What I spent my day on.

[bustedgears]

Ford really had a sense of humor when they decided to put the stereo directly behind the gear shifter. This was sad, I couldn't even eject a CD in Drive.

This got old over a few months and I did something about it.

Not mine, but what it used to look like

What it looks like now.:OMG:

This is actually alot harder than it sounds. Took about 7 hours to do right.

 

[HeartBreak]

That's an awesome mod. How hard was it to accomplish?

Leave it to Ford to design a car so you can't change CD's goin down the road. Next thing on Fords' design; a cell phone blocking technology (seriously need one of those for my sisters' car).

 

[jon2]

I have the same idiocy in my POS Probe GT. The shifter is in the way of the climate control. I actually installed a short shifter and smaller knob. Helped but the minds of Ford pisses me off.

Get this.. to change my park lights/turn signals, I have to remove the WHOLE front bumper to do so. It is the absolute lamest thing I have seen. WTH? I spoke to Ford and they say it was engineered for speed. OK its fast... but simple maintenance should remain simple. They wanted to charge me 80 bux to let them do the stupid bulb change. FORD

Freaking
Obsolete
Research
&
Development.

FORD CAN KISS MY ASS!!!

 

[bustedgears]

Alot of sweat. Tell you that much.

Truthfully though here's the basic list.

Remove the stereo
Remove the entire center console.
Pull the A/C cluster out.
Disconnect everything from the cluster.
Drill two new holes for the new mounting position on the console (making sure it's exactly straight)
Mount the control cluster in it's new home
Move the computer to the lower part of the housing, and remove the original bracket.
Remove the reinforcement bracket from the console and modify it where it doesn't interfere with the stereo.
Re-route the cables for the A/C cluster and extend the light wire.
I made the panel out of .093 Lexan from the hardware store, but ABS plastic will work also.
Carefully cut out the hole for the A/C cluster and dry fit it to make sure it fits.
Make a mount for the stereo
Mount the mount for the stereo
Cut the hole in the Panel. This is tricky.
Pull everything back apart, then put the console (bare) back in.
Install the cluster
Install the panel
Put the radio back in it's New home.

Alot of work, but damn, it was well worth it. I don't know why Ford didn't put it there in the first place.

All together cost me about $6 for the lexan and $5 for the black paint.

 

[Karl M]

Nice job!

 

[SMaxxin]

Reminds me of my first car, 1982 Mustang. Myself and a friend spent the good part of a day pulling out the am/fm for and replacing it with a cassette player.

 

[hb1111]

say no more its a FORD

 

[4u2nv]

Sweet! Nice job man! I know EXACTLY what your talking about. My ranger was the same way. Id bump my cd player and skips songs all the time.

 

[amiaudio]

damn mike that poop turned out really nice.....only thing i would have done different was flush the radio.....and ditched the trim ring.....

 

[Monkey Wrench]

Makes me glad to own a Chevy! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

 

[bustedgears]

Makes me glad to own a Chevy! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

I bought my FORD for $800. No car note feels good.

 

[Monkey Wrench]

You spent $790.00 too much! :jk:

Yeah, I know what you mean, though. Love owning my Tahoe outright! Wife makes her last payment on her van next month, too!

 

[wannarunem]

And where were you when i had my stang????? I totally forgot about that nuisance till just now!!!

Nice Job!! ....bring it by and show me!!!!!!