Grabber Lime 2020 GT Build Thread

[PKs]

Seems like I missed another post from my stalker, who is now banned and his posts have been removed ...

Programmed MyKey today in preparation for its trip to the dealers ...

Also took the opportunity to help them out a bit. As the seat needs to come out I didn’t want pry marks on the bolt covers so I reached under and popped them out from the underside :

I know it’s easy to say it’s the dealers responsibility, but it’s not worth the hassle of another issue and could you trust your dealer not to mark them ... ?

Finally got around to fixing the loose piece that was bugging me, especially as @Gregs24 even managed to spot it on a photo Thanks to a photo from @GR11M it popped out easy. I couldn’t understand how the drivers side was really snug and the passenger side was loose. Turned out the tunnel center console and the dash center console were layered wrongly, I popped them over the other way, warmed the trim piece up to make it flat again and it snapped solidly back into place :

In general I don’t do decals, but after buying a sheet of these for something else I thought one suited this position perfectly (and a rare occasion of my iPhone capturing the lime accurately !) :

Arrange a bit of ramp time with an old school friend so as a bit of a timesaver prior to my visit, I managed to reach underneath and snap out the slugs from the front cross member in preparation for the front brace :

They came out quite easy flexing them until they broke off using a 1/4” open ended spanner. One of the blanks is missing though, I heard it pling off so it’s either on the drive somewhere or loose inside the box section - I’ve popped some magnets next to the exit holes to try and catch it ... lol

WD

Hi WD. I remember when I first put my Steeda G Trac brace on I was so frustrated with what was left if the box section with the punching of those tabs. The raised edges in the member gave me grief when trying to slide the supplied internal member supports/sleeves along.
As you know , I have recently taken my brace off in order to correct a conflict with coolant lines and I noticed that now the sleeves seem to be squashed into the correct position within the member. Just in case, I did fix cable ties through the member to catch the sleeves if they moved while the brace was off.

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[Kristian87]

Seems like I missed another post from my stalker, who is now banned and his posts have been removed ...

I was getting jealous that you had an admirer and I didn't! So he had to go

 

[WD Pro]

Hi WD. I remember when I first put my Steeda G Trac brace on I was so frustrated with what was left if the box section with the punching of those tabs. The raised edges in the member gave me grief when trying to slide the supplied internal member supports/sleeves along.
As you know , I have recently taken my brace off in order to correct a conflict with coolant lines and I noticed that now the sleeves seem to be squashed into the correct position within the member. Just in case, I did fix cable ties through the member to catch the sleeves if they moved while the brace was off.

I had read about that issue (fords press tool getting blunt with age / harder to snap out the disks / bigger burrs / harder to fit the spacers etc) so I tried them when I was under the car, they slipped in real easy and actually had a little up / down play.

I suspect the component goes through a life cycle and Steeda is always one step behind - perhaps that’s why others have had to grind there spaces down ? Then Steeda cuts them down a bit shorter, then ford refurbs the tool ... lol

If I still had access to a lathe I would make some more, but I don’t ...

I bought some (very) large diameter 3mm thick stainless washers though so I don’t think I will have an issue crimping the box section

I was getting jealous that you had an admirer and I didn't! So he had to go

Thank you

I suspect they will be back (I think this might have already been their second visit). I can’t understand how some people can get wound up enough by what someone else likes and writes about ? and then to comment (inaccurately) on my family life ... ? At what point should they take a step back from the keyboard and go and do something that makes them happy ? I genuinely feel sorry for folk like that

Anyhow, it’s been a good day (can you tell I am on holiday ?)

The first dealer visit went really well, I suspect aided by the relationship I have built up with the parts manager.

Every request was followed and the work from an initial inspection appears to be absolutely flawless.

They actually went above and beyond on a few issues, but I’m not going to itemise those bits on here

I know the car is six months old but due to part supply, Covid and then for the last few weeks me delaying it due to weather and salt, I am now getting the snagging list done from the inspection before I accepted the car

It started with a game of spot the difference :

So today was :

• New door card.
• New drivers sill cover.
• New drivers A pillar trim / fuse box panel.

Next up is :

• Recaro drivers seat base cover.
• Recaro drivers seat base plastic trim.

The parts for those are in stock but it turns out they won’t be fitted by Ford, it will be a mixture of me and a local trim specialist.

The other thing on the snagging list was the front splitter - which was actually the first item to arrive in stock and is now sorted

WD

 

[MAD MATT]

I was never really a fan of splitters until I got my PP1. I love it. I want to put in a camera to keep from damaging it though.

 

[Vlad Soare]

What was wrong with the original splitter? This one looks the same to me.

 

[WD Pro]

What was wrong with the original splitter? This one looks the same to me.

It is the same, the original one had transport damage (scrapped underneath).

In fact every issue on my snagging list (other then the mismatched door cards) has been transport damage ...

