What did you do to your Tbird today?

Mach5

Mach5

2004 Merlot
Bronze Member
I have the faux wood interior kit on my 2004, which I prefer because it dulls down the shiny. I drive with my top down probably 7-8 months a year so I prefer to not have too much reflecting or shining back at me. (Just an aside, I never wear a red shirt - sunlight reflects on the gauges and makes me think a warning light is on - arrgh.)
(I like the black wheels. Before you pull the trigger I would read up on all the posts about tire size, rim size and rim offset - can make a huge difference in the appearance.)
In the end - do what you like.
 
TomThunder

TomThunder

Click here to upgrade
Mach5 said:
I have the faux wood interior kit on my 2004, which I prefer because it dulls down the shiny. I drive with my top down probably 7-8 months a year so I prefer to not have too much reflecting or shining back at me. (Just an aside, I never wear a red shirt - sunlight reflects on the gauges and makes me think a warning light is on - arrgh.)
(I like the black wheels. Before you pull the trigger I would read up on all the posts about tire size, rim size and rim offset - can make a huge difference in the appearance.)
In the end - do what you like.
Click to expand...
Sound advice, Mach 5, thanks. There are two kits online. One is only 60 dollars, but it's vinyl, only has appearance of brushed aluminum. Carid.com has a kit that is 160 dollars but it's real brushed aluminum. Metal molded to the shape of the retro bird dash. I prefer the latter.

I think my biggest priority should be exercising patience. I have had the bird only two weeks, I need to get some miles on it to decide if I really want to start adding after-market. A challenge for me because I'm an after-market addict. A few years ago I spent 10 grand on after-market for a Mustang GT converting it to a Steeda Mustang.

I see you have a 2004 merlot. Another great color. Actually I don't think I've seen any retro bird color where I thought, ooh, I don't like that color.

Oh I guess I should stay on topic of this thread. What did I do to my TBird today? Added some minor convenience items for the interior - sun visor for the windshield, Iphone holder, etc.

I also bought an Innova Dongle to talk to the car's computer using a smartphone app. A disappointment, but I need to play with it some more to grasp the configuration. So far it just seems like a repeat what the manual says for recommended maintenance. I thought it gave actual readouts of components that are controlled by the car's computers.
 
Last edited:
TomThunder

TomThunder

Click here to upgrade
Update on Innova Dongle....I returned it, pretty much worthless. My bad for not researching before purchasing. Mostly all bad reviews, customers experience the same problems I did. Takes forever for it to read the car's data, more often just stuck on "loading." It says "takes up to 5 min." After 45 minutes still stuck on "loading." It defaults to canned messages on recommended maintenance. Don't need to pay 80 bucks for a device/app to just repeat what the owner's manual already says.
 
TomThunder

TomThunder

Click here to upgrade
What I did to my TBird today....serviced - oil/filter changed. The connector from the starter to battery cable was corroded. They disconnected and cleaned thoroughly. Of course, you lose memory settings. Minor issue I'm willing to reprogram to ensure good connectivity.

Also, the TSW Silverstones I mentioned above, I ordered them and they were supposed to be installed this week. Got a call from Discount Tire that they were not available until further notice. So back to ground zero shopping for wheels.
 
TomThunder

TomThunder

Click here to upgrade
What I did to my Thunderbird today........Today, I had brakes inspected on the bird, some wear on the pads, but not ready to replace. I've been been pricing Powerstop performance brake rotors and pads and shopping Thunderbird caliper covers. When pads need replacing, may just do complete upgrade on brake system. At the moment, brakes are fine, but they seem a little "spongy" for lack of a better description. Not a top priority since it's not my daily driver. Photos of my bird and daily driver (Ford Ranger) in my photo album.
 
TomThunder

TomThunder

Click here to upgrade
Today....I installed my real brushed aluminum dash kit....Part 1. It's a 26 piece set, I say part 1 because I'm doing a section at a time. Likely I will include most of it, but today I installed the center instrument cluster only. I will wait a few days to see if I prefer to stop there or continue. Photos in my album.
 
JW in Dixie

JW in Dixie

Well-Known Member
Bronze Member
Bird is in the cage with top still down. 100 degrees about 15 days ago, 4 days rain, and tonight it will drop to 31. Low 32 next four nights. In Dixie in October! What happened to the Fall I was waiting for - nice day trips into the Tennessee hills?? :( GRRR (Should kill the dang bugs!)
 
