What are your plans for your AU in 2013..?

[auIILTD]

Originally Posted by sly

Do you have a build thread for that?

The bartsau build thread here. Fantastic effort - one of my favourite AU build threads.

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11285330

Stu

[dcstraight]

Sell T1.

New motor for T2 (nearly there!). New (to me) interior, start saving biccies for brembos, fit T-Series bobtail spoiler awaiting paint

[zlcrazy]

Well,

I was going to sell mine after owning it one and half years and only doing about 2000-3000 kms as i use my main car, a BF SR for family duties, weekend trips etc.

I was going to buy a car suitable for heavy towing, had been looking for ages and then it hit me. I already had one!!!

So next year i will be getting the following fitted:

-Hayman & Reese Heavy Duty Towpack
-Transmission Cooler and Service
-New Bumper Air Deflector (Black Undertray)
-Maybe get rear bumper and radiator grille painted

It has only done 132000kms and never had a towbar fitted so it pretty much perfect for the job fingers crossed.

[lotus]

Do all the things that I didn't do in 2012 !!!

[SantoAU]

At this stage, not a lot. Buying a house is taking financial preference. However, on the list if I can work the books a bit:

• new head unit to replace clagged factory one

• some factory 18" rims

• lowered

[Silver']

Well 2012 was a busy year with a lot of smaller things sorted so I've a fairly small list...

• fine tune the reverse camera positioning
• sand & polish the rear rims ASAP!
• respray driver's door handle
• Walbro pump
• replace bootlid / repair cracked spoiler (outsource)
• strip & respray front bumper (outsource)
• or maybe just let someone talk me into a full respray?
• replace suspect heater core slow (tiny) leak incl. a/c regas
• Maybe replace all the remaining cooling system hoses as they're getting on...

I'm sure I'll think of more soon enough...

[OwnTheRoad]

Originally Posted by SilverT2TE50

Well 2012 was a busy year with a lot of smaller things sorted so I've a fairly small list...

• fine tune the reverse camera positioning
• sand & polish the rear rims ASAP!
• respray driver's door handle
• Walbro pump
• replace bootlid / repair cracked spoiler (outsource)
• strip & respray front bumper (outsource)
• or maybe just let someone talk me into a full respray?
• replace suspect heater core slow (tiny) leak incl. a/c regas
• Maybe replace all the remaining cooling system hoses as they're getting on...

I'm sure I'll think of more soon enough...

Install 347 stroker kit
Install B&H supercharger
Install child restraint bolt Lol

[MGGT RAA]

Now the blowers in and working like a charm, the only thing happening in 2013 is upgrade the brakes then mountains of track days...

[EBW-302]

My plans are to just drive it, and avoid elderly drivers so this one doesnt get written off.

Ive just got a few interior pieces to do before AFD and im done.

Might lower it yet again, see how low I can go without bags

[Vincenzo]

Moving into a unit in an area set aside for "the Elderly" and apparently cannot have two cars. So, the AU will go to be repaired and painted probably like the car below, then I will let my Daughter use it.



Cheers Vincenzo

[sirchAU]

Just a couple of fiddly bits and pieces to do, nothing major...

Rear RH door actuator replaced
10mm whitewalls on the tyres
Slotted rear rotors
Meguiars clay bar paint correction, polish and wax
New aerial, thinking one of those black flexi ones
Replace rear suspension bushes
Series 3 AU side skirts
Fix the lights behind HVAC controls
Paint centre fascia satin black
New speakers
More leather bits for interior - handbrake, gearknob, console lid

Maybe list:
Paint brake calipers red
Rear power window conversion and fit Ghia leather door trims to match front
Headlining starting to sag
Series 2/3 Tickford kit
High series bonnet and Ghia grill
Series 2 front end brake upgrade
Colour code side moulds

[mercury39]

Probably get up to a genuine 60k on my 98 Au Futura, and try to find out why my braking power has diminished since the rotors were machined with new pads, without exaggerating it had such good brakes it always worried me in heavy traffic that in a sudden need to stop could the car behind match it, and I'm puzzled when I see complaints about the AU's braking on this forum, surely I couldn't have had the greatest AU brakes on the road, but now I would estimate a loss of efficiency near to a third since the work was carried out, I can only assume either non genuine parts were used, and a much harder type of pad, the difference is I have had to change my driving style to suit, before only a light pedal pressure to stop very rapidly, now a harder pressure and not so rapid breaking.