Even without the door card being wrong, it was kicked / scuffed along with the sill and A pillar covers, the Recaro base on both the leather and vinyl bits along with the seat plastic trim

I just think it comes down to the UK shipping route, you can guess what was under here when it was cleaned up :

It must be from one of the storage areas as this is how mine rolled off the transporter at the back of the dealers :

And I think I just got unlucky with someone wearing size 12's, not being careful, walking in it all and dragging it across the plastic.

I think it happens on the docks rather than closer to the end of the delivery chain as here is how @Hammer Time 's turned up at another dealers / in another part of the country :

I will remove that picture if he isn't happy (just pm me ), but he originally posted it and its available on the open forum.

Back to the splitter - I have been allowed to keep the old one (they go in the skip anyway). Its only marked on the drivers side and its all on the underside. As a long term plan I really like the PP2 splitter - fitting one would hide all the current damage and requires drilling of the PP1 splitter i.e. my spare will make an ideal candidate

WD

 

[fast306stang]

As a long term plan I really like the PP2 splitter

Might try and start searching for one now if you want OEM. I had to wait 3 months for the dealer to get mine in, it was scuffed but their detail guy cleaned it up for the most part so I'm ok with it. They told me if I didn't use this one, they didn't know when they could get another one in since they are on National Backorder here in the States.

 

[WD Pro]

Got the Steeda hood latch but I can’t fit it until my birthday Didn’t stop me doing a little mod though ... lol

It should stand out a little more than just plain black now and the silver matches the silver trim pieces quit well

Nice sunny day (21C, but snow due at weekend ... ?!) so it got a wash and I finally got around to adjusting the hood latch to rid it of the pinched look. This is how much I had to move the latch (which is now at the top of its adjustment) :

I thought it might need more but it turned out perfect :

The only option if it did need more would have been to space the latch on the hood - glad it didn’t need that ...

I kept the heavy serrated captive washers / nuts up against the latch, but swapped the outer single nut and locking washers for two stainless nuts and washers :

Everything under the front panel that looked like it might not age well got treated with SuperTroll before the panel went back on.

Only a small adjustment of the left side rubber bumper required, I’m very happy with that shut line now :

As a bonus, the hood doesn’t need dropping from as high now to latch and what was a very sensitive electrical switch now seems much happier

I was concerned that I might have introduced a bit of hood flutter now it’s not as tight but a quick trip to Mexico confirmed it seems happy into triple digits. Can’t say the same for the other half’s reaction though, although she did seem quite impressed when I hit the anchors at that speed and pulled over a g ...

Cheered her up with a coffee break (I know how to treat her well )

It’s a shame the shopping park is suffering though ... Two shops behind that photo gone, Halfords gone, the restaurant who’s outdoor table we sat at (coast to coast) also gone ...

Still, I was pleased with my new shut line :

WD

 

[Vlad Soare]

I was concerned that I might have introduced a bit of hood flutter now it’s not as tight but a quick trip to Mexico confirmed it seems happy into triple digits. Can’t say the same for the other half’s reaction though, although she did seem quite impressed when I hit the anchors at that speed and pulled over a g ...

Wow! That's a really long drive!
I didn't yet manage to get more than one g. My best result so far was 0.97 with winter tyres. I will try again next month, after I change the tyres. I guess the PS4S on hot dry tarmac should be able to pull more than that.

 

[raptor17GT]

my tyres are Kumho and the ABS kicks in long before reaching any decent g but yeah the Brembos are impressive. Drove to Mexico, brilliant

 

[s1ms]

Funny thing though. When I first saw your first mods and fixes I thought its OTT and etc, but now I see them as inspiration and decent tutorials. Well done!!! Keep us all informed! And don't you dare not take photos or skip writing up instructions!

 

[WD Pro]

Wow! That's a really long drive!
I didn't yet manage to get more than one g. My best result so far was 0.97 with winter tyres. I will try again next month, after I change the tyres. I guess the PS4S on hot dry tarmac should be able to pull more than that.

my tyres are Kumho and the ABS kicks in long before reaching any decent g but yeah the Brembos are impressive. Drove to Mexico, brilliant

Here is where I am up to at the moment :

Note that the meter was reset after a few hundred miles / well before the above photo to clear the initial high readings related the the factory calibration (The 1.86 / 1.79 issues).

I’m not saying that the meter is 100% accurate and directly comparable with other cars, but at least there are no known anomalies that have been included.

Also note that all the values are ‘smooth’ values and not introduced by shock loadings i.e. I haven’t fishtailed the car / had it snap back in line violently or launched it from a dig etc, everything has been smooth and I have only ever rolled onto the throttle.

I’m still learning the car (hence the ‘low’ cornering G) and bear in mind I pretty much went straight into the cold season after the car was delivered.

The braking G was also smoothly applied rather than just a single sharp jab - I scrubbed 60+ mph off in one go, the ABS didn't trigger (unless its presence hides itself really well in this car ?) but from past experience I would say it was right on the limit of doing so. Road surface was good condition tarmac on a warmish day. I also run my tyres a little lower than the norm (30 psi cold) which will probably help a little with outright traction.

