Mod vs. No Mod poll

[2003Shadow]

Re: Mod vs. No Mod poll

With the mods I have on my car I could go back to original if I wanted but I'm not. Future mods will not be able to go back to original easily. I want to find a supercharged 4.2L from a wrecked XKS.

[V8 Cat]

Re: Mod vs. No Mod poll

With the mods I have on my car I could go back to original if I wanted but I'm not. Future mods will not be able to go back to original easily. I want to find a supercharged 4.2L from a wrecked XKS.

I assume you mean a Jaguar XKR 4.2L. If so you are talking about what will be one expensive and challenging engine swap.You are going to need the Jag ZF transmission also. Hope you have somebody in mind with the expertise to do this because the electronics part of it is going to be a nightmare if you don't.

[2003Shadow]

Re: Mod vs. No Mod poll

Yes I ment xkr. Wronbg key smash. I know it will be hard but its in the future. I must have. haha. I wish I could find supercharger specs on the saleen thunderbird.

[EllisonCal]

Re: Mod vs. No Mod poll

I guess painted pin stripes are removable but it's not easy, nor would I remove them. I bot a Canadian Ford Exec. car so it didn't have supplemental parking lights. I had driving lights installed in their place, higher wattage so new wiring and fuses were needed. They are on a separate switch mounted just below the traction control off switch.

[wcoates]

Re: Mod vs. No Mod poll

When does the last mod take your car over the top? Sitting here with Christmas money still unspent and coming spring is like a disease saying buy something for the Bird.

Have added chrome hood scoop, chrome headlight covers and a dash kit. Thinking of the the chrome tail light covers. When to stop?

[sharthefun]

Re: Mod vs. No Mod poll

No mods for me but, that is just me.

[Guest]

Re: Mod vs. No Mod poll

I didn’t see nay mention of hard tonneau covers. These are removable, no cutting or drilling, and add a lot to the look of the car, IMO.

There are several styles to choose from and I’ve seen a lot of cars on this site that have them. Would this be considered a ‘mod’ or just an ‘accessory?'

[steelblue5505]

Re: Mod vs. No Mod poll

Now that is an excellent question. What makes an item an accessory & what makes an item a mod? Seems to be a very fine line between the two.

I am hoping this does not start people, in attempt to answer the question, begin listing all of what they have done to their cars. But there must be a logical answer to the question.

[wcoates]

Re: Mod vs. No Mod poll

Have stated before that I read on this site (wish I could remember who stated originally) that a modification was any change to a car that made it different from how it rolled off the assembly line. Like that definition.

That makes the OEM '04 16 spoke wheels a mod to my '03 car.

[BLACK BEAUTY]

Re: Mod vs. No Mod poll

Bill,
This is a controversial topic. I've gotten some bad responses to my opinion, but if you want it, I would be glad to give it to you. As a long-time "car guy"/"car enthusiast" who has owned a lot of different cars both foreign and domestic that included European, Asian , American classics, sports, grand touring, etc., I have some ideas about mods, and it would not hurt my feelings if you did not want to use or agree with them. Just PM me, and I will tell you what I think. It is your car do so I really think you should do what appeals to you, but since you are asking about what is "too many" or maybe you want to know what in my opinion is over the top. I would be glad to share my ideas.

Please share your ideas! Maybe start a list of 'possible mods'....I'm done posting for today...off to Chetumal, MX shopping trip...remember boys..."VALENTINE DAY" is coming up!

[4LOWBIRDS+7]

Re: Mod vs. No Mod poll

Please share your ideas! Maybe start a list of 'possible mods'....I'm done posting for today...off to Chetumal, MX shopping trip...remember boys..."VALENTINE DAY" is coming up!

Thanks for the information.

[BirdWingsToo]

Re: Mod vs. No Mod poll

Now that is an excellent question. What makes an item an accessory & what makes an item a mod? Seems to be a very fine line between the two. ...

