2000 GT Convertible cleanup

[Mustang5L5]

Aug 16th....first official drive. Took it to work!

 

[Mustang5L5]

In searching for a product to clean the top, this one in particular was recommended to me.

MOLD ARMOR Mold and Mildew Killer + Quick Stain Remover, 32 oz., Trigger Spray Bottle, Eliminates 99.9% of Household Bacteria and Viruses, Ideal Bathroom Mold and Mildew Remover https://a.co/d/8WIEFoI

Rinse, spray, scrub, rinse. Good as new. It is bleach based, so gotta work quick and then be heavy on the rinsing.

Before


And after

 

[Mustang5L5]

This was a brand new top, and now it looks like it.

Spoiler was off as I needed to clay bar the trunk to get all the grime and mold off under the spoiler.

I really dislike the 99-00 spoiler. I’m keeping an eye out for any 01-04 local part-outs in black to try and match the paint. This trunk lid has damage.

Next up, remove, sand and respray the well trim around the rear of the base of the top. Lots of rust/pitting.

 

[Mustang5L5]

Here’s the trunk lid. Not sure what happened here. Like someone was tapping it with a pick or something. Those are all deep chips into the paint.

That’s why I’d rather seek out a black trunk from an 01-04 car. Fix this issue, and get the spoiler I prefer.

I scored a nice 3rd brake light that isn’t sunfaded that is on the way to me. Slowly chipping away at fixing this up.

 

[Mustang5L5]

Swap out my fog lights to clean lens with dark housings. Also installed some LED bulbs



One side done



Mach 1 chin installed

 

[Mustang5L5]

This Mold armor stuff really did a fantastic job of cleaning the rear seat as well





Swapped out the terrible 3rd brake light



The visors were also damaged from sun.


So I found some in better shape

 

[Mustang5L5]

Found a 01+ hood scoop. Paint is no better or worse than what's on the car. Haven't installed yet, i want to paint correct the hood first and then install

 

[Mustang5L5]

First real detail under the hood



Also, more exterior washing

 

[Mustang5L5]

Bled the brakes today. The old fluid was essentially black. This made a huge difference in brake performance.

During my inspection, I found the ball joint boots on both sides were dried out and cracked badly. Also the inner bushings were dried out, with one bushing on the pass side looking like it was failing.

Looks like a new set of front control arms is in my future

 

[Mustang5L5]

Did score some exterior well trim. Sand, paint and now to find time to swap it over




Discovered my car had a crappy Dorman intake on it. With the PI intake being discontinued, I’m happy I managed to track one down. Technically it’s a crown Vic intake. Part number 9W7Z-9424-A

Not many left.

 

[Mustang5L5]

Bought my first performance mod for this car. An MGW shifter




Scored a new cluster surround. Unfortunately it was black, so i bought some of the dye from LMR. A few coats and it looks really good

 

[Mustang5L5]

delete

 

[Mustang5L5]

Got around to replacing the convertible well trim molding.

Before (along with dirty top)



And after (along with clean top)

 

[Mustang5L5]

Pulled the rear quarter panels today. They were badly sunfaded so i wanted to dye them



After paint, along with the freshly cleaned rear seat. Still haven't cleaned the grimey belt yet.


I may dye all the panels to clean them up. Here's a good contrast of the newly painted quarters and the door panels. I cleaned off a lot of grime, but as you can see they still look dirty

 

[Mustang5L5]

My rear shocks were not doing anything. Car would bounce and handled like a noodle. Swapped these out and MUCH better handling now

 

[Mustang5L5]

I suspected these calipers were sticking. I have no love for 99-04 GT PBRS and no desire to spend any money on them.




Problem solved





Oh yeah. Now it's starting to have the look i like

 

[Mustang5L5]

Ditched the 99-00 spoiler and installed an 01-04 spoiler. I hate the earlier wing with a passion. These look better to me. I need a new trunk lid anyway, so I had no issue drilling holes. The wing covers most of the old ones anyway

 

[Mustang5L5]

New shifter boot from Redlinegoods.com. Also repainted the shifter bezel with LMR dye






I later got my hands on a IUP trim ring.

 

[Mustang5L5]

New caster/camber plates. One more part in my future suspension uograde



Here's the current parts pile.

Ford Racing G springs, which are actually a box of Eibach Pro-kit springs with a Ford racing label on the side
Moog front control arms
MM C/C plates'
poly sway bar endlings
poly isolators
Ford trans mount
Bilstien struts (rear shocks already installed)
poly steering rack bushings (not shown)

 

[Mustang5L5]

Foind my AC leak

Discharge line. $120 for a new Motorcraft or $35 for aftermarket. Eh…I’ll deal with it in the spring. It’s October now.





Finally getting around to cleaning up those seat belts

Before


After. They swapped sides from the above pic



I'm not totally happy with the one on the right. I might try and purchase another set off ebay