by "Mercedes Streeter" (smart)
Published 05/15/2017 at 14:32
by "Mercedes Streeter" (smart)
Published 05/15/2017 at 14:32
Tags: rallyfortwo
STARS: 7
Alright, so Tucker (aka Rallyfortwo) finally got license plates...they’ve been expired since April 1st, 2016 (Irresponsible, I know). I’m finally legal now! And...
When I took off my original plates I was greeted with an Easter Egg!
The dealer put the plates on before I even got to see the car, apparently whoever put the plates on just screwed the plate on without removing the dealer placard first. So this thing has been on my car since new and I never even knew!
When playing around with the plates on Tucker, I discovered how the front license plate box will dig into the bumper paint if left on for too long. I removed the box once in the past when the car only had a few thousand miles, but put it back on when I realized how terrible they drilled the holes.
Well, I’m not going to make the same mistake for Phil, so off went the box!
Now, I have a plan for getting rid of those holes, a plan that will only cost a dollar. I just need to get a specific tool for the job. Stay tuned! :D
Also, in my search for parts for Tucker’s rally conversion, I discovered something interesting. Because the Phase II smart Electric Drives were very very heavy, they all came with beefed up suspensions. Ironically, when you put these springs and struts on a regular ICE smart (they all have the same mounting points and hardware, just much stronger), the car gets a 2 or 3 inch lift. These things are cheap too!
I could potentially combine the ED springs with the lift kit and get a hilariously tall lift (I estimate total ground clearance of around 14 or so inches). I’m not sure 14 is safe, so I might just choose one over the other. Then I would definitely want to add spacers so I can get very wide rubber. Squeee I’m getting excited!!
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
05/15/2017 at 14:49, STARS: 1
You’re not alone on the expired plates, at least:
http://oppositelock.kinja.com/so-i-got-pulled-over-on-my-way-home-tonight-1794824283
"TheTurbochargedSquirrel" (thatsquirrel)
05/15/2017 at 15:11, STARS: 0
14" of ground clearance in a smart? That sounds dangerous.
"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
05/15/2017 at 15:11, STARS: 1
I did something similar to my old Subaru XT (flying wedge). When the air bags failed I bought an entire suspension off of a Subaru Loyal, a much heavier car. Bolted everything up and it had an instant 2" lift. Much improved ride and handling too.
"Mercedes Streeter" (smart)
05/15/2017 at 15:15, STARS: 0
Perhaps quite so! That said, I may just go with the electric drive suspension over the lift kit. Seems to offer equal lift with more sturdy parts.
"Mercedes Streeter" (smart)
05/15/2017 at 15:23, STARS: 1
I’ve always feared that. For over the past year-plus whenever I saw a police car in the lane behind me (assuming multi-lane street where the police car can catch up), I’d always dive into the nearest side street I could find. I managed to get away with it without getting a police car directly behind me not even once.
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
05/15/2017 at 15:43, STARS: 1
Haha - I was blissfully unaware, so never avoided anything. Doh! Good luck with the rally conversion - looking forward to pics of the completed project!
"Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero" (sampsonite24)
05/15/2017 at 19:25, STARS: 1
The explorers plates expire this month, the cobalt expires next month, and my dad’s Ridgeline which I’ve been driving since September expire in July. It’s gonna be an expensive summer
"P5guy now GTIguy" (p5guy)
05/15/2017 at 20:15, STARS: 0
Tucker looks good, pretty sure I saw you about an hour ago
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
05/15/2017 at 21:59, STARS: 0
Mine are March, May, June. Just ordered the renewal sticker for the June car today, actually. Luckily Illinois isn’t too painful - $101 apiece.
"pip bip - choose Corrour" (hhgttg69)
05/16/2017 at 07:32, STARS: 0
interesting to know about the ED parts for a lift kit.
"Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero" (sampsonite24)
05/16/2017 at 08:04, STARS: 1
yeah its not bad, i gotta get mine in for emissons though
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
05/16/2017 at 11:07, STARS: 0
Ugh, emissions is a pain. Test is quick, it’s the driving there and waiting that’s annoying. Seems like they recently closed a bunch of stations, too - including the one closest to my work.
"Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero" (sampsonite24)
05/16/2017 at 11:38, STARS: 1
yeah i was pissed they closed the tinley park station, luckily a local shop in peotone right by my inlaws does emissons testing and they are pretty quick about it
"Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW!" (theduckduck)
05/16/2017 at 12:15, STARS: 0
It sounds like the factory parts would be the way to go.
"Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner" (gavinharter30)
05/20/2017 at 16:29, STARS: 1
Illegal parking:)
"Mercedes Streeter" (smart)
05/20/2017 at 17:43, STARS: 1
I got my parking approved by both the local police and apartment management. They didn’t see any law on the books that stated that I had to park parallel to the lines. Just within the lines. ;)