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Lorne34
Project Hidalgo
- Thread starter
- #33
Well, it's been a while since I updated my build journal, life had been extremely busy. I finally got around to swapping out the "Swing" for the standard track pack spoiler. I know many will be asking why, but for me it just came down to aesthetics as I just do not like the raised decklid spoiler look. Maybe it has to do with my age or perhaps because they remind me of the god awful spoilers that pontiac, toyota, oldsmobile, etc were putting on their sedans. I'm not saying the swing is comparable, but for me it just did not grow on me.
Taking the spoiler off was a bit of a pain. I had experience from removing the lame flat decklid spoiler on my GT, so I knew what I was getting myself into. Lots of time, energy, and patience combined with a micro fiber towel, plastic pry tool and heat gun. The holes on the 2019-2020 GT350 follow the same pattern as the previous years, so no worries about filling or drilling holes.....
The bigger issue was the stripes on the rear decklid. Because they wrap around the middle pedestal of the swing, I had to purchase a replacement trunk lid stripe kit from Ford and have the rear lip redone before installing the new spoiler. Here are some pictures of the current spoiler and stripe pattern along with the spoiler off to see the hole pattern
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Taking the spoiler off was a bit of a pain. I had experience from removing the lame flat decklid spoiler on my GT, so I knew what I was getting myself into. Lots of time, energy, and patience combined with a micro fiber towel, plastic pry tool and heat gun. The holes on the 2019-2020 GT350 follow the same pattern as the previous years, so no worries about filling or drilling holes.....
The bigger issue was the stripes on the rear decklid. Because they wrap around the middle pedestal of the swing, I had to purchase a replacement trunk lid stripe kit from Ford and have the rear lip redone before installing the new spoiler. Here are some pictures of the current spoiler and stripe pattern along with the spoiler off to see the hole pattern
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Lorne34
Project Hidalgo
- Thread starter
- #34
Next was cleaning up the 3m glue/tape... at first I had a nitrile glove on, but found that using your bare fingers and just rolling the tape worked the best. I did a test fit of the new spoiler which fit perfectly, however you can see the stripes do not match up on the back end of the spoiler. The trunk lid/lip stripes were then redone and the new spoiler installed... Really like the clean look.
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Lorne34
Project Hidalgo
- Thread starter
- #36
Gave her a much needed bath after getting the new spoiler installed. Finally starting to get my rhythm down in terms of prep, steps, efficiency, time elapsed, etc.. Used the detail guardz for the first time and they helped tremendously. Thanks to my daughter Leah for taking these pictures...........
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Lorne34
Project Hidalgo
- Thread starter
- #37
Got a late birthday present from one of my daughters. A temporary tatoo kit complete with the Shelby Cobra logo. Lasted about 3-4 weeks. I liked it, but would go a bit smaller if I decided on something permanent. Of course it is on the right arm, so when i'm shifting the tremec gear box I can see the cobra... LOL.....
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Lorne34
Project Hidalgo
- Thread starter
- #38
Next up was adding the SHELBY letters to the front splitter. I was trying to decide between Silver or White. Ultimately I ended up going with Silver due to the gun metal accent stripe. The colors tied in nicely. I followed auto fanatic's how to video in which he highly recommended using 3m adhesive promoter. Rather than purchasing a large tin, I found the application pens on Amazon which worked perfectly. I did have one issue with the E as it would not lay correctly within the indent. Ended up ordering another set of the letters and redoing the E. Turned out really great if I do say so myself...
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Vettel-ish
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Oct 7, 2019
- Threads
- 37
- Messages
- 644
- Reaction score
- 775
- Location
- Jefferson County WI
- First Name
- Andy
- Vehicle(s)
- 17 GT350 (SOLD) 11 5.0 TRACK 17 Explorer 16 Fusion
- Vehicle Showcase
- 1
Coming along great Lorne!! Now you just need some track time!
