Side Scoops!!

Yeah! Bought these today! Susan is so good to me! 

05 06 07 08 09 FORD MUSTANG PAINTED GT CS SIDE SCOOPS

I can't wait!!

- Reba

Some early pics of Jeff's work - New Face Lift for the Stampede

No more rocker panel stripes.... :)

New windshield banner - Different style than previous one...

Rear Window Design... Multiple types of material were used.  From the inside I can actually see through the pony tri-bar emblem.

The windshield banner after he finished it... That's Jeff working on the rear window....

Removed the Stampede 351 badges from the front and rear of the car and replaced with these "351" decals.  

Combo shot of front bumper number, windshield banner and un-striped sides.

Combo shot of rear window and rear number...

So, what do you think?MORE PICTURES SOON!  Have to wash and detail first!- Reba 

Working on Trinity

I'm over at Autograph Sign Shoppe working with Jeff Holland on some of
the ideas and pictures I've sent over. As always the real magic
doesn't begin until you are here with Jeff and his creative juices
start flowing. Already some of my great ideas, and I say that with a
tinge of sarcasm, have become awesome. Of course, knowing Jeff
anything can happen between the time he works with the art on the
computer to when he applies the graphic to the car. Awesome can easily
become brilliant!

Stay tuned.

I want THIS!!!

I've seen it in person and it looks BADD ASS.  I've been researching it and watching the vids on YouTube... and I know that when I keep coming back to something that it means it is on my Hot List...  So, I think this is the next big mod to the Mustang.  If not, I may wear out my stock shifter!!  (Thanks to Sarah for getting me into more "race style" driving!).

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DESCRIPTION:


New TCI® automatic transmission shifter fits in stock console and hooks up to the OE 5R55S transmission without modification.

The ‘05–’09 Ford Mustang GT is the hottest late model performance vehicle on the market, however the stock shifter has some drawbacks when it comes to serious street/strip performance. The new TCI® StreetFighter® ’05-’09 Ford Mustang Ratchet Shifter provides a positive stop shifting action that allows you to manually “speed shift” the transmission without fear of hanging between gears or missing a gear all together. Best of all, this new shifter also has an equally impressive billet, race-inspired appearance that makes it at home on the track or cruising in town.

The TCI® StreetFighter® Ratchet Shifter is a perfect fit in the ’05-‘09 Ford Mustang console and requires no modifications to your interior or the factory Ford 5R55S transmission. This shifter also utilizes the factory shift cable to further simplify the installation and comes complete with a lighted gear indicator for perfect gear selection.

http://www.compperformancegroupstores.com/store/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=TC&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=619570

New lock pockets from Silverhorse Racing.

These are the triple chromed lock Pockets from Silver Horse Racing.  I went ahead and got these even though the 'redesigned' version isn't out yet.  I'm hoping that they work well enough that I will not need to return them and get the newer design...

I took the Mustang up to Audio Tint Depot where we removed the existing Ford Plastic lock pockets and found the quick disconnects that Tyler built into the LED lights.  We were then able to remove the RadLites from the plastic pockets and thread them into the chrome ones.  With that done we reinstalled them and seated them into the doors.  These, as Silver Horse Racing stated, do not fit 100% true to OEM so I used a bit of the plastic trim adhesive to see if I could stabilize them.  Since there are no moving parts (door pins) in this install there's no fear of the repetitive movement knocking them free.

The completed project turned out just as wonderfully as I hoped.  The RadLites LED's look like they were made for these lock pockets.  They sit totally flush and blend beautifully with the pockets. When they are off you barely notice them.  At night the chrome amplifies the LED light even though these are bright enough on their own really.  

I'll post some pictures soon of the entire door with these installed.  Looks sharp. 

- Reba

Mother's Day

The kids got together and cashed in some of their empty dog and cat food cans to buy me a Mother's Day gift.  I think Momma Susan helped though because she had to go pick it up....


I now have my very own, and very blue, 2 Ton Jack, jackstands, chocks, and creeper.  I know...  It was just what I'd been wanting and will come in handy this summer as I get ready for Yellow Rose.


I was VERY EXCITED about being able to take the wheels off of the car to clean them (no more busted up hands) and with them off I can clean the wheel wells too.  Again, hard to do with the wheels in place.  I haven't had the chance to use them yet but I can't wait!


