrade articles, I bought a very basic truck with almost no options on it. Internet wisdom enlightened me to the fact that the fancy mirrors on higher end trucks are actually plug-and-play with all F150s. Thus, features like the puddle lamps and heated mirror […]

2009-2014 F150 Door Panel Removal

This is my writeup on 2009-2014 F150 Door Panel Removal. The first thing I recommend doing is getting an old flathead screwdriver that you won’t miss, put some heat to the tip of it with MAP gas or a butane torch, and bend the tip of it so its perpendicular to the rest […]

Changing Brakes on an 09-14 F150

Writeup on how I changed brakes on my 11 F150

Adding a TBC to a 2011 F150

Adding a Trailer Brake Controller (TBC) to my ’11 F150 which didn’t have a factory tow package.

Quick Tip – Changing oil on a 5.0 Coyote F150

Quick tip on how to change the oil on a 5.0 Coyote F150

Replacing an F-150 Blend Door Actuator for HVAC (2009-2014)

Step-by-step writeup on replacing an f-150 blend door actuator, silencing the popping noise you get when you turn the AC to full cold

Fuel Door Repair on 09-14 F150

Fuel door repair on an 09-11 F-150, in the event that it comes loose and will no longer close properly

Automotive - Ford Mustang

99-04 Mustang GT Hitch Installation

I like to mountain bike. To transport my bikes, I usually use a hitch-mount rack. Initially, this was the Swagman XC2, which worked very well for the price and is in the picture below. Once I got a full suspension mountain bike, I wasn’t as comfortable with how it secures the bike via the frame. […]

Converting 12V Power to Turn Off in New Edge Mustang

Guide to converting 12V power to turn off on the front power outlet when the car turns off in a new edge Mustang

99-04 Mustang Relay Control Module Replacement

How to replace a 99-04 Mustang Relay Control module and low pressure switch to fix a Mustang AC compressor that won’t kick on

94-04 Mustang Front Wheel Hub Replacement

Pictorial guide to 94-04 Mustang front wheel hub replacement, including replacement part numbers, tools required, and torque values

Changing Brakes on a 99-04 Mustang GT

Guide to changing brakes on a 99-04 Mustang GT, including references to all the parts and tools you’ll need to complete the job

Replacing Spark Plugs on a 99-04 Mustang

Guide to replacing spark plugs on a 99-04 Mustang, including part numbers for new plugs and list of tools required for installation

99-04 Mustang Idle Air Control Valve Replacement

Guide to 99-04 Mustang idle air control valve replacement, including the appropriate replacement part and torque specification

94-04 Mustang Rear Differential Oil Replacement

94-04 Mustang rear differential oil replacement including how to remove and reinstall the cover, plus links to an optional new cover with a drain plug

96-04 Mustang Belt Tensioner Replacement

Guide to 96-04 Mustang GT/Cobra Belt tensioner replacement, including replacing the belt, what tools are required, and what parts to use

Reinstallation is the reverse of removal

99-04 Mustang Fuel Filter Replacement

Complete guide to 99-04 Mustang fuel filter replacement including links for the quick disconnect tool to use and replacement fuel filter

99-04 Mustang Transmission Fluid Change

Guide to performing a 99-04 Mustang transmission fluid change, including tools required, fluid capacity, and what kind of fluid to use

94-04 Mustang Trunk Lift Support Replacement

Guide to 94-04 Mustang Trunk Lift Support Replacement, including the parts to buy, to fix a trunk that won’t stay open on its own

Design Flaw – Ford 4.6 Coolant Flow and IMRCs

There is a lot of discussion and disagreement out there regarding Ford 4.6L engines and their coolant flow. Several companies out there offer a “head cooling mod” (HCM) which takes coolant flow from the driver’s side cylinder head and, rather than dead-ending it like stock, ties it into the heater supply tube with the […]

Used Oil Analysis – 99 Mustang GT

Blackstone Used Oil Analysis on a 99 Mustang GT

Removing Exterior Sail Panels on SN95 Mustang (94-04)

Automotive - Mazda Miata

DW200 Miata Fuel Pump Replacement

Guide to Miata fuel pump replacement, showing replacing the stock fuel pump with a DeatschWerks DW200, also applies to Walbro 190 or 255

Removing a Miata Harddog Rollbar

Guide to removing a Miata Harddog rollbar, done in this case in order to perform a fuel pump upgrade, but also useful for installation

Miata Torsen Differential Swap

Guide to performing a 90-05 Miata Torsen differential swap, with pictures and parts links including how to swap housings and change bushings

