Back ordered parts

[capt1black]

FYI to those waiting for parts from kit or those getting kits in the next months. I was told by FFR that rear shocks and radiators are not expected until late November. The last response I got was mid-late October on the shocks so things are going backwards.

I am not going to lie, I am a bit frustrated and should be in go cart by then. Build will be on complete hold shortly as I will have nothing to work on until parts come.

[egchewy79]

could you start on some of the body work? cutting off some of the dash cowl, grinding down the mold lines, etc?
I'm assuming you've run all your brake, gas, ebrake lines already? drilled all the aluminum panels? completed dash and wiring?
I was working on mult parts of the build at once if I was stuck waiting for back ordered parts. I was waiting on my buddy to help me rebuild the engine as well so I didn't get the engine/trans in until very late in the build.

[Jeff Kleiner]

I agree that lack of parts is frustrating...I've been there on a few builds...but you can often work around it. I don't know what point you're at with yours but for the rear shocks pick up a couple sticks of 1" square tubing and drill 1/2" holes at the compressed shock length then install those as "coilover place holders" so that you can roll the chassis around while waiting for the real thing. Is your engine in, wired and plumbed aside from the radiator? If not you have some work to do while waiting. How about the rest of the wiring for lights, signals, gauges, etc? Has all of your aluminum been fitted and drilled? There is usually something that can be done. Good luck!

Jeff

[ggunter]

I might as well chime in too. I picked up my car in August and now in go kart stage but need a radiator rear shocks and headers and I could drive it. Late November is getting frustrating.

[Sdonnel]

If you don't want to wait on a radiator, I deleted the FFR radiator from my order and used the Michimoto unit. Lifetime warranty and has more airflow with dual fans. Priced about the same for radiator AND fans. Food for thought.

Scott

[capt1black]

Thanks for replies. Unfortunately, body work is not an option. Due to size of garage, body is in air until cart is finished. I do have some things I am still Working on wiring is one. Just looking a head and if they don’t come i will get to a stoppage. Just frustrated with it.

[ggunter]

I started mine for the first time Saturday but of course couldn't run it for more than 5-10 seconds. It heats the foot box up quick. I did start the body work and sanded the whole body on Sunday and put the first coat of Rage gold for the mold seams. I will be able to get primer on the car soon but will have to wait till the weather gets warmer in the spring to shoot it unless we have a 65-70 degree winter in Md. Not likely. Where is global warming when I need it. Other than body work I'm at a stand still... Where is the Michimoto radiator available from?

[capt1black]

Jeff, what would the length of the compressed shock be?

[Jeff Kleiner]

Jeff, what would the length of the compressed shock be?

Approximately 16" on a live axle and 14" on IRS.

Jeff

[Howard]

Ordered and paid for a replacement windshield back on May 19th.

Bupkis so far.

[Hoooper]

One of the stranger things on my backorder list is the MSO :confused:. Over 3 months, it would seem like that is something that isnt too hard to produce. Oh well, luckily that isnt holding my build up...yet.

[edwardb]

One of the stranger things on my backorder list is the MSO :confused:. Over 3 months, it would seem like that is something that isnt too hard to produce. Oh well, luckily that isnt holding my build up...yet.

They send that when all your POL (backorder) items are sent. Last thing on purpose. You'll get the MSO along with the chassis plate with your serial number.

[Jryasko]

Check out windshields at Cobra Valley 262-429-1427. Just got a few items from them the other day and spoke to the guy about their windshields. Not that I need 1 and hope I don't. But might be another option for you.

[Hoooper]

They send that when all your POL (backorder) items are sent. Last thing on purpose. You'll get the MSO along with the chassis plate with your serial number.

Its the only thing on my list as far as I know. I got all the other items on the POL about a month ago.

[Sdonnel]

I purchased the radiator and fans from Summit. Part numbers are MMRAD-MUS-79A & MMFS-MUS-79. I used the breeze upper and lower radiator mounts and it worked perfectly. Sometimes it cools too well with all the sheet metal inside the nose of the car.

Scott

[nucjd19]

Thanks for the info Capt. I am looking at completion mid November and shipment hopefully mid December. but by the time I will need these parts it will probably be spring. based on the pandemic I figured things would go sideways for a while and slow rolled my order hoping that would help negate those issues. We shall see. I hope you can work around these issues and keep plowing ahead.

