Every since I started publishing videos of my KITT replica Trans Am, people have been asking questions about the iconic, yet still missing KITT dashboard. Although I’ve decided not to install it in my car and keep the dashboard stock, I want to share with you why and what alternatives I see for a possible 21st century KITT dashboard. Might give some inspiration to the film makers, should they turn the many reboot rumors into reality.
In this episode I’m showing you how turned the factory grey interior of my KITT Trans Am into the now beautiful tan interior. Please note that this is one of several different options you can choose and that ultimately the method is up to each individual’s taste and budget.
In this episode I’m showing you why I didn’t go with screen accurate front lights and how I installed the DRL and fog lamps. Ever since I’ve posted videos showing the complete front end with the lighting setup, various people have been commenting and asking why I did it the way I did and not build a more screen accurate version. Wanna know why? Watch the video! 🙂
In this video I’m going through the installation of my new radio, the inside, as well as engine bay speakers and how I connected the radio with the scanner control box together using a sound mixer. In short, the sound system. Check it out! 🙂
In this video I’m going through the body and paintwork that went into my KITT Trans Am. It’s not one of my typical how to videos, but more like the story of how everything came together, what to pay attention to and what to look for when searching the right body and paintshop. I’m also giving you some tips regarding the installation of new T-Top seals.
You’re building your KITT replica and you’re looking to get the correct, screen accurate wheels? Or maybe you’re open for something not completely screen accurate but similar?
Worry no more, episode 16 of my KITT Trans Am restoration covers all of that and a lot more. I’ll even show you how I restored my rims. This episode is jam packed with wheel information with the respective sources. Watch it now! 🙂
In this time of global Corona / Covid-19 pandemic, many people are asked to stay at home. You might be busy, you might be scared, you might also be a little bit bored and if you are a car person, just waiting for the day you can enjoy your freedom again and take your car out for a drive and to your next car meeting.
Therefore I’ve made this little montage of some footage we’ve taken over the past year of KITT driving around. For everyone who has to stay at home and misses the freedom of just going for a drive. Hang in there and stay safe everybody!
When it comes to converting the rearend of your Firebird to KITT, one of the crucial elements are the taillights. KITT being an 1982 Firebird Trans Am had very specific taillights (covered with a black plexiglas) that from the factory only came on 1982 – 1984 Trans Ams. The subsequent ’85 to ’90 Trans Am had different taillights, but kept the same light chamber partition, thus the wiring for KITT also fits the latter taillight clusters.
Long story short, over the ten years of production, there were several types of taillights and in this following video I’m showing you the different options you have when converting the wiring harness from the standard Firebird taillights from 1985 – 1990 to the Trans Am style from 1982 – 1990. Check it out! 🙂
We’re moving forward with the restoration of my KITT Trans Am, or should I say with the video documentation. This time I’m tackling the braking system; rear drum brakes, front disc brakes – all stock, all new. This might be of interest for you, even if you don’t have a thirdgen Firebird or Camaro, as the principles are pretty much the same for all drum and disc brakes.
It’s all the more relevant for you if you are building a full Knight Rider KITT replica with the respective dashboard and lower console. Why? Find out in the video. 🙂
What might look like some tiny improvements, actually make a huge difference. The roughly 200 km I got to drive my Firebird before I took it apart were a bit scary, meaning that the steering felt like it wasn’t really connected to the wheels. And the wheels didn’t feel like they were properly touching the road…
Anyhow, it wasn’t until April 2019 that I actually got to take my Firebird on the road again, that had now been transformed into KITT. The difference was like day and night. Sure, I had installed brand new tires (Dunlop Bluresponse Sport), but I had also improved the steering, most importantly I installed a Wonderbar and changed the rag joint steering coupler. No I did not install an Astra van steering shaft. Here’s how and why not: