Differences between the Base and Complete kits

[charlesshoults]

This has almost certainly been asked before but I performed a couple brief searches and didn't quite find what I was after. I'm almost certainly going to be going with a base kit but I need some help from persons who have experience with both kit levels that can help me decipher the differences between the two. Factory Five's material the components necessary to complete the car when based on either kit, but I suspect the true list is a bit more complicated. Of course, either kit needs an engine, transmission, rear end, wheels, tires and paint. The base kit says driveshaft, front and rear brakes, spindles, lower A-arms, radiator, fan shroud, steering rack, factory ignition, EFI computer and wiring harness, fuel tank and fuel filter, E-brake handle and pedal box.

I suppose what I need to know is on a more basic level.

If I elect to have a chassis built to support the 2015 Mustang-based IRS components, are there any other differences in the frame from the base to complete kit level?
The base kit assumes that the builder is going to use donor parts from a 1987-2004 Mustang, but the front control arms and spindles are also available from Factory Five. Using the base kit, are there any suspension, steering or brake components required that I couldn't buy from Factory Five after the fact?
I know that during the order process, there is a part number listed for a 15:1 power steering rack (16104) but I don't see it available at www.factoryfiveparts.com Has anyone purchased one of these after the fact from Factory Five?
I order the kit to support the IRS components, and I then buy a center section, spindles and hubs. Axles come with the IRS. A 12.88" Wilwood IRS brake setup is selectable as an option during the ordering process but again, I don't see that component set listed on www.factoryfiveparts.com. Is it available?
The pedal box assembly is not included in the base kit but is available from www.factoryfiveparts.com and I see that it includes a new front panel for the front of the drivers side foot box. Are there any fitment issues?
Building a car from the base kit, are there any missing brake components that I need to be aware of?
It doesn't look like the base kit comes with hood props. No big deal, but can they be purchased separately from Factory Five?
Other than the front of the drivers side foot box, are there any other aluminum panel differences between the two kit levels?
It appears that the two levels have significant differences in instrumentation and electrical components. I'm not sure where to start asking questions about that one.
Does the base kit come with a horn, column mounted turn signals? What switches does the base kit not include?


Goals:
Factory Five MK4 Base Kit
Independent Rear Suspension
12.88" Wilwood brakes front and rear
Power Steering
BOSS 302 - no EFI - minimal electronics
Vintage gauge set with GPS speedometer
Steering wheel mounted horn button

[Usudno]

I ordered the complete kit for one main reason. I wanted to spend time building the car not tracking down parts. The complete kit comes with everything I needed except for a COMPLETE rear end assembly. This includes brakes, ebrake cables, differential and in my case caliper brackets and anti moan brackets (I'm sure the IRS is a bit different). It also requires a fuel pump, engine and transmission. Other than that... a bit of paint, insulation and the biggie. TOOLS! I have purchased the following.

Clecos
Cleco pliers
Large axle nut socket
A few swivels
Pneumatic riveter
Right angle drill (pneumatic)
Crawler (old one had seen much better days)
Tubing bender
New low profile jack
25 #30 drill bits
A set of unibits
And lord knows what else is in my cost folder.

That being said.... I wouldn't have it any other way so far!

[charlesshoults]

My thoughts are, $19,900 for a complete kit plus $3200 for Wilwood brakes, plus $1999 for double-adjustable shocks. On a complete kit, that leaves me with a set of standard shocks and basic brake components that won't be needed. If I start with a base kit instead, I'm into it for a lower initial investment and after the brake upgrades, I'm not left with spare parts I don't need. It looks like shocks are included with both base and complete kits, but that's another story, and something I still need to confirm. For most of the parts that I would need to get me up to a complete automobile, I have sources and prices lined up for most of them.

[GoDadGo]

The Complete Kit Is The Way To Go!

Everything is included except the Rear End, Rear Brakes, Chevy Engine, Transmission, Wheels, Tires & Paint.
Seats, wiring, gauges, shifter handle, pedals and the list goes on and on and on.
Then you add the creature comforts and personal touches.

The Best Thing Is You End Up With A Completely New Car & Very Clean Hands To Boot!

https://youtu.be/_wnHDNgnNqs

[Usudno]

True but you can order a complete kit, and customize it. Dan helped me customize the kit to my liking. All of the hardware and misc brackets, nuts, spacers and bolts seem like a real chore to track down. Now if you go base kit and use breeze or mike forte or one of the vendors here, they can probably finish the kit off for you with pieces that match your preference and included the needed hardware. Take a look at mark at breeze automotive EZ PaKs.

