2000 GT:

85GTStangGuy · Sep 26, 2023

Good job "cleaning up" the paint. The trunk lid looks pretty reflective after your efforts. What'd you use? 2000 grit? What compound and polishes? DA, I assume?

If the rest of the paint restores that well, I think you'll be in pretty good shape. And I'd assume the vertical surfaces shouldn't be as beat down as the horizontal panels, so things are looking up. (Seeing how many directional words I can use in one sentence apparently .)

Mustang5L5 · Sep 26, 2023

Apparently I only took one pic in progress.

The trunk has issues, which is why i didn't feel too bad drilling into it. I should look for a replacement one if i see any local cars gettng parted out.

I used 3000 grit for wet sanding and then followed up with Meguires compound and polish. I don't know the cuts off the top of my head as the bottles are home. Since the trunk was "junk" i did a quick job, but it came out decent. I'll spend more time and detail on the main body panels.

But left side of the pic is as is, and right side is post compound but before polish. While you can see a differences its hard to tell what the difference is. But the left side is very "milky" while the right side is clear and has more depth to the reflection.

You can also see the mulitple chips in the paint on the top. Only panel like this. They are deep, so it's either body work and full repaint to the trunk, or find an 01-04 donor trunk and hope the paint condition matches.

For the record, even cleaned up this car is not a show car. There are still going to be scratches and flaws.

85GTStangGuy · Sep 26, 2023

Gotcha. Meguires ftw. Polishing with a DA, random, orbital? or by hand?

Ya, I knew the trunk had all those chips in it.... like some body strolled across it with old school steel spike golf shoes or something.... still tho, a great improvement. I know you still want to do plenty to it, but whatcha gonna do with the door handles?

And I also like that spoiler way better than the original one.

Props for the progress so far.

Mustang5L5 · Sep 26, 2023

By hand on the wet sanding, then I used a DA. I used a Griots Garage DA and their pads.

Worked well. I am by no means a paint correcting pro, but this attempt yielded decent results.

I have an 01+ hood scoop on my work bench next. Just finished polishing that up, but I need to do my hood before I can install it.

Mustang5L5 · Sep 26, 2023

Bought a leather boot from Redlinegoods to try and class up the interior a tad.

Mustang5L5 · Sep 26, 2023

PITA to mount, but it’s on. Took the opportunity to do a fresh respray with the LMR paint.

Too dark for now, but wasn’t happy with how the Mach 1 knob joined with the boot. Stuck the stock knob on for now. Trying to find one of the old ford racing 5-spd knobs like I have in my fox. If I can track one down, that’s the winner. Not a fan of the repop version.

Now I need to paint the radio bezel too

85GTStangGuy · Sep 26, 2023

Mustang5L5 said:
Trying to find one of the old ford racing 5-spd knobs like I have in my fox. If I can track one down, that’s the winner. Not a fan of the repop version.

I know this isn't exactly what you referred to, but it's kinda close. Fake leather, but it is a Ford knob....

1983-2004 FORD MUSTANG 5 SPEED SHIFT KNOB COBRA STYLE FREE SHIPPING LOWER US 48! | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 1983-2004 FORD MUSTANG 5 SPEED SHIFT KNOB COBRA STYLE FREE SHIPPING LOWER US 48! at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Mustang5L5 · Sep 26, 2023

Thanks but that is actually what is on the car now.

85GTStangGuy · Sep 26, 2023

Oh, okay. I thought you had the rubber one on there.

How about this one?

1984-1985-1986 Ford Mustang SVO Leather Wrapped T5 5-speed Hurst OEM Shift Knob for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 1984-1985-1986 Ford Mustang SVO Leather Wrapped T5 5-speed Hurst OEM Shift Knob at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Noobz347 · Sep 26, 2023

I think your shift knob and cup holder need to be made from polished mahogany.

Mustang5L5 · Sep 27, 2023

85GTStangGuy said:
Oh, okay. I thought you had the rubber one on there.

How about this one?

