What did you do to your Tbird today? 2002-2005

[350xfire]

Started on rear suspension last night. Same old problems as everyone:
1. Bad bushings on lower control arm- replacing entire control arm
2. Rotted sway bar link rubber- replacing links since the ball joints are loose
3. Rotted torque arm rubber- replacing torque arms
Also replacing struts and springs. Sent those out to get assembled today.

Rock Auto is on for another $530! All in about $1100 for the suspension parts and $200 for AC. She sure blows cold!

 

[Bond007]

Went for a drive to the Mid Ohio Race track today. On a road I heard a noise from the back tire I hadn't heard before.

Then I heard a clunk and saw a hunk of rubber in the rear view mirror. Pulled over into a side road and felt around the tire. Found this, Yikes!

Put on the spare and slowly drove home. Ordering radials tomorrow.

PS ... I did change cars and drove to the track. Fun day salvaged.

View attachment 13611

Yikes! Glad that it all turned out OK. I use a 235/50R17 for my spare. It fits in the well but you can’t use the cover. I plan to make a flat cover.

 

[Bond007]

Hitched up the small utility trailer to my 2003 and towed with the bird for the first time. Drove about 100 miles to Cape May, NJ and everything handled nicely. Encountered off and on rain so this is the fifth time in 17 years that the car has seen rain.

 

[350xfire]

Gave my T-Bird Lasik surgery on the right eye... Left should be here today. The new headlights look awesome.

 

[350xfire]

Sexy eyes!!! And she got aligned.

 

[Kkey]

I've seen these threads on many other forums I'm apart of. Don't know if it would be as active here, but figured I would start the thread. If there is already one going, let me know.

So, what did you do to your Tbird today?

I'll start. Put the hardtop on it Sunday since we've got a week of mid 80's. Drove it to work yesterday and today. I must say, I enjoy this car so much. It's an awesome ride that gets tons of looks and is an awesome cruiser.

MODERATOR NOTE: See this thread for top Aftermarket Performance Parts Upgrades

Aftermarket Performance Parts Upgrades 2002 2003 2004 2005 Thunderbird

All you need to unleash the power of your Thunderbird are three things! 1- Cold Air Intake 2003-2005 also for 2002 2- Exhaust 2003-2004-2005 ( says 2003 but will fit 2004 & 2005 per this post. 2002 only fits 02 model. Also recommend replacing ignition coils since these are often bad! They are...

forums.fordthunderbirdforum.com

I replaced my fog lights and did some cleaning.

 

[biddle]

I replaced my fog lights and did some cleaning.

Thanks for creating that video! Just added it to the Fog Light Parts page- https://forums.fordthunderbirdforum...5-ford-thunderbird-fog-lights-xenon-kit.8377/

 

[Bond007]

Starting to get ready for winter. Put the top on the 007.

 

[JW in Dixie]

Beautiful here in N Alabama. My son's rice-burner is in the shop waiting for a part to be made and shipped, so he is enjoying the sunshine in my 2004!

 

[Kkey]

I replaced my headlight assemblies this weekend

 

[JW in Dixie]

I replaced my headlight assemblies this weekend

My son gave me a new set for my 2004, then cleaned the originals and sold them on eBay for good $$.

 

[edward301]

Today was a warm day here in Austin about 78, but as evening came cooled down to 65 on the way home with the
top down, had to turn the heater on to stay comfortable. CD player works, heater worked great, and heater turned
off when it was supposed to, I still have original DCCV in my car, and it still works. Still under 13k miles, and no
warning lights on, that makes it a good day.

 

[RDH]

I've seen these threads on many other forums I'm apart of. Don't know if it would be as active here, but figured I would start the thread. If there is already one going, let me know.

So, what did you do to your Tbird today?

I'll start. Put the hardtop on it Sunday since we've got a week of mid 80's. Drove it to work yesterday and today. I must say, I enjoy this car so much. It's an awesome ride that gets tons of looks and is an awesome cruiser.

MODERATOR NOTE: See this thread for top Aftermarket Performance Parts Upgrades

Aftermarket Performance Parts Upgrades 2002 2003 2004 2005 Thunderbird

All you need to unleash the power of your Thunderbird are three things! 1- Cold Air Intake 2003-2005 also for 2002 2- Exhaust 2003-2004-2005 ( says 2003 but will fit 2004 & 2005 per this post. 2002 only fits 02 model. Also recommend replacing ignition coils since these are often bad! They are...

forums.fordthunderbirdforum.com

After I bought mine, after about two months it when in the limp home mode, took to my mechanic and long story short had the heads shaved also had him put a Botla cat-back exhaust and put a K&N filter in the stock cleaner I figure now mine has about 330 HP and runs like a scalded cat

 

[wredhorse]

My 2003 Tbird is a daily driver and I did errands yesterday. I love driving that car

 

[Almonte]

My 2003 bird is sitting in my heated garage. it is not going anywhere until May 2021. It is -11 degrees centigrade here today in Almonte, Ontario.

 

[baileysdad]

Yikes! Glad that it all turned out OK. I use a 235/50R17 for my spare. It fits in the well but you can’t use the cover. I plan to make a flat cover.

I ordered a 215/55/17 from Amazon...$70, my local shop mounted and balanced for free. I researched diameter and width specs and it is close to size of temp so the cover sits in place. I am like you, why be speed and distance limited if I need to use the spare?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0851JG4D8/?tag=thunderbirdforum-20

 

[stevedaphotoman]

I ordered a 215/55/17 from Amazon...$70, my local shop mounted and balanced for free. I researched diameter and width specs and it is close to size of temp so the cover sits in place. I am like you, why be speed and distance limited if I need to use the spare?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0851JG4D8/?tag=thunderbirdforum-20

Baileysdad, Did you buy and mount a regular size tire for the spare and it fit in the trunk? Did you have to buy a different wheel? I always thought the rim of the donut spate was always larger..

 

[baileysdad]

My original spare, with its new markings, had never been used (31,000 miles on my 2002) It is T185/60x17, t being for temporary of course. I measured the diameter of that tire and the depth of the well. I began the quest for a regular full service tire no more that 25.5 inches diameter and 8” wide. I figured this inexpensive tire (25x8) was good enough for a trunk safety net that I hope to never use, but I would not be speed or distance limited if I do need to use it. Hopefully in 18 years I’ll need to toss it too. When I got it a few weeks ago, it was $69, free two day prime shipping, my local guy who checked out the car for me when I bought it mounted and balanced it free. Cover fits just fine.

 

[stevedaphotoman]

I may go your route. I still have the original donut in my 2002, and like yours, it probably never been out of the trunk. It looks brand new.. I do know from this forum though, it’s a ticking time bomb.. Thanks for the idea.,

 

[Bond007]

My now ex SIL ruined my original spare wheel when he changed a flat and and didn’t seat the spare properly. That spare wheel is pretty soft and when he drove on it the lug holes became elongated. I couldn’t find a replacement spare wheel and I had a second set of OEM wheels. That’s why I mounted a real tire on a real wheel. My plan is to use the cover as a pattern for cutting a sheet of plexiglass. A Thunderbird script decal will go on the plexi. I’ve seen others like this and it dresses up the trunk for shows.