Happy Birthday xB

One year ago today I bought the xB!

Billet Grill

I ordered a new grille to replace the cheap plastic factory one. Here it is! It was very easy to install. You have to drill two holes and you re-use to factory mounts. Take a look at some pictures earlier in my blog to compare it with. 

Scion xB 2003-2005 Billet Grill
Grill and Bumper Billet
12 horizontal bars (20970)

Subtotal 140.00
Shipping 10.00
Tax 0.00
Total 150.00

Inspection 05

The xB went in for inspection on the last day of September. I kept putting it off and finally decided to call the closest garage on the last day. They were open and inspected it right away. The xB passed with flying colors but after getting the car home I noticed to new lights appeared on the dash. The traction control and the vehicle stability control light were both illuminated. I took it back to the garage and they told me they didn't know how to fix it. A few days later I got an appointment at the dealer and took it in. They said that the computer just needed reset and they also fixed the crazy rattle in my dash. Thanks to the warranty everything was free.

Painted Wheel Covers

Final product looks great especially after a wash! 

I ended up doing about 8 or 10 very thin coats. 

This is probably about the fourth coat of paint. 

First coat of paint. Keep it very thin and even. 

Sand/scratching it up! 

Not sure how much the sandpaper cost but it was cheap too. If I did it over again I would have got finer paper but this is all the had. I would recommend something greater than 300. 

I got this black spray paint at Walmart for less than 5 bucks. 

Well I decided to paint the factory wheel covers black. Here is one of the victims. 

xB Update

Jon/Bekah's xB

This weekend I washed and waxed the xB. It looks brand new now. I also added my Google license plate cover. It was also up for inspection so I took it to a garage right by my new place. The xB passed the inspection with flying colors but in the process a couple sensors were triggered and now the VSC and Traction Control are disabled. I called the dealer and I have to take it in. Its free thanks to the warranty. Yesterday I ordered the Billet Grill for the front bumper to replace the stock one. It should look sweet! I am also thinking about painting the original wheel covers black like my buddy Jon did.

Gang o' Bikers

From left to right... Handle, Chops, Dragon, Dolphin, Steel and Hawk. 

XL 1200C

XL 1200C Sportster 1200 Custom 

Where's Weirdo?

Can you find the xB? 

From the beach

I finally found an open access point that I could connect to for a while. Hopefully there are more in this area. Tonight I got busted for skating and the trunk to the xB was left open. Not the best night because it took me about 15 minutes to figure out my one big bag was blocking it. This internet is shaky at best... I am off.

On The Road Again

Raleigh, N.C. --->> Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Total Estimated Time: 3 hours, 33 minutes
Total Estimated Distance: 183.00 miles

Milkshakes at CookOut! 

BSPxB vs. BCPxB 

El Rodeo (the rodeo)

I took a trip to the local Honda Bike dealer today and looked at all the cool bikes. They had plenty of Shadows to go around but my favorite was the goldwing. That thing is bigger than the xB.

I just got back from downtown Raleigh and had lunch at El Rodeo which is a cool little mexican place. I got the Enchilada Supreme and it was awesome. If only my stomach was as happy as my mouth was.

TigerDirect Store

I thought this store was going to be sweet but it was just lame. I get their magazine full of ads every month and sometimes they have good deals but the store just remind me of some run down local computer store. 

Cruising music

Great album! 

Driving Around

Me driving. 

Sheetz

This is the biggest Sheetz in the world (from what I have seen). It has plasma tv's inside, 24 hour drive thru, and dine in area the size of a normal Sheetz. 

Vacation Part Uno

Today at noon I left Beaver Falls and headed south to Raleigh, North Carolina to kick off my vacation. I have this week off and will be hanging out in Raleigh for a few days and then I am going to meet up with some friends at Myrtle Beach for the rest of the week.