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Lorne34
Project Hidalgo
- Thread starter
- #41
It's been a long haul, but finally got the 350 over to the detailing shop to get full paint correction and GTechniq Ceramic Coating on all plastic and paint surfaces. The package also included a Windshield treatment, interior detail, and engine bay treatment of all plastics. Was really happy with the results.
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Lorne34
Project Hidalgo
- Thread starter
- #42
Another piece of the puzzle for me was replacing the 2019 OEM Wheels. The combination of the gloss black finish and thicker spoke design just didn't appeal to me. I found a company called The Wheel Exchange that offered a pre-2019 Satin Black, Ford factory OEM wheel set for the 350. The wheels were refinished/powder coated before shipment.
Unfortunately one of the wheels had a defect in the PC within the lug nut opening. The Wheel Exchange was very prompt with sending me out a replacement wheel within a couple days.
I took them to my detailer to have a full ceramic coating applied. The wheels came with Mustang Center Caps which I actually liked better than the "FORD" caps. My detailer even polished the center caps. This checked the box for having something subtle on the body with the classic pony logo.
Once the wheels were installed I knew all of the hassle was worth it; just fits the vehicles character and matches better with the non-gloss plastic trim. This of course is my opinion as beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.
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Unfortunately one of the wheels had a defect in the PC within the lug nut opening. The Wheel Exchange was very prompt with sending me out a replacement wheel within a couple days.
I took them to my detailer to have a full ceramic coating applied. The wheels came with Mustang Center Caps which I actually liked better than the "FORD" caps. My detailer even polished the center caps. This checked the box for having something subtle on the body with the classic pony logo.
Once the wheels were installed I knew all of the hassle was worth it; just fits the vehicles character and matches better with the non-gloss plastic trim. This of course is my opinion as beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.
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Lorne34
Project Hidalgo
- Thread starter
- #43
It's been a very long time since i have posted anything new here. Life has been crazy with covid and other life events. We moved into a new house the end of October and finally got the Shelby moved from Storage into the garage. It's great seeing her every day. I never did a final storage cleanup. Going to fill up the tank this week and put in some fuel additive so she is good to go for winter storage. Was contemplating a cover, but had a hard time deciding on one. Finally pulled the trigger and it was on back order for 2 months, so I cancelled. The car is a bit dusty so i am hesitant to put any type of covering on her without at least a rinseless wash. I am a bit disappointed with the design of these 3rd stall garage bays. They stagger the front for design purposes and cut off a good foot or two of storage. It fits, but if I want wiggle room in the front by the back entrance I have to just barely pull it in. Can't maneuver around the back as i am sacrificing for room in the front...
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Lorne34
Project Hidalgo
- Thread starter
- #44
Finally got mine set for the winter slumber.... we've had unusually warm weather here in Wisconsin with some days in the low 50's. I had a full detail and ceramic coating done a few months ago and the car sat in my storage unit due to life being too busy. I had to "reboot" the computer after getting it out of storage due to the battery running low. Even the power steering assist didn't kick in when turning the wheel in the storage unit before pulling it out.. freaked me out for a second. Now that it's on a battery tender I won't have that issue. FYI... if your adding fuel additive, etc use the provided funnel in the trunk of the Shelby.. don't use a regular long neck funnel.... was in a hurry and had back flow from the traditional funnel on the capless fuel tank ..... had to cleanup the back body panel. Had a guy at the gas station compliment me on the car, asked how many HP, when I told him 526 NA.. he was surprised.. "NA, really??"
Full tank, fuel additive, battery tender, steel wool in exhaust pipes, and irish spring soap in the engine bay and trunk to keep critters away. Can't wait till spring...
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Full tank, fuel additive, battery tender, steel wool in exhaust pipes, and irish spring soap in the engine bay and trunk to keep critters away. Can't wait till spring...
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Lorne34
Project Hidalgo
- Thread starter
- #45
This is a bit late... but here is the Christmas Present haul from my wife and kids.... so glad they support me in this... The portable blue tooth speaker/radio rocks by the way. Love the retro speedometer.. takes me back to the days of my dad's 1970's pontiac station wagon. He didn't drive muscle cars... lol....
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