Mod vs. No Mod poll

[11TH GEN]

Re: Mod vs. No Mod poll

Originally Posted by wcoates View Post
Couldn't disagree with you more Phil:

World English Dictionary
modification (ˌmɒdɪfɪˈkeɪʃən) — n 1. the act of modifying or the condition of being modified 2. something modified; the result of a modification 3. a small change or adjustment

Anything that changes a car from the way it came down the assembly line is a "mod". If it isn't dead stock it has had a modification.

Originally Posted by LA Phil, I think that's what I said:

Originally Posted by Cashr22 ,Bill, reading lesson is next Tuesday.LOL

Funniest thread I have read since joining two months ago !!

[BLACK BEAUTY]

Re: Mod vs. No Mod poll

For me mods just make my car more enjoyable. I won't even start listing all I've done (redundant maybe) to Black Beauty. My favorite mods story came in Garden of the Gods last summer in Colorado, when a couple stopped to admire Black Beauty and the man said 'I designed this car, but I don't remember all this chrome'. Every time I take my car out for a spin, I get positive comments. But like Jane says, 'the women are going to be looking, but not at you!' Well at least they are looking, and smiling too! That's worth a buff job for sure. My latest mod is making up Stainless steel side body molding. When Action Manufacturing sent a runner over to get my curled 1/2 inch strips to take to the 4000 ton press to flatten them out, the young female driver (her name was BLACK WIDOW) wanted to ride in Black Beauty. She said she would have to clock out first....how long a ride was she looking for??? gotta be careful..

[Cashr22]

Bill ,reading lesson is next Tuesday.LOL

Re: Mod vs. No Mod poll

Couldn't disagree with you more Phil:

World English Dictionary
modification (ˌmɒdɪfɪˈkeɪʃən) — n 1. the act of modifying or the condition of being modified 2. something modified; the result of a modification 3. a small change or adjustment

Anything that changes a car from the way it came down the assembly line is a "mod". If it isn't dead stock it has had a modification.

Bill, I think that's what I said:

"So I guess you could say that ANYTHING added after the car comes off the assembly line is technically a 'mod.' "

[wcoates]

Re: Mod vs. No Mod poll

Couldn't disagree with you more Phil:

World English Dictionary
modification (ˌmɒdɪfɪˈkeɪʃən) — n 1. the act of modifying or the condition of being modified 2. something modified; the result of a modification 3. a small change or adjustment

Anything that changes a car from the way it came down the assembly line is a "mod". If it isn't dead stock it has had a modification.

Re: Mod vs. No Mod poll

Personally, I think the word 'mod' is a somewhat 'loaded' term.

I think there's a distinction between a 'mod' and 'personalizing' a car. Adding a pocket square or a lapel pin to a suit isn't really a 'mod' to the suit itself. It changes the overall look a bit, but the suit is still essentially the same suit. Both the pocket square and lapel pin can be added or removed without any permanent change to the suit.

Following that thinking, a set of custom floor mats or even a hard tonneau cover, are not really mods. They personalize the car, but there's no change to the car itself. Both the mats and the tonneau cover can be removed at any time, and the car has not changed.

At what point 'personalizing' becomes a mod, is a gray area. Chrome trim looks more permanent, but it too can be removed. Same with custom wheels and tires. Some of the changes Ray has made to his car, like his hood scoop, seem to qualify as true 'mods.' They can't be installed or reversed without body work, but even then, Ray could put a stock hood on his car and then it would be 'original' in a sense.

Adding 'personal' touches to a car is along the lines of choosing the car's color or option package. Not everyone wants the same color car, but no one would think the same car in a different color or option package is a 'modded' car.

Even a performance upgrade like the SCT tuner is not really a 'mod.' That unit simply 're-flashes' the on-board computer and adds more power. The same unit can be used to return the engine to its original 'tune.' So is that a 'mod?' Not really.

There's a difference between 'modding,' 'personalizing' and 'customizing' a car. George Barris 'customized' cars. Thunderbird owners (or owners of any other kind of car) that add 'personal' touches that are easily removable or reversible, haven't really 'modded' their cars in the strict sense. They've just added personal touches that distinguish their cars from others.

So I guess you could say that ANYTHING added after the car comes off the assembly line is technically a 'mod.' But with such a wide range of aftermarket products, most of which are reversible, adding custom floor mats, a hard tonneau cover or different wheels doesn't really change the car itself. Just my opinion.

[cewhite3]

Re: Mod vs. No Mod poll

Ed:

Replacing the plastic cooling parts is just good maintainance. At least I call it maintainance since they are guarenteed to fail. I didn't have my bird a month when I needed to replace the coolant reservoir, the themostat and housing and the by pass pipe as well. All plastic and I expect to do it again in a couple of years. Anothers words maintainance.

I hope (believe) all the parts I replaced will last more than a couple of years. As far as I can tell the ones I replaced were the originals This means they were >9 years old. Surely I can expect the new parts I installed to last at least 5 years (although I plan to keep spares on hand).

I believe the #1 way to prevent problems with the plastic parts is to make sure the cooling system is properly bleed, the radiator is flowing properly and the cooling fan is working as designed. An engine that runs hot will place additional stress on the plastic componets (higher temperature and higher pressures).

I am keeping a watch on the Lincoln LS forum. A guy that posts to that forum was working on metal replacment parts for the plastic parts at the front of the 2003-2005 style engines (metal replacments for the thermostat housing and related components are availble from Jaguar for the 2002 style engines).

Ed

[Treken]

Re: Mod vs. No Mod poll

I'm glad to see this thread still alive after over 3 1/2 years...

Just wondering if the same percentage would still be true now...

[casinofig]

Re: Mod vs. No Mod poll

I guess there is no way to go back and update your poll answer. I originally said no mods, but now I have several:

1. Replaced the original radio with a double DIN unit with MP3, bluetooth, USB, aux input and Sirius reciever
2. Changed to Volvo Tucana Wheels (Thanks to Danny's instructions)
3. Lincoln LS Sport Struts
4. Removed the engine cover (I don't see the need for it - just hides potential problems and keeps in heat)
5. Chrome hoodscoop bezel
6. New speakers in door and rear deck

And not a mod put probably the smartest thing I have done - replaced all the plastic parts in the cooling system (unfortuntely with just newer identical parts).

Ed

Ed:

Replacing the plastic cooling parts is just good maintainance. At least I call it maintainance since they are guarenteed to fail. I didn't have my bird a month when I needed to replace the coolant reservoir, the themostat and housing and the by pass pipe as well. All plastic and I expect to do it again in a couple of years. Anothers words maintainance.

[casinofig]

Re: Mod vs. No Mod pole

I have put on moldings around the base of the hardtop, window/door moldings,
rocker panel moldings, and the chrome hood bezel. Have the small headlight moldings
on the way and will put them on within the next week or so.
I want to also extend the exhaust extensions like Leroy has, then add spoke wheels and white wall tires. I think I will be done then!
I would not put anything on the bird that would alter the basic 'original car'.

Well said BillM:

I have done close to the same thing. Chrome door handles, Tbird license plate frame, Hard Top Stainless paint protector, Chrome trim around grille, and chrome trim on front door molding. All can easily be removed if neccessary. In my opinion, minor upgrades adds more beauty to the T-bird as long as it is not over kill. I do plan to upgrade the stereo with a Double Din navigation and bluetooth system. It's almost impossible to own a vehicle today without bluetooth especially if you are in sales. The sound systems in these T-Birds are subpar at best and almost a must for anyone who truly enjoys driving with good sounding music.

[cewhite3]

Re: Mod vs. No Mod poll

I guess there is no way to go back and update your poll answer. I originally said no mods, but now I have several:

1. Replaced the original radio with a double DIN unit with MP3, bluetooth, USB, aux input and Sirius reciever
2. Changed to Volvo Tucana Wheels (Thanks to Danny's instructions)
3. Lincoln LS Sport Struts
4. Removed the engine cover (I don't see the need for it - just hides potential problems and keeps in heat)
5. Chrome hoodscoop bezel
6. New speakers in door and rear deck

And not a mod put probably the smartest thing I have done - replaced all the plastic parts in the cooling system (unfortuntely with just newer identical parts).

Ed

[4LOWBIRDS+8]

Re: Mod vs. No Mod poll

No mods

Wait until you see what my son is doing to his Inca Gold.

[phil]

Re: Mod vs. No Mod poll

No mods

Re: Mod vs. No Mod poll

Good look. The cashmere color is nice.

[JohnA]

Re: Mod vs. No Mod poll

I also like the contrast, Ron. The merlot car I bought has the sand interior but came without a soft boot. I'm watching for one of the sand colored ones to pop up for sale, but in the meantime I bought an OEM black one. Like yours, it'll be a bit of a different look.

john a