Title: Northern 88 Midnight Blue Bird
Post by: GigShooTer69 on July 21, 2014, 09:48:51 PM
Post by: GigShooTer69 on July 21, 2014, 09:48:51 PM
Hello
After 15 years of blood, sweat, tears and lots of $$. I am finished my project. What I trip it's been. Many times I have wanted to set it over a cliff, sell it, trash it but I couldn't let it go.
I am a patient man. Every year I would complete 1 project - store it - pull it back out and the next year begin another project. This car has been through a lot just like myself. Many people told me to get rid of it - your wasting your time and money. They don't say that now. I love my 88 T-Bird. Wow what an Obsession. I learned a pile of stuff re building it. I learned a lot from this website also. I have been trolling here for about 8 years. Happy to be a Thunderbird Owner.
ROCK ON
After 15 years of blood, sweat, tears and lots of $$. I am finished my project. What I trip it's been. Many times I have wanted to set it over a cliff, sell it, trash it but I couldn't let it go.
I am a patient man. Every year I would complete 1 project - store it - pull it back out and the next year begin another project. This car has been through a lot just like myself. Many people told me to get rid of it - your wasting your time and money. They don't say that now. I love my 88 T-Bird. Wow what an Obsession. I learned a pile of stuff re building it. I learned a lot from this website also. I have been trolling here for about 8 years. Happy to be a Thunderbird Owner.
ROCK ON
Title: Northern 88 Midnight Blue Bird
Post by: 1BadBird on July 21, 2014, 09:54:36 PM
Post by: 1BadBird on July 21, 2014, 09:54:36 PM
Beautiful ride!!! Nice work too :D You could've had a lot worse obsessions. A lot of wives just don't understand that. I know mind don't.
Title: Northern 88 Midnight Blue Bird
Post by: mercury-man on July 22, 2014, 09:32:47 AM
Post by: mercury-man on July 22, 2014, 09:32:47 AM
Thanks for sharing your pics with us friend. :birdsmily:
Title: Northern 88 Midnight Blue Bird
Post by: 50tbrd88 on July 23, 2014, 05:02:41 PM
Post by: 50tbrd88 on July 23, 2014, 05:02:41 PM
Good work! Most people just don't "get" these cars. They just see them as old '80s cars with no value. It takes someone with real passion to stick to their guns and see the project through when your not working on something mainstream like a muscle car, etc.
You should be proud!
You should be proud!
Title: Northern 88 Midnight Blue Bird
Post by: TOM Renzo on July 24, 2014, 06:43:08 AM
Post by: TOM Renzo on July 24, 2014, 06:43:08 AM
Nice ride needs to be droppet a little bit to really make it stand out. great job!! Have a good day guys
Title: Northern 88 Midnight Blue Bird
Post by: My10-80 on July 24, 2014, 07:27:47 AM
Post by: My10-80 on July 24, 2014, 07:27:47 AM
Nice looking. Loving the color coded grill.
Title: Northern 88 Midnight Blue Bird
Post by: Lodemia on July 24, 2014, 06:15:55 PM
Post by: Lodemia on July 24, 2014, 06:15:55 PM
I long for the day my '88 looks this great. You did a fantastic job!
Title: Northern 88 Midnight Blue Bird
Post by: thunderjet302 on July 24, 2014, 06:24:25 PM
Post by: thunderjet302 on July 24, 2014, 06:24:25 PM
Looking good :)
Title: Northern 88 Midnight Blue Bird
Post by: Thunderbird88 on July 25, 2014, 03:20:09 AM
Post by: Thunderbird88 on July 25, 2014, 03:20:09 AM
Looking good! Give us more pictures!
Title: Northern 88 Midnight Blue Bird
Post by: GigShooTer69 on July 25, 2014, 11:31:30 AM
Post by: GigShooTer69 on July 25, 2014, 11:31:30 AM
I have thought of dropping the suspension down many times. That's a big job to do dropping the suspension. I may do that next year it would look really nice to bring down about 2.5 inches I think. Other than that I have no intention of tinting the windows ever. i will post 3 more pics tonight.
Title: Northern 88 Midnight Blue Bird
Post by: vinnietbird on July 25, 2014, 01:14:38 PM
Post by: vinnietbird on July 25, 2014, 01:14:38 PM
Actually, these cars sit high from the factory. I dropped mine about 2 inches all around by simply installing 1999 Mustang springs into it, then an alignment afterwards. What do you mean by "custom motor?
Title: Northern 88 Midnight Blue Bird
Post by: GigShooTer69 on July 25, 2014, 04:57:05 PM
Post by: GigShooTer69 on July 25, 2014, 04:57:05 PM
I edited my last post thinking that the reasoning my car was so high up is that somebody had to add leafs to it to hold the Engine that was dropped into it. It looks like the Ford 5.0 V8 but I had guys tell me that it looks modified like that ain't the original engine that came with the car off the line. I'm not sure anyways. Don't matter it runs fantastic but it's a pig on gas. I wonder how much a drop down job using springs as such you suggest would cost? I hear it's a lot of work and dangerous.
