Project no buck GT convert

65type1

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Picked up a 2003 GT convert a couple of weeks ago with the intention of building a nice cruiser. It's my 2nd new edge but first ever convertible of any kind.

It's a single family owned 48,000 mile, no accident, 5spd GT. Has some flow masters, eibach springs and an aftermarket radio... rest is pretty well stock.

Car needs new tires, battery and a good overall cleaning

First drive home... it's been 10yrs since I've been in a new edge and it's such a different drive than my s197.

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So got the car home and started ordering some small items:
Bilstein shocks
New rotors and pads
17x9 Chrome 03 Cobra replicas
275/40R17 General G-Max RS tires
Steeda Triax
Redline quick lift hood struts
SVE mach 1 chin
Grille delete with the Pony
New plugs
Steeda strut tower brace
Rag Top roof cleaner/conditioner
There are a few other items that I'm looking at... but I want to keep this car close to stock and budget friendly


First cleaning... since been clayed and polished

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Cleaned up the interior with some poorboys leather conditioner and mothers interior detailer

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Engine bay was a little grimy, so it got a quick detail... need to do a better job.
Before
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After

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Got the roof done... I still haven't driven it with the top down

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65type1

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Shocks and brakes have arrived…. still waiting for the other parts to show up
Started ripping the trunk apart to get at the rear shocks. Car came optioned with the Mach 1000 audio system, not sure if it's going back in. That audio stuff is heavy... on the upside it may provide better traction :)

So happy with how clean this car is

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Started in on the brakes and that's about as far as it goes for now

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JBent7

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Nice find. You have an '03, so intake manifold should be good on the leak that could occur pre 2001 (2001 or 2002 they added an aluminium runner where therm mounts to prevent cracking). Oil filter adapter(what oil filter screws onto) gasket tends to leak if past owner didn't use quality oil coolant/ change it as needed...so thats something to keep an eye on. I had a 00 GT convertible and still have a few parts I never put on like Russell Stainless steel brakeline kit, master cylinder, white face gauges overlay (the better quality one), etc that I need to get rid of some day. Welcome to the club.
 

65type1

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The rear shocks and the front struts are in. Also got the front rotors and pads replaced. Since this is a ghetto build the calipers ended up with a splash of red.

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Still need to do the rear brakes and then it's back to waiting on parts.
 

65type1

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Nice find. You have an '03, so intake manifold should be good on the leak that could occur pre 2001 (2001 or 2002 they added an aluminium runner where therm mounts to prevent cracking). Oil filter adapter(what oil filter screws onto) gasket tends to leak if past owner didn't use quality oil coolant/ change it as needed...so thats something to keep an eye on. I had a 00 GT convertible and still have a few parts I never put on like Russell Stainless steel brakeline kit, master cylinder, white face gauges overlay (the better quality one), etc that I need to get rid of some day. Welcome to the club.


Thanks! I'll check the filter adapter and keep an eye on it. Car is pretty clean all around and so far isn't showing any signs of fluid leaks. The plan is to go through the mechanical systems and replace all the fluids.
 

me32

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Wonderful build thread. Also any reason you didnt op to upgrade to the cobra front and rear brakes?
 

CobraBob

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Nice find! Congratulations. When you finish with the mods it should be a nice cruiser. I see that you bought a Steeda TriAx shifter. You should use one of my shifter gasket kits when you install it. Easy peasy install, and the base gasket will buffer out tranny noise.

Enjoy it!
 

65type1

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Wonderful build thread. Also any reason you didnt op to upgrade to the cobra front and rear brakes?

I did consider it and might revisit the idea later. Car is intended to be more beach cruiser than boulevard brawler. The kind of thing you get in, drop the top and cruise up the coast; just because you can.
Having said that, scope creep is starting to invade my thoughts.
 

65type1

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Nice find! Congratulations. When you finish with the mods it should be a nice cruiser. I see that you bought a Steeda TriAx shifter. You should use one of my shifter gasket kits when you install it. Easy peasy install, and the base gasket will buffer out tranny noise.

Enjoy it!

Thanks! Placed the order this morning.
 

65type1

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couple more things done on the car.... tires mounted and the rear trunk put back together. Put the Mach system back in the car rather than having it take up space in the garage.... it can kill the trunk space. Put the top down and that still feels so odd that's it going to take some time to get used to.

Still need to do the rear brakes and waiting on parts. Decided to I'm going with MM LCA's and debating on ditching the quad shocks.

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65type1

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Winter weather's been rolling in so I've been ignoring the car as of late. On the flip side of not doing any actual work, I've been accumulating more parts.

eibach sway bars
Stifflers subframe connectors
Russel stainless brake lines
Power Stop front calipers
MM LCA
Whiteline UCA
 
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65type1

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Anyway the car is road worthy at this point, so I finally got around to insuring the car today and went for the first official drive. I'm really enamored with this car as it sits but I've got some ideas for a couple more mods

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65type1

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Been driving the car around and still loving it for the most part, but the std ford steering wheel isn't the greatest. Decided to go with the SVE FR500 style wheel from LMR.

Turns out this is the toughest mod I've done on any of my vehicles..... ever. Damn factory wheel refuses to let go, I've tried multiple styles of puller, banging on the backside of the wheel rim, jostling it, bracing against the firewall and pulling until I'm ready to pass out ....all tragic fails.

so I like the new wheel just not sure it makes great wall art
 

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