Progress Thread 1989 LX 5.0 convertible - mild project

Noobz347 · Oct 31, 2025

This is the portion that makes a cable adjustable:

Non-adjustable cables will not have a nut and/or threads at the end where it attaches to the clutch fork.

Scott_S · Nov 8, 2025

Worked on getting the interior back together yesterday after replacing the quarter window motors, lift cylinders and some missing stereo equipment. Really cleaned up the trunk and back seat area.

Moved on to installing the Hurst show throw shifter and, after removing everything to get access, I found out that I already have a Pro 5.0 Power Tower shifter! Went to reinstall the rubber boot and one of the clips for the bolt was broken. Jacked up the car and got underneath to hold it while the wife tightened the bolt. Got the new Hurst handle installed and was all done.

The last thing I wanted to do was install the plastic on the door strikers. Drivers side went on just fine. Unbolted the passenger side and .... F*%# ME! The captive nut fell down inside the quarter panel. Guess I'll be taking the back seat and quarter panel back off.

*EDIT: Got it all back together this morning. Thank goodness for my wife's tiny hands! **

AeroCoupe · Nov 8, 2025

Scott_S · Nov 21, 2025

I have a stock hood for thd car, and my plan was to do paintless dent removal on the car, have the hood painted to match, and polish the rest of the car while it was at the bodyshop.
I got a quote for PDR and my jaw hit the floor. Luckily, my body guy said he can fix all the dents and paint the car from thd belt line up for a couple hundred dollars more than the PDR quote.
New body molding came with the car. He asked me to remove the old molding, so started working on that today.
We got everything bug the last bit of old glue on the driver's door. Taking a break and letting my fingers recover.

Monkeybutt2000 · Nov 22, 2025

Curious on your PDR quote. I'm a PDR tech,car looks pretty straight to me but pics can be deceiving

Scott_S · Nov 23, 2025

Monkeybutt2000 said:
Curious on your PDR quote. I'm a PDR tech,car looks pretty straight to me but pics can be deceiving

The majority of the dents are on the top of the fenders, top of the trunk lid, and one on the sail panel in front of the trunk lid. I think they're are about eight all together.
There are a few on the doors and rear quarters. Only one has any chipped paint, and it's small (maybe 3mm). I think he counted 13 areas in all. He quoted me $3,100 for the PDR.

gkomo · Nov 23, 2025

$3,100?

Monkeybutt2000 · Nov 23, 2025

Scott_S said:
The majority of the dents are on the top of the fenders, top of the trunk lid, and one on the sail panel in front of the trunk lid. I think they're are about eight all together.
There are a few on the doors and rear quarters. Only one has any chipped paint, and it's small (maybe 3mm). I think he counted 13 areas in all. He quoted me $3,100 for the PDR.

I need to clean up some dents on my car,I'll hafta' make a before and after with time spent. $3100 is absolutely ridiculous.

Scott_S · Nov 23, 2025

gkomo said:
$3,100?

Monkeybutt2000 said:
I need to clean up some dents on my car,I'll hafta' make a before and after with time spent. $3100 is absolutely ridiculous.

My thoughts exactly.

I did pick up a Notchback trunk lid today for $50. One corner has a little bend, but no wrinkles or dents. Instead of dealing with the luggage rack and the dents in the decklid, I think I'll just swap them out.

Scott_S · Feb 4, 2026

Some progress pics. I ended up just shaving the luggage rack from my existing trunk lid. Also drilled some holes in a nice stock hood and cut up a grill.
Don't beat me up too bad. I know these mods might not be for everybody, but I kinda have a vision.

Scott_S · Mar 7, 2026

I got some updates from my painter. All of these pics are BEFORE wet sanding.

Willybill32 · Mar 7, 2026

Lookin

Scott_S said:
I got some updates from my painter. All of these pics are BEFORE wet sanding.

Lookin’ good!

Bill

Scott_S · Apr 2, 2026

Almost done!

General karthief · Apr 2, 2026

They are always almost done.....

Scott_S · Apr 9, 2026

Back from the body shop!
Now, time to start working on getting that top to match! I couldn't really deep clean the top when I first got the car because of the rear quarter window motors. Now that all that's fixed, I can really scrub and treat the top.

gkomo · Apr 9, 2026

Lookin great!

Scott_S · Apr 20, 2026

The 303 kit got the top looking as good as the paint!

nicholase · Apr 20, 2026

Looks great man!

Scott_S · Jun 12, 2026

Man, what a saga this transmision stuff has been!

Here's a thread on the issue: https://stangnet.com/mustang-forums/threads/downshifting-from-3rd-to-2nd-issue.931803/#post-9459412

Even though the shop was convinced it was clutch related, a new clutch didn't fix it. They said the clutch was definitely worn, and the new one feels great. Until the transmission gets hot.

I discussed my options with them and chose to let them rebuild my transmission. That was going to be several hundred dollars cheaper than a new one from LMR. Well, the car got lost in the shuffle waiting for parts and then they lost a tech. It's been more than two weeks and nothing has been done. I talked to them this morning and they were about to pull the transmission to do an inspection. After talking to them about parts availability and timeline, I did what I should have done two weeks ago: I pulled the trigger on a new World Class T-5 from LMR.

Hopefully, this thing will be fixed and back together by the end of the month. The good news is that it will have a brand new clutch, flywheel, and transmission.

Willybill32 · Jun 12, 2026

Scott_S said:
Man, what a saga this transmision stuff has been!

Here's a thread on the issue: https://stangnet.com/mustang-forums/threads/downshifting-from-3rd-to-2nd-issue.931803/#post-9459412

Even though the shop was convinced it was clutch related, a new clutch didn't fix it. They said the clutch was definitely worn, and the new one feels great. Until the transmission gets hot.

I discussed my options with them and chose to let them rebuild my transmission. That was going to be several hundred dollars cheaper than a new one from LMR. Well, the car got lost in the shuffle waiting for parts and then they lost a tech. It's been more than two weeks and nothing has been done. I talked to them this morning and they were about to pull the transmission to do an inspection. After talking to them about parts availability and timeline, I did what I should have done two weeks ago: I pulled the trigger on a new World Class T-5 from LMR.

Hopefully, this thing will be fixed and back together by the end of the month. The good news is that it will have a brand new clutch, flywheel, and transmission.

I replaced the T-5 in my '86 with a Tremec TKX, which required a new (different) clutch and bell housing. I'm not sure that was the best choice, but it's working and driving.

Bill

Progress Thread 1989 LX 5.0 convertible - mild project

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor

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lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

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Mustang Master

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now i can hopefully expect to receive the shaft

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Mustang Master

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But at least it's tight!

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wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

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now i can hopefully expect to receive the shaft

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I lubed and pushed, until it was all the way in

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But at least it's tight!

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