Blue Mini Build Log

[HeyBales]

Before-and-after shot of the reflection effect:

I'm curious about that reflective aspect since I'm still looking - for the safety purpose for others driving.

Instead of light by your eyes coming back to your eyes with flash camera - what happens if you duplicate typical driving scenario?

Head / camera at driver head height, light source at headlight height?
Perhaps you have another vehicle to duplicate with 2 distances back, like 25 & 50 ft, for a pic?

Prior ones I've seen in person have terrible angles, and not useful for safety aspect driving.
Dog walkers maybe shining their lights around - or thieves I suppose.

Nice setup of aftermarket items.

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[RussCantrell]

Instead of light by your eyes coming back to your eyes with flash camera - what happens if you duplicate typical driving scenario?

I’ll try to get one. But my driveway is curved and on an incline, so not the best for really testing road conditions.

The above was with my phone’s flashlight, trying to test it out though without a second vehicle.

I can confirm that, pulling into the two-car carport, the headlights definitely catch it as being a stark white. Very visible, even from an angle.

Once I get a more accurate test, though, I’ll update with a better photo!

 

[HeyBales]

I’ll try to get one. But my driveway is curved and on an incline, so not the best for really testing road conditions.

The above was with my phone’s flashlight, trying to test it out though without a second vehicle.

I can confirm that, pulling into the two-car carport, the headlights definitely catch it as being a stark white. Very visible, even from an angle.

Once I get a more accurate test, though, I’ll update with a better photo!

Thanks much. All the pic's I've seen are with lights on, then lights off and camera flash from eye level, either standing somewhat close which is a fine distance, or hunkered down at tailgate level.

Because I've been testing this - which has no reflectivity.
And they get charged by all the headlights hitting them. But distance - eh.
More for goofballs not seeing their headlights aren't on - which is surprisingly often.
And not sure how to get nice letters.

 

[RussCantrell]

MABETT CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE!

Not a huge update...hardly enough to call it part of the "build"...but I did just load up on pretty much all the remaining Mabett tech I had been wanting for the interior. Two under-seat storage bins, color-matched door trays, and under-seat mats. Plus the bed net, not pictured as it's living under the seat.

Also? A Stubby. Not 100% necessary...I'm not crazy about the stock antenna making the "baby truck" look like a little RC racer, and I think this helps somewhat. Though, admittedly, I had already started to get used to the old one.

I had debated between getting the standard black or a cool metallic blue to fit with the rest of the theme. Went black as I was worried a different shade of blue would stand out, and the whole point was for the shark fin not to be as big and noticeable.

Next up? Hopefully, I'll find motivation enough to put on the underbody panel that's been sitting in my closet since June. Despite that being one of the first things I had planned, wanting to protect the wiring back there, I haven't felt like crawling around under the truck to actually do it.

Need to spend some Ford points as well. Most likely it'll be a second bed cubby, since I didn't spring for the Lux package, though I'm open to suggestions. Don't want these to expire like the last two sets of points did!

 

[RussCantrell]

A couple of more bits and bobs, this time from Maxina:

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