Mk4 Escort Pop Project
15-03-2011, 04:36 PM
#1
Ford Nut
Thread Starter
Mk4 Escort Pop Project
I think it's time to add the Escort here as I have finally (after a week of ownership) added a couple of bits today 
The day of purchase;
First I swapped the original radio for a CD/MP3 player; which sounds amazing with the TWO standard speakers which are in mono!
I picked the Escort GTi wheels up last night and have made a start on prepping them to paint dark metallick grey. One needs a tyre and two need centre caps as one is missing and another is broken. (anybody help)?
The RS500 steering wheel arrived today (brilliant) So I fitted that after some hugley helpfull tips from Daniel Wood on how to remove the standard bus driver wheel
(oh and the horn no loonger works...)?
Before;
After;
I then whacked on some smoked rear lights which I got off a mate cheap - I think will go very well with the wheels once they have been fitted.
Before;
After;
I've got some 35mm lowering springs in the post too and have done a deal for some early spec front Recaro's, so plans coming along nicely.
I only managed to get these bits because I sold the XR2 so now on a tight budget for making the car go and stop faster.
But next I'll be building up the collection of parts needed for Zetec with R1 carbs conversion.
That's after I have a leaky CV boot replaced and a service done to the little engine that's already there for the time being of course.
The day of purchase;
First I swapped the original radio for a CD/MP3 player; which sounds amazing with the TWO standard speakers which are in mono!
I picked the Escort GTi wheels up last night and have made a start on prepping them to paint dark metallick grey. One needs a tyre and two need centre caps as one is missing and another is broken. (anybody help)?
The RS500 steering wheel arrived today (brilliant) So I fitted that after some hugley helpfull tips from Daniel Wood on how to remove the standard bus driver wheel
(oh and the horn no loonger works...)?Before;
After;
I then whacked on some smoked rear lights which I got off a mate cheap - I think will go very well with the wheels once they have been fitted.
Before;
After;
I've got some 35mm lowering springs in the post too and have done a deal for some early spec front Recaro's, so plans coming along nicely.
I only managed to get these bits because I sold the XR2 so now on a tight budget for making the car go and stop faster.
But next I'll be building up the collection of parts needed for Zetec with R1 carbs conversion.
That's after I have a leaky CV boot replaced and a service done to the little engine that's already there for the time being of course.
Last edited by XR2DylanPop; 15-03-2011 at 04:39 PM.
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24-03-2011, 09:41 AM
#8
Ford Nut
Thread Starter
Couple of bits added since my last visit.
I definately need a new front bumper as the old one is not only cracked, scratched with holes, it is also only held in by two screws either side :O
So I drilled couple of holes in it and whacked on the spots, I think they look sweeeeeeet. When funds allow I will be replacing these with gen Ford ones.
88spec Recaro's fitted, in time I will get the whole interior, but these are nice and comfy if a little squeeky after bening stretched to fit a mk3 Fez 'tut'.
Wheels are finished - Just waiting on some funds so I can get the wheels and springs on - Maybe in the next two weeks. I need a 185/55 R15 tyre, alloy wheel bolts, the wheels balanced then fitted, and the labour cost for fitting the springs will most likely double the amount I paid for them?!
I washed and polished the beast yesterday then went for little drive, be rude not to
I definately need a new front bumper as the old one is not only cracked, scratched with holes, it is also only held in by two screws either side :O
So I drilled couple of holes in it and whacked on the spots, I think they look sweeeeeeet. When funds allow I will be replacing these with gen Ford ones.
88spec Recaro's fitted, in time I will get the whole interior, but these are nice and comfy if a little squeeky after bening stretched to fit a mk3 Fez 'tut'.
Wheels are finished - Just waiting on some funds so I can get the wheels and springs on - Maybe in the next two weeks. I need a 185/55 R15 tyre, alloy wheel bolts, the wheels balanced then fitted, and the labour cost for fitting the springs will most likely double the amount I paid for them?!
I washed and polished the beast yesterday then went for little drive, be rude not to
24-03-2011, 04:41 PM
#11
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looks mint mate, this is exactly how mine started out life
when it comes to fitting springs dude, worth havin a bash on your own, very simple job, just a top nut and a bolt thru the hub holding the front strut on, and drop the bolt on the inner mount of the rear trailing arm
when it comes to fitting springs dude, worth havin a bash on your own, very simple job, just a top nut and a bolt thru the hub holding the front strut on, and drop the bolt on the inner mount of the rear trailing arm
25-03-2011, 08:47 AM
#16
Ford Nut
Thread Starter
Many thanks for your kind comments people
Yeah got me horn working but I had to wire it into a separate button which I put on the dash for now.
I will have a go at springs myself then perhaps, if all fails the garage is next door!
The tail lights were a subtle touch I thought
Can't wait to get the wheels on, the only thing letting it down at the mo. I wasn't successfull with my trip to the scrappys for front bumper yesterday but another two to try until... I really don't know!
Yeah got me horn working but I had to wire it into a separate button which I put on the dash for now.
