SnowBird is Home!

[Duke583]

We finally picked up our white/white/white Premium today at Beasley Ford in York. A very pleasant experience for Sandy and I. The car is perfect except for some marks on the drivers door weatherstrip, which the dealer will repair on my first service visit. The pinch weld on both sides was painted black per factory specs. Paint and chrome looked perfect on first inspection.

The car performed perfectly on our 60 mile trip home, with no rattles, etc.

Unfortunately, it is a gloomy overcast day today, with a little rain, so SnowBird will be getting a bath in the garage tomorrow. Then we will start the with the addition of the hood bezel, NM wheels, and eventually the stainless console trim, when it is available for the 03's.

Incidentally, Beasley has a couple of 02's on the lot, selling below MSRP.

Many thanks to all for the many informative posts over the past year which helped us through the decision making and ordering process. We are looking forward to driving many miles in this car. The plan is for it to be our basic daily driver, when weather and space needs permit.

[0bird2]

Congratulations!!!!!!!! Now the fun can start...

[5bird7]

Just noted that one of our newest members, wwtbird2, has posted photos in the gallery of his white with the NM wheels. take a look. Nice shots. Duke583, you'll love the look on your 'bird.

[FUN X 3]

Thanks for sharing your excitement...it reminded me of when I drove my new bird home about five months ago.:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

[Gobird]

:thumbsup:Duke join us at the track if you can. We can get yourself, Joy and Myself in the line going to the track. Congrats on picking up your white 03 baby.

[colonel]

Duke583,
Congratulations and I admire your excellent taste. We are patiently awaiting news on our white/white/partial white Premium 2003. I'm impressed you have got all the goodies ready to add to her.
You may have to help us Southerners, how do you wash a car in the garage?
COL

[Gobird]

:lol: Got that washing thing down pat, just ask.:pink::pink::pink:

[Duke583]

Regarding washing in the garage: It is only done by necessity-tomorrow calls for snow/rain here in PA, so a bucket and sparing use of the hose with the Bird parked in the middle of a 2 car garage is the plan. That's a problem those of you who live out of the snow belt don't have to deal with.

GoBird: tell me more about the track.

Dot; Thanks for the tip about the NM wheels pix. They look great. Now I really can't wait to put mine on.

[Terry]

Congratulations, duke583! Great choice of color. The scoop looks great on our white '03's and now you've got me thinking wheels...Hummmm

[joelja]

Duke583, congrats on your new Bird. Just enjoy.
Read the thread "Thunderbirds in Thunder Valley; May 9-11, 2003.

This is going to be one terrific weekend with TBirds from all over joining the fun....including laps around Bristol Motor Speedway and other fun activities. You Pennsylvania folks should drive down together.

[colonel]

Duke,
Have you received any word from Legend5 in regard to the estimated delivery dates for the Brushed Aluminum Kits for the 2003's?
COL

[Duke583]

The last time I checked with Legends 5 was late in Dec. At that time Chris told me that as soon as they could get to an 03, they would be able to provide a kit.

I did not get into details; for instance, the heated seat buttons require a different piece than the 02's, also the select shift optiion is new, requiring a different piece. So for 03's, in a deluxe model. without Select Shift there would be no difference in the kit. Either deluxe or Premium could be ordered with Selectshift. So you get the idea, an 03 kit will be different depending on the addition of the seat buttons or select shift options.

Just got the NM wheels put on yesterday, and am thrilled with the look. Since we will be away from home for over a month starting in late Jan thru early March, I am waiting until March to see if Legends 5 has my kit available.

[colonel]

Duke,
I, too, placed a telephone order with Chris for a 2003 kit and have heard nothing from Legend5. I looked on their website last night and the 2003 kit is not shown. Please let me know if you hear from them and I will do likewise.
Thanks,
COL

[RoryF]

I spoke with Chris at Legend 5 this morning. I ordered the O3 Billet Brushed Aluminum with heated seats and select shift options. He said I should have it in 5-7 business days.

