New to the 5.0 scene some Q's...

KFRG · Apr 3, 2008

Hey guys,
I have been into 5.0's Mustangs ever since I can remember and finally have the chance to join the club. As a prospective buyer I have some questions. I found a nice low mileage stock car for sale and hopefully will be checking it out soon. Basically I want to know what to look for. I have heard people say "check the torque boxes" etc. From my understanding these are just load points around the unibody. Am I checking for cracks? Any pictures online to show the exact location?
Besides the normal stuff are there any other specific items to check for?

Thanks alot guys.

svtpower · Apr 3, 2008

:search:

KFRG · Apr 3, 2008

Sorry pal tried a few keywords. I am sure this has been discussed already. Anyone with any usefull info?

Thanks.

justabigkid · Apr 3, 2008

Welcome to the boards, most common is to look for rust on the tailgate, bottom of the doors and the a pillars by the door hinges. Also look for rust where the front strut towers meet the frame rails. The torque boxes are where the rear upper control arms mount to the body, if someone was beating on the car they will be tearing away from the body. Also check the door handles, power locks and windows since these are common broken parts as well. Good luck because you will love a fox.

bloopbloob · Apr 3, 2008

justabigkid said:
Also check the door handles, power locks and windows since these are common broken parts as well. Good luck because you will love a fox.

far, far too common.....

Calgary351GT · Apr 3, 2008

The floor boards by your feet are common for rusting too. Also checking for deformations along the front frame rail shows any previous front collisions.

svtpower · Apr 3, 2008

k

KFRG said:
Sorry pal tried a few keywords. I am sure this has been discussed already. Anyone with any usefull info?

Thanks.

Fair enough...

Take a look at the floorboards in particular, bring a flashlight with you when you check it out, look for leaks. Also, if 2nd or 3rd gear grinds or is hard to shift into it's probably been abused.

My personal experience has been that the interior is a good indicator of how the car was cared for. If it's in rough shape, the car was probably neglected mechanically too.

All the usual stuff too, does the exhaust smell like burnt oil? Does the engine miss or hesitate?

To me the worst strike a fox Mustang can have against it is rust. Everything else (ie little mechanical stuff) is secondary to me cause I can it can be fixed (upgraded) or replaced (upgraded). You are going to mod the car anyway so ... Body work is time consuming, expensive and absolutely zero fun.

Aside from that, just try to be patient and don't settle.

It took me almost 2 years to find my rust-free black LX 5spd hatch but I had decided not to spend over $5k and wouldn't settle for any other color, trans or body style.

Good luck.

skunk21 · Apr 4, 2008

Hmm we just had topic on this , searched and found this.

here ya go

http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=742685

Strype · Apr 4, 2008

KFRG · Apr 4, 2008

Thanks for the replies guys. As for the floorboards, I take it any visual surface rust underneath the car is a sign. Also, in the hatch area, is it possible to lift the carpet up to inspect the metal underneath?

cenok is family · Apr 4, 2008

KFRG said:
Thanks for the replies guys. As for the floorboards, I take it any visual surface rust underneath the car is a sign. Also, in the hatch area, is it possible to lift the carpet up to inspect the metal underneath?

welcome! yes you can lift the rear carpet area to check for rust. as said before, check torque boxes (where the upper AND lower control arms bolt to the frame of the car), the hatch is notorious for rusting. i just replaced mine actually. aside from that, i think most critical parts have been covered! good luck!

Beasty306GT · Apr 4, 2008

:Word:

mustanggirrl · Apr 4, 2008

i know when i first looked at mine before i bought it the first thing i did was look at the frame & made sure it wasnt rusted to nothing & that it looked straight & then i made sure it started lol

Calgary351GT · Apr 5, 2008

svtpower said:
Fair enough...

Take a look at the floorboards in particular, bring a flashlight with you when you check it out, look for leaks. Also, if 2nd or 3rd gear grinds or is hard to shift into it's probably been abused.

My personal experience has been that the interior is a good indicator of how the car was cared for. If it's in rough shape, the car was probably neglected mechanically too.

All the usual stuff too, does the exhaust smell like burnt oil? Does the engine miss or hesitate?

To me the worst strike a fox Mustang can have against it is rust. Everything else (ie little mechanical stuff) is secondary to me cause I can it can be fixed (upgraded) or replaced (upgraded). You are going to mod the car anyway so ... Body work is time consuming, expensive and absolutely zero fun.

Aside from that, just try to be patient and don't settle.

It took me almost 2 years to find my rust-free black LX 5spd hatch but I had decided not to spend over $5k and wouldn't settle for any other color, trans or body style.

Good luck.

I got lucky with mine. 42,000kms, lady driven, non smoker. The car was mint.
Just a couple of surface rust 'dots' on the hood from stone chips, and a bit of a crack on the bottom of the front bumper cover.

BTW, I should list the 5.0 I pulled out of it....

S&B · Apr 5, 2008

mustanggirrl said:
i know when i first looked at mine before i bought it the first thing i did was look at the frame & made sure it wasnt rusted to nothing & that it looked straight & then i made sure it started lol

YOUR MUSTANG HAS A FRAME!!!

Mustang5L5 · Apr 5, 2008

S&B said:
YOUR MUSTANG HAS A FRAME!!!

A subframe. It just doesn't really connect in the middle and it's technically grafted to the body...but it does, for the lack of a better term, have frame rails. They are what catches all the wrenches i drop in the engine bay

Well them and the k-member. I always find tools on that thing...even after driving hundreds of miles

S&B · Apr 5, 2008

yeah my k member is real good at hiding my tools and lost screws, i also found a wrench in there that wasn't mine

mustanggirrl · Apr 5, 2008

lol ok my bad for just calling it a "frame" but you know what i ment... ill just be more "technical" next time haha

ShortThrow50 · Apr 5, 2008

you dont need to check torque boxes unless its a high mileage pos or a track whore. just by a nice clean stock one and dont worry about little bs if the price is right

S&B · Apr 5, 2008

mustanggirrl said:
lol ok my bad for just calling it a "frame" but you know what i ment... ill just be more "technical" next time haha

just busin your balls

New to the 5.0 scene some Q's...

New Member

New Member

New Member

New Member

Member

Member

New Member

Active Member

Cuthbert catcher

New Member

Active Member

No matter where I go, it's like everyone's like, "

Member

I hate my CT. :(

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

I hate my CT. :(

No matter where I go, it's like everyone's like, "

Member

I hate my CT. :(

Similar threads

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency