What parts are no longer available?

[merlot4]

I followed the "I give up" thread with some interest as it became clear that more than a few are disillusioned, some because of parts availability. I thought it might be interesting to see what parts have been found to be in either limited, or no supply any longer and what alternatives there may be.

As far as I can tell, unless a dealer has the parts in stock, only 2 of the 3 reveal molding (chrome windshield surround) are now available from Ford. What else? A steering rack was noted by a member, but I don't know if this is true in the US and/or for all years.

What else?!

[Chuck]

Re: What parts are no longer available?

I thought the manufacturer was required to keep or manufacture parts for 10 years? So anything that is not in stock or at another dealer Ford would have to have made?

[Vintage Merlot]

Re: What parts are no longer available?

10 years is nearly upon us.

[4LOWBIRDS+7]

Re: What parts are no longer available?

I thought the manufacturer was required to keep or manufacture parts for 10 years? So anything that is not in stock or at another dealer Ford would have to have made?

NO SUCH REQUIREMENT.

[04birdman]

Re: What parts are no longer available?

heard it was 7 yrs.......but who knows.......

[SugarDaddy]

Re: What parts are no longer available?

In 2010, we needed a new Front Electronics Module (FEM) to be replaced, along with our steering rack and power steering pump. There were no FEM's available anywhere in the US, except at a couple of dealers who would not sell the ones they had in their stockroom. We had to wait 3 to 4 weeks before the FEM manufacturer could make a few more and ship them out to our dealer. So much for having parts in stock!

It's frustrating waiting for a part (the FEM) to come in while your T-Bird is in the shop torn apart!

Our T-Bird is now 9 years old. SugarBabe picked it up January 15, 2002, and drove it home.

I have no idea if Ford will have any parts available for these vehicles further down the line.

[Ol'Dave]

Re: What parts are no longer available?

10 years is nearly upon us.

ABSOLUTELY: So you got to think outside the box, in probably more instances than not. I mean, face it..... most Body Shops as well as Mechanic's will more than likely look to the Bone Yards for obscure items that made need replacing.
If you think you are automatically going to get OEM replacement......think again, because as was noted "10 years IS nearly upon us".

[Leroy]

Re: What parts are no longer available?

This could effect the value of these cars if it gets around that parts are not on hand. It probably allready has effected the insurance companies and body shops. Example: I saw an ad in an Auto Trader mag. not too long ago from a salvage yard for a 2004 Thunderbird theft recovery, missing both doors and the radio. Price $7800.00. Take care of what you have, these insurance companies will total your car if they can't get repacement parts, new or used. Maybe that's what makes a classic car?
Leroy

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[Ediron]

Re: What parts are no longer available?

Let's not forget the company's that went out of business due to the car company failures 2 yrs. ago.Many small company went down the drain and they were the one's making many part's.

[Chuck]

Re: What parts are no longer available?

Even if it were 7 one would think cosmetic stuff like the mouldings around the windshield would still be available / you could order one for the 2005. Ed, good point on the small companies going out of business. That may be the answer. I do think at some point we'll see aftermarket companies making parts - I guess the question is - what is that point. Also thought that since the cars are so close to LSes that the parts they share will be available for quite some time.

[4LOWBIRDS+7]

Re: What parts are no longer available?

heard it was 7 yrs.......but who knows.......

AGAIN, NO SUCH REQUIREMENT. THEY TAKE A GUESS BASED ON WHAT HAS BEEN NEEDED IN PAST YEARS. IF SOMETHING KEEPS BEING ORDERED, THEY WILL KEEP SUPPLING IT UNTIL THE DEMAND GOES AWAY.

[Panspeter]

Re: What parts are no longer available?

What I find interesting is that I can find all sorts of after market stuff for my 63 TBird and soon it may become more difficult to keep 02 thru 05's on the road.

[Brad]

Re: What parts are no longer available?

Ron I'm no expert on this topic but according to the EPA manufacturers are required to keep some of the emission control parts available for 8 years/ 80 thousand miles.

http://www.epa.gov/oms/consumer/warr95fs.txt

I'm not worried about getting Tbird parts. I'm able to get very obscure computer control boards on various pieces of equipments from the 1970's fixed or replaced with a little effort.

You don't see any reproduction companies making parts yet for the retro birds since demand is still low and most parts are still available.

Here's a company that sells re-manufactured electronic car components:
http://siaelec.com/index.asp?PageAct...ID=1084&Page=1

[Bird03]

Re: What parts are no longer available?

In 2010, we needed a new Front Electronics Module (FEM) to be replaced, along with our steering rack and power steering pump. There were no FEM's available anywhere in the US, except at a couple of dealers who would not sell the ones they had in their stockroom. We had to wait 3 to 4 weeks before the FEM manufacturer could make a few more and ship them out to our dealer. So much for having parts in stock!
It's frustrating waiting for a part (the FEM) to come in while your T-Bird is in the shop torn apart!

Same for me, only it was 6 weeks. In that 6 weeks it was at the dealer,they managed to put a door ding in it. Hard to see, but after a few days of having it back I found it. Too late to put the blame on them and have them fix it, but I know it didn't happen on my watch.

[Rondor]

Re: What parts are no longer available?

According to several people from different dealers parts are dwindling fast. especially trim and accesory pieces. We can look at the baby bird as an example maybe since it had about the same production numbers. It was quite a few years before much decent aftermarket stuff became available. Today it seems like manufacturing techniques are better and more items are available but it will all be about supply and demand. This will ultimately effect the value of theese cars , but the big ? is how It is starting to look like the preserved cars are going to be a better return than a restored one, but the best investment in one of theese is to get a good buy on a nice one and get your money back in use and enjoyment and then when it doesn't owe you anything see what it might be worth.