thunderbird swap

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BrklynExpress

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What components can we swap into an LS from the thunderbird. is the dash plug and play? What about the nicer leather seats?
 
drivetrain, most suspension, see my post about the subframe connector, center console, shifter, seats, steering wheel
 
BrklynExpress said:
What components can we swap into an LS from the thunderbird. is the dash plug and play? What about the nicer leather seats
Click to expand...
If by "dash" you mean the instrument cluster (as opposed to the center stack or trim), that's definitely not plug and play--no dash is plug and play in the LS. It should work, but it has to be "married" to the PCM by a FLM dealer (or, IIRC, someone with a Ford NGS tester) because it contains the odometer information.
 
I got a good look at the Tbird seat and they are different, the headrest and the seat stitching is different as well. I like the seat pattern better than the LS. Especially that Ford put a Tbird emblem in the headrest, there should have been a Lincoln emblem in ours.
 
As to the cluster
to make it work it would be easier to swap the faceplate.
You have to be careful pulling off the instrument needles.
Once off there are 2 spots of glue at the bases of the big needles that have to be gently cut with a boxcutter blade.
5 minute epoxy can be used to glue in the new faceplate at the same places.
The needles are powered by small electric motor type devices.
Once the cluster is reinstaled the needles will do a sweep to reset themselves.
Since you use your original cluster there is no marrying to pay for or worry about working as a dealer will not guarantee a customer supplied used cluster.
You also don't have to worry about the pc language.
Gen 1 and Gen 2 clusters will not interchange.
Gen 1s are PWM and Gen 2s are CAN.
A Gen 2 car won't even start unless it's married to the car.
Gen 1s will start but beep in reverse and at over 70 mph until married.
Not sure which one the Tbird is.
I put a Gen 1 metric faceplate on an extra Gen 2 cluster I have but am going to take it out and put it in my original cluster due to this "married" to the car stuff.
 
I still would prefer a crimson red intrument cluster...too bad I can't steal one off a damn mazda or audi or pontiac :P
 
04SCTLS said:
As to the cluster
to make it work it would be easier to swap the faceplate.
You have to be careful pulling off the instrument needles.
Once off there are 2 spots of glue at the bases of the big needles that have to be gently cut with a boxcutter blade.
5 minute epoxy can be used to glue in the new faceplate at the same places.
The needles are powered by small electric motor type devices.
Once the cluster is reinstaled the needles will do a sweep to reset themselves.
Since you use your original cluster there is no marrying to pay for or worry about working as a dealer will not guarantee a customer supplied used cluster.
You also don't have to worry about the pc language.
Gen 1 and Gen 2 clusters will not interchange.
Gen 1s are PWM and Gen 2s are CAN.
A Gen 2 car won't even start unless it's married to the car.
Gen 1s will start but beep in reverse and at over 70 mph until married.
Not sure which one the Tbird is.
I put a Gen 1 metric faceplate on an extra Gen 2 cluster I have but am going to take it out and put it in my original cluster due to this "married" to the car stuff.
Click to expand...

I have no clue how right or wrong you are... but that is a pretty damn good idea. It avoids all the dealer and will it work BS. This project becomes a simple face swap (compared to getting the electronics to work) with some custom work on your behalf. I like it. Smartest post I've seen on this subject. Of course thats compare to re-pete who failed at posting a friggin picture

ford_thunderbird_deluxe_2005_dashboard_dashboard.jpg
 
Looks like you would be giving up some power options since the Thunderbird seat has manual recline.
 
SPSully said:
I have no clue how right or wrong you are... but that is a pretty damn good idea. It avoids all the dealer and will it work BS. This project becomes a simple face swap (compared to getting the electronics to work) with some custom work on your behalf. I like it. Smartest post I've seen on this subject. Of course thats compare to re-pete who failed at posting a friggin picture

ford_thunderbird_deluxe_2005_dashboard_dashboard.jpg
Click to expand...

you do know I made the suggestion sully.....no need to have a gerbil up your butt
 
SPSully said:
I have no clue how right or wrong you are... but that is a pretty damn good idea. It avoids all the dealer and will it work BS. This project becomes a simple face swap (compared to getting the electronics to work) with some custom work on your behalf. I like it. Smartest post I've seen on this subject. Of course thats compare to re-pete who failed at posting a friggin picture

ford_thunderbird_deluxe_2005_dashboard_dashboard.jpg
Click to expand...

That's so familiar, yet slightly different. It's like the bizarro version of the LS front interior. :shifty:
 
How comfortable are the T-bird seats? Are the seatbelts built in? Do they tilt and slide forward like coupe seats or just normal recline type motion?
 
The gauges from the pictures of those two different T-Birds look completely different. I like the blue needles but would it even be possible to swap them? Oh and pete you did post a picture of a vette, if you don't believe me click the link lol :p
 
I've always liked the T-Bird shift knob and steering wheel. My family has a 2003 Ford Thunderbird that we never drive. I believe it only has 9,000 miles on it or so.
 
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