Rewiring Miata 6-Speed for NA

Rewiring the Miata 6-speed for an NA Miata, showing how to swap speedometer sending units and rewire the reverse light to function correctly

K24 Miata Swap

Complete guide to a K24 Miata Swap, including step-by-step pictures swapping a k24a2 into a 1997 Miata using the KPower swap kit

Regreasing Slow Miata Windows

A guide to regreasing slow Miata windows, including how to disassemble the door without breaking anything and where to buy lubricant and bushings

Disassembling a Miata Short Block

Step-by-step pictures showing disassembling a miata short block, including where every bolt goes, as well as removing the crank, pistons, and rods

Installing Eclipse Vents in a Miata

Guide to installing eclipse vents in a Miata, including which model years to source, cutting the new vents down, and sanding the face

The end link should line right up with the hole

Installing a Racing Beat Sway Bar and End Links

Installing a racing beat sway bar and end links into your Miata, including trimming the bushings to prevent binding and adjusting preload

Moog Ball Joint Boot for a Miata

Moog ball joint boot defect in their Miata K500210 problem-solver ball joints and how to fix it with an $8 set of Energy Suspension boots

Miata Control Arm Bushing Replacement

Miata Control Arm Bushing Replacement without needing a press using free specialty tools from Autozone’s Loan-a-Tool program

Installing Coilovers in a Miata

Guide to installing coilovers in a miata, including the long bolt method, as well as how to properly torque everything down afterwards

Installing Miata Stainless Steel Brake Lines

Installing Miata stainless steel brake lines from 949Racing, including which line goes in which corner and what tools are required

Replace as much fluid as possible with fresh

Bleeding Miata Brakes

A complete guide to bleeding Miata brakes, including materials required and a step-by-step procedure

Changing Brakes in a Miata

Changing brakes in a miata, including swapping pads, rotors, and calipers, and bleeding the brakes with fresh fluid afterwards

Miata Hitch Installation

Miata hitch installation using a Curt hitch from Amazon, using alternative mounting with grade 8 bolts, and discussing different hitch options

Miata LRB Speed Under Tray Review

A Miata LRB Speed under tray review, including how well the aluminum material and design work and how I fixed the rattle noise mine made

Miata O2 Sensor Replacement

Miata O2 sensor replacement guide including how to do both front and rear sensors, as well as direct vs universal fit sensors

Miata Clutch Master Slave and Line Replacement

Miata clutch master slave and line replacement, using a stainless steel braided replacement clutch line, eliminating the loops

Held in with clips, can be pried and lifted out

Miata Window Switch Repair

Miata window switch repair writeup, detailing fixing a failed power window switch using some solder and sandpaper

Miata Parallel Fan Wiring

Parallel fan wiring for a Miata so that both the driver and passenger side fans turn on based on engine temperature

Installing a Racing Seat and Harness in a Miata

Installing a racing seat and harness in a Miata, using a Sparco Sprint, Racequip 5-point belts, and removable mounts without cutting the floor pan

Replacing a 94-97 Miata Heater Core

Replacing a 94-97 Miata heater core with either a 90-93 or a 99-00 replacement including procedures for both types of replacement core

DIY Miata Headrest Speakers

Installing DIY miata headrest speakers using commonly available 3.5″ speakers, including wiring if the factory wiring is not present

Miata Crank End Play Measurement

How to use a dial indicator and pry bar to get a crank end play measurement on a Miata motor to determine if there is a thrust bearing issue

Using a Pre-96 EGR Valve on a 96-97 Miata

Adapting a pre-96 EGR Valve to work on a 96-97 Miata, saving money since pre-96 EGR valves are easier to obtain and more widely available

Miata Coolant Reroute (M-Tuned)

How to install an m-tuned Miata coolant reroute with pictures including thermostat and hose part numbers, as well as how to avoid common problems

Miata Clutch, Transmission, and Rear Main Seals

How to change a Miata clutch as well as replacing all of the transmission and rear engine seals

Miata Timing Belt Water Pump and Seals

Cleaning up a motor and replacing the timing belt, water pump, crank and cam seals, and valve cover gasket with it on a stand

Replacing the Wiper Hoses in a Miata

Guide to replacing the wiper hoses in a miata including part numbers and pictorial instructions

This shot is from my last engine's compression test

Compression Testing a Mazda Miata

How to compression test a Mazda Miata; this also serves as an overview for how to generally compression test any other vehicle

Getting hoist ready to hold engine, but not really lifting yet

Removing a Miata Engine

Step-by-step instructions on how to remove the engine from a Miata

Automotive - Mazda Miata – K24 Swap