[Papa]

My thoughts are, $19,900 for a complete kit plus $3200 for Wilwood brakes, plus $1999 for double-adjustable shocks. On a complete kit, that leaves me with a set of standard shocks and basic brake components that won't be needed. If I start with a base kit instead, I'm into it for a lower initial investment and after the brake upgrades, I'm not left with spare parts I don't need. It looks like shocks are included with both base and complete kits, but that's another story, and something I still need to confirm. For most of the parts that I would need to get me up to a complete automobile, I have sources and prices lined up for most of them.

Do you still get the standard brakes with the kit when you "upgrade" to the Wilwoods?

[Jdav]

Do you still get the standard brakes with the kit when you "upgrade" to the Wilwoods?

99% sure you do not. The prices on the kit upgrades are lower than the prices for the same part in the parts catalog as FFR has already calculated the "credit" for the base part.

[edwardb]

Do you still get the standard brakes with the kit when you "upgrade" to the Wilwoods?

No.

[edwardb]

Specific answers to the listed questions:

1. No.
2. No. But just one comment. Lots of builds use the base kit but not a donor. I’ve done two non-donor builds from base kits. Just means you choose the completion parts yourself versus the ones in the complete kit. You may or may not save money based on what you choose.
3. I don’t know. Call and ask. Lots of parts are available that aren’t in the on-line catalog. Don’t use that as a barometer.
4. Same as #3. Lots of parts aren’t in the on-line catalog.
5. No.
6. Don’t think so.
7. Probably. Again same as #3 and #4. If not available, they’re pretty common Suspa parts.
8. No.
9. Not really true. Complete kit has the Ron Francis harness and gauges you select. Base kit doesn’t include either, but of course can be added. Unless you plan to use a donor harness (not my thing…) they are wired the same. Details of the wiring will be affected by other things like engine choice, EFI or non-EFI, accessories you choose, etc.
10. Factory Five doesn’t offer a column mounted turn signal. Couple options available from forum vendors. Horn and switches are easy to source if not included.

Hope that answers your questions.

[Papa]

99% sure you do not. The prices on the kit upgrades are lower than the prices for the same part in the parts catalog as FFR has already calculated the "credit" for the base part.


No.

That's what I thought. Thanks for the clarification.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Pretty well covered in the previous posts however:

#6. You'll need soft lines and parking brake cables.
#7. Base kit does not include the hood hinge or gas cylinders, only pins.

Jeff

[CraigS]

If you buy a salvage 2015 IRS you can find one w/ the brakes included. That is what I did on my IRS upgrade and they are working out just fine. I am actually surprised how well they work even w/ the OE pads that came w/ them. I spent less on the salvage unit than the new parts would have cost so the brakes were free. You do have to be careful about axle ratio as you look around on ebay.

[blitzkreig baja]

I believe FFR offers just about everything with the complete kit as an option with a base kit. (They have sales for options from time to time. Usually in spring I think) I went with a base kit, optioned for some FFR parts, some donor. As mentioned before donor parts don't have to be from a complete donor car or even used. Breeze Automotive, Forte's, and others offer a whole range of parts for these FFR cars. I made a list of questions like yours and called FFR. They are very helpful.

[grluisi150]

I built a base kit with new parts. As for as switches, FFR sell two items that are the same as the complete kit. The one has the light, emergency, Hi/Lo and ignition switches that is expensive but these are common part from auto part store. The base kit comes with emergency cables that would fit the older 12.19 rear Wilwood brakes, I don't know about the new 12.88 rear brakes. I will PM you the spreadsheet with my analysis between the base and complete kits.

Gary

[Avalanche325]

Don't be afraid to call FFR on anything that you are confused about. They are very nice to deal with.

Base vs Complete. As with pretty much anything, it depends. If you are not straying far from stock, or stock + upgrades, complete could be the easy and cheaper way. They will give credit for parts that you don't get when you get upgraded parts. Example: If you order a chrome roll bar, you don't add the full price of one in the parts catalog. You just pay some additional for the chrome. If you are going to end up with a lot of complete kit parts sitting on the shelf because of changes that you are making, then a base kit + may work best for you.

The column mounted turn signal is from Russ Thompson. Worth it upgrade big time. Go ahead and order his gas pedal while your at it.

[CraigS]

The 2015 Mustang calipers have a hook end for the parking brake so the cable needs an eye end on it to connect. There is an adapter to convert the FFR cable end to an eye but I was concerned this would limit the travel available to apply the pk brake. So I grabbed my salvage cable, cut the end off of the forward end and pulled the cable out of the sheath. I cut the caliper end off of the FFR cable and pulled it out of the sheath and pushed in the Mustang cable. So I used the FFR sheath, most of the Mustang cable and just a foot or so of the FFR cable and spliced them together w/ three cable clamps right next to each other.
http://www.uscargocontrol.com/Rigging-Supplies-Hardware/Zinc-Plated-Malleable-Wire-Rope-Clips/1-8-Zinc-Plated-Malleable-Wire-Rope-Clip?gclid=CPy7jvPw5NECFYmFswodxAUKlQ