Title: Northern 88 Midnight Blue Bird
Post by: vinnietbird on July 25, 2014, 06:08:12 PM
Post by: vinnietbird on July 25, 2014, 06:08:12 PM
I would bet all of the springs could be changed in two hours if you take your time. Not a big deal. Post up a pic of the engine bay. No leafs can be added as the car has a 4 link rear and struts up front. It is a good looking Bird you have.
Title: Northern 88 Midnight Blue Bird
Post by: GigShooTer69 on July 25, 2014, 09:18:29 PM
Post by: GigShooTer69 on July 25, 2014, 09:18:29 PM
The Interior is very clean - typical wear and tear - the dash is cracked from the sun but I can live with that. I removed the centre console/arm rest thing a ma jig. I cut it off from the driver's seat with a torch - all I have left are the power window controls. I hate all that automated like mirrors , seats etc . more things to breakdown in the future. I also removed the power seat unit from under the driver seat cause it was seized and I converted the seat to manual. I really wish the windows were all manual. I'm really wary of all the power features. Years and years ago I had a fire under the passenger seat in the harness. Last year I had that rewired and redone. There really is nothing I have not redone in this car with the exception of the Engine. Next year or maybe this fall I will drop it down. I'm sure I will. Before the car was finished people would only shake their heads now they turn em. :-) The other car is a brand new 2014 Honda Civic I bought last week. I have driven it once LOL - that'll be my winter car. :-)
ROCK ON
ROCK ON
Title: Northern 88 Midnight Blue Bird
Post by: GigShooTer69 on July 25, 2014, 09:27:53 PM
Post by: GigShooTer69 on July 25, 2014, 09:27:53 PM
more pics !!!!!!!!!!
Title: Northern 88 Midnight Blue Bird
Post by: GigShooTer69 on July 25, 2014, 09:28:14 PM
Post by: GigShooTer69 on July 25, 2014, 09:28:14 PM
Title: Northern 88 Midnight Blue Bird
Post by: flipnbird on July 28, 2014, 06:48:15 AM
Post by: flipnbird on July 28, 2014, 06:48:15 AM
Nice looking bird.....and that is the original engine.
Title: Northern 88 Midnight Blue Bird
Post by: TheFoeYouKnow on July 28, 2014, 07:17:20 AM
Post by: TheFoeYouKnow on July 28, 2014, 07:17:20 AM
Quote from: TOM Renzo;436310
Nice ride needs to be droppet a little bit to really make it stand out. great job!! Have a good day guys
Title: Northern 88 Midnight Blue Bird
Post by: GigShooTer69 on July 28, 2014, 12:19:06 PM
Post by: GigShooTer69 on July 28, 2014, 12:19:06 PM
Come to think of it - you probably are right , I believe those are oversized tires I have on it.
Title: Northern 88 Midnight Blue Bird
Post by: TheFoeYouKnow on July 28, 2014, 01:30:34 PM
Post by: TheFoeYouKnow on July 28, 2014, 01:30:34 PM
The tires probably aren't the issue, it's where the backspacing of the wheels places the tires in relation to the fenders. Tires won't fix that, you probably need different wheels if you're going to lower it at any point, if not then carry on.
Title: Northern 88 Midnight Blue Bird
Post by: GigShooTer69 on July 28, 2014, 09:28:55 PM
Post by: GigShooTer69 on July 28, 2014, 09:28:55 PM
Ahhhh Ok I understand thanks -
Title: Northern 88 Midnight Blue Bird
Post by: GigShooTer69 on September 11, 2014, 09:41:03 PM
Post by: GigShooTer69 on September 11, 2014, 09:41:03 PM
Title: Northern 88 Midnight Blue Bird
Post by: GigShooTer69 on September 11, 2014, 09:43:13 PM
Post by: GigShooTer69 on September 11, 2014, 09:43:13 PM
Title: Northern 88 Midnight Blue Bird
Post by: BLKBRD88 on September 11, 2014, 10:47:29 PM
Post by: BLKBRD88 on September 11, 2014, 10:47:29 PM
That is one sweet looking bird!
In my opinion it doesn't need to be lowered or swap wheels. I like it as is, but then I am just an old country boy.
Ron
In my opinion it doesn't need to be lowered or swap wheels. I like it as is, but then I am just an old country boy.
Ron
Title: Northern 88 Midnight Blue Bird
Post by: turbotrav on September 12, 2014, 06:49:00 AM
Post by: turbotrav on September 12, 2014, 06:49:00 AM
Pretty clean Tbird....with the SO 5.0...
congrats on owning and driving her....
Travis
congrats on owning and driving her....