I will have a go at springs myself then perhaps, if all fails the garage is next door!
The tail lights were a subtle touch I thought
Can't wait to get the wheels on, the only thing letting it down at the mo. I wasn't successfull with my trip to the scrappys for front bumper yesterday but another two to try until... I really don't know!
25-03-2011, 10:44 PM
#20
Old Fords Never Die
Good project. Horn should work, the connectors are different sizes, so you can't put them on wrong. Try a bit of wire bridged over the pin switch in the coloumn, that could be dirty ??
25-03-2011, 11:27 PM
#21
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04-04-2011, 07:48 PM
#23
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Hiya mate, I have exactly the same model, colour and year escort as you and Im on a little mission to get mine looking a bit sweeter too. Really like the touches you have done to yours already. Ive just picked up some capri pepperpots 7x13J alloys refurb condition but Im unsure weather to drop the old girl by 40mm or 60mm. Ive heard that the ride will be tough on -60mm and maybe rub a bit which worries me if the car rattles to bits, but I would love it to look that low. Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated.
04-04-2011, 08:17 PM
#25
Ford Nut
Thread Starter
Hiya mate, I have exactly the same model, colour and year escort as you and Im on a little mission to get mine looking a bit sweeter too. Really like the touches you have done to yours already. Ive just picked up some capri pepperpots 7x13J alloys refurb condition but Im unsure weather to drop the old girl by 40mm or 60mm. Ive heard that the ride will be tough on -60mm and maybe rub a bit which worries me if the car rattles to bits, but I would love it to look that low. Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated.
I wouldn't recommend lowering by 60mm, the ride will be awful, be a shame to take away the beaty of it
But hey it's your car, go with what you like I'm dropping mine on -35mm springs with 15" 6j GTi wheels, apparently they will scrub with the tyres on them, it's quite a big difference though from the 13" steels to 15" 6j alloys and a 35mm drop, but I'm gonna try it.
I've seen a Bonus dropped by 35mm on 15" RST alloys and it is ample droppage and looks very neat, not sure older style wheels will look good but each to their own, maybe the deep dish and small diameter will look cool, different is cool so yeah...? Will the offset be right with the Capri pots?
Things are on hold for a week or nine as I've just started a new job and money is a bit all over the place, but next job is wheels on and sorting out some rust that I have discovered, oh and front bumper which is held on with cable ties right now! (not that I can bleedin find one locally and gen standard Ford)
And cheers Jordy
15-04-2011, 05:14 PM
#26
Ford Nut
Thread Starter
Seems like ages since I been on here but spose it has been, new job has been keeping me too busy and tired but got the wheels on eventually and springs will be going on soon. Got new front bumper too being as the old one plus one spot light cover got ripped off in a drive-in car wash a week or so back! So got rid of the tacky spots which I will replace with gen Ford ones some day and got shot of the red bumper strips too.
I'm also going to replace the orange indicators with clears very soon.
Neked!
I'm also going to replace the orange indicators with clears very soon.
Neked!
26-04-2011, 10:08 AM
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Damper problems
Hiya mate, just got round this weekend to putting my lowering springs on went for 40mm drop. Everything was going fine until we tried to remove the damper but it was just rust welded in. Wondered if you had a similar problem with yours or if you might have any advice for getting the damper out, I was thinking about getting some rust eater see how that goes.
26-04-2011, 10:40 AM
#32
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Hiya mate, just got round this weekend to putting my lowering springs on went for 40mm drop. Everything was going fine until we tried to remove the damper but it was just rust welded in. Wondered if you had a similar problem with yours or if you might have any advice for getting the damper out, I was thinking about getting some rust eater see how that goes.
Do you plan on using the damper again?
Impact wrench it, mole grips around strut.
26-04-2011, 11:53 AM
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Its welded at the bottom of the damper where it joins the brake assembly. I can remove all the retaining bolts no problem but its just had years sat in there it just seems like one solid piece now. I was thinking about getting new dampers as the ones in are on the way out anyway so if they get destroyed then its no probs.
26-04-2011, 01:59 PM
#34
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Thanks for the quick reply mate,
Its welded at the bottom of the damper where it joins the brake assembly. I can remove all the retaining bolts no problem but its just had years sat in there it just seems like one solid piece now. I was thinking about getting new dampers as the ones in are on the way out anyway so if they get destroyed then its no probs.
Its welded at the bottom of the damper where it joins the brake assembly. I can remove all the retaining bolts no problem but its just had years sat in there it just seems like one solid piece now. I was thinking about getting new dampers as the ones in are on the way out anyway so if they get destroyed then its no probs.
You mean where the bottom of the strut joins the hub housing.
Give the nice chunky metal at the top of the hub (not the shock), a couple of blows downward with a big hammer and it'll shock it free, trust us done it plenty of times
Best to take the whole lot off the tca etc to do this by the way!
If you need to know how to do this give us a shout!
Last edited by Jimmyc; 26-04-2011 at 02:01 PM. Reason: To add last para
lol
