Prime'z 87 Mustang T-Top GT

Prime

Shut up Baby, I know it!
Admin
Location
Denver Adjacent
Alright boys and girls. Everybody gather around. Its time to tell a story.

When I was 18 (1999), fresh out of high school, I needed a car. A buddy of mine had a '92 4-cyl LX Mustang 5-speed. So he let me drive it. And promptly, I told him, "I wan't this....with 3 times the power." And thus my obsession with the Fox body Mustang was born. First was an '89 GT. Picked it up for about $3k. Oxford white w/ Grey interior. 5-speed, of course. A beautiful car. Something else was born that day. The mod bug.

Here it was in its heyday. Brand new cammed 306 crate motor, CAI, braces, LX tail lights, & Pony wheels. I did a lot of the work myself. This car is really what I cut my teeth on for wiring, mechanical issues, motors, transmissions. Sure there were a few things I couldn't do because of a lack of tools. BUT. This was the first car that I REALLY got into. Had the car for only 2 years.

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And here it is the last day I drove it.

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Guy cut in front of me on a 45mph road. Had no choice but to hit him. His fault, he got a ticket, and a broken arm. I learned the value of seat belts. I still have that smashed up PRIMEZ license plate on my wall in the garage.

But I couldn't stop there. I had to find a better specimen. Something that could be had for cheap, and made great.

And that's when I found it in March 2001.

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The never ending mustang project to end all mustang projects. For me at least. I had plans. Big ones. And with the car only costing me $2k. I figured what the hell. It looked like garbage, it had almost 200,000 miles on it, it leaked from every orifice possible, the headliner was falling down, and it needed a new clutch just to move. I didn't care. IT HAS T-TOPS! They only made the T-Top cars in this body style for a year and a half! This was the king of Fox Body Mustangs in my eyes. I had to have it.

Let the mods begin!

You can tell from the earlier pictures that IMMEDIATELY the LX tail lights and Pony wheels came over from the wrecked '89. What you can't see is that the computer, MAF system, & main harness also came over. Converting the car from speed density to Mass Air. Reason being is that the Mass Air computer is more tolerant of mods. Also carried over were the strut tower brace & K-Member brace from the '89. Impressively, both of these pieces escaped the wreck unscathed and actually, in my belief, these braces minimized the damage as much as possible to the front end. Keeping the motor in good shape, not collapsing the entire front end on to my legs, etc.

From there I went a different route with this car. I didn't even touch the engine. I just put an aftermarket shifter in it, and went on attacking the suspension. Springs, control arms, braces, you name it. I made is car handle on rails.

I did experiment a little...

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Once I purchased a Heep for a daily driver, I thought it was time to really get into this car.

I pulled the engine and EVERYTHING out of the engine bay in 2004.

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While I was at it, I did a junk yard swap to 5-Lugs on the wheels. Fortunately, the Heep got new meats, so I had wheels to put on the car to roll it around the yard. It sat in this condition for WELL over a year.

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Later (in 2005) I ditched the junk yard drums in the rear and converted to GT disc's. Also found these kick ass '99 Cobra wheels on eBay.

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About the same time, I finally started on the body work. Full color conversion (Chrysler Patriot Blue....yes....I know its a Chrysler color. But it looks awsome)

There was a shop around the corner form my house, so some buddies and I pushed the car like 4 blocks to get it there. It started with the engine bay. I wanted that done so that I could start putting the engine back in it and get it functional again.

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In early 2008, I covered the entire inside of the vehicle with Dynamat.

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Again, it sat like that for a WHILE. I kinda slacked off on the whole project. Unfortunately, and I'm really kicking myself now, there are no real pictures of the middle part of the story. Thought about selling it a few times...I had been riding a motorcycle for my ONLY mode of transportation for over 2 years. And while it was fun to ride, going to the grocery store sucked. Going out of town sucked. Being in the rain sucked. I found my resolve. I got a motor from a donor car just to get it running. Turns out, it was a cammed 306. Just like I used to have. And it ran GREAT! (despite the rear man seal leak)

After about $6k in body work, paint, and parts.....and another 8 months....

