The Roadster Build Begins!

[Mlofton]

Received my Complete Mk4 Kit on 23 December. The Coyote 5.0 Crate Engine and Tremec 600 Transmission arrived the day before. At this point Parts Inventory is complete (BO Parts included Front Hubs, Gas Tank, Rear IRS Spindles and Rear CV Axles). All the Aluminum Panels have been marked, photographed and removed. The Front suspension is installed as far as I could go without the Hubs (went surprisingly well). First time Builder and the experience to this point has been great fun and overwhelming at the same time. Have been a frequent visitor of this Forum since I committed to the Roadster build and ordered the Kit last October. Hopefully this Forum will be a great tool as my build progresses.

[pstockha]

Congratulations! It's a great feeling isn't it? Everyone on this forum has been a terrific help and a friendly community to share the experience with.

Good luck with your build. Post pics when you have a chance. And don't be shy about asking questions.

[pcww]

Good luck. The one essential, well not the one, but one I did not discover until late in the build process is a headlamp. I wound up with the Black Diamond rechargeable but any one will do. You will be surprised how many times you need it. I have no other technical advice but to recommend a few of the gurus: EdwardB (Paul Borror), Jeff Klein, Da Bat and anyone who has built more than one of these. What they say is gospel. Henry

[wallace18]

What a cool X-mas Present!

[frankeeski]

This is an excellent time to run all of your hard lines for brakes and fuel. Also a chance to get a jump on the chassis wiring. Once the panels go on and the suspension is in the way it makes running these line more difficult.

Congrats on your Christmas present!

[KDubU]

Congrats! Now the fun begins.

[Mlofton]

So at this point, the front suspension is complete as far as I can go without Hubs. I am also waiting on rear Spindles, and CV Axles. Was going to start on Pedal Box but am missing hardware and it will be at least 2 weeks before I receive missing hardware from FFR. Skipping around the Assembly Manual in an effort to stay productive and keep the build moving as I wait on parts. Don't want to start assembly on areas that will interfere later when parts are received. I will hang the rear Center section soon and maybe the IRS parts that I do have up to the spindles and axles. The front firewall is also installed. At this point, I was thinking on taking on the Passenger Foot Box. Any recommendations on areas I can be working as I await my parts?

[oldguy668]

You can drill and Cleco all of your aluminum. That will kill a few man-hours until more goodies arrive

[David Hodgkins]

Congratulations! I've upgraded your account so you can use the pic albums here and update your profile.

Here's how to change your thread title as you go:
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?19402-Changing-The-Thread-Title-Guidelines

And this is how to embed pics using the Image Gallery:
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?18962-How-to-use-the-Image-Gallery-to-embed-pictures-in-posts

I hope I can provide some help with your build. Ca't wait to see some pics of your progress!

:)

[edwardb]

So at this point, the front suspension is complete as far as I can go without Hubs. I am also waiting on rear Spindles, and CV Axles. Was going to start on Pedal Box but am missing hardware and it will be at least 2 weeks before I receive missing hardware from FFR. Skipping around the Assembly Manual in an effort to stay productive and keep the build moving as I wait on parts. Don't want to start assembly on areas that will interfere later when parts are received. I will hang the rear Center section soon and maybe the IRS parts that I do have up to the spindles and axles. The front firewall is also installed. At this point, I was thinking on taking on the Passenger Foot Box. Any recommendations on areas I can be working as I await my parts?

Congrats on your kit delivery! You're in for a great experience, and the end result isn't too bad either. Since this is your first build, I would wait on fuel and brake lines until your front and rear suspension is in place and your brakes installed. Routing is important and best to see where everything is first IMO. Lots of things you can be doing while waiting for parts. As mentioned, drilling panels is one. Hopefully you have some clecos so you can hold pieces in place as you go. That's important. Yes you can install the passenger foot box. Front F-panels are another. There are lots of subassemblies you can be working on. Hood hinges, e-brake handle, gas tank, the instrument panel, to name a few. Most including me will recommend a shroud on the radiator. Now would be a good time to cut the hole, mount the fan, and work on the radiator installation. These steps should keep you busy for awhile!

[cgundermann]

Congratulations! You are in for the ride of your life...

[CraigS]

Welcome to a life changing experience. I got my MkI in 05 and my current MkII in 07. Funny that now I only have maybe two friends that don't own a cobra. And maybe 20 friends who I met just because of this car. 5 or 6 of those I could call 24/7 and they would help w/ anything I need. It's a fantastic feeling.