Infra-Red Focus RS replica/conversion build!

[hurtinfocus]

not a huge update, but I ordered what I think is the last of the detail peices needed.....

fender markers



bumper markers (I already have amber ones, and clear fender indicators.....going to try both colors and see which I like more)



RS replica grill (I might be a dick and mold this too, HAHA)



"RS" grille emblem, this isn't a true focus RS emblem, just generic....I'm thinking driverside centered at the edge of the grille to be different)



Then three of the red ones of these:



one on each glossy area of the door (pillar), and one on the tailgate

I'm planning to whip up the CF front splitter this weekend/week using a beat up used splitter I snagged as a template. After that I'll make front fenders and paint the front bumper/fenders and get the front clip on.

[hurtinfocus]

Removed the rear bumper, crash foam, and SVT wing today





Going to start making the front lip mold tomorrow for a CF splitter. I'll post progress on that as I go. Late next week I plan to set up the front fender molds and lay my fiberglass for those, so maybe in two weeks I'll have the front clip finished. I did a practice mold out of cardboard and came up with a pretty awesome way to make them if I do say so myself.

[hurtinfocus]

So continuing with my DIY fashion, I played around with my OEM RS wing on lunchbreak....and I noticed a few things I didnt like. Mine's damaged (bought it damaged on purpose) so I won't feel bad bastardizing an OEM RS part to make something my own(as with everything else in this build). The mounting points don't line up with the USDM focus holes in the hatch, so new holes have to be drilled. One of the mounting studs is already busted, and it would be pretty hard to mold the wing in a way that I could retain these in reproductions anyways.....so I'm going to grind them off and attach it with screws instead. I also don't like the way the wing goes "on-top" of the hatch, rather than feathering out to the edge of the hatch to look like its PART of the hatch rather than an add-on.

SO, I'm going to make it mount like a stock USDM wing, and feather out to the edge of the hatch-top.....then reproduce it in Carbon Fiber :)

Oh, and the grille fit like GARBAGE, so I sent it back for refund. I intend now to make a proper-fitting RS style grille by molding my ST170 grille and making a fiberglass shell that I can put some wire mesh into and acheive the RS grill through DIY methods but still have an OEM fit/finish.

[dodgeguy]

I loves me some RS

[Enk1du]

Can't wait to see the end product

[hurtinfocus]

UBER EPIC MEGA HUGE UPDATE

After I finished up the side covers on the bike, I decided to clear some room in the garage and pull the focus in so I could really tear into it. Then Pirite(Luke) and Checko(Nick) showed up and really lit a fire under my ass to go nuts wrenching today. This is the result of a super awesome epic 14hr wrench-day.

For starters, I realized the RS wing requires a specific brakelight (discontinued and ridiculous to find).....and the mounting points are different than stock US Focus's.......so instead of cutting up my hatch(Well, sort of) I decided I was going to MAKE the RS wing fit....afterall, I bought mine damaged and only spent $50 on it so I don't feel bad for a second chopping it up.

Step 1: cut off mounting tabs



Step 2: mark where original holes are to mount with screws, drill pilot holes, mount up (shit, I still have to do a little cutting)



-This is what I had to cut to gain access with a 1/4" rachet for putting in screws





Now that's settled.....time to address the brakelight issue. Some quick thinking, I decide to make a quick mold off the stock SVT wing so that I can retain use of the standard US focus 3rd brakelight.





Trimmed it up, chopped the shit out of the RS wing so it'd have a home, and temporarily mounted it to figure out how I'm going to blend this in.





Sweet, I like the way it's coming out.....going to set this aside for another day....once I have it all finished I'm going to make a mold of this wing and make CF versions for resale.

OK, so we moved on to yanking out the entire rear interior to gain access to the rear hatch glass.





and removed the hatch itself.....mine is badly rotted, so I'll be scoping the junkyard for a replacement.



Then we attacked removing the glass. This was a royal pain, thank god there were three of us! probably took about 2hrs, but we got them out without damaging!



(couldn't get a good pic of the other side sorry)

SO, now it sits and waits for me to whip up the fiberglass panels and start doing bodywork and paint.

I'm pretty damn excited. Awesome day in the garage regardless of the ridiculous heat.

[Blue5ive]

Its about time you did something. Jk. Looks good!!!

[02svtf300]

looks good...

never noticed how much my wing looks like the RS wing

[Rudel]

Nice work-around on the wing. Time to sell more..ha

[*Z3R0*]

Awesome work dude! I soo badly want a RS wing but dont get them here in SA :(