[ggunter]

Does anyone know if FFR uses an off the shelf radiator from a Mustang and if so what year. I called Mishimoto and they said they didn’t make one for our cars but if it’s an off the shelf model I’m sure they make that.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Does anyone know if FFR uses an off the shelf radiator from a Mustang and if so what year. I called Mishimoto and they said they didn’t make one for our cars but if it’s an off the shelf model I’m sure they make that.

No, it is not a Mustang radiator. The FFR specific radiator doesn't use a cap and has the inlet and outlet tubes angled to better accommodate the hoses. A Mustang radiator can be used however it requires some creativity to get the hoses to fit and the cap opening needs to either be plugged of fitted with a higher pressure cap than is used on the "T" filler so that it doesn't relieve.

Jeff

[Sdonnel]

The Michimoto unit I referenced above is a stock item at Summit. Using the Breeze upper piano hinge, I simply drilled the forward flange of the radiator to mount it. It has the inlet tubes in the same place as the FFR radiator. The upper and lower tubes are not the same size and will require a transitional elbow. I purchased one online and simply had to trim each side to get it exactly where I wanted it and still make the transition. There is also a trans cooler in my radiator if I ever need to hook one up. I simply left it unplumbed and capped off the openings.

Scott

[ggunter]

Thanks Jeff

[norcalLo]

Can anyone confirm the Cobra Valley windshield mentioned above will actually fit the FFR cobra - if so how is the fit-n-finish? Thanks in advance

[ggunter]

I got my COO four weeks after I picked up the car.

[edwardb]

I just got my MSO before the rest of the Backordered parts have been shipped. Still missing two wheels rear shocks and some hardware but got the MSO.

Interesting. I only cited how it's worked for me and others have said the same thing. Many interpret the delay as being missed or lost. Which is why I answered the way that I did. Looks like they may have changed the process slightly. But if that's all you have left on backorder, maybe that's why they sent it. All good.

[Jeff Kleiner]

I just got my MSO before the rest of the Backordered parts have been shipped. Still missing two wheels rear shocks and some hardware but got the MSO.

Chances are that the wheels and shocks will be shipped directly from the vendors and never pass through Wareham, hence why they sent the MSO.

Jeff

[ggunter]

Just venting here but this back ordered parts thing is really getting to be a drag. I know back orders are a way of life but once you get past the 90 day mark its into ridiculous. One can only blame Covid so much. Gets upsetting to come to a grinding halt because of no parts.

[tmlint]

Just venting here but this back ordered parts thing is really getting to be a drag. I know back orders are a way of life but once you get past the 90 day mark its into ridiculous. One can only blame Covid so much. Gets upsetting to come to a grinding halt because of no parts.

All this talk of backordered parts is making me nervous. My kit was to be completed on 11/7 I have not heard from FFR it was or not. I am waiting on Stewart for a delivery date. I feel like reading all this that I am getting a preview of what is about to be coming my way. I kind of hope that I don't have a lot of parts that are back ordered.

I agree 90 days is way to long. I want this whole process to be a positive experience and not a negative one. I know there is plenty to do but there will come a point when something can't be completed because of not having the parts. I am second guessing if this was the right time for me to move forward with this project. I wonder if I should have waited until all this Covid stuff was over with and FFR was back to full capacity before ordering?

I guess I need to wait and see what I get and don't get when my kit arrives before I jump to conclusions just getting nervous seeing others starting to grumble about how long it is taking to get the backordered parts.

[Otee453]

All this talk of backordered parts is making me nervous. My kit was to be completed on 11/7 I have not heard from FFR it was or not. I am waiting on Stewart for a delivery date. I feel like reading all this that I am getting a preview of what is about to be coming my way. I kind of hope that I don't have a lot of parts that are back ordered.

I agree 90 days is way to long. I want this whole process to be a positive experience and not a negative one. I know there is plenty to do but there will come a point when something can't be completed because of not having the parts. I am second guessing if this was the right time for me to move forward with this project. I wonder if I should have waited until all this Covid stuff was over with and FFR was back to full capacity before ordering?

I guess I need to wait and see what I get and don't get when my kit arrives before I jump to conclusions just getting nervous seeing others starting to grumble about how long it is taking to get the backordered parts.

I received my kit in mid July. I had several back ordered parts, some being what I considered critical items (front control arms, driveshaft, steering components, pedal box parts & more). I discovered that at first, I had a hard time envisioning what I could work on the car without certain items. As I kinda went along, the more I did, the more I could start seeing the entire project in my mind and each of the individual pieces of the car that needed to be completed. You may be surprised how it starts coming together for you. Unless you are going to be working on the car for 8-10 hours every day and getting it built in just a couple months, you will likely not have any significant delays. I did start some items to be stopped because a part was missing. I wired a tag with a note to myself on it for each item that I needed to revisit. That has been a huge help so I don't forget to adjust something, tighten a bolt or whatnot.