1984-1985-1986 Ford Mustang SVO Leather Wrapped T5 5-speed Hurst OEM Shift Knob for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 1984-1985-1986 Ford Mustang SVO Leather Wrapped T5 5-speed Hurst OEM Shift Knob at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Holy hell that's expensive! lol

85GTStangGuy · Sep 27, 2023

Mustang5L5 said:
Holy hell that's expensive! lol

You're worth it!

Last year I bought this. Says they're currently out of stock though. Throw it on your watchlist and maybe they'll get more in stock.

1983-2004 Mustang 5 Speed Genuine Ford OEM Black Leather Shifter Shift Knob | eBay

•Shift pattern is stamped into leather on top. •Genuine Ford part # XR3Z-7213-BA. •Charcoal black leather w/ black stitching. •Fits 1983-2004 Mustangs w/ 5 Speed Manual Transmission. Warranties: Any and all warranties listed are Manufacturers warranties and go by their guidelines.

www.ebay.com

Mustang5L5 · Sep 27, 2023

85GTStangGuy said:
You're worth it!

Last year I bought this. Says they're currently out of stock though. Throw it on your watchlist and maybe they'll get more in stock.

1983-2004 Mustang 5 Speed Genuine Ford OEM Black Leather Shifter Shift Knob | eBay

•Shift pattern is stamped into leather on top. •Genuine Ford part # XR3Z-7213-BA. •Charcoal black leather w/ black stitching. •Fits 1983-2004 Mustangs w/ 5 Speed Manual Transmission. Warranties: Any and all warranties listed are Manufacturers warranties and go by their guidelines.

www.ebay.com

That is the factory 99-04 GT knob. I have several of those. Ford kinda used the same inner body and just changed up the exterior for that knob design. The Ford Racing one I'm after is the same except for the brushed aluminum plate on top. I have one in my Fox. Got a few ebay keywords saved to see if one pops up. I'm going to stick with the 99-04 knob for now, and maybe try to make my 03-04 mach 1 knob work with the boot.

But this is what's in my fox and I love this knob. It's the Ford M-7213-G. LMR has a knockoff, but I beleive the top cap is plastic. I'd rather find the original

https://lmr.com/item/SVE-7213H/mustang-cobra-shift-knob-5-speed-sve-79-04

85GTStangGuy · Sep 27, 2023

Gotcha. I tried. Hope you end up finding one.

Mustang5L5 · Sep 27, 2023

Meh, didn’t turn out the way I wanted. Color match is better in person but I can’t get the material to sit right at the base of the knob. I wanted to use the Mach 1 knob but it was worse. I’ll have to play around a bit

Got more parts on the way for the suspension. Once they all get here I’ll be making plans to dig into that.

In the meantime, 39 degrees this AM. Been driving the car less as if I can’t drop the top, I’d rather have my seat heater for those chilly AM commutes.

General karthief · Sep 27, 2023

Mustang5L5 said:
I’d rather have my seat heater for those chilly AM commutes.

Mustang5L5 · Sep 28, 2023

swapped to the short MGW race handle. Different angle so the material lays better. The shifter handle actually feels great, I thought it would be too short.

But the material lays better and I got it to work with the Mach 1 knob. I’ll try this for a bit.

More parts showing up. I’ll update shortly on the parts pile.

Brakes still suck. They just aren’t where they should be.

Mustang5L5 · Sep 28, 2023

MM caster plates showed up. One more part incoming…

Noobz347 · Sep 28, 2023

Mustang5L5 · Sep 29, 2023

Mustang5L5 said:
Brakes still suck. They just aren’t where they should be.

Came to me in a dream...

I never actually pysically checked the rear brakes yet. I bled them, but that's about it. The parking brake holds well, but I haven't checked to see if the slide pins are are all freely moving. I've had cars behave like I am experiencing when one of the slide pins seizes in the bore and the caliper only presses on the inside pad. Hmm... Fingers crossed.

I need to get to the bottom of it. They are terrible for any car period.

2000 GT:

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

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

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Attachments

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

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

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

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