Am I crazy for...

Topic: Am I crazy for... (Read 1240 times) previous topic - next topic

Am I crazy for...

August 22, 2010, 03:28:46 AM

considering swapping all the Sport's parts and pieces onto and into my white '88 Base?

Pros:
no hole in the roof. have a perfect headliner, just needs dyed.

cons:
needs windshield. Needs some rust repair.

Pretty much everything mechanical I've done to the Sport would have to be done all over again. 5.0HO, T5, TC 8.8, CHE's, 11" front brakes, etc.
All the wiring would have to swap..ughh, hate to do that though.
The '88 Base car is pretty much an empty shell, still rolls though.

I hate having the roof of the Sport an inch from my head..have manual seat tracks, and NOT going back to electric, not an option.

The Sport is not a daily, indeed, it's not even licensed, insured, even drivable since I have the front end somewhat disassembled.

What would you do if you were in my position?

Am I crazy for...

Reply #1 – August 22, 2010, 06:39:07 AM

I'd leave it.Keep the Sport.Finish what you started.Buy a new seal for the sun roof (you'll need it one day),and enjoy the car.Head liners swap really easy,and new material is pretty cheap.Probably easier than dying the one you have with better results.Plus,you have a Sport model.Probably the least built Thunderbird (I'm guessing).I've seen a few,but way less than any other model.If the roof is an inch from your head,then you're good.I have that amount of space (barely) with my Sport (known as "the Sport).Pretty much all you'd gain for a ton of work,is the lack of a sun roof. I wish mine had a sun roof.

Am I crazy for...

Reply #2 – August 22, 2010, 09:51:16 AM

Avoid the rust. Stick with the higher model. Cut out the piece of metal in the base and weld it into the sport and swap headliners.

Am I crazy for...

Reply #3 – August 22, 2010, 12:31:37 PM

Vinnie, the moonroof works great, and doesn't leak, none of those are reasons against it...it's just...I don't get the "cool" thing from it anymore. Maybe if the car was finished and I drove it a few times a week, I probably would. Maybe.

If I had the skill, and the tools, I'd cut the roofs off of both cars and put the solid roof on my sport. I'm 5'10" or thereabouts, and the moonroof cars have a more intrusive roof. I also have manual seat tracks, so I have no downward adjustment on the seats.
If anybody taller than me were to sit in there, they'd probably hit their head..I can barely slide my hand between my head and the top.

And my stock moonroof headliner has a few gouges, tears and the like, I took it out last night...probably need to find another one.
The TC I got my rearend from had a perfect moonroof headliner, except for some asshole coming along and pulling the front of it down.

Good lookin' out, whoever ya were..

If there was a way to lower my seat track by 1/2" or so, I'd not be so wimpy about it lol

I'd really rather keep the Sport shell too.

Am I crazy for...

Reply #4 – August 22, 2010, 12:34:24 PM

Quote from: xjeffs;332963

Avoid the rust. Stick with the higher model. Cut out the piece of metal in the base and weld it into the sport and swap headliners.

no way dude! moonroof cars are hard to find and to ruin one like that... Beau, if you did that...

Am I crazy for...

Reply #5 – August 22, 2010, 05:05:08 PM

It's not just that the moon roof is cool,it is nice to have on drives in the comfy,decent weather.If I would've been able to,I would've swapped cars with you back when i got the Sport.I'd love to have a moon roof,but now,I wouldn't part with the Sport.She's part of the family.

Headliners are easy to re-cover.Costs about $30.00 or so.If you still have a lot of work to do,save it for near last.I would think that the manual track would be lower than the power track. I have nothing to compare that to.

Am I crazy for...

Reply #6 – August 22, 2010, 07:26:24 PM

Just an FYI, I am 6'4" and dislike the power seats except for one thing, you can tilt the back half of the seat down, and the front half up. Makes it so I don't have to lay down to not hit my head on speed bumps, but I would not be able to use a clutch if I ever get to that step.

That being said, there is all kinds of room in our cars compared to a 89 mustang that I have ridden in a bit. I wish I had manual seats because my wife is 5'2". I look like a jackass when I am running late and she drove the car last. I can't even get my legs under the steering wheel till its all the way back.

Am I crazy for...

Reply #7 – August 23, 2010, 08:21:59 AM

im 6'2" with the moonroof and i have bout 2 inches or less between my head and the roof. And i do have power seats. but i noticed when i swaped seats from the ones the tc normally came with over to the ones from a lx (lower model) that i gained almost an inch more in head room. so that may be an opotion for ya.