lookin for some information on body mods

aaron_bliss · Thu Jul 19, 2007 1:08 pm

OK, so as you can see I am brand new here.

I almost have my hands on what I think of as my first real "ride" (used to have a 85 cutlass and a kia, and a neon)

anyway, I am new to all of this but I am really interested in making my new Focus something amazing. Its a black 2005 zx3 automatic with sunroof (i know, but I dont drive stick)

. I haven't even seen it yet (friend picked it up at auction for me) and its killing me!

anyway, I want to make some changes to the body, I like the wider fenders and fatter bumpers, lower look stuff like that but I don't even know where to start.

one thing I wonder about is, on the zx3... do you even have to lower them or are they low already?

when you but parts, can you just snap them on pretty easy or is it lots of hard work?

do the new parts come painted? stuff like that.

anyway, I live in IGH near the ruby Tuesday - is that a good place to get some ideas at the meeting?

sorry for the 20 questions, hope it inst too much.

Thanks!

Redlineracer12 · Thu Jul 19, 2007 1:13 pm

Where near Ruby Tuesdays? I believe I'm the closest person to that meeting place

There are lots of body parts you can buy to make up your own kit, they usually come unpainted and can be somewhat difficult to install.

The ZX3's do not come very low to the ground, a lot of people on here have lowered there's considerably.

Welcome

aaron_bliss · Thu Jul 19, 2007 1:34 pm

wow! thanks! Im over by the 70th and Cahill area.

any idea as to how spendy it would be to lower it?

Flea · Thu Jul 19, 2007 1:41 pm

PM Steve (fordsvtparts) he works at a dealer and gets us killer deals

Redlineracer12 · Thu Jul 19, 2007 1:43 pm

aaron_bliss wrote:wow! thanks! Im over by the 70th and Cahill area.

any idea as to how spendy it would be to lower it?

Ha I'm still the closest 80th and Concord here

It depends what kinda of lowering kit you want, as well as what you plan on doing with it.

If you just want a cheap drop it doesn't cost much just to pick up some lowering springs.

aaron_bliss · Thu Jul 19, 2007 2:55 pm

so the next gathering is till august second yea?

is that a good place to see new things? is everyone cool?

"A"

Thu Jul 19, 2007 3:06 pm

Most of us are pretty cool, you'll want to stay away from some of the guys, they are a bad influence...haha j/k

umdivx · Thu Jul 19, 2007 4:58 pm

as far as a "wide body kit" that'll be the hardest part as you'll need to do real body work for that, its not as simple as plug n play, specially for the rear fenders as you'll have to do welding and repainting and all that.

Focus is "sorta" low but many of us will tell you that stock isn't low enough so a drop is in definite order and Steve on here can get you a ford racing performance kit at a reasonable price.

- Josh

aaron_bliss · Thu Jul 19, 2007 6:22 pm

wow, thanks again,

*about the lowering:
I was just talking to my mechanic and he said that lowering is cook but it messes with the suspension and makes it a rough ride, is that true?

*on the wide look:
I saw some things that look like they could do the trick called "flares" what is that all about?

aaron_bliss · Thu Jul 19, 2007 6:24 pm

also, anyone seen a way to change the shift grip for an automatic or even know what thats called?

the one on the focus looks like a POS.

Thu Jul 19, 2007 7:53 pm

Who cares about ride quality? Any lowering spring will degrade that Cadilac ride quality, but thats the point of the springs, is to lower the center of gravity, and harder spring comp makes for a better handling car. So sure, its ride alittle stiffer, but handles oh so much better.

The flares your seeing are also gonna take alot of work to get them to work properly. There is no easy out to a wide body...

for the auto knob, get on focaljet.com or focusfanatic.com and ask around there. I think Randy is the only one on here with an auto...haha

zurno · Thu Jul 19, 2007 8:17 pm

o2designs wrote:Who cares about ride quality? Any lowering spring will degrade that Cadilac ride quality, but thats the point of the springs, is to lower the center of gravity, and harder spring comp makes for a better handling car. So sure, its ride alittle stiffer, but handles oh so much better.

The flares your seeing are also gonna take alot of work to get them to work properly. There is no easy out to a wide body...

for the auto knob, get on focaljet.com or focusfanatic.com and ask around there. I think Randy is the only one on here with an auto...haha

if he wanted low and comfy he could bag it? get there goes the storage space, lol

Deagle50ae · Thu Jul 19, 2007 9:19 pm

Yea, the stock shift nob sucks. but you can pick up a crystal one with lights and shit on ebay. that's where I got mine, and my aluminum wing! I lowered mine 2.2" with a cheap kit and the guy I got it from said I needed an alignment after it, but I didnt get one because it looks tits with the wheels angled a little bit so when I corner it grips awesome.

Welcome to the foci group my friend!

focinite · Thu Jul 19, 2007 11:58 pm

o2designs wrote:Most of us are pretty cool, you'll want to stay away from some of the guys, they are a bad influence...haha j/k

yeah like me, im an arss hole!!!!!! dont listen to me at all, i will turn you to the dark side!!!!.

for you, the best place to look is the inter web, ebay is not always the best place, the body kits from there are hit and miss. try lookin on ebay uk for the real focus kits. lowering is all up to you, want a slam, or a useable setup. a good set of progessive rate springs are a great inbetween , but carefull, you go to low and youll hate your car!! i think the norm is 1 1/2- 2 1/4 drops. plan it out, find the tire size, find the off set for the rims. with body kits, i like urethane, its just better than fiber glass. it fits better, it way more durable and forgiving.

aaron_bliss · Fri Jul 20, 2007 8:23 am

yea, super low would suck, I have kids so I don't want then to hate my car and I don't want to myself.

I want y'all to know that I really do appreciate this help. This is great, it really is, thank you.

so I did some hunting and I found this....
these would be choice because they show you how low you go but I also like the pro-kit. The thing is, its really spendy.
http://eibach.com/cgi-bin/htmlos.exe/03 ... 2800026891?
(you may need to copy and paste into a browser on the links)

I also found the Moog Cargo Progressive rate springs, they seem to be good based on a suggestion by focinite and they are in my price range...
http://store.summitracing.com/egnsearch ... &N=700+115

My biggest issue is my lack of knowledge. the questions burning in my mind are to start, I really want something clean and cool but to stand out a bit, clean is how I want this car to be. I am going to start by lowering just a bit, nothing to drastic but I want it to be noticeable for sure and I have no clue how to choose

see this link...
http://eibach.com/cgi-bin/htmlos.exe/03 ... 7000026891?

the sportline looks Sharp! but , how do I know how low that is or if its to much, maybe you guys have some pics and can tell how low you went? the sportline looks low but the tire shown looks like its about a 45 and that is not a Minnesota tire is it?

again, I know that dealing with noobs can be a pain and you guys have been very cool helping me, thank you. If I get annoying let me know.