Funny thing though. When I first saw your first mods and fixes I thought its OTT and etc, but now I see them as inspiration and decent tutorials. Well done!!! Keep us all informed! And don't you dare not take photos or skip writing up instructions!

I think everyone that buys a Mustang (especially in the U.K.) is probably a little OTT anyway ...

I like detail, its just how I do things and what makes me happy - it's my release from the day job My (push) bike builds are the same, if a not a little more so ... Posting everything up (warts n all) also acts as a diary for my car and a full photo record of what's been done. No one forces anyone to read it, but if they want to I am glad some like it and some find it useful so thank you for your nice comments

WD

 

[Andy22]

Got the Steeda hood latch but I can’t fit it until my birthday Didn’t stop me doing a little mod though ... lol

It should stand out a little more than just plain black now and the silver matches the silver trim pieces quit well

Nice sunny day (21C, but snow due at weekend ... ?!) so it got a wash and I finally got around to adjusting the hood latch to rid it of the pinched look. This is how much I had to move the latch (which is now at the top of its adjustment) :

I thought it might need more but it turned out perfect :

The only option if it did need more would have been to space the latch on the hood - glad it didn’t need that ...

I kept the heavy serrated captive washers / nuts up against the latch, but swapped the outer single nut and locking washers for two stainless nuts and washers :

Everything under the front panel that looked like it might not age well got treated with SuperTroll before the panel went back on.

Only a small adjustment of the left side rubber bumper required, I’m very happy with that shut line now :

As a bonus, the hood doesn’t need dropping from as high now to latch and what was a very sensitive electrical switch now seems much happier

I was concerned that I might have introduced a bit of hood flutter now it’s not as tight but a quick trip to Mexico confirmed it seems happy into triple digits. Can’t say the same for the other half’s reaction though, although she did seem quite impressed when I hit the anchors at that speed and pulled over a g ...

Cheered her up with a coffee break (I know how to treat her well )

It’s a shame the shopping park is suffering though ... Two shops behind that photo gone, Halfords gone, the restaurant who’s outdoor table we sat at (coast to coast) also gone ...

Still, I was pleased with my new shut line :

WD

Hmm middlebrook Bolton by any chance

 

[WD Pro]

Correct

WD

 

[WD Pro]

I (mostly) got the wrinkles out of the back seat linings. A bit out of character for me but I didn’t take a before picture, but here is how the bottom middle corners fit after undoing the internal Velcro tabs :

Just undoing those was enough for the wrinkles to mostly relax and after moving the corners of the covers around the hinges then repositioning the Velcro tabs, the winkles are now virtually non-existent :

Beforehand the wrinkles on the right hand seat back went about a third of the way up.

Old bonnet catch pops off real easy with a deep 10mm socket (push the socket firmly down the hole and it simultaneously retracts both clips and the latch pulls straight off) :

(Birthday present number 1) New latch fitted with half of a wiring grommet behind it :

The grommet was used purely for cosmetic reasons, the Steeda latch leaves the existing trim hole exposed and the spindle for the latch handle and the trim hole were offset on my car (and others I have seen). The ford latch is designed to hide both of these cosmetic issues. I know the cap from the original Ford lever is supposed to fit in the central hole, but I kind of like it how it is

(Birthday present number 2) Now I have used up both USB’s with the carplay and music drive, this was the smallest twin USB I could find for the centre console :

(Birthday present number 3) It's from Asda / George if any of the U.K. guys are interested :

After waiting for the Steeda spacers for the front brace (missing in my delivery), it was obvious that they weren’t a good fit on my car - not Steeda’s fault as they are trying to hit a moving target. On my car I had very little deformation of the cross member and very few burrs on the internal faces which meant the Steeda spacers were very loose and wouldn’t have done anything to stop me crimping the cross member. I know Steeda have been criticised in the past for the spacers being too tight so I am guessing Steeda have reduced the spacer height over time and then Ford must have just refreshed the punch tooling ... lol. New v old spacers :

New spacers are larger diameter, 2.5mm taller and made from stainless.

I have obviously lost the ‘tail’ that would help with fitment, but with a bit of care and attention the new spacers are still easily positioned without issue and with hindsight, I probably could have got them made another mm taller.

Large diameter thick gauge stainless washers will be used to further spread the load along with flange nuts for the topside (Standard Steeda stuff on the left) :

After giving up with it for a while and for no apparent reason, Fords SYNC server suddenly decided that after what I think was the sixth attempt, it would finally recognise my update and allow me to move onto installing F9 maps :

The map install went smoothly, on the second attempt, after three separate downloads and without the ‘DONTINDX.MSA’ file being missing from each download – let’s hope they don’t update it again soon …

Mustangs and donuts, great mix …

WD

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