Now I'm confused. When my wife rides in the T-Bird with me, she definitely adds to the character and appeal of the car, but is she a mod or an accessory? And will the lump I receive on my noggin if one of you tells her about this post be a mod or an accessory?



Kevin

[4LOWBIRDS+7]

Re: Mod vs. No Mod poll

Now I'm confused. When my wife rides in the T-Bird with me, she definitely adds to the character and appeal of the car, but is she a mod or an accessory? And will the lump I receive on my noggin if one of you tells her about this post be a mod or an accessory?



Kevin

Kevin, the Thunderbird is a two person vehicle, so you and your wife are required to complete the car.

[Guest]

Re: Mod vs. No Mod poll

Mods and accessories can be interpreted in different ways. For instance, does a set of custom floor mats constitute a ‘mod’ or an accessory? You can put them in or take them out anytime or every time you get into the car.

Tonneau covers? Put it on, take if off ... is it permanent? NO. Does it change the car when it’s on? Is the T-Bird still ‘original’ when it’s off and it’s hanging in your garage?

What about wide whitewall tires? If you put your stock tires back on is it a mod or is your T-bird forever changed?

Fender Skirts? Install them, maybe they’re a ‘mod.’ What happens when you take them off? Original T-Bird or permanently ‘modded’ because you had them on once?

Most ‘mods’ are removable, thereby restoring the original car. A few mods are permanent or ‘semi permanent.’ Tail fins for example, which require some minor body work to ‘blend’ into the original body. That’s probably a ‘mod.’

What about an owner that ‘swaps’ a different color hardtop, say white hardtop on an ‘Evening Black’ T-Bird? is that a mod or an accessory? If the hardtop is off, the T-Bird is original, right? But does a different hardtop color constitute a ‘mod?’

How about wheel changes? If you put a set of Neiman-Marcus wheels on a non Neiman Marcus car is that a mod or just an accessory change? What happens if you put the original wheels back on? Is your Thunderbird ‘tainted’ forever? I think not.

What about adding a Continental Kit? NO permanent drilling, cutting or body work. So if you put one one and then decide to take it off, is your ‘original’ Thunderbird ‘modded?’

Exterior trim items are removable, albeit with some effort. If you put a set of tail light bezels on and then decided to take them off, have you permanently ‘altered’ the original car? I don’t think so.

Chip Foose’s one-off custom first seen at the 2002 SEMA Automotive Aftermarket show was permanently ‘modded.’ Windshield cut down, no top, hardtop or convertible, and numerous other changes that were virtually irreversible.

All subject to interpretation and personal preference.

I say, do whatever you want ... all or nothing, or anything in between. The only real issue is if YOU like it. Don’t expect everyone to like everything you do or did. And don’t worry about resale value. Mods can be removed if you want to sell your car. You may even get a higher (or Lower) price with or without mods.

No matter what you drive, or what you do to it, some will like it, others may not. What’s important is what your personal preference is. We should all be happy there are so many accessories to choose from.

LA PHIL

[wcoates]

Re: Mod vs. No Mod poll

Wish wish wish I could remember who the member was that provided the explanation for a mod(ification) that I am hanging my hat on. Really wish I could give them credit.

If it isn't as (different from) how it came off of the assembly line, it has had a modification. Mats, modified-take 'em out =not modified. Wheels, tonneau cover, fender skirts, whitewalls=modified. But as such as can be turned back to completely original.

Mods and accessories can be interpreted in different ways.
What about an owner that ‘swaps’ a different color hardtop, say white hardtop on an ‘Evening Black’ T-Bird? is that a mod or an accessory? If the hardtop is off, the T-Bird is original, right? But does a different hardtop color constitute a ‘mod?’
LA PHIL

Hardtop /body color match IMHO becomes a question that needs the original window sticker to answer. Color match=original until proven otherwise. Top and body differ but in combinations that were factory options need the window sticker to tell. Color and top differ in combinations that weren't available from the factory= modified.

Sure experienced folks with knowledge of how a T-Birds sticker reads can correct any of my false/limited info.