Gee, I thought I would jump in on the car and truck talk and write about my lastest project. I refered to a fix up of the 92 Tbird before. That was abandoned as I can't really stand that car at all. It has lots of power but drives like it's 10,000 lbs. My latest project is the restoration of my 86 Tbird. Hopefully in time for the Fabulous Fords Forever show in April. Obviously with a 5 month time line it's not in bad shape. Mechanically it's pretty darn good. Here's my list: 1. Correct idle problem (already done) 2. Replace heater core 3. Replace the high pressure hose on the a/c and reservice. 4. Find new or good used sun visors ( they went to the Cougar wagon) 5. Find new coutesy light for the interior (it also went to the wagon) 6. Fix minor and I mean very minor dings. 7. Paint. With a roller of course. 7. Paint wheels 8. Get new tires 9. Register, emissions test and insure. 10.. Ta Da...on the road again. As you can see the list is not extensive as most repairs were done before such as: new alternator and voltage regulator, new brakes and master cylinder, new plugs and wires and 7,000 miles ago a rebuilt transmission. Here's a couple of pics as it is now but before the dissasembly I've done last weekend. The seats look new because they've been covered for 26 years.
Okie dokie. I'll check them out today. Taupe is like your dash picture, light stonish grey dark beige. Just found it: http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=taupe&FORM=IGRE&qpvt=taupe#
Tan/Beige is totally acceptable to include black even. But I also need the support bits too as those were stolen for the wagon too. I checked out the bad radio the other day. Just noise so I inserted a casette tape...only the right front speaker works. I may go with a whole new radio and speakers. These newer Ford radios are just not reliable at all. All have failed on my including both the 92 Tbird and 92 Ranger. The 92 bird has a Kenwood system and is great as is the Sony in the Ranger. I think they are made by monkeys using hammers and nails.
It's not bad. But it could be better. 3.08:1 rear gear. It will run circles around the 3.3 inline in the Cougar wagon. Easy 28 mpg highway at 75-80 mph. That's the plus. Normal (no lead foot) 21-22 in town with the a/c at full blast. I am used to gutless. It's been close to 30 years since my last V8. What's really sad is my wife's 08 Dodge Avenger 2.4 has 176 hp.
This is what I want it to look like when I'm done. The only difference is I'm retaining the poly wheels but they most likely will be black. The goal: The wheels: I have the trim rings and caps that go with them.
Now you have a choice to make. I love confusing you with facts! I went and cut out my Ebrake section from another Capri, and didn't get the time to pull the AC Condenser (the owner is not well and wanted to leave early). He's a good guy, and I knew I had other stuff to get, elsewhere. So I went to BackyardAuto, who now have a site, and have some of the best old iron in the city, as well as newer stuff. Jerry is the owner's name. http://www.backyardauto.com/ Got Fat Tedy's door parts, from a 1982 Olds Cutlass Cruiser (has a roofrack too. Looked at all the Cougars that were there and there was a 1996 Cougar with a Taupe interior and visors and a dome light. Since I wasn't sure, I went back down the road to Buck's Auto Parts, where I did see a couple of Tbirds. http://www.bucksautoparts.com/default.aspx One was a 1993 Same headliner shaped to fit the visors as the 1996 Cougar. I grabbed the matching blue dome light, in case I didn't find the chrome one. Found a chrome one in a 1985 Cougar, with a cracked lense, then found a 1985 LTD with a good lense, then I went back to Backyard Auto (now 3:30 PM and I wasn't sure when he closed) and scooped the Cougar visors with the matching dome light. Which do you want, Chrome or Taupe? These both have the Airbag label on the other side, as well as the mirrors. Here's the 1996 Cougar: UPS or USPS? Eat your heart out Jason Bourne. Mission accomplished.
Wow. The only problem is that the mounts only have two screws but I have another set from the 84 LTD that have the three screws so I'll bet I could change 'em over. I'm not fussy. I'll bet I can deal with that dome light too. Whichever is good for me. Either UPS or USPS, I'll bet the later is cheaper. See my PM.
Yeah its not as sturdy as the chrome one, but it really fit nicely in the Cougar and the Tbird. Funny that neither had the chrome one. I paid the same for both dome lights ($2.50 each) - affordable. And the matching visor clips and all screws. The 1996 taupe cougar had a broken windshield, and dual view mirror was just laying there, with a nice unstained glass, so I bought that in the bundle and I didn't even squeak. I'll post some pics of this guy's custom Chevy pickup, in this Car forum, in a minute.
