Hi - me again.

As I have had the pleasure of a spare set of wheels (ED Futura, T5, 3.27 LSD - fun) - Cheers PaulMac, I have been able to spend more time sorting things as I go.

When I left off from my previous post, I had to solder on a replacement Radio plug which had been cut off in the distant past, run a couple of extra wires that went to the ECU, and finish installing the cluster and my cluster loom.

This took up a bit of time as it is quite fiddly work. I also had to work out what to do with my heater box. I considered swapping it out, but could not find a way to get the heater hoses off the pipes. They are located behind the BBM and are quite impossible to get at. I think I will have to take off the BBM, and I really didn't want to go there at this time. So I modded the GLi heater box to take the EL climate control parts, a fun story I may relay another time. On both my cars the vent flap that controls fresh air is broken. I went to Pick N Payless, and every car had the same problem so will live with it for now.

The other mod I was believed I had to make was to the EB Pedal Box. Now, if you are using the EB Pedal Box and a EF/EL dash and the EF/EL steering column, you will need to cut out the two steering column support bolts. Be aware that they EF/EL bolts are spaced wider than the EB so measure carefully. I cut mine out using the EB bolt locations as a guide and found that the EL bolts wouldn't line up with the pedal box, and therefore would not line up with the EB steering column. My solution was to remove the EL bolts from the Dash and improvise (large flat washers) the remounting of the EB bolts to there original location. This worked well for me. So if you are using the EB Steering column, don't mod the pedal box.

I got the dash in position and then spent a good hour flat on my back in various positions with my head under the dash plugging in the looms to each other. A joyful experience I believe you all should try at least once.

Finally it was time to see if it would run and as I reported previously it started and ran. The cluster was doing it's thing and all was wonderful in my world.

This morning I got up and removed the seats, carpet and necessary trims. I gave the floor a dust and a wash before installing the console. It all went together relatively painlessly and a couple of things required a little trimming.

I installed the drivers seat and went for a test drive boy racer style.

Pics.







It was dark by the time I got the carpet and all the trims back in place, so here is a quick shot with the flash on.



I took the car for a good drive and was pleasantly surprised at the lack of creaks, groans and rattles that I expected from the dash. The EL Trip Computer works as it should and the boot pops, the fuel flap opens and I used the central locking switch to light up the ODO LCD.

There are a couple of things remaining to sort out:

The EL hand brake is bolted down but not connected. The EB hand brake will be removed soon as the handle keeps wacking my shin. PARK will be my friend for a short while.

I am yet to put the CD Player in. I have to make the EL head unit brackets fit my JVC special.

I have found that the heater fan will only work on HIGH, so I think I will swap in a spare fan controller I have handy.

I also have to figure out how to get the car into learning mode to accept a new keypad. I think the issue is that my ignition barrel is not a smartlock one. I will investigate further.



Thanks to all for their comments. I have had a lot of fun and learnt a lot doing this mod, and I am very happy with the results.

Until next time.
BenJ

looking great now ben!

its like it was made that way..

holy crap... thats a fantastic effort, it gets hard to criticize the old boxcars when they are retro-fitted with modern parts like yours.. top effort.

Only thing i would comment on is the dinosaur steering wheel not matching with the newer interior. Maybe an EF/EL wheel might blend in better?

I've always actually rather liked the EA-ED dash.. the fairmont ghia version anyway.... love my digital display.. I'd do the same thing if they had the digital option in the EF/EL dash

great work benj! ive just red 1-4 pages for the 1st time.. alot of effort! seeing now how youv'e done it after seeing it finished in person at the meets...

That looks fantastic, i can't wait to get my dash in.

Whats involved in fitting the EL handbrake setup? Does it all bolt in?

Andrew.

Cheers Troyman, wait to you see it on Friday LOL



Thanks FordFairmont. I am trying to add the bits I like from the later cars while keeping the boxcar bits I love. I am actually very happy with how the steering wheel works with the new dash. Gives it that sporty feel, and adds needed colour to the interior. And who else has a wheel like mine? Individuality rules.



I too liked the EB dash originally. But it is starting to look quite dated. I thought about painting it etc, and did the whole custom cluster thing. This for me was the next logical step. And I get 'cupholders' wooo hooo.



Cheers fordfreak ef. There is nothing quite like doing your own work, like you have, to appreciate the time and effort that goes into other peoples mods. See you at the next meet.



Thanks PIMP_LTD. When are we going to see your thread?

The EL handbrake handle bolted straight to the floor. I drilled two holes and found some suitable bolts. The cable is not connected to anything yet as the handbrake system is very different between the EB and the EL. I will either, source EL brake parts and fit them to my diff, or find a way to mod the handbrake cables and make it all work......somehow.

Regards
BenJ

Last edited by BenJ on Tue Apr 29, 2008 8:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Looking good BenJ, I'm still a little iffy about the fairmont badge in the centre of the wheel... need to find a round version.

OR
Make up a round domed stainless steel badge with a recess to fit the fairmont badge

well done mate. looks excellent. Can't wait to see it in person.

looking real good there ben you, you are doing a great job, like wade said can't wait to see it in person...

nice work mate it all pays off. will catch up with you on friday night and can't wait to see this in person.

hey you still want to swap trips i can bring mine on friday...

if ben dont want the trip i will have it lol i am planning on doing a trip compter mod for my tx5 just need the wireing diagram for it

dont the telstar ghias have trip computer??
if so that would be the easiest way to do it..
as the el trip comp wont work without the input from the el cluster and ecu.

unless yor going to try use a el ecu/cluster in your telstar?

no i was going to try a EA-ED Trip Computer

OK, here are some pics of it all together in the daylight.

Oh, and the EB handbrake is now history!!






I spent most of the day today, messing around with the hand brake setup. I have followed Barnacus' lead, cheers mate, but have made my own variation. It is all bolted in and connected up. However I have to work on the cable position and some fine tuning/adjustment. At the moment it isn't actually holding the car. When it is doing it's thing I will post up some pics.

I have a couple of errors showing up on the Climate Control and have a fair idea why. Something to do with bodgy wiring I suspect LOL. I will sort it out over the next few days.

Cheers
BenJ