The drive today was approx. 550 miles and took 9 hours. 550/9=61.111111111111 and so on. That means I averaged over 60 miles an hour. Not bad for the 108hp xB. I used about 1.5 tanks of gas and averaged over 30 miles per gallon. 550/30=18 gallons of gas at 2.35/gallon=$43.08. (all calculations were done within a 3% margin of error)

Three important things happened on this first leg of the trip...
1. I saw an 18-wheeler slam on the breaks and lock the tires hard enough for them to smoke.
2. BuddyLee is on tour now and I passed his tour bus.
3. I almost ran out of gas and the closest gas station was in this super hick town in West Virginia. The gas pumps must have been from the 80's because they weren't digital, each pump offered only one type of fuel (87,89, or 92 octane), and didn't accept any plastic (credit cards) at the pump.

More to come as long as I can find free Wifi!

Oil Change 3 (I think)

I got the oil changed in anticipation for my vacation. More details soon.

Living on the Edge

I moved out of my place of residence this weekend and moved most of my belongings into storage. The most important of important is now living with me in the xB (Table PC, iPod, camera, phone, etc). I am living with a friend for this week and next week I am driving to N.C. to visit friends and then onto Myrtle Beach. I can't wait for vacation.

Wax Two

It has been so long since I have put anything new up... SORRY. I have been looking for a new place to live and working a lot. This month I am trying to set up a couple new webpages so hopefully I will have time to post some stuff.

This past weekend I took all day Saturday and washed/waxed the xB. It was fun and here is a picture! 

Eight Thousand

Almost eight thousand miles... man thats hard to believe. I drive way too much. I should quit my job to save on gas money. 

Caps Off

Finally got a picture with the hub caps off and waxed. 

Display Box

Here is my new xB display that I hung in my bedroom today. 

Wax One

Yesterday I finally got a chance to wash and wax the car. I got home around 5pm and started to get everything out and ready. I filled up with bucket hot, soapy water and went outside to rinse off the car. When I came back inside to get the bucket, half the water was gone. It was leaking out the bottom where there was a crack. Luckily I left the bucket in the sink so all the water was contained. I had to empty the bucket and use super glue/electrical tape to fix it up. Once completed I started washing.

After I finished washing the car twice, I let it air dry for a bit. With just a little water left on the car I got out the towels and finished drying it. Now on to the waxing. (At this point it is starting to get dark.) I broke out the wax and got down to business applying wax as fast as I could. Once the car had a nice layer of wax I took a break. My arms needed it.

So now it is dark and I am removing the wax and revealing the shine (I can't really see the shine but I know in the morning it will be there). After doing the best job I could, it was time to load up my equipment and go play some guitar. When I woke up this morning my arms were killing me because of all the wax on / wax off karate kid crap. The xB did look nice though. I also removed the xB hubcaps to reveal the black generic rims underneath. As soon as I get a picture I will post it.

For Sale

I haven't posted anything in a while so today is the day! I haven't been driving the old xB much recently. Last weekend I was in a rental car and this weekend I am driving my dad's truck. The truck is for sale. Do you want to buy it?

SecureCam1

I set up a security system at home with a dedicated computer and a few webcams. All of the cameras detect motion and then forward them to a special gmail account. This was me leaving for the store today. I haven't registered the software yet.. opps! 

SecureCam2

This is me returning from the store after a little snow. 

Punx

Tonight I was running sound at a local show with four bands. I got the xB washed and ready to go after work. I found a nice parking spot on the side of the firehall so that I had plenty of room and no one would bump me. Well wouldn't you know that after the show I walked outside and kids wrote on my now dirty windows and one punk was leaning/rocking my car. I hit the 'panic' button on the remote and those punx really jumped. They quickly moved away from my car and I felt an evil grin appear on my face.

Winter Wiper

I was having trouble with the stock wipers and all the snow/ice we have been getting. So I went out and bought winter wipers. I bought two but only put the one on. Now I can easily compare the stock vs. winter. As of right now I would say that the winter wiper is slightly ahead.