My '12 SE Picture/Project Thread

[Twenty]

Originally Posted by SvviftSVT

that is how it usually works for me. hahaha

Very convenient excuse, isn't it?

Originally Posted by Sonic_HedgeHog

Color is our friend, and... Have you looked at your car recently? LOL

Point.

Originally Posted by rhiannon666

I like the teal

Originally Posted by Kevastator

The teal looked good, but the yellow is going to look great!

Beautiful car BTW

It still has lots of teal at least, just maybe not the trim. Thanks Kevastator!

Originally Posted by Zillon

I'd do the yellow for the silver on the doors, and do 3M Dinoc on the center stack.

That much yellow on the center stack would be a bit overwhelming.



Thread HERE.

Exactly what I was concerned about. If the car was something like SGM, or a dark red (think Burgundy interior package) a colour-match on the center trim would be much less in your face. With the contrast between the interior and exterior colours though, I don't think it'd work for this one.

I do rather like how the ST uses a black center stack, so that's an option. Ideally, real carbon fiber would be my choice. We'll see what I can come up with.

In the meantime I'll wait for my trim to come back, and then I can reinstall that and see what I want to do next. First though, another update is coming...

[Twenty]

MS3 mount and T1R antenna:



Yesterday after work the Focus went up in the air again to have the MS3 mount installed. The photos from the install are from my phone, so I apoligize for the quality.

The install is very simple, it's a total of 5 bolts (after you remove the tray under the engine) and fits perfectly.

The new MS3 mount and bolt, and a comparison of it next to the stock Focus piece.




Two bolts hold in the mount, and the last three hold in the 'bracket' that connects to it. All removed, it looks like this (Left and right of picture are rear and front, respectively):



Installation is just the reverse of removal, with the mount going in first and then the bracket following it. The mount is at the top of this picture, though it's mostly hidden from view (Top and bottom of picture are rear and front, respectively).



Really, as long as you can figure out how to remove the stock piece you can put the new one in. It's very simple.

While the Focus was in the air I also grabbed a quick shot to better show the mounting of the front lip. You can see the bolts, which use the OEM clip mounting locations.



With the MS3 mount in place the change is immediately noticeable. Shifting feels much more precise, and the 1-2 shift is the one that really improved. I highly recommend this upgrade.

The second part of today's post deals with a part I picked up on Wednesday; a T1R stubby antenna. A fellow member of a local forum had one for sale so I messaged him and picked it up. It is much shorter than the stock piece but there has been no change in reception yet to speak of.





There is a difference in finishes however, the antenna being glossy and the base being more satin. I may need to see what I can do about that. Regardless, it's time the rest of the exterior saw some more changes, since the nose has received almost all of them.

[bluebullet]

What's the difference between the ford mount and the Mazda mount??


Sent from jeremy's iPhone using FF Mobile

[Sonic_HedgeHog]

Originally Posted by bluebullet

What's the difference between the ford mount and the Mazda mount??


Sent from jeremy's iPhone using FF Mobile

If Twenty doesn't mind... Stronger (steel rather than aluminum) and there's more rubber for a higher duro.

[dyn085]

Originally Posted by Sonic_HedgeHog

If Twenty doesn't mind... Stronger (steel rather than aluminum) and there's more rubber for a higher duro.

^^^This. The OEM mount is incredibly flimsy

Sent from my stupid phone.

[bluebullet]

Okay, sweet!
Didn't know that
Leeann something new everyday!!


Sent from jeremy's iPhone using FF Mobile

[TiStick]

Originally Posted by Sonic_HedgeHog

If Twenty doesn't mind... Stronger (steel rather than aluminum) and there's more rubber for a higher duro.

Originally Posted by dyn085

^^^This. The OEM mount is incredibly flimsy

Sent from my stupid phone.

With the cost of aluminum, it would seem that the crappier mount would cost more. Silly Ford...

[Twenty]

It just gives us something else to tinker with.

[dyn085]

Out of curiosity, how well does that antenna pick up radio stations? I replaced mine (different brand) and I may as well not even bother trying the radio because it is nearly useless now. Not a huge deal because I listen to Sirius, but I try to incorporate some function instead of just form...

Sent from my stupid phone.

[jdubhack]

Originally Posted by dyn085

Out of curiosity, how well does that antenna pick up radio stations? I replaced mine (different brand) and I may as well not even bother trying the radio because it is nearly useless now. Not a huge deal because I listen to Sirius, but I try to incorporate some function instead of just form...

Sent from my stupid phone.

^^This has been the reason I hesitate to swap mine out. I do radio more than Sirius.