First Fox Ever! (Clean 89 GT)

[PJV9126]

Hey everyone, just wanna share my story as my family is tired of hearing it. Picked up my first fox today and my 2nd car ever (1st was 95 Taurus SHO). Firstly I am 19 and plan on keeping this car for a long time slowly working on it and making into what I want (a really nice semi-stock driver). Anyways I have been searching craigslist for the last couple of months trying to find a fox body that is a 5 speed 5.0 and didn't have a ton of miles or a ton of mods. Everything I had seen just hadn't worked out or hadn't been in good shape. Anyways I found this on friday.

It is an 89 GT with around 81k original miles. It is pretty much all stock and original and exactly what I was looking for. I really wanted one with the lower titanium paint which this had. It is what I wanted and I can't wait to start working on it and making it into a great car. As far as mods I plan on keeping it all stock looking and my mods list consists of pretty much...gears, exhaust and not much else. Right now I am just going to do a full tune up on it...all fluids, filters, plugs, wires, etc. Then later I will add gears and advance the timing a bit. Then look at exhaust. Not really interested in doing any engine work at all. Any other mods I am missing without going into the engine and keeping a stock look?

 

[hoopty5.0]

Nice looking car! Do the gears and exhaust like you mentioned and see how you like it. If you still want more (you will by then) look around at some of the build threads and see what people are doing. You'll see a lot of the same parts that people are using from car to car, because those are what work. Good luck!

There is an abundance of knowledge on here, just gotta dig around a little and if you still dont find what you need, ask.

 

[GroverDill]

Subframe connectors.

Consider brake upgrades.

Looks like a very good starting point.

 

[bgoins]

That thing is clean! I'm also for the subframe connectors as one of the first things to add.

 

[S&B]

I would swap everything from that fiero over

 

[PJV9126]

I would swap everything from that fiero over

Haha, can't say it has the same power as the 5.0 as it only packs a 2.8 V6. And that fiero is a little too nice to do that too. It has only 48k original miles. I like the suggestion though.

 

[ID89GT]

Fix that hole in the front bumper.

 

[PJV9126]

Fix that hole in the front bumper.

I plan on it...the guy I bought it from gave me a piece of another bumper so i can cut this one and put in the other...any ideas on what to use to hold it together? besides simply gluing it in.

 

[Mintsick]

Looks very clean nice score, I would do sf connectors, gears, then brake upgrades/5 lug personally.

 

[Boosted92LX]

I plan on it...the guy I bought it from gave me a piece of another bumper so i can cut this one and put in the other...any ideas on what to use to hold it together? besides simply gluing it in.

I believe the 3m company... or maybe bondo brand used to sell a urethane bumper repair kit.Autozone/Oreilly both carried it. It came in 2 tubes you'd mix 1 to 1 , stir it up and apply. works awesome. I've got a buddy that bought several kits and fixed a hole that size using nothing but a tape backer.

When it cures, sand it down, fill pin holes w/ spot putty and high build primer and shoot away.

It's what you should use to apply your patch, as the stuff bonds. It melts into the urethane and will not let go.

 

[PJV9126]

I believe the 3m company... or maybe bondo brand used to sell a urethane bumper repair kit.Autozone/Oreilly both carried it. It came in 2 tubes you'd mix 1 to 1 , stir it up and apply. works awesome. I've got a buddy that bought several kits and fixed a hole that size using nothing but a tape backer.

When it cures, sand it down, fill pin holes w/ spot putty and high build primer and shoot away.

It's what you should use to apply your patch, as the stuff bonds. It melts into the urethane and will not let go.

Thank you, this is what I was looking for.

 

[Marks89GT]

Very Nice starting point. You and i are in a similar position. I just picked up a stock 89 gt but i wish mine had the silver ground effects.

 

[PJV9126]

Very Nice starting point. You and i are in a similar position. I just picked up a stock 89 gt but i wish mine had the silver ground effects.

Nice! I love the silver ground effects...I think they just make the car. You can also paint yours if you really wanted them.

 

[Riverart]

Cool I too purchased an 89 in March for a project car. Unlike you two, my paint is gone. Otherwise I'd like to keep it pretty stock with maybe a new set of 4 lug wheels to tool around in.

 

[MAC'n89Blckstng]

Forget about "patching" that bumper, just get a new one. The repair wont hold up and will be a huge PITA to get to look right if you do attempt fix it.

Def got your self a nice little survivor their. It was like my first fox and second car, black with gray interior and stock. Except mine had 181,000. Mine originally had the titanium bottom but someone re shot the whole thing black.

 

[Sharad]

wow. Nice car. I'd buy it!

In addition to your tune up parts, you'll want to freshen up the suspension. Those soft rubber bushings will be shot after 22 years, even with only 81k on the odometer. As someone else mentioned, subframe connectors will help too. Also a strut tower brace.

 

[FoxGT87]

^^ I was thinking suspension in the future for your car aswell.

 

[PJV9126]

Thanks for the ideas on the suspension. That is something that hadn't even crossed my mind really. I will definitely look into that though. So far I have only replaced the wiper motor and cleaned out the drains that are in the cowl area. Next step is to repair the broken cowl by gluing and then adding a thin metal brace to try and strengthen it.

 

[MAC'n89Blckstng]

Jus get a new cowl grille. They are cheap enough.

 

[smokin joe]

I don't think I have ever seen a black / silver two tone. Nice looking car in and out.