I was going to ask this question to see if others had similar experience, but wasn't sure where to post it, tried a search under AU brake problems but nothing came up.

[Silver']

I had an AU1 XR6 HP for several months back on 2001 and the brakes on that were deadly...they'd fade sooo easily. But I did also notice that the front wheels weren't as dusty as the rears so I figure that it had low dust pads fitted to the detriment of actually stopping the car!
If I were you I'd keep it simple and go back to the workshop and tell them the brakes don't work as well now and you feel it's dangerous. Very few workshops would be brave enough not to take meaningful action, and most wouldn't want to for one second.

Asking for genuine pads is a reasonable thing to do for someone in your position. They will cost more though.

Having said that, if you do so few km's, perhaps they have simply not bedded in yet?

[Teknoslasher]

New AU.

[mercury39]

SilverT2TE50: I had an AU1 XR6 HP for several months back on 2001 and the brakes on that were deadly...they'd fade sooo easily. But I did also notice that the front wheels weren't as dusty as the rears so I figure that it had low dust pads fitted to the detriment of actually stopping the car!
If I were you I'd keep it simple and go back to the workshop and tell them the brakes don't work as well now and you feel it's dangerous. Very few workshops would be brave enough not to take meaningful action, and most wouldn't want to for one second.

Asking for genuine pads is a reasonable thing to do for someone in your position. They will cost more though.

Having said that, if you do so few km's, perhaps they have simply not bedded in yet?

Mecury39: Yes like you I thought better give them time to bed in, now too many months have gone by and done about 2k since they were replaced, so no improvement, next time I'm passing them I'll call in and ask a few questions, I want genuine Ford pads next time, the brakes are not dangerous but no where as good as original, I know soft pads wear quicker but they're fantastic stoppers so that's the next lot, makes me wonder how many Ford buyers who maybe bought used Fords never thought about pad make, and hard versus soft, I'm not hard on brakes, anticipation and manouvering save hard braking, wether soft pads cause more brake fade I don't know, the funny part now is my old EA S/W brakes are as good as my AU, so I don't have to adjust to the braking difference between both cars now, anyway thanks for your thoughts.

[Dezza]

Repair rust spots in bootlid and drivers door a-pillar
Give paint cut and polish
Realign front bar so it sits a little better

I did more than I'd planned for it in 2012 (must update build thread). Just drive it and put the focus into the EA.

[Silver']

Originally Posted by SilverT2TE50

Well 2012 was a busy year with a lot of smaller things sorted so I've a fairly small list...

• fine tune the reverse camera positioning
• sand & polish the rear rims ASAP!
• respray driver's door handle
• Walbro pump
• replace bootlid / repair cracked spoiler (outsource)
• strip & respray front bumper (outsource)
• or maybe just let someone talk me into a full respray?
• replace suspect heater core slow (tiny) leak incl. a/c regas
• Maybe replace all the remaining cooling system hoses as they're getting on...

I'm sure I'll think of more soon enough...

One down...
fine tune the reverse camera positioning
sand & polish the rear rims ASAP!
respray driver's door handle
Walbro pump
replace bootlid / repair cracked spoiler (outsource)
strip & respray front bumper (outsource)
or maybe just let someone talk me into a full respray?
replace suspect heater core slow (tiny) leak incl. a/c regas
Maybe replace all the remaining cooling system hoses as they're getting on...

[TheInterceptor]

Originally Posted by TheInterceptor

Fix freaking oil leaks!
New radiator and system flush.
Fresh diff oil.
New coilpack and leads.
Install more power outlets.
UHF radio.
Maaaybe a HD towbar.
And depending on where i will live and what job, i might begin the RTV project

Added on:
Water pump

One down! One added. Back to square one!

[OffRoadFalcon]

Originally Posted by Mr. Grinzy

I plan to buy one early in 2013... what comes after that is yet to be decided (more like if funds allow :P)

Change this to Series 2 or 3 Fairlane with the Windsor 5.0, then make better bigger mudflaps, S2 Fairmont/S3 Futura wheels, numberplate covers, light bar with spot lights and UHF!

Then the lower half shall be painted in a 'gravel road' red!

[auIILTD]

Originally Posted by Mr. Grinzy

Change this to Series 2 or 3 Fairlane with the Windsor 5.0, then make better bigger mudflaps, S2 Fairmont/S3 Futura wheels, numberplate covers, light bar with spot lights and UHF!

