Zcspec's 08 ST Ongoing Build Project

[ZcSpec]

Even before purchasing my 08 ST, I knew that I wanted to modify it to my personal style. Though it may not be to everyone's liking, I just wanted to showcase what I've done to give others a base for their own ideas. Being pretty mechanically inclined, I will attempt all the work myself. Constructive criticism is welcomed.

Thus far:

- tinted windows
- swapped out license, puddle, cargo/third brake, and interior lights ALL to LED 6000K temp color bulbs
- swapped out stock speakers with components in the front and coaxials in the rear

7.9.14 - installed my 1" spacers. These are 1" spacers, 5x114, hub-centric, mounted with stock 245/65/17 wheels/tires. With spacers, the tires seem to fill the void much better. I apologize in advance, but I dont have a "true" both sided rear end photo to show how good it looks now.

BEFORE

AFTER

Stay tuned...I am slowing modifying the ST one mod at a time.

 

[GSU4x4]

The spacers look good, seems to give it a beefier stance. Looking forward to the updates!

 

[eds01lightning]

Looks good!

 

[Trac Marks]

Subscribed!

Can you post the specs on the spacers - where'd you get them, part #, cost, etc. I sometimes view my truck from certain angles and tell myself I need to get these. Mudflaps first though.

 

[ZcSpec]

**Fog light upgrade***

After researching a bit, I concluded that 06-10 explorer projector fog lights would fit in the stock fog locations of some 07-10 STs. After receiving them yesterday, I crossed my fingers for an uneventful installation. Sure enough, the fog lights were a direct replacement for my OEM fogs! Installation was pretty straight forward. The stock fogs are held in place by three (3) “locking” caps. A solid pull on the OEM units will dislodge them from the bumper. The new units came with H3 bulbs which ended up being a “plug and play” with no modifications at all. As you can see in the photos, fit is acceptable (I'll end up having the bumpers, wheel trims and fog lights color matched in a few weeks so the look should be much more OEM). Lighting wise, the OEM fogs are much brighter. With projector lamps, you’re losing some of the lighting due to the cut off device inside the projector. However, you gain the advantage of having a more focused light beam on the road and substantially reduced glare to oncoming traffic. I will end up replacing the H3 bulb with a HID kit to produce better lighting. Opinions are welcomed…

 

[ZcSpec]

Subscribed!

Can you post the specs on the spacers - where'd you get them, part #, cost, etc. I sometimes view my truck from certain angles and tell myself I need to get these. Mudflaps first though.

5x114.3
Hubcentric 70.3mm centerbore
1" or 25mm spacers
eBay no name
roughly $100-$110

Just make sure you get the proper lug thread pitch. I believe it's 1/2-UNF.

 

[ZcSpec]

***7.20.14***

My Navi, sub, and amps where install over the weekend. That was a PITA! I'll have photos up once I secure everything and install the rearview camera.

 

[ZcSpec]

***8/2/14***

I finally installed the backup camera. This unit is a Farenheit LP-1CA and works very well.

Display on my Pioneer AVIC-z130BT

 

[totogt06]

I like the spacers, gotta have them be flush with the flares. I hope to do that some day along with a reverse camera too. Unfortunately the Mustang comes first

 

[naminad]

i like the look of the fog lights
looks like having a 2014 toyota 4runner or tacoma
any more upgrades you have done?

 

[ZcSpec]

Well, my latest upgrade project didn't go as planned. I had a good friend of mine retrofit a set of projector headlights with a HID kit into the headlight body. Had the following issues:

- right side has a noticeable "hot spot" and the beam pattern is too low and too off right (the adjuster did not help)
- due to the ST's CAN-Bus system and , SJB, and DRL, the lights are always on
- due to the wiring scheme and CAN-Bus system, the car detects a left/right" bulb out so now I have a constant notification on my system display

My installer and I are going back tot he drawing board to see if we can rectify some of these issues. I'm quite certain that the DRL issue, will not be resolved. It seems as though the SBJ controls power to the DRL through the low beam side.

Night View

Daytime "garage" View

 

[ZcSpec]

Well, my latest upgrade project didn't go as planned. I had a good friend of mine retrofit a set of projector headlights with a HID kit into the headlight body. Had the following issues:

- right side has a noticeable "hot spot" and the beam pattern is too low and too off right (the adjuster did not help)
- due to the ST's CAN-Bus system and , SJB, and DRL, the lights are always on
- due to the wiring scheme and CAN-Bus system, the car detects a left/right" bulb out so now I have a constant notification on my system display

My installer and I are going back tot he drawing board to see if we can rectify some of these issues. I'm quite certain that the DRL issue, will not be resolved. It seems as though the SBJ controls power to the DRL through the low beam side.

Night View

Daytime "garage" View

 

[BlackBeast]

Awesome updates Zcspec! Thanks for keeping this thread going. I've always been a compulsive modder and since I'm new to the ST, I'm getting great ideas.

Looking forward to my spacers to arrive. I got the pricey hub/wheel centric billet ones that are probably not worth the extra money.

I'm also sitting on truxxx spacers and all new front end linkages, but BTF are about a month out with my upper control arms

 

[ZcSpec]

Sorry for the double post earlier...didn't realize I did that. Blackbeast, I'll be doing some maintenance on the ST this weekend, primarily front/rear diff and tranny flush/fill. Feel free to ping me if you want to drop by and do your stuff as well. I rent a lift at a local shop in Kent for pretty cheap.

 

[BlackBeast]

I would, but I haven't received my control arms and I want to open it up once.

Good luck on the job.

 

[ZcSpec]

Next time brother....BTW, I might need your help to diagnosis my DRL issue for my headlights. We should grab a beer one night.

 

[CanAdrenalin]

Hey ZcSpec... Looking to replace my factory fogs on my 10 STA with the ones you've installed... do you know if they are a direct replacement as well?

If so, where did you get them?

Thanks pal.

 

[ZcSpec]

Hey ZcSpec... Looking to replace my factory fogs on my 10 STA with the ones you've installed... do you know if they are a direct replacement as well?

If so, where did you get them?

Thanks pal.

CAN,

Because you have a STA and not a ST, I dont beleive the fog light's will fit. I researched the STA/STs' bumpers and they are two entirely different setups. If you want, I will trade you my ST for your STA.

 

[CanAdrenalin]

That's ok... but thanks for the info!