mach 1 grill delete - pitb

[03gtdrkpny]

RANT - This is the 2nd mach 1 grill delete I've done, and this one was a train wreck. The first kit I got was from partshopper and it had the dbl sided tape, installed in like 30 minutes. I got the latest one from blue oval which is all oem ford parts, so I do the install without dbl sided tape and cut the original screws and use the nylon spacers. I lost a 7mm box end somewhere in the bumper, looked for it for hours, used big magnet - never found it Then I couldn't get the 2 middle screws in, so I went out and bought a mini 7mm box end with the ratcheting action. That made things easier. Figured out that using a 7mm socket was best for starting the screws, then switched to the wrench. Get everything buttoned up and there are gaps all the way around the stupid thing. Run back out again, picked up some exterior 3m dbl sided tape, doubled it up and stuck it from end to end around the piece and it looks much better, gaps gone.

I also got my 14" shorty antenna installed, and I have to say, I like the 18" on my coupe better.

Also sanded and repainted the gas tank straps, they were all rusted out and looking nasty.

Once I get my dd rims, I'm gonna sand down my exhaust from the wheel well back and polish it up, now it's all rusty from the previous owner driving the car in the winter.

The fun never ends with these cars.

Cliffs -
1) Mach 1 grill delete, could of saved myself 4 hours had I just gotten the dbl sided tape right off the back.
2) Gas tank straps look better when they are black
3) DD rims on the way, need to polish my exhaust due to nasty road salt.

 

[DCjuggalo]

you put a mach 1 grill delete in your butt

jk

 

[03gtdrkpny]

It would of been easier.

 

[Rougestang]

I didn't bother waisting money on a delete kit for the grill. I took mine out, took the pony out of the corral, and found a black piece of plastic and cut out a template to adhere the pony emblem to it. Then, with some screws I found laying around my garage, I screwed it in, and used a sharpie to color the screws in. In about 1-1 1/2 hours I had a "floating pony". You can't tell the differnece really at all. I get alot of good repore about it.

 

[spitfirees20]

Looks really good Live and learn I guess, at least if you ever have to do it again you learned from this experience

 

[03gtdrkpny]

thanks

 

[Mustang225]

When I did mine a few years ago, I figured if I dropped the 7mm it was gone.

So I tied a piece of string to it just it case.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Also sanded and repainted the gas tank straps, they were all rusted out and looking nasty.

Hell YEAH!

 

[Wolvrin704]

I'll be putting one of these kits in my car within the next few weeks. Thanks for the tips guys.

 

[SaleenGT2001]

you would have saved a LOT of time by removing the front bumper cover. it takes all of 10min and then everything is accessible

 

[40thmustanggt]

you would have saved a LOT of time by removingthe front bumpercover. it takes all of 10min and then everything is accessible

i did mine in about 15minutes it was the quickest thing ive done to the car and very easy.. well other then the taillight covers... but i got mine from american muscle..

 

[03gtdrkpny]

you would have saved a LOT of time by removingthe front bumpercover. it takes all of 10min and then everything is accessible

There is no doubt about it. I almost did after I lost that wrench.

 

[03gtdrkpny]

New Rant.... I had a cracked spoiler....6 inches from left to right on the backside visable. So I ordered a take off from Ninosport. Got sent an 05 SN. It was perfect except the wrong year. I would of mounted it had it covered up the holes. So they look for another suitable, find nothing that wouldn't of needed new paint.....So they refund my money....good people to work with there. I go on the hunt myself, I can't find anything but a decent Mach 1 take off which they wanted too much. So I contact Sportwing and ask good questions, direct replacement, fitment, quality, material, etc.
I get it today, it's shipped awesome, the paint match was dead on. The fitment sucked. I had to remove the pads on the bases to flush it with the decklid. I sealed it to the deck with clear exterior silicon. I had to drill the starter holes in the ABS (not studded like oem) and use the supplied sheet metal screws and lock washers. The paint spider webed around the base once I cinched it to the decklid. It just sucks. I'm totally pissed and almost smashed it with a hammer. I think I'm just going to order a v6 decklid and have the ford emblem filled in and painted.

 

[XxMustang281xX]

^how did that happen??^

 

[03gtdrkpny]

Somebody hit it with something blunt, because there was a nice indentation on the lip. I have no idea when or where it happened.

 

[03gtdrkpny]

Sorry to raise this from the dead, just an update. I decided to keep the spoiler from Sportwing. They we're ready to refund which is great customer service. It doesn't look hot under the garage lights, but in daylight, you can hardly tell the difference from oem.

 

[mustang462002]

How about you beat the guy that did it with the wing. Man people need in car security cameras.

 

[Maza4ever14]

Sucks to hear but damn, i just got the same mods of a shorty antenna and the DD rims, but i already had those on since the 4th.

 

[03gtdrkpny]

Everything is cool, no worries. Just got done adding my Trans gauge and B&M cooler. Doing a quick write up in Tech hopefully someone might find useful someday.

 

[paradigm]

I didn't bother waisting money on a delete kit for the grill. I took mine out, took the pony out of the corral, and found a black piece of plastic and cut out a template to adhere the pony emblem to it. Then, with some screws I found laying around my garage, I screwed it in, and used a sharpie to color the screws in. In about 1-1 1/2 hours I had a "floating pony". You can't tell the differnece really at all. I get alot of good repore about it.

Do you have any pics of this? This sounds like a great alternative. Anyone else do this?