[MineTwine45]

It's about time I broke down and made one of these things. 1,000 posts and no build thread... I just thought that I really haven't done much to Ruth, but now that I've taken all the pictures I've needed for this thread, I realized I did quite a lot.

MOD LIST (updated 9/7/15):

- 2.25" flexback exhaust (27" Glasspack as only muffler)
- 225/45/R17 tires on genuine SVT 5-spokes
- Short ram intake
- Lightly tinted tails and markers
- Blue and white LED lights in interior footwells
- 'ZX5' shadow on one hood bulge
- Double Platinum plugs
- Debadge

So first, a background on why I chose the name Ruth. I got the car from the original owner, well, sort of. What happened was it was my mother's (new) husband's mom's car (say that 5 times fast) and when she passed, he inherited it. His mother's name was Ruth, so I thought I would pay a little respect to her. Plus, it looks like a Ruth. Weird, I know.

So back to your regularly scheduled nonsense. I received the car on January 28th, 2014. It was sitting in my grandparent's pull barn for a few weeks until my father got it insured, then I went to go do my permit test, and boom, I had a car.

Here's some pictures of her the day I got it. It's in very good condition, with low miles. It was basically a grocery getter every once in awhile and church on Sunday. That's it. If the weather was bad, she didn't go anywhere.

Whew, that's a lot of pictures. So, this ZX5 has the Zetec 2.0L 16 valve DOHC engine, with the 4 speed automatic w/overdrive. It has fog lights, the optional Blaupunkt radio, a tach cluster, 16" alloys, and that's about all I can think of for options.

So, let's get to "modding!" I view most of the things I've done so far as minor, and not really all that special, but it does make it look better than stock IMO.

So first, I installed a Pilot Motorsports 3.5" resonated exhaust tip, just to cover up the stock drinking straw. Looks decent, but I wish it was longer.

The car basically stayed the same, other than a fresh set of tires once summer came around (driving on 11 year old tires during the winter was VERY fun). I washed it, washed it, washed it. My father once said that I was going to wash the paint off of it.

Then, the big day came...

I got my license. That's right, WATCH OUT WORLD!

It was a really exciting day for me. I drove to work that night, and saw the first accident ever in my lifetime (as it happened, anyways). I hoped this wasn't an omen to what would happen down the road, but so far I'm all right.

First interior mod I did was the "paint pen cluster" job. All I did was painted the outer ring with a metallic silver paint pen, to match the Silver Frost outside.

So the next thing on the list is Plasti Dipped rims. The stock silver rims had some curb kisses, gouges, and just didn't look all to good. Plus, black looks better.

My stock muffler is slowly rotting away. It looks like garbage, but somehow works completely fine. No leaks... yet.

Then the idea of Nightshade came along. I went crazy with the stuff. I like the more blacked out look to match the 'dipped rims.

First fogs:

Then tails:

Then side markers:

I also wash this thing weekly. People make fun of me for it, but I find it fun cleaning your car. It gives you a sense of pride that it is yours and you take care of it on your own.

Then, I found a little Ford emblem laying around, so I slapped it on my dashboard.

I think at this point along the lines I did the intake resonator delete, but I can't be 100% sure the exact date. I think 4 or 5 weeks now without issue.

And now, the most recent mod, two Kicker CS68s in the front doors.

And now, here is how my Ruth sits today.

So far, I love the car. It handles well, and gets good gas mileage. It is an amazing cruising machine. I'm excited to see what is to come, and I am glad to be a part of Focus Fanatics! [loveff]

 

[SPIinDisguise]

Ahh you finally made one! Looks good, didnt know you did the black rims.

 

[MineTwine45]

Thanks man! I did the dipped rims a month ago I think.

 

[SPIinDisguise]

I had mine dipped for a while to. Will find a picture and post it up. Took it off eventually though.

 

[MineTwine45]

I like the 5 spokes dipped, it looks pretty good.

 

[SPIinDisguise]

I like the svt 5 spokes. Mine are alright. A pain though when I wash the rims.

 

[MineTwine45]

Yeah, these ones have some spots that are hard to reach.

 

[SPIinDisguise]

even thought they are wide?

 

[MineTwine45]

Yeah, the corners where the spoke meets the actual rim is hard to get with a brush.

 

[SPIinDisguise]

Oh gotcha.

 

[MineTwine45]

But there are easier than most, I'll say lol

 

[SPIinDisguise]

What's the future plans for Ruth?

 

[MineTwine45]

Not sure, just build her up to the way I like it. SVT suspension, exhaust, intake, etc.

 

[SPIinDisguise]

So a drop but not to much of one. But that kit has nice handling. My intake netted me about one more mpg than previous. I probably won't touch my exhaust.

 

[MineTwine45]

With the winters the way they are up here I don't want to go too low. Intake will probably be for MPG, exhaust to make it more throaty.

 

[SPIinDisguise]

Yeah I know how winters get. We get good snowfall in Indiana where I am. I don't think a 2 inch drop will hurt me any. If it does then it will be a looooong winter. You'd be surprised to hear the engine after an intake is put in. Sounds a whole lot better.

 

[MineTwine45]

I bet, there is a deep intake growl with the resonator delete.

 

[SPIinDisguise]

Why don't you take the air box lid off?

 

[MineTwine45]

Then I wouldn't have a filter lol

 

[SPIinDisguise]

Why not?