SHE WAS BACK!

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Even for me, and my wallet, it was hard to believe that it was the same car. But it was. While the body work was being done I had the door lock on the hatch and the factory antenna shaved. The trunk has an electronic release that if it ever fails I can always climb through the back seats to pop it and replace the actuator. And I never listen to terrestrial radio. So why did I need an arial?? New carpets, dynamat, brand new T5z transmission. Everything was awesome. This was also the point when I started swapping in LED bulbs into the car. Started with the turn signals, and worked my way around. Today, the exterior is ALL LED. Plus the dome lights. Dash is next.

Then, tragedy. In 2009, we got a TERRIBLE nor'easter. The entire area where I lived at the time w/ my wife (though only dating at the time) flooded. Her car was a TOTAL loss. I managed to get the Stang out of the flooded parking lot before the salt water reached the computer. It got into the interior, into the exhaust, into the wheel bearings, the axle, the transmission, but the car still drove. I managed to drive it out to a buddies house 25 minutes away. It lived in his garage for several months. Insurance finally coughed up over $2k for repairs. They didn't total it!

So, I went to town. Changed out the interior for 2003 GT Leather, replaced the carpet (again), some of the wiring, got it back up and going. AGAIN.

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Shortly after, I bought the X. And then the Mustang was officially relegated to project car.

I tinkered here and there. Upgrading the GT discs in the back to Cobra discs. Also swapped the wheels for 2012 GT500 wheels. 2012 marked 25 years for the car making it possible to put antique plates on it. $50 one time registration, no other registration costs EVER, plus no more state inspection.

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The last few months I've been working on a much LARGER project. I'm swapping in an IRS unit from an '04 Cobra. Good bye live axle, hello modern cornering & 3.73 gears!

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Its a HUGE project. But surprisingly all drilling and bolting. No welding.

The other thing I've done is completely ripped out the interior.............again........for the 3rd time

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basically, the salt water corrosion is still wreaking havoc on my electrical system. So I've replaced the ENTIRE body harness from the drivers side kick panel back to the tail lights.

At the same time I'll also be wiring for a 5-channel amp to run off of the top shelf Pioneer Premiere head unit and push the Infinity Component speakers that exist in all 4 corners. Once all the wiring is done, and the axle installed, its off to get a new catback installed and have the carpet professionally fitted. Because the last time when I did it......uhm......no......

I want this to be the LAST time I pull the interior from this car. When it goes back together this time, thats it. It's done.

That's all for now. I'll be back w/ some updates as the remaining parts come in for the axle swap.
 
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Jack Stilts

Skid Plates
Location
Michigan
I've always seen that GT thing in your signature...I had no idea it went through this much! I'm not even a Mustang guy, but you really turned that thing into a beautiful ride.
 

Prime

Shut up Baby, I know it!
Admin
Location
Denver Adjacent
No. I did a bit of drag racing with the white one. 14 flat quarter mile. I then discovered that drag racing is boring. That's why this car is being put together for autocross / road racing.
 

Cameron23

Skid Plates
Founding Member
Location
Kansas
Bummer that you had a boring experience with it. We have a strip like 10 minutes from my college in Pittsburg Kansas and these backwoods guys bring the craziest Shiz out here lol. Just watched an chevy S10 run a 7.56 1/4 miles and he let up before the end because he felt lift


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CaptainMorgan_SOS

Need Bigger Tires
Location
Alamogordo, NM
Hey man, nice build! Good luck with installing than independent rear. That's what these fox bodies really need. They are light and pretty nimble so the irs will even make it more so.
 

gorillamel

Lockers Installed
Founding Member
Location
Idaho!
As another non-Mustang person, I can clearly see the time and effort you put into this vehicle. And you've done a great job! It looks amazing. Cannot wait to see it progress.
 

dhyde79

Titan Swapped / SAS'd
Founding Member
Location
Amarillo, TX
Very nice indeed sir, though.... 351W block and high rise intake, 302 heads, BOSS302 cam, and a respectable TT kit are in order...
 

