I knew it wouldn't be long...

[P72Ford]

Are the gauges analog or digital?

Analog. And basic HVAC controls. P71 VIN.

[P72Ford]

Pictorial Update

I was in the garage tuning up my power equipment last night, and started tinkering with my '07 a bit. Took some pics in as received condition (minus the fact that I sold the SAP hub caps that were on it, swapped in the chrome grille, and am in the process of changing the headlights/ corner lights). Not washed, vacuumed or anything.

While I was out there, I put the GT500 wheels on. I think they look okay. Maybe I need to lower the car an inch or so to make it look just right.

At any rate, I have lots of boxes and parts, just waiting on the weather to get a little bit better.

[87gtVIC]

More rubber or lower car! They look nice there though.

[P72Ford]

More Pictures/ Progress

In between spring house work I was able to get a few hours the other day to play with my "new" '07 P71 SAP.

I wanted to preface my work on this car with a deep clean on the undercarriage, so I did that first.

While I had it out and on our "lift" () I changed the oil/ filter, coolant (block drained), fuel filter, air filter, belt and hoses (with snazzy t bolt clamps).

Washed it, and snapped some pictures of things.

Next on the list is changing the plugs, painting my calipers (color matched?, red?, blue?) and adding the Stoptech "top cop" rotors and pads, gutting the down stream cats and installing the Magnaflow catback. I really want to do Marauder style tips, but I don't know if I can bare to cut up the Magnaflow tail pipes to make that happen.

I am planning to do a Jmod/ tranny service later this summer (as well as adjust/ fix the shift indicator), as well as a gear swap (3.73 or 4.10?)/ trac lok, forced tailshaft lube mod, and a tune. I think that should make it "fun" to drive.

On the cosmetic end, I still have a new ACC carpet and floor mats, an interior deep clean, stripping old tint and installing darker tint, blacking out the window pillars, and paint correction.

[P72Ford]

I have been working on this car all along, but I really made a dumb move a few weeks ago.

I bought a Stoptech "top cop" brake package for the car. Not wanting the zinc rotors to look out of place, I decided I would remove and paint the calipers. Like the worlds biggest idiot, I let the hoses hang (in cans), and cracked the master cylinder, effectively draining the brake fluid entirely. It took me a couple weeks to get around to meticulously painting the calipers, etc. When I reinstalled everything, I tried to bleed the system. Had decent pedal until the car was started. I learned that because the system was open so long, and the fluid ran out of the master, I needed to have someone with a scan tool cycle the abs and bleed the brakes. $60 at a local shop, and it was no better. The parts changer (not a mechanic) told me I needed a master cylinder.

I did a little research, talked to my ford dealer, etc, and they told me that if I had no ABS light, there was a very really possibility that the the valves in the ABS control unit may have seized when it was open to the air. The fluid in the car was nasty, so I thought there may be some truth in this. The issue is that its a $925 part. Ouch. Used? Maybe, but who's to say I could get a good one. I did some more trouble shooting and removed the master to find that there was a little fluid at the back of the cylinder. Hmm. I suspect that when I over-cycled the master when I was bleeding it that it developed this leak. I ordered a brand new master, and a booster because I was concerned fluid may have leaked inside and put the booster on borrowed time. I bled the system myself with a snazzy reverse bleed tool, and things were no better. So, I went to another shop, and paid them to bleed the system on the scan tool. They called shortly after and said that they were unable to get the rear abs valve(s) to open. Nice. Their price on the fix was $1500. I went and picked the car up.

I just scored a new in box HCU on eBay for $300. I am going to change this next week. I have an appointment at the local Ford dealer to have them bleed the system at the end of next week.

This has been expensive. I am disenchanted, despite the fact that it was my own stupidity.

However, when the brakes are resolved, I will strip the tint and have the car re-tinted. Then some paint touch up and paint correction, followed by the new carpet and interior detail. I recently bought a top notch carpet extractor, so it should come out like new.

I am going to do the J-mod and such, but for the time being I am going to hold off on that on account of the unforeseen brake expenses.

[sly]

Doh!

[Tiggie]

I'll admit I am a bit afraid of working on ABS systems for this reason. Replaced a master cylinder on my Ranger once. Got an ABS and brake light after normal bleeding. I just panic stopped about twenty times and it fixed itself.

On the plus side, you'll have an good working brake ABS system when done.