Travis
Title: Northern 88 Midnight Blue Bird
Post by: kylesburrell on September 13, 2014, 12:41:40 AM
Post by: kylesburrell on September 13, 2014, 12:41:40 AM
Im with the guys that say lower it. whenever you lower tbirds and put wider tires, they look pretty mean :)
Title: Northern 88 Midnight Blue Bird
Post by: BLKBRD88 on September 13, 2014, 02:29:49 AM
Post by: BLKBRD88 on September 13, 2014, 02:29:49 AM
Quote from: kylesburrell;437943
Im with the guys that say lower it. whenever you lower tbirds and put wider tires, they look pretty mean :)
When you say they look MEAN, is this kinda what you MEAN?
(http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j430/ronelias/BBCrpped_zpsf7fbf25c.jpg) (http://s1085.photobucket.com/user/ronelias/media/BBCrpped_zpsf7fbf25c.jpg.html)
2" drop, sitting on 245/45/17s wrapped around 8 1/2" MSW wheels.
Just because I'm old country doesn't mean that I can't appreciate my lowered TC with fat tires….LOL
Ron
Title: Northern 88 Midnight Blue Bird
Post by: kylesburrell on September 13, 2014, 10:10:59 PM
Post by: kylesburrell on September 13, 2014, 10:10:59 PM
Yeah! thats pretty awesome! :)
Title: Northern 88 Midnight Blue Bird
Post by: ISTLCRUZ on September 14, 2014, 08:35:23 AM
Post by: ISTLCRUZ on September 14, 2014, 08:35:23 AM
Quote from: BLKBRD88;437946
When you say they look MEAN, is this kinda what you MEAN?
(http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j430/ronelias/BBCrpped_zpsf7fbf25c.jpg) (http://s1085.photobucket.com/user/ronelias/media/BBCrpped_zpsf7fbf25c.jpg.html)
2" drop, sitting on 245/45/17s wrapped around 8 1/2" MSW wheels.
Just because I'm old country doesn't mean that I can't appreciate my lowered TC with fat tires….LOL
Ron
That a SWEET ride.... There is just somethin' about a black TC:cool.....
Title: Northern 88 Midnight Blue Bird
Post by: Clayton on September 15, 2014, 05:34:26 PM
Post by: Clayton on September 15, 2014, 05:34:26 PM
Looks great man but stance is everything
(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/Tcj429/0810021121.jpg)
(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/Tcj429/0810021121.jpg)
Title: Northern 88 Midnight Blue Bird
Post by: GDawg148 on September 16, 2014, 01:09:39 PM
Post by: GDawg148 on September 16, 2014, 01:09:39 PM
Great looking ride! No one will ever understand why we have fallen in love with these cars.
Title: Northern 88 Midnight Blue Bird
Post by: GigShooTer69 on September 17, 2014, 02:37:29 PM
Post by: GigShooTer69 on September 17, 2014, 02:37:29 PM
All I know is that everywhere I go I see Mustangs, Mustangs, Mustangs, old ones, new ones, restored ones, beat up ones, py , nice, you name it Mustangs are all over but you rarely see T-birds and when I do I smile, because they are far and few. I find Mustangs are over rated. I only like the old 60's ones myself
Title: Northern 88 Midnight Blue Bird
Post by: rodsterh on September 18, 2014, 12:15:32 AM
Post by: rodsterh on September 18, 2014, 12:15:32 AM
Quote from: 50tbrd88;436281
Good work! Most people just don't "get" these cars. They just see them as old '80s cars with no value. It takes someone with real passion to stick to their guns and see the project through when your not working on something mainstream like a muscle car, etc.
+1 (as I'm currently working on an 83 and 84!) :hick:
Quote from: GigShooTer69;438094
All I know is that everywhere I go I see Mustangs, Mustangs, Mustangs, old ones, new ones, restored ones, beat up ones, py , nice, you name it Mustangs are all over but you rarely see T-birds and when I do I smile, because they are far and few. I find Mustangs are over rated. I only like the old 60's ones myself
I've got a mix of TBirds and Mustangs and would probably own some other models if I had unlimited space. Took a 2000+ mile roadtrip in my '09 GT and not sure I'd want to do that in an old 60's Mustang. :)
Title: Northern 88 Midnight Blue Bird
Post by: BLKBRD88 on September 18, 2014, 03:42:42 PM
Post by: BLKBRD88 on September 18, 2014, 03:42:42 PM
Quote from: rodsterh;438115
I've got a mix of TBirds and Mustangs and would probably own some other models if I had unlimited space. Took a 2000+ mile roadtrip in my '09 GT and not sure I'd want to do that in an old 60's Mustang. :)
We also have a mix of Ponys & Tbirds, & like them all.
At times it is nice to just sit back in one of the Tbirds & cruise along the highway. At other times we like to go cruising in the SVO, or in the GT with the top down. Personally, I can't say that I prefer one or the other between birds & ponys.
We recently did a 1650 mile trip back to AZ. in the 86 GT vert and while obviously not as comfortable as the Birds, it was a fun trip for us.
Ron