My '08 Navigator buildup plan

[v8_dave]

Obviously I wont be able to afford one, even on an engineers salary. So I am going to buy a '99 Navi with a wrecked front end, then piece on an '07 front clip. Maybe looking at $10K total investment. Engine upgrades [the new Whipple 3.3] may grossly increase that number depending on my priorities next year.

I met a guy who converted his '99 to an '03-06 style with no problems other than tweaking the body side moldings to match up, so most likely I wont have a real problem either.

He said he would have went with '07 but thought they were rather fugly. I agree, but if I go Cantera Edition style, or more likely, just blacking out the vertical bars like this crappy MS paint I did to get it looking stellar.

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/5906/2007lincolnnavigatoredioy3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

So I am starting to buy parts before the market gets inflated for them. Just picked up this passenger side headlight for $81 shipped, with HID bulb and ballast included. Dealer wants $700!!!

My question is, where can I get a wiring digram so I can test the HID to see how bright it is? There's only 3 pins.

http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/221/p4220002smalljw9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/3852/p4220008smalluf8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[skinhead]

Damn, sounds like a fun project, I wish I could pursue something like that, maybe when I finally finish school and have some more time for myself...

[pro-five-oh]

Pretty cool idea! I don't think that front end looks soft enough to go with the rest of the first gen Navi, but I guess we'll find out.

PS: the 2007 Gator will depreciate like crazy being a Lincoln and an SUV. You could buy the real thing three years from now for not much. I'm just sayin! :)

[v8_dave]

True about the tail lights on the earlier models being very smooth, so the thought was to smoke them out pretty good to blend in the likely black truck so you wont even pay attention to them. I may toss the new side view mirrors on of the old ones look to soft. Don't have a shot in hell in changing the rear bumper though, that may be the clincher.

Well, the '03s are still going for about 20K+ so if that trend progresses were looking at about 5yrs. Although the IRS and de-F150 interior is very appealing, I want to get myself something nice for right after graduation, yet still be able to move out at about the same time. I should figure out my priorities though.

If I don't go through with it, these projectors are top-notch to retrofit into other model cars. They even have the electrically actuated lens for high beams, no bi-zenon crap.

[pro-five-oh]

Going into debt right after graduation kinda blows. Buy a used Ranger instead.

[v8_dave]

Going into debt right after graduation kinda blows. Buy a used Ranger instead.

Pffff... I'll be in debt $40K in student loans so there is no avoiding that. I figure maybe live paycheck to paycheck for the first summer at home to get this truck buildup started. Need to reward myself and its better [cheaper, cooler IMO] than buying Acura TL's and Mini Coopers and Honda Fit's like my coeds are doing...

I can maybe save up for a busted '03-06 so I can get more appropriate tails and rear bumper.

In any case I'll pick up this black hat to go in place of the chrome one, its cheap. Maybe drop another bill on a drivers headlight too.

http://i14.ebayimg.com/07/i/000/9a/cc/6c55_1.JPG

[AZLincolnMercury]

What are you majoring in?

[v8_dave]

English! Cant ya tell Joe!?

No, no, mechanical engineering actually. Fortunately, I have a job all worked out for the day after I get my diploma, or else I would be worried about spending 6 months trying to find one.

[skinhead]

Cool, I'm majoring in manufacturing engineering.