Then the lower half shall be painted in a 'gravel road' red!

Grinzy, No such thing as a S3 Fairlane to best of my knowledge. Fairlanes and LTDs only went to S2. I guess this was due to the declining sales numbers around that time?

Stu

[OffRoadFalcon]

Originally Posted by auIILTD

Grinzy, No such thing as a S3 Fairlane to best of my knowledge. Fairlanes and LTDs only went to S2. I guess this was due to the declining sales numbers around that time?

Stu

Really? How come there's a series 3 in the brochures section then? It has the same larger side skirt as the S3 Fairmont/Falcon... Which I would remove because I despise the unevenness between it and the bumpers!

Can you shed any light on that one?

[auIILTD]

No Ginzy. I did say 'the best of my knowledge'. OK you learn something every day. Definitely no AU3 LTD, I just assumed incorrectly that it applied the Lanes too.

Same sideskirts as my AU2 LTD. The plot thickens.

[OffRoadFalcon]

Originally Posted by auIILTD

No Grinzy. I did say 'the best of my knowledge'. OK you learn something every day. Definitely no AU3 LTD, I just assumed incorrectly that it applied the Lanes too.

Same sideskirts as my AU2 LTD. The plot thickens.

Ah right, no worries Stu! I was aware there's no AU3 LTD.
I didn't notice the "the best of my knowledge", I read it in bed after I woke up!

Yep thats the skirt... for some reason I seem to be one of the only people who dislikes it!

[TheInterceptor]

Originally Posted by Mr. Grinzy

Ah right, no worries Stu! I was aware there's no AU3 LTD.
I didn't notice the "the best of my knowledge", I read it in bed after I woke up!

Yep thats the skirt... for some reason I seem to be one of the only people who dislikes it!

Yeah nah....the sideskirts must die..!!! (imo )

[falconnut]

Hopefully Turbo as i could not afford it last year and a strengthened driveline and some suspension mods

[TRIPOLI]

Fix the oil leaks and then either a turbo or a supercharger havent quite decided yet

[SVR73]

actually drive it. wheel bearing, tyres and brake pads and change lubricants then drive it a couple times a week. car has been sitting around for all of 2012. 126,500 km on it since Jan 20th 2012

not bad km for a fifteen year old car but pretty sad that it sits around
no more modifications - just drive it by myself or with a friend's early falcon and that's it - no shows, no cruises with others, no club stuff until 2018

I'll drive it to a show that year for it's 20th anniversary

[sly]

Originally Posted by sly

My list for 2013 is simply to replace the donk that died last month from a sudden total loss of oil pressure. No-one near me will take on an XR6T transplant, so a V8 transplant with the Raptor grafted onto it and perhaps an SVI install is looking like a good option.

Looks like V8 wagon springs are the same as I6 ones, which helps.

Been talking to the QH guru about tuning, doesn't seem too bad.

I guess I'll need a V8 ute tailshaft?

Ohh, yes... I need to install a speedo gear to suit the 3.73 LSD (or a Jaycar signal bender).

Well that lasted about as long as a typical New Year's resolution...

Now planning to trailer the car to Sydney for CMS to slot in a BF XR6T donk and wire it all up for me. Get it engineer certified and add an SVI underbonnet kit. Change the diff back to the stock 3.23 or maybe 3.08 due to the high proportion of highway miles in my daily commute. Keep the LSD centre. Quieten the exhaust down enough to pass the EPA test... aiming to keep near-stock noise levels with a conservative 250RWKW tune. Stealth FTW

Get the car to an upholsterer to fix the usual driver's seat worn patch on the backrest frame and falling headlining. Probably get both front seats retrimmed, new foam fitted and bolstered a bit more on the sides.

Let's see how long that lasts...

[Evgeni]

First maintenance job for the AU for 2013, oil change, pads and rotors and wheel alignment and found that one side of the rear sits 10mm lower than the other.

So looks like a new set of rear springs to add to the list.

[EL.50]

Originally Posted by Mr. Grinzy

Really? How come there's a series 3 in the brochures section then? It has the same larger side skirt as the S3 Fairmont/Falcon... Which I would remove because I despise the unevenness between it and the bumpers!

Can you shed any light on that one?

Definitely no such thing as an S3 Fairlane. I've owned a late 2002 Sportsman, and every book that it comes with says S2.