Thank you Momma Susan, Nicholas, Snoopy, Lil'Bit, Lilo, Haley Alexis, Casey, and Austin.  Oh, and I understand that Clyde, Jada, Jazz and Jerry helped too!


I love you!
Reba

New Hawk Brakes! Painted Calipers!

Hawk brake pads arrived today about 30 minutes after I had dropped the car off at NTB so I walked them down there and had the pleasure of getting to watch as he was machining my rear driver's side rotor.  He did say that the rear rotors were also warped... worse than the fronts... o.O

A couple of hours later I picked up the car and on the way back down to my office I ran it around the block making some hard stops from 35-45 MPH and some softer ones (not complete stops) and I can really tell the difference. I'm really pleased with the brakes and with NTB! Good job!

I was talking with Sarah via texting and she said if I brought the car by that she'd paint the calipers... WOOHOO! So, off I went to Sarah and Troy's!!!

 They turned out beautifully... Here are the pics of before, during, and after.

Thank you so much Sarah and Troy!! - Reba

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Well... I had some plans....

I was looking at fixing some paint/small body dents and also MAYBE upgrading the rims but Trinity has decided that other things are requiring attention first. 

I had noticed that on extreme braking (from higher speeds on the highway and track) that the response was diminished and the brakes seemed to almost "grind" a bit.  I thought maybe the ABS was kicking in a little too hard at first but my instinct, and experience, with my Mustangs told me not to guess.

Since we had a rain-out on AER Manufacturing's show last Saturday (rescheduled for 5/8/10) I took that opportunity to take her up to Bankston Arlington (prev. Texan) for a complimentary brake inspection.  Ends up the front pads are shot, the front rotors are warped and the rear pads are down to 4mm.   So... no paint and no rims right now.  Baby needs some brakes.

I just bought some ceramic brake pads on American Muscle:

• Hawk Performance Ceramic Brake Pads (2005+ Mustang GT/V6 Front Pair)   $94.99
• Hawk Performance Ceramic Brake Pads (2005+ Mustang GT/V6 Rear Pair)   $79.99

They should be here by Wednesday.  I talked with NTB down the street from work and got a quote on installing the pads and turning the rotors - $214.83 - for all four wheels.   Total for the whole thing - pads, install, turning the front and rear rotors - $411.92.  The dealership wanted $230 just to do the front (pads included) and another $230 for the rear. I'm saving a little bit AND I'm getting upgraded pads.  I could save more by having O'Reilly's turn the rotors at $15 each but I have to take them off the car and bring them in to them... not possible when it is your ONLY car.  :)  

It needs to be done so we'll bite the bullet and get it taken care of before it becomes a larger, more dangerous and more expensive problem.  I think I'll check with Sarah about painting the calipers too. :) 

- Reba

Visited with Daniel and Liz Chavez this afternoon.  They own a shop in Arlington that does Fabrication,  Paint and such (I don't have the card with me at the moment sorry).  Tyler recommended them and I needed some idea of what it would cost to fix that bad dent in the rear wheel well, some scratches, and possibly clear coat the car (future project).  It also allowed me to determine if I liked them, how they work, their attention to detail, commitment to quality and overall disposition.  I left there tonight pleased that I had made that trip.  I may not be able to afford to do everything that I want - yes, need even - to do but I know that I have found the shop can help me bring the ideas I have in my heart into wonderful mirror image reality.  Stay tuned!

Wow, it has been CRAZY!

As you know Palestine was cancelled so instead we hung out at Nostalgia Nights in Arlington before the weather came in and brought us, strangely enough, snow.  Flash forward to March 26th - Again we headed out to Nostalgia Nights but this time we got there early and it was packed!  The weather was perfect and everyone had a good time.  Saturday, March 27th, we headed over to North Richland Hills to the Christian Classic Cruiser's show.  I'd never been to theirs before.  It's a judged show and it really showed me how out of this I was!   It was a good night with friends nonetheless topped off with 80's night (LOL) at a bar "around the corner" in Wataga, Texas. 

April took off like a rocket with three shows on April 3rd. - Cars and Coffee - Dallas, Freddy's in Frisco, and Monthly Muscle in Plano.  The Cars and Coffee had probably over 1000 cars there!  There was a Bugatti, some Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Alfa Romeo, Lotus, Tesla...  You name the car and it was there.  Everyone had coffee, walked around and looked at cars, talked to owners and then went home.  It was really cool. 

