Finally getting around to a project log. Mostly because I actually have time for such things now :lol2:
Quick history on the car. It was originally sold in Orlando, Florida to a finance company as a fleet car. Did the rounds until 42K where it was sold and auctioned off to a dealer in Tennessee. Someone bought it and then moved up to Toledo. It ended up at a local Ford dealer and then in my hands, mostly because if the impeccable condition. There's almost no rust for it living almost 8 years in salt country. Rockers, dog legs, floor panels, everything is still in great shape. The color is Windveil Blue Metallic with medium graphite interior. I think this along with Tungsten are the best colors available for the 4 and a half-th generation. Everything else was old person spec, IMO. Windveil was launched with the retro-Mustang way back in 05, so it was a two-ish year color. Which presents a bit of a problem. Mileage has just hit 85,900
In March of this year I was involved in an accident where a Pontiac G6 hit me while I was mid-turn, turning my minty fresh car into slightly less than that. Because I got hit on the corner of the bumper shock absorber, damage to Ann was minimal. The tubular steel folded on the edge and absorbed most of the impact, along with part of the cover mounting plate on the passenger side. The absorber itself is still structurally sound and overall, things could have been much worse. I'm still waiting on a parts car to donate a rear bumper cover at the very least, so if anyone knows of any in Northern Ohio/Southern Michigan, please share. The 2 year color makes wrecks uncommon to find.
Some pics. My favorite thing about this color is that it shines no matter how filthy the car is. And man, she is FILTHY right now. Haven't had time or daylight to wash in a few weeks. But this gives a great set of shots to compare with when I reach my "end goal".
Here you can see the scuffs on my poor bumper :angry:
As for what's been done so far that's prevented the modding bonanza, it's mostly been mechanical issues. So far I've replaced many a thing.
-Alternator, Battery, Big 3 upgrade, Starter
-Plugs, IAC, PCV, UIM gaskets and IMRC gasket
-Transmission pan, gasket and fluid change (PO hit tran pan on a rock somehow)
Mech things left to do:
Struts all the way around, the shocks are basically shot. I can get a few months out of them but spring time is a definite replacement. BJ and tie rods are still good though.
Possible preemptive torque converter replacement. Still not sure if I want to go through the hassle but at $100 for a DACCO TQ and another $100 for an engine support, it's pretty cheap insurance. I'll just need a few days off to get it done without losing my sanity.
New tires. Chinese wonders on there are actually pretty solid, but road noise is an issue and I want a real tire on there.
A/C clutch needs replaced. Going to just swap the compressor instead. It's easier to get the compressor out than do the clutch with it in the car, and if I'm taking it out, I might as well pay the extra to avoid the black death later on.
Now, for the actual MOD list!
These are planned mods:
Conti Shifter upgrade
Mach audio upgrade (Also have a JBL system in my possession which I'm saving until I can afford aftermarket speakers to pair with it)
Remove crappy aftermarket keyless/remote start and adding factory (already have the necessary parts)
Proper alloys (already have, waiting until I can budget in tires to put on them)
Replacement radio with aux input
CD changer mod
White gauge faces and painted bezel
Centennials (duh)
Painted Valve covers
LED all the things (naturally)
Gentex Autodimming/compass mirror with temperature sensing, along with autolamp install
Amber turn signal mod
Window Tint
That's all for now. If I think of something else I'll add it here.
Completed projects:
TCCA Decals
Big 3
Conti Shifter Upgrade
Mach Audio RCU
Sable LS Seat Swap
Factory Keyless
Factory console CD changer
Alloy Wheels
Spoiler and black rear parcel shelf
Wood trim kit installed
A/C clutch replaced
Oil pan gasket replaced
Infinity Reference speakers installed
Aux mod stereo installed
OEM rubber floor mats acquired
Donnelly Autodim mirror
Homelink + lighted visors
Quick history on the car. It was originally sold in Orlando, Florida to a finance company as a fleet car. Did the rounds until 42K where it was sold and auctioned off to a dealer in Tennessee. Someone bought it and then moved up to Toledo. It ended up at a local Ford dealer and then in my hands, mostly because if the impeccable condition. There's almost no rust for it living almost 8 years in salt country. Rockers, dog legs, floor panels, everything is still in great shape. The color is Windveil Blue Metallic with medium graphite interior. I think this along with Tungsten are the best colors available for the 4 and a half-th generation. Everything else was old person spec, IMO. Windveil was launched with the retro-Mustang way back in 05, so it was a two-ish year color. Which presents a bit of a problem. Mileage has just hit 85,900
In March of this year I was involved in an accident where a Pontiac G6 hit me while I was mid-turn, turning my minty fresh car into slightly less than that. Because I got hit on the corner of the bumper shock absorber, damage to Ann was minimal. The tubular steel folded on the edge and absorbed most of the impact, along with part of the cover mounting plate on the passenger side. The absorber itself is still structurally sound and overall, things could have been much worse. I'm still waiting on a parts car to donate a rear bumper cover at the very least, so if anyone knows of any in Northern Ohio/Southern Michigan, please share. The 2 year color makes wrecks uncommon to find.
Some pics. My favorite thing about this color is that it shines no matter how filthy the car is. And man, she is FILTHY right now. Haven't had time or daylight to wash in a few weeks. But this gives a great set of shots to compare with when I reach my "end goal".
Here you can see the scuffs on my poor bumper :angry:
As for what's been done so far that's prevented the modding bonanza, it's mostly been mechanical issues. So far I've replaced many a thing.
-Alternator, Battery, Big 3 upgrade, Starter
-Plugs, IAC, PCV, UIM gaskets and IMRC gasket
-Transmission pan, gasket and fluid change (PO hit tran pan on a rock somehow)
Mech things left to do:
Struts all the way around, the shocks are basically shot. I can get a few months out of them but spring time is a definite replacement. BJ and tie rods are still good though.
Possible preemptive torque converter replacement. Still not sure if I want to go through the hassle but at $100 for a DACCO TQ and another $100 for an engine support, it's pretty cheap insurance. I'll just need a few days off to get it done without losing my sanity.
New tires. Chinese wonders on there are actually pretty solid, but road noise is an issue and I want a real tire on there.
A/C clutch needs replaced. Going to just swap the compressor instead. It's easier to get the compressor out than do the clutch with it in the car, and if I'm taking it out, I might as well pay the extra to avoid the black death later on.
Now, for the actual MOD list!
These are planned mods:
Conti Shifter upgrade
Mach audio upgrade (Also have a JBL system in my possession which I'm saving until I can afford aftermarket speakers to pair with it)
Remove crappy aftermarket keyless/remote start and adding factory (already have the necessary parts)
Proper alloys (already have, waiting until I can budget in tires to put on them)
Replacement radio with aux input
CD changer mod
White gauge faces and painted bezel
Centennials (duh)
Painted Valve covers
LED all the things (naturally)
Gentex Autodimming/compass mirror with temperature sensing, along with autolamp install
Amber turn signal mod
Window Tint
That's all for now. If I think of something else I'll add it here.
Completed projects:
TCCA Decals
Big 3
Conti Shifter Upgrade
Mach Audio RCU
Sable LS Seat Swap
Factory Keyless
Factory console CD changer
Alloy Wheels
Spoiler and black rear parcel shelf
Wood trim kit installed
A/C clutch replaced
Oil pan gasket replaced
Infinity Reference speakers installed
Aux mod stereo installed
OEM rubber floor mats acquired
Donnelly Autodim mirror
Homelink + lighted visors