New to cars, New to forum

Hey, I also bought a '96 GT in 2024. Lots and lots of hackery with wiring; CATS and mufflers gone, seats had been replaced with a total amateur job. OK, first do you have an OBD II scanner, if not get one and a multimeter. I found a FORD repair manual on CD at EBAY, very handy; Chilton/Haynes are not as helpful but get a manual. Check brakes. Wipe the throttle body plate but use no cleaners. Check fluids, Trans (manual or A/T) rear diff, P/S (remember the P/S is hooked up to the Hydro boost braking system. Learn about Hydro boost online. I had a bad rear wheel bearing (you have to change the axel and bearing so do a diff service then as well.) The cluster, depends on what's wrong. I changed the bulbs to LED and replaced the gears for the odometer (they fail). but in 28 years the circuit board on the back had delaminated at the connectors. I went to a yard, got a used one with good circuits, changed my odometer into it for my mileage and put my oil pressure gage in it because of a communication error that pegged the meter. All good. New ones (after-market) are expensive. I might have someone recon it if you can find someone. I could not locate someone that worked on one that old. Used (EBAY) you take your chances, I'm a bit auto handy so the salvage yard has been my friend. I even replaced the seats with factory ones. Lots of YouTube vids on these. When searching parts look for '96-'98 there were changes done in the '94-2004 models in '96 and '99. What's the mileage on yours? Sorry this is so long but there really is a lot to know with these and lots to enjoy. Cheers.