TomThunder

TomThunder

Click here to upgrade
Today....I installed my real brushed aluminum dash kit....Part 2. Didn't use all 26 pieces. It had some horizontal strips that go below the factory silver pinstripe trim that I particularly didn't care for and I left off the large piece that goes on the shifter/cupholder console. Just didn't like the look of it. Used the door trim and vent trims. Including the instrument panel, I wound up using about only half of the 26 piece set. Photos in my album.
 
Oldiger

Oldiger

Well-Known Member
Gold Member
Had coffee today with a good friend who owns a 56 Thunderbird. He has put a lot of money into it in the last year keeping it roadworthy. Told me today he was going to sell it and buy one like mine.;) So he asked me to keep my eyes open for a 2005. My suggestion was that he looks for an "anniversary" special. They seem to have fewer things go wrong with them. If you hear of one pass on the information to me so I can pass it on to him. Thanks, happy holidays.
Oldiger
 
TomThunder

TomThunder

Click here to upgrade
One more note on the dash kit. I decided to create a Thunderbird dash kit forum. It took a couple days to build the forum, now all I need is the domain. Someone already owns the URL ThunderbirdDashKitForum.com, but it is inactive. I sent them an email to see if they are interested in selling the domain name.
 
Whiz

Whiz

2003 SEMA Thunderbird
Gold Member
Up until the rain yesterday, the past few days in So Cal have been perfect for top-down cruising around town. This week I installed the K&N Typhoon CAI and the Borla exhaust. Both fit as well they should have with the exception of the larger diameter hose to the K&N. There was no way in hell that the stock hose was going to fit, it required some McGivering... The car now breathes better and sounds as it should (IMO)! 106057A0-80ED-4C25-AFCE-C387306B0FD9.jpeg 106057A0-80ED-4C25-AFCE-C387306B0FD9.jpeg
 
T

Terry Burt

Member
Bronze Member
02thunderbirdht said:
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.
Click to expand...
My 55 is stored for winter but today installed Pertronix electronic ignition and flame thrower coil. Fired right up once timing was locked on.
 
Oldiger

Oldiger

Well-Known Member
Gold Member
Whiz said:
Up until the rain yesterday, the past few days in So Cal have been perfect for top-down cruising around town. This week I installed the K&N Typhoon CAI and the Borla exhaust. Both fit as well they should have with the exception of the larger diameter hose to the K&N. There was no way in hell that the stock hose was going to fit, it required some McGivering... The car now breathes better and sounds as it should (IMO)! View attachment 9393 View attachment 9393
Click to expand...
Whiz said:
Up until the rain yesterday, the past few days in So Cal have been perfect for top-down cruising around town. This week I installed the K&N Typhoon CAI and the Borla exhaust. Both fit as well they should have with the exception of the larger diameter hose to the K&N. There was no way in hell that the stock hose was going to fit, it required some McGivering... The car now breathes better and sounds as it should (IMO)! View attachment 9393 View attachment 9393
Click to expand...
Hey Whiz, just ordered the K&N for my 05. What did you have to alter so I know what to get? Thanks,
Oldiger
 
Whiz

Whiz

2003 SEMA Thunderbird
Gold Member
Oldiger said:
Hey Whiz, just ordered the K&N for my 05. What did you have to alter so I know what to get? Thanks,
Oldiger
Click to expand...
Hey Oldiger, happy holidays! The directions are pretty clear and concise, you just need to make sure you’re orienting the brackets correctly according to the pictures. Everything about the fit was perfect except for the larger diameter emission hose. The larger nipple on the K&N was too big to fit the stock hose over it. I ran to O’Reilly’s and got a foot of 1” heater hose and a couple of clamps. I cut the stock hose, slipped it inside a short piece of the heater hose and clamped it tight. Clamped the heater hose to the K&N as well. You’ll see it in the picture. I hadn’t read this issue anywhere else, so maybe it was just my particular setup, you may not need anything extra at all. You’ll notice the difference. Enjoy!
 
Tomstoy

Tomstoy

Click here to upgrade
02thunderbirdht said:
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.
Click to expand...

I bought new LED headlight for my SliverBird and will install them soon.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top