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Hey from Destin Florida everyone! Yeah it's another Knight Rider fanatic wanting to build a replica. I built one many years ago from old Louisell conversion parts but sold it and wanted to kick myself most of my adult life. Now I finally get another chance. My replica build will actually isn't gonna be true to the original as I have a few changes in mind but that's what makes it fun. I'll be posting updates on this thread. The car is pretty rough but its about to get a LOT of love. Pleasure to meet everyone!
Last edited by knightriderknut; 05-27-2023 at 08:08 PM.
I figured there would be some push back by the folks that are purists. I love the third gens period. Would love to have the money to build my replica plus a clean resto mod GTA. Story of my life. Too many projects and not enough time and money
Obviously this car didn't get code MBS on the build sheet: Molecular Bonded Shell - K.I.T.T. is armored with "Tri-Helical Plasteel 1000 MBS", or Molecular Bonded Shell plating which protects him from almost all forms of conventional firearms and explosive devices.
Everybody does KITT, but I prefer KARR. Sharper looking like a nice tuxedo.
And just for laughs
Step 1 - check the floor pans.
You might be done before you ever get started.
By some miracle my floor pans are good. No rot which is a shock considering the doors were almost completely rotted away on the bottom. Now I've discovered it seems I don't have a 700r4. Looks more like a th350 was literally slapped in. More updates as I continue to dig around
There was a time when I thought that KITT conversions were kind of cool. Never wanted one myself as I've always liked to have cars that were as close to stock as possible. But some of the KITTS were kind of cool. Personally if I ever had anything like that, it wouldn't go much beyond the moving red light up front. The interiors usually end up way too cartoony for my tastes. (But if you get it fully functional, including the ability to leap over other cars, give me a call.)
It's your car to enjoy. If this thread continues, you'll likely take some insults. At a glance, looks like you got a lot of work to do, but also a good base to start from. Have fun. That's all that really matters.
There was a time when I thought that KITT conversions were kind of cool. Never wanted one myself as I've always liked to have cars that were as close to stock as possible. But some of the KITTS were kind of cool. Personally if I ever had anything like that, it wouldn't go much beyond the moving red light up front. The interiors usually end up way too cartoony for my tastes. (But if you get it fully functional, including the ability to leap over other cars, give me a call.)
It's your car to enjoy. If this thread continues, you'll likely take some insults. At a glance, looks like you got a lot of work to do, but also a good base to start from. Have fun. That's all that really matters.
I'm sure i'll get plenty but i see both sides of the argument. People forget that a big part of the reason these cares are even popular is because of Knight Rider. Luckily I manage a Pepboys so i have a crew of guys that can work on this thing for me lol. I'm sure i'll spend way too much money but thats the name of the game. My replica will prob get insults from both sides since i don't plan it being exact. I hate tan interior so I want to keep my red interior.
By some miracle my floor pans are good. No rot which is a shock considering the doors were almost completely rotted away on the bottom. Now I've discovered it seems I don't have a 700r4. Looks more like a th350 was literally slapped in. More updates as I continue to dig around
After seeing the engine I would not be surprised if a TH350 was swapped. That engine bay screams "im gonna make it old school"
That front impact bar will have to be cut out to accomodate the fog lights. I hope you're not gonna do the same stupid thing that most KR people do which is to "stagger" the lights.
The cars on the TV show NEVER had the lights staggered. They were always in alignment with each other, and look best that way. When they are staggared, the car looks like it has a ridiculous "toothy grin"...
I haven't decided what look I'm going with yet. Honestly i always liked the earlier version with grills over the foglights but ill wait until i have the actual bumper in hand. I feel like you know a bit more about KR than you let on
I know quite a bit about it. People like Joe Huth know even more. I don't really talk about it much here, because this is not a "Knight Rider" forum, and my car is not a replica. It has all the exterior components, but stock interior. Additionally, the interior is charcoal gray (which I like), and the car is not a T-top...
I'm pretty sure Joe knows more about KR than Hasselhoff and Glen Larson combined lol
I hope to be doing something similar to my 86 soon, bumper scanner and black outs. Keep the pics coming, I’m a knight rider fan myself since I was a kid.
Got a few things done since the last update. Got my nose in from Kitt's Customs in Mexico and couldn't be happier. Ricardo was easy to communicate with and the shipping was quick. I've changed out to the correct hood and changed one fender. still need to get a driver fender then install the new doors but making progress!!!
just wanted to drop in a quick update. Not much has been done due to work and weather but I did get my scanner built. I purchased one from Knight Scanners in Niceville Florida and these guys are artists. The scanner has the scanning sound effect as well and the screen correct scanner box.
I almost forgot to mention I lucked up. I recently visited my parents in NC and discovered my dad was about to sell his 2006 Silverado to the scrapyard for 300 bucks. The body is nothing but rust however it has a 5.3 with a recently rebuilt transmission so I snagged it. Doing a little research into how hard it will be to swap everything over. I also responded to a FB Marketplace ad for a driver fender. When I got there he had both fenders, rear bumper, rear hatch, rear cargo cover and both headlight assemblies for 100 bucks. He has a spare engine and transmission he said I could come pick up just to get it out of his way.
Last edited by knightriderknut; 10-14-2023 at 05:49 PM.
It's moving at a snails pace but still going. I ordered and got my scanner from Knight Scanners but discovered it was the wrong one. My nose was made to fit the thin scanner. Lucky for me they had a customer at Knight Scanners order a scanner so they kept mine and another one working for me. I did get more OEM parts for the build. I picked up new headlight motors and some 83 tail lights. I also ordered one of the fake hubcap/fins from Kitts Customs. I wanted to see how they look to at least make due until i can afford the real ones. I'll post some pictures in a little bit
Yay free parts are the best. The center piece between the t-tops on my car was extremely rusty but a good friend just so happen to have this laying in his car that he didn’t need. Score!!!!
Well the latest update isn’t a good one. Started the car this morning to let the battery charge. Wales over to my truck to get some tools and came back to a loud hiss and steam coming front under the hood and pouring out of the passenger side wheel well. I let it cool down and popped the rad to find its empty. Filled it back and coolant is pouring out. Not had a chance to look to see where it’s coming from yet but on a bright side I was given a parts car that has a running engine and 700r4 plus lots of other goodies
Finally had a chance to look and it's a freeze plug. At this point it's no big deal. I was planning to rebuild the engine but after doing a little digging I can get a 350 long block for around 2k so I'm just gonna buy that and drop it in. I think that will be a little easier than trying to do the LS swap with my silverado. The truck motor runs great but has over 300k on it so that motor would need to be rebuilt too. May sell that truck to help fund this build. I did get one of the fake turbocast wheel and caps and for my use I think they will work at least until I get a real set.
Yes they are from kitts customs. I only ordered one to see how they look and I’m very happy. Took about a month to get it. It’s mounted on a stock Camaro wheel now
Not much to report on this one. I Did get some 82 tail lights finally. Decided to just save time and headache and ordered a new 350 from Orileys. Figured by the time i was done going through this motor I'd have more than the 1800 it cost for the new motor.
05-27-2023, 06:47 PM
Been there, done that.
