Little update:
A recently sustained duty based accident has knocked my plans for the lamp installation on the head. Originally I had planned the installation for the beginning of October, but now that I am motion restricted because of that damn accident it'll take some time to accomplish my plans. Maybe I will have an operation so there's currently no chance for me to set up a new date.
So long.
Eric
Edit 10/27/11:
According to the final diagnosis of my treating surgeon after he had scored the results from the MRT no operation is necessary. Just six more weeks for me of being partially motion restricted.
Brothers In Arms 
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The little truck to the right is my Sori's new brother. He arrived last Friday from the City of Bremerhaven in Germany (Europe's largest Autoport) after being assembled in the far away country of Korea.
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It is a 2012 KIA Picanto "Edition 7" (referring to the 7-yr-warranty). Compared to the basic model called "Attract" here in Europe it comes with additional extras worth 2500 Euro (~3500 US$). It's powered by an 1.0l 3-cyl. gasoline engine at 69 hp. Average fuel consumption is listed with 52 mpg. We'll see...
The little truck will be mainly used by my gal for city and suburban short trips. The color is besides the same as for the Sori.
NEW LAMPS!
My friend Olliver and I finished off the installation after two hrs. in pretty nice weather with lots of sunshine, a blue sky and temperatures up to 50F. Enjoy and leave your comments, please.
The "old" Hella MicroFF lamps have been attached to the lower cross bar and covered with HELLA glas protectors. It would be illegal to drive without the covers in public road traffic if there are more than two additional high beams attached.
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Extra: HI-RES picture (2.22 MB).
Here you can see the lamps "uncovered". This would be the off-road variant that is only allowed on private property or other closed off areas.
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Extra: HI-RES picture (2.22 MB).
Eric
Little change to the lamp setup.
I removed the "HELLA MicroFF" high beams. The reason why I did this is mentioned in my
comments thread.
So here we go. Worthy background for a majestic truck.
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Extra: HI-RES picture (2.1 MB)
Sorry for the other rides in the picture. I couldn't have reached their respective drivers/owners to have them removed for my picture - so I put a ticket on each of the cars 'cause they were illegaly parked anyway.
Sometimes it feels just simply good to be a
.
Eric
Today I got my new tires. Now my truck's prepared for the winter.
Goodyear Wrangler AT/R XL in 235/60 R18 107T
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Once we get the first snow here I'll post some pictures.
Eric
Hi guys,
and a happy new year to all of you.
It's been a while since my last post but I did not do anything noteworthy ever since regarding modifications on my truck. The reason is simple: The weather here makes me sick. It's raining almost 24/7 with temperatures down to 41.0 °F and one thunderstorm after another runs over my town. Not the best conditions to work on my truck.
But don't worry, I haven't been idling my time away either. As you may or may not know I am planning on putting some additional matt black foil onto my truck. Well, meanwhile I went to the foil company that already put up the matt black foil onto the hood of my truck.
I talked to them about my new plans and further explained my ideas. They said that it should be possible to make my ideas a reality 'cause they've already done it before on other vehicles. So I was really delighted about their statement and now I am really curious about the final result.
An appointment will be made for some day this month, depending on their schedule. Btw, the new foil was a christmas gift from my gal. She loves the matt black foil and my ideas as much as I do, so she decided to pay for my new project. I love her...
That's all for now. Once the work is done I'll provide you with pictures as always.
Eric
Fixed an appointment today for my lady's first maintenance service. It's been a year since I got her, the odo shows somewhat around 13000 km (~8100 mls) and everythings seems to be working fine.
There are no technical problems whatsoever, but I recently noticed a squeaking noise coming out of the gap between the lower and the upper part of the center console, especially at low outside temperatures. Both console parts are sticked together with plastic pins and it sounds like those pins are rubbing against the plastic once the truck is moving.
Here's a picture of the noise source:
Thanks to a good friend who reminded me to do a research on KIATECHINFO I hit paydirt today. Exactly that problem is reported under TSB #BOD081 "Center Console squeak in colder climates" on KIATECHINFO.
Has anyone of you 2011/2012 owners noticed that problem, too?
Eric
Little update:
Well, I currently do not work on my truck due to the weather situation here (-16.0°C / +3.0°F). It's simply too cold. But I've had enough time to think about some ideas on how to foil my truck and I finally got 'em together. My ideas are ready for being presented to the foil company by tomorrow morning and I hope that I'll get an appointment with the company soon to have them become reality. I'll keep you informed.
Eric
I have just returned from the foil company and I'm glad being able to say that all my foil design ideas are realizable without any problems.
The only downer: It will take two days for the company getting all the work properly done. But that's no problem 'cause I want them to have it done without any pressure of time.
I made an appointment for next weeks Wednesday and with a little bit of luck I'll be able to present you pictures of my truck by the weekend afterwards.
Wish me luck.
Eric
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