stealthzx3's ZX3 build

[stealthzx3]

alright, so this will be my on-going build thread. i've always been fascinated with cars since a was a little kid. after my first Toyota threw a rod, i was driving a 99' Chevy metro. then one day, my dad found my 2001 ZX3 on craigslist for 1,200. i called the owner and talked to them about buying it. so i held my breath, and sold my metro and borrowed a little extra cash from my mom to buy the Focus.
my dad and I drove an hour to go check it out. we took it for a test drive, and i almost immediately fell in love with it. it was compact yet comfortable, and very fun to drive. somehow we walked away with it for $900. it sat in the garage because it needed a heater core flush (it was winter), oil change, fresh coolant, and 2 tires. eventually, my dad got annoyed of me driving his minivan because he was stuck with a dodge ram getting under 20mpg. so he bought me 2 new tires and paid for registration.
i loved driving it around, because i felt like a bada$$ compared to driving in that metro, lol. i remember going on a Tercel forum and learning about my car; that's when i found FocusFanatics :D


after that, i started painting the interior pieces, because that's the only thing i could afford.


one day, i picked up a can of the VHT Niteshades. i did my bumper and grille signals.
don't mind the eyelids here, i got bored and made them out of electrical tape LOL


i also debadged it, but i don't have a shot of that right away. i eventually figured out how to open my hatch (hatch button doesn't work and the key doesn't fit in) and nite-shaded my tails.


looking around in the how-to archive, i found the Hope Depot grille. i made the upper and lower and painted them black.


i just got a debit card in my name, so i ordered my first thing. the blue LED dome light.


i got around to getting 2 cans of plasti-dip. i took off the crappy electrical tape and painted real eyelids on. then i found time to plastidip my wheels too.


looking around for a sleeker looking antenna than just cutting the stock antenna in half, i found the antenna stub. 2 vacuum plugs on the stock base. i think it looks cleaner.


i recently bought a damaged SVT wing which i need to fix up and install.


today, i plasti-dipped the vent surrounds and handles to switch it up a bit.


this is how she sits now. i have a lot of mods in mind.


i'm taking it pretty slow for now, as i have to support my girlfriend and I with a minimum wage job.
i have many ideas for the future, and thankfully, i have the "focus graveyard" somewhat close to get nice parts.
thanks for taking the time to read this, and i will post new mods when it happens.

[Sponsor]

[LouBomb]

nice dude! tbh a damper kit would be nice and afforable along with tints would really change the car. i feel on you on the slow and steady pace im on the same boat

[pyroinsa]

Sweet find for just $900, and it looks like it is well equipped thats a plus! Tint wouls be nice and affordable, just stay away from DiY on the tint - never seen a DiY tint look good.

Something that I would do is restore the headlights, for $20 it will really clean up the front, possibly paint the housings black too?

[stealthzx3]

Originally Posted by IMPORTKILLA35

nice dude! tbh a damper kit would be nice and afforable along with tints would really change the car. i feel on you on the slow and steady pace im on the same boat

i know what you mean, i want to drop it 1.5" or so. need to find good but cheap springs. also looking into the tint.

Originally Posted by pyroinsa

Sweet find for just $900, and it looks like it is well equipped thats a plus! Tint wouls be nice and affordable, just stay away from DiY on the tint - never seen a DiY tint look good.

Something that I would do is restore the headlights, for $20 it will really clean up the front, possibly paint the housings black too?

i've been looking into tint, it would be around 250 all around i think. i tried cleaning the headlight but i guess that was temporary, i'll keep an eye out for a good cleaner for a good price. and i do want to paint the housings black, i'm not sure what kind of epoxy to use to seal it back up when i'm done; i don't want any moisture to get in or anything.

[zx3_bmxrider]

Holy balls your car was 900?? How many miles are on it? lol

[stealthzx3]

Originally Posted by zx3_bmxrider

Holy balls your car was 900?? How many miles are on it? lol

yep it was posted for 1200 and i got it for 900. it had 136k when i got it, about 138,5xx now :D

edit: i lied, i'm right under 139k

[streetfreaks]

Nice pick up man

[02fordsvt]

Originally Posted by timboslice

i'm not sure what kind of epoxy to use to seal it back up when i'm done; i don't want any moisture to get in or anything.

Basically any silicone will work fine.

Looking good and subscribed.

[pyroinsa]

Don't know if you saw this or not, I am thinking about using this guide for my factory headlights

http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=59986

[stealthzx3]

Originally Posted by streetfreaks

Nice pick up man

thanks!

Originally Posted by 02fordsvt

Basically any silicone will work fine.

Looking good and subscribed.

awesome, i'll keep it updated! ;D

Originally Posted by pyroinsa

Don't know if you saw this or not, I am thinking about using this guide for my factory headlights

http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=59986

yeah, i've checked this out. i'd just be a little nervous dissecting my headlights. i might try it out though!