[Duke583]

Great news! That is exactly what I will need. Is pricing still $299?

[RoryF]

Duke583, Yes, the price is still $299. Chris says its a near exact match for factory. Does anyone who already installed the kit have any tips? I'm planning to use the center stack and lower door inserts only - maybe the vents as well, if its not too much. I kind of like the factory chrome trim on the black console around the the cupholders and shifter. Guess I'll play with it when the kit gets here. I'll post some photos after I install ...

[winterm]

03GreyBird,

Here's a pic of the kit from Legend5 I installed.

Look in the AfterMarker Review Forum for more pics. You will find detailed information there for a good installation.


Good luck & post us some pics when you get it!

[Blue Heaven]

03 Greybird,
I installed only the center stack, shifter plate and door trim on my '02, as you are thinking of doing. It looks great!! The reason I did not install the console trim is because I too like the chrome "bezels" around the cup holders and felt they got lost surrounded by all that aluminum. Perhaps I would have installed the console trim if I had the full accent package (I really like the way it looks on winterm's car). The outboard vent trim looks kind of out of place to me. It's all a matter of taste, either way this kit looks great!!

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[winterm]

Door Panel

[RoryF]

Originally posted by Blue Heaven
03 Greybird,
I installed only the center stack, shifter plate and door trim on my '02, as you are thinking of doing. It looks great!! The reason I did not install the console trim is because I too like the chrome "bezels" around the cup holders and felt they got lost surrounded by all that aluminum. Perhaps I would have installed the console trim if I had the full accent package (I really like the way it looks on winterm's car). The outboard vent trim looks kind of out of place to me. It's all a matter of taste, either way this kit looks great!!

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Blue Heaven, Thanks. I also have some doubt about the vents. Figured I'd just look at it and see what I think after the other pasrt are on. Spoke to Chris, he said to lay the parts out in the sun to heat up first. Fortunately its in the high 70's here so that part should be ok. Did you heat the parts up first as Chris suggests? Do you have a photo you could post? I went with the Black Ink interior with the gunmetal - chrome and brushed aluminim looks great contrasting with the darker interior. I'll post a picture when I'm through ...

[Blue Heaven]

03,
I did in fact heat the pieces before appling them (had to use a hair dryer though, it's been cold up here!). That is a very important step.
Equally important is to dry fit all the pieces before peeling the backing off to get a "feel" for how they should be applied. Once you peel the backing and stick the piece down, it's pretty much a done deal! Attempting to remove it will more then likely result in damage to the piece (I know, it happened to me). I will try to get a picture or two taken and posted for you (she's under wraps for the winter). Can't wait to see how it will look against your Black Ink. Take your time and good luck, you're going to love the look!!

[colonel]

03GreyBird,
Just got back in town. I noticed on my MC bill that arrived today a $299.00 charge from Legend5 for a kit for my 2003 (I hope she will be here by the end of this month). Please submit a post when your kit arrives and I will do likewise.
COL

[Gobird]

winterm, you did a better job then I did. At the top on the vents I alined the piece with the top of the vents. As I pressed the piece on it came out flush with the one under it and did not leave a black space between the two like the rest of the pieces did. Doesn't look bad but not as good as yours. This is something the the rest should look out for when installing your kit.

[winterm]

GoBird,

Of all the pieces to install the center vent stack is the most
tedious one. I think "we" all had some trials and errors with this one.

I think all will agree who have installed this kit it's best to install
the radio piece first, then align the bottom edge of the center
stack piece first and moving to the top. I "dry fitted" it first then
only removed a tiny bit of the backing to align the bottom edge.
By doing this, one can remove it if it's not in the spot you want it.

"Thanks GoBird"! All the pics I've seen look good. You know,
you can order individual pieces from Chris @ Legend5. I priced some in case I ever had to remove the radio, etc. for repair. I
believe the center stack piece was around $20 or $25. Of course,
prices may have increased now due to demand. In any respect,
Chris is a good guy to work with you.

[Blue Heaven]

Gobird,
I couldn't agree with winterm more, the center stack can be a bear!! I ruined the piece that goes around the two vents trying to reposition it after it went on wrong.

I ordered a replacement double vent piece from Chris for $25.00.

[RoryF]

Originally posted by Blue Heaven
03,
I did in fact heat the pieces before appling them (had to use a hair dryer though, it's been cold up here!). That is a very important step.
Equally important is to dry fit all the pieces before peeling the backing off to get a "feel" for how they should be applied. Once you peel the backing and stick the piece down, it's pretty much a done deal! Attempting to remove it will more then likely result in damage to the piece (I know, it happened to me). I will try to get a picture or two taken and posted for you (she's under wraps for the winter). Can't wait to see how it will look against your Black Ink. Take your time and good luck, you're going to love the look!!

Blue Heaven, Thanks for the advice. I kind of figured that you only get one shot at this. At $300 its an expensive mistake if you misalign it. Think I'll take your advice and grab my wife's hairblower - rather then slow roasting the pieces outside. Can you just pull a small amount of the backing off - align the edge, and then if ok, remove the rest of the backing?

[RoryF]

Originally posted by winterm
GoBird,

Of all the pieces to install the center vent stack is the most
tedious one. I think "we" all had some trials and errors with this one.

I think all will agree who have installed this kit it's best to install
the radio piece first, then align the bottom edge of the center
stack piece first and moving to the top. I "dry fitted" it first then
only removed a tiny bit of the backing to align the bottom edge.
By doing this, one can remove it if it's not in the spot you want it.

"Thanks GoBird"! All the pics I've seen look good. You know,
you can order individual pieces from Chris @ Legend5. I priced some in case I ever had to remove the radio, etc. for repair. I
believe the center stack piece was around $20 or $25. Of course,
prices may have increased now due to demand. In any respect,
Chris is a good guy to work with you.

Just read Winterm's post which answerd my question. The center stack sounds like real fun. I have a friend in the auto trim/detail business - maybe I'll bring the kit over and buy him a beer ...

[RoryF]

Originally posted by colonel
03GreyBird,
Just got back in town. I noticed on my MC bill that arrived today a $299.00 charge from Legend5 for a kit for my 2003 (I hope she will be here by the end of this month). Please submit a post when your kit arrives and I will do likewise.
COL

My Legend5 Kit arrived today and looks terrific. One problem though. I ordered the 03 with select shift and heated seats option, but received the standard 02 version. Chris said he'd have the new parts sent, so the installation will have to wait...:sad:

[Duke583]

I will be ordering an 03 kit in March, when I return from vacation, so I am very interested in how they address the heated seats/select-shift options. Please post pix if you can when you get it installed.

[tbird2003]

Originally posted by 03GreyBird
My Legend5 Kit arrived today and looks terrific. One problem though. I ordered the 03 with select shift and heated seats option, but received the standard 02 version. Chris said he'd have the new parts sent, so the installation will have to wait...:sad:

03GrayBird,

I just check Legend5 web site and they only show the 02 kits. From your post above, it sounds like they have an 03 kit ready? True? Did you order your kit via phone or from their web site?

Thanks

Kurt

[RoryF]

Originally posted by tbird2003
03GrayBird,

I just check Legend5 web site and they only show the 02 kits. From your post above, it sounds like they have an 03 kit ready? True? Did you order your kit via phone or from their web site?

Thanks

Kurt

tbird2003, I spoke to Chris at Legend5 on the phone. He said he had the 03 kits ready with the select shift and heated seats option. When I got the kit today it was labeled "02 Thunderbird" and looked identical to pictures posted of the 02 installation. Chris told me to keep the kit I have and he'd send me the unique 03 pieces which will accomodate the heater switches and shifter option. Hopefully I'll get them in a few days and will post pictures when I'm done.