I won my first award of 2010 at Freddy's. :)  Lastly the Monthly Muscle show was fun but I was TIRED.  :)  That's a lot of car shows for one day when you've been out of the circuit for a year.  :) 

April 10 - North Texas Mustang Club's first Cracker Barrel Cruise of the season and all of Tara, Justin and Vinny's hard work passing out flyers at all these shows paid off.  It was PACKED and I picked up my second award of the year. 

I still have some minor things I wanted to get done before Yellow Rose which, by the way, I will be in this year provided of course there is room.  I understand it is filling up quickly. 

I'll keep you updated!

Palestine cancelled... Yet...

Thanks to the wonderful change in weather the North Texas Mustang Club leaders decided to cancel the road trip to Palestine.  I was SO DISAPPOINTED having worked for months to prepare the car for its grand debut back into showing. :) So, not willing to go down without a fight, I suggested to Susan that after dinner we head out to the Friday night show on Little Road.  Didn't know at the time that our friend and fellow NTMC Members Tara and Justin were going out there to hand out flyers anyway.

Well, our dinner for two at Pluckers became three and Tara invited Justin who invited Troy & Sarah as well as Annie & Vinny.  Party time!  After dinner we headed over to the show.  It was a light crowd but I think it satisfied that "need to show" feeling for a little while.  It also let me see that the time and money spent back in December for the LED's was well invested.  We had a steady flow of folks over to check out the Stampede and the light show.  I had the underbody lights and engine lights on sound and the interior and trunk on steady.  Bass notes would kick the underbody on hard and the treble and mid tones had seven colors beating from under the hood.  I had anticipated the lights drawing the younger crowd and the little kids but was surprised to see the adults that came over too.  I was so stoked when we headed out for the night. :)

All in all, a good evening!  I'm looking forward to the next one!

Recent Changes

Here are some pictures of the recent changes. I've removed the door lock pins and replaced them with flush mount billet LED's (blue of course) from RadLites LED Lighting that are tied to the factory alarm system. When the key is removed and the factory system displays the Armed status in the cluster the lights in the doors also flash. The key, when inserted and moved to the on position, disables the factory alarm and thus the lights. These guys are BRIGHT at night.

These pictures also show the Kicker Subwoofer in the trunk and the kicker subs in the doors both of which now have the blue piping to set them off.

I've also added the blue piping to the top of the dash and returned it to the sides of the center stack (may not keep it there though). You can also see the new AC knobs, the shifter surround, the shifter handle covers, and etc.

Its all coming together! Scary part is I have a whole laundry list of things I still want to do. Of course very little of it has to do with the interior. :)


- Reba

Putting on the final touches...

It is almost here... the beginning to the show season - Palestine! The road trip to Palestine, the Dogwood Festival and the car show. There's nothing like 50+ Mustangs cruising down the highway!

We have a couple shows before Palestine but, to me, Palestine is the beginning of the season. This is what I have been working towards and waiting for. When the doctor gave me good news on Thursday, 3/11/10, it was Palestine that I was excited about. I finally get to show my car again!

I've got one item on the way but it may not get here in time. I've got a few more that I'd 'like to have but will have to wait on. I think at this point with the IRS money and Susan's generosity I've dropped a serious amount of cash into the car since December. More than I really want to add up to be honest. I'm already paranoid that someone is going to run into it.

I just added 6 more items. Two of these replaced items I already had. The others were new to the car:

* Action Artistry Auto Shift Bezel - Chrome Smooth
* Artistry Seat Strap Covers - Chrome
* Artistry Seat Release Levers - Chrome
* Artistry AC Knob Covers - Smooth Chrome
* Artistry Mustang A/C Trim Pieces - Smooth Chrome
* Chrome Billet Auto Trans. Handle Shrouds

The fun part was finding my original A/C knobs. Did you know those sell for $36 EACH from Ford? WTH? Anyway, luckily I didn't have to replace them.

She is looking VERY GOOD! New photos will be available soon!

- Reba

Good Progress...

Yeah! The x-rays from yesterday's appointment showed that there is, in fact, bone growth. This is GREAT news! Of course, I'm nowhere near being completely fused but it is a good sign. Doctor says I can move a bit more, even twist a little, but to remember that I'm still healing. I can increase my activities but I'm still limited quite a bit. That's okay... I can show the car in 2010! I just have to be careful. I'm having to realize, and accept, that this may be how things are for the rest of my life. Even if it does heal completely there's still the chance of another level (disc) being injured or this one being re-injured since it is technically "weaker". The hardware is there to help support it but it can break. Next appointment is in 9 months...

