Customize my Maverick

[DokDream]

Last week I got hit by a log that flew off a vehicle ahead of me. The vehicle kept going. I couldn't stop, or swerve. Damaged the lower (plastic) grille of my Maverick hybrid. Replacement of grille is upwards of $1,200. I began thinking of better ways to use that money. Here's what I'm thinking (suggestions/comments requested):
1. Bull bar -- ordered one from Broadfoot. Should be here by Monday. Has skid plate which should prevent incidents like that log.
2. Camera system -- Front and back; will cost about $250. Would love to enable it to link to existing video display on dash. Any ideas how to do it, and if it will conflict in any way with the existing electronics?
3. Fog lights -- There is a place for lights on the front "bumper" (Hah!). So long as there is a place, I'd like to add the lights. Again, would this mess up the existing electronics? How is the switch mounted or integrated into the existing lighting system?
4. Generator -- Within that lower front grille is a what some might call a "spoiler," except it has another grille of sorts. It is plastic and there appears to be cooling fins behind it. The grille bars are plastic too, and got broken. (I'll know more when I take the grille off to see what is there. Noted some sort of thin, flimsy vinyl curtain that appears to have been torn when the log hit me.) This small grill appears more or less for appearance only. I'm wondering if I can remove the plastic bars and install small turbine generators in the opening. I'm thinking that this would give a slight electrical boost (or maybe have an auxillary power system), while perhaps actually enhancing aerodynamic performance due to improved thermodynamics. (Work done on the turbines reduces overall energy which could enhance stability just a tad.).

So what are your thoughts?

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[Rivers90]

2. Camera system -- Front and back; will cost about $250. Would love to enable it to link to existing video display on dash. Any ideas how to do it, and if it will conflict in any way with the existing electronics?
3. Fog lights -- There is a place for lights on the front "bumper" (Hah!). So long as there is a place, I'd like to add the lights. Again, would this mess up the existing electronics? How is the switch mounted or integrated into the existing lighting system?
4. Generator -- install small turbine generators in the opening.

2. I don't think there is an input for the factory screen you would need to add a screen.
3. There are fog light kits for the maverick to do what you want.
4. The truck can charge the electrical system the right amount, and this would add drag and could be bad for the electric system. The computer is controlling how much charge to put into the battery and it is not expecting you to be trying to charge the battery from and extra system as you drive. modern charging systems are very complex, they don't run the alternator all the time or the inverter for a hybrid.

My "suggestions/comments" is to get the bull bar you want and get a fog light kit and stop there.

 

[Iron Ranger]

Use the search feature perhaps?

 

[DokDream]

2. I don't think there is an input for the factory screen you would need to add a screen.
3. There are fog light kits for the maverick to do what you want.
4. The truck can charge the electrical system the right amount, and this would add drag and could be bad for the electric system. The computer is controlling how much charge to put into the battery and it is not expecting you to be trying to charge the battery from and extra system as you drive. modern charging systems are very complex, they don't run the alternator all the time or the inverter for a hybrid.

My "suggestions/comments" is to get the bull bar you want and get a fog light kit and stop there.

Thanks. Appreciate your input. (1) Yeah, I think a 2nd screen would be needed too (2) If I get fog lights from FORD, it would be really expensive. I need to study this more carefully. Mounting the control switch is also something I need to investigate. (3) I wasn't thinking about adding a genset to the existing electrical; perhaps as an adjunt to power something else. As for drag, it is something I need to analyze both aerodynamically as well as thermodynamically. Basically, I am asking if I do something in that gap at the bottom of the vehicle that modifies the air flow or changes the energy balance, what am I doing to the vehicle? E = q + w, so if I take out some of the work, then the total system energy goes down. If this results in a reduced air pressure at the underside, it may improve road handling by reducing lift. All theoretical at this point.

 

[CurtisB]

If this happened to me, I would get it fixed to stock. Better resale or trade-in down the road.

 

[Seand1109]

So you are thinking that a small wind powered generator in there? Not sure how much it would benefit the whole truck system but I agree it could be an issue for the electrical system. I did see a mod for an extra with battery under the rear seat. The set up was nicely done and the guy that did it might be someone to talk to about the electrical portion of your idea. My thought is that if you could setup the extra battery to be charged by the wind, use thru an inverter to power the AC outlets. Either way unless you use a lot of electricity from your truck daily, it won't make economic sense, But it would be cool.

 

[wax87]

Last week I got hit by a log that flew off a vehicle ahead of me. The vehicle kept going. I couldn't stop, or swerve. Damaged the lower (plastic) grille of my Maverick hybrid. Replacement of grille is upwards of $1,200. I began thinking of better ways to use that money. Here's what I'm thinking (suggestions/comments requested):
1. Bull bar -- ordered one from Broadfoot. Should be here by Monday. Has skid plate which should prevent incidents like that log.
2. Camera system -- Front and back; will cost about $250. Would love to enable it to link to existing video display on dash. Any ideas how to do it, and if it will conflict in any way with the existing electronics?
3. Fog lights -- There is a place for lights on the front "bumper" (Hah!). So long as there is a place, I'd like to add the lights. Again, would this mess up the existing electronics? How is the switch mounted or integrated into the existing lighting system?
4. Generator -- Within that lower front grille is a what some might call a "spoiler," except it has another grille of sorts. It is plastic and there appears to be cooling fins behind it. The grille bars are plastic too, and got broken. (I'll know more when I take the grille off to see what is there. Noted some sort of thin, flimsy vinyl curtain that appears to have been torn when the log hit me.) This small grill appears more or less for appearance only. I'm wondering if I can remove the plastic bars and install small turbine generators in the opening. I'm thinking that this would give a slight electrical boost (or maybe have an auxillary power system), while perhaps actually enhancing aerodynamic performance due to improved thermodynamics. (Work done on the turbines reduces overall energy which could enhance stability just a tad.).

So what are your thoughts?

Pirate or continental solder?

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