Prime

Shut up Baby, I know it!
Admin
Location
Denver Adjacent
Thanks. But no thanks. No power adders. And I don't want to run a cowl hood. The 306 already has a cam in it. I think I'm in good shape.
 

BigTim55

Banned
Location
San Antonio
Whoa. Can't believe I missed this. I like the fox bodies! Where did the name primez come from? I've always wondered

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Prime

Shut up Baby, I know it!
Admin
Location
Denver Adjacent
Whoa. Can't believe I missed this. I like the fox bodies! Where did the name primez come from? I've always wondered

Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk

It's a relic of the early 90s when everyone was using the free 40 hours of AOL that came in the mail. Every time you used a new one you have to come up with a new screen name. So after a few hundred times of doing this and coming up with new ones...... I came up with Primelord. And it stuck. And then I grew up. So I shortened it to make it a little more socially acceptable. To Prime. And I have always put a z at the end for some reason.

I've also told this story before. In that other thread about screen names.
 

BigTim55

Banned
Location
San Antonio
It's a relic of the early 90s when everyone was using the free 40 hours of AOL that came in the mail. Every time you used a new one you have to come up with a new screen name. So after a few hundred times of doing this and coming up with new ones...... I came up with Primelord. And it stuck. And then I grew up. So I shortened it to make it a little more socially acceptable. To Prime. And I have always put a z at the end for some reason.

I've also told this story before. In that other thread about screen names.

ohhhh I think it was your gang nickname lol

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dhyde79

Titan Swapped / SAS'd
Founding Member
Location
Amarillo, TX
Thanks. But no thanks. No power adders. And I don't want to run a cowl hood. The 306 already has a cam in it. I think I'm in good shape.

well, with that setup, you don't REALLY need forced induction...you can run it happily without, it's a pretty high compression setup anyway.... ;)
 

dhyde79

Titan Swapped / SAS'd
Founding Member
Location
Amarillo, TX
He already had the Windsor, and I seem to recall it was a 5.0 LX so all he bought was the cam...and the trans obviously
 

Prime

Shut up Baby, I know it!
Admin
Location
Denver Adjacent
I attempted the first test fit of the axle over the weekend. Had to figure out the brake lines.

Should have this thing back on the ground soon!
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Prime

Shut up Baby, I know it!
Admin
Location
Denver Adjacent
Well crap. I decided to drop the front to replace the springs since I had to buy a full set for the IRS. this balljoint is completely trashed.

Moar work!
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J Everett

Suspension Lift
Founding Member
Location
Houma, LA
My gobble. A T-Top Fox in that kind of shape is like a unicorn. IRS from Cobra-R makes it a a platinum rainbow unicorn. And that Chrysler Patriot Blue looks fantastic. I've always wanted a Fox body Mustang, but I don't think I have the patience to take one in the current condition most of them are in and build it into a decent car.

Your work is admirable. I love it. Except....IRS now and no Cobra wheels?! :(
 

Prime

Shut up Baby, I know it!
Admin
Location
Denver Adjacent
My gobble. A T-Top Fox in that kind of shape is like a unicorn. IRS from Cobra-R makes it a a platinum rainbow unicorn. And that Chrysler Patriot Blue looks fantastic. I've always wanted a Fox body Mustang, but I don't think I have the patience to take one in the current condition most of them are in and build it into a decent car.

Your work is admirable. I love it. Except....IRS now and no Cobra wheels?! :(
I just came in here to grab some of these pictures and reread your comment. What do you mean, no Cobra wheels? Those are 2010 Shelby GT500 wheels! And they're way nicer than the 99 Cobra wheels I had.
 
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