The Big Day

No, the Big Day isn't about a show or an event. This is the day that I go back to the doctor for a follow up and we see how/if the bone is fusing in my spine. Today is the day I've been waiting for since I woke up 6/8/09 in the recovery room following my surgery... Hopefully it be the end of the "recovery" period, time to relax a bit and begin to enjoy being pain free for the first time in YEARS (as in double digits here).

The appointment is at 4 PM, 3/11/10. PRAY and wish me luck!

- Reba

CHANGES SINCE MY LAST SHOW (May 2009)

Wow... I just took an inventory of the Mod List and put together a list of everything added since my last show. Impressive. I know that I want the car to reflect the transformation that I feel I've made in my life both physically and spiritually and I think I've accomplished that. Here is the list. I still have some to add to it hopefully before the next show. :)

INTERIOR:
• Chrome Upper Center Button Highlights - Action Artistry
• Chrome Wiper Accents - Action Artistry
• Chrome Side Air Vent Covers - Action Artistry
• Chrome Steering Wheel Accents - Action Artistry
• Chrome Steering Wheel Badge - Action Artistry
• Chrome Radio Button Highlights - Action Artistry
• Chrome Radio Knob Cover - Action Artistry
• Satin Billet Shoulder Belt Mount Accent - Scott Drake
• Satin Billet Windshield Washer Nozzle Covers - Scott Drake)
• Satin Billet Stock Door Lock Pins
• Polished Billet Headlight Knob - Action Artistry
• Polished Billet Lock Switch Covers - UPR
• Blue LED Trunk light (StreetGlow LED Pod)
• LEDGLOW Blue LED Lighting - Interior & Trunk
• Center Console 6-PC Dash Completion Kit - Silver

EXTERIOR:
• Chrome Mustang Taillight Trim- Stack Racing
• Chrome Mustang Third Brake Light Trim - Stack Racing
• Chrome Mustang Quarter Light Trim - Stack Racing
• Chrome Mustang Headlights with CCFL Halo (05-09)
• Chrome Pony Package Upper Billet Grille
• Chrome Billet lower Grille - V6
• OPTX by StreetGlow - Blue LED Lighting - Underbody
• SilverStar Headlights (H13) & Foglights (H11)

ENGINE BAY:
• LEDGLOW 7 Color LED Engine Lighting Kit

AUDIO:
• Shelby Kicker Premium Sound

We've had some record snowfall here lately (9-12 inches) in North Texas and we are expecting some more tonight and tomorrow. I won't be able to get some new pictures for you until the weather turns more Texas Like... which is in the high 50-60's. :) Thanks for stopping by!

- Reba

Install of dash kit pieces...

Check out some of the pictures of the install Susan and I did yesterday on my Mobile Me Gallery....   The kit is from Silver Horse Racing and is designed to finish off where the Interior Upgrade Package left off...  

Looks sharp!

:)

As always... more to come! 

- Reba

Recent Upgrades (Slideshow)

EXCITED!!!

Heading up to the installer's momentarily... This Shelby Kicker Premium Shaker Upgrade is on the UPS truck for delivery this morning and should (hopefully) be installed today along with some other minor additions... :)

Other items recently added:

• Action Artistry steering wheel highlights
• Action Artistry steering wheel badge
• Action Artistry side mirror knob cover

Photos soon...  

- Reba

Side Vent Covers arrived...

When I last posted I stated I was waiting on two items:

• Side Air Vent Covers - Chrome (Action Artistry)
• Billet Lock Switch Covers - Polished (UPR)

Yesterday the Side Air Vent Covers arrived from V6MustangStuff.com. The Billet Lock Switch Covers are being drop shipped directly from UPR on behalf of V6MustangStuff.  I'm still awaiting an update on those. 

Of course, the vent covers were promptly installed. They had the tiniest amount of 3M tape on them and, strangely enough, only on the bottom edge. I found that this really wasn't enough to hold them in place. I applied a very light and thin strip of silicone adhesive to the top and bottom of each and held them in place for about 30 seconds to allow the adhesive to begin to set. Within an hour they were perfect. This morning I tested them and they aren't going anywhere. :) 

I took some quick photos with the iPhone for now. When I take some better quality ones I'll post those.   

Let me know what you think of these and the other new additions.

- Reba