Just this week, I received an email from FedEx regarding a shipment from FFR. This would be the last item on my backorder list (side mirrors). Backordered items come every 30 days. The vin plate and origin paperwork was included in the 3rd shipment I received from them. I did reach out to them twice, once because I was near ready for the driveshaft, the other because the clutch cable and quadrant were not listed on my inventory sheet and not received.

Hope my personal experience so far helps.

[Papa]

I can only imagine how hard it is for FFR to get the quantities of parts they need right now. Like it or not, Covid-19 put a gaping hole in a lot of our logistics and manufacturing lines. Heck, I still can't find a can of Lysol and that's something I've been trying to buy since March. Whether anyone wants to hear it or not, I think we are going to see more closures and shutdowns in the very near future and that certainly won't help FFR get parts from a small operation that can't open its doors because of this hideous disease. My suggestion for anyone caught up in this is to see it from the bigger picture and realize that our ability to build a toy isn't as important as the paycheck is to the guy making the parts that we need. I'm sure that those folks are wanting to build and ship those parts as fast as possible.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=137408&d=1605049554

[BradCraig]

Delays...part of the world we find ourselves in. Have patience, but also call them to get expectations set as far as timeframe. They had some of my backordered on hand and were waiting on a few others to ship together. They went ahead and sent me what they had which was awesome. Good luck!

[egchewy79]

Has anyone found a more successful method of contacting FFR? I've left a few voice mails and also emailed them a few times with no response. Calls go directly to VM.

[Mad Dog]

Everyone here at Factory Five totally understands the frustration of back orders, and our team is working hard to help get our customers the parts they are looking for. If you have any questions about your order status, please send us an email to info@factoryfive.com or leave us a voice message at 508-291-3443, and one of our team members will help you get an update.

We appreciate everyone's patience and understanding! Thanks!

[RBachman]

I went through this over the last year and I was just as aggravated as you are. But my aggravation was not warranted.

The FFR customer service and enthusiasm for builders and owners is exceptional and widely recognized. It is a major reason that they are at the top of their field and have remained there. COVID didn't light the fuse. Even in good times there are generally supply chain issues for most any manufacturer. With that said, COVID has seriously compounded things, and is likely the main obstacle regarding missed phone calls and messages. COVID patients can't work and the sickness is minimizing workplace occupancy. And it's not just FFR or car parts. You will get the parts as fast as FFR can get them to you, but they can't ship what they can't get. The "waiting on parts" issue has gone on for a long time, and most of us newbies go through some concerns waiting on them. I did not get all of mine until 4 to 6 months in, but I did get them. I could have moved to other items, but skipping around to different things disagrees with my engineer's OCD, LOL. Regardless, there's no question that FFR will treat you right. You WILL get your parts, and there are a LOT of them and a LOT of suppliers in the chain that FFR has to rely on. If one of those links breaks, no parts until it's fixed, and FFR WILL fix it.

[ggunter]

I emailed FFR and got a response back this morning. The thing that bothers me is not the fact that they can't get the parts, I understand supply chains and their issues. But what bothers me is being told this date, then that date, then the next date, and still no parts. Now its mid December for radiators. And cross your fingers. And I think the world of those guys, When I went there to visit and see their operation they rolled out the red carpet and I was very impressed. That's why I bought a car from them....I'm just venting because I here my car crying everyday I don't work on her. I'll be quite now:(

[BradCraig]

I emailed FFR and got a response back this morning. The thing that bothers me is not the fact that they can't get the parts, I understand supply chains and their issues. But what bothers me is being told this date, then that date, then the next date, and still no parts. Now its mid December for radiators. And cross your fingers. And I think the world of those guys, When I went there to visit and see their operation they rolled out the red carpet and I was very impressed. That's why I bought a car from them....I'm just venting because I here my car crying everyday I don't work on her. I'll be quite now:(

It's tough when we get used to Amazon Prime! Luckily I got my kit beginning of January and got all my parts just before the madness started. Nothing but good to say about FF as they have been awesome on the missed parts and mistakes.

[BrewCityCobra]

So my kit is supposed to be finishing up next week. Does anybody we have an idea of what the big backorder items are at this time (so I can plan accordingly)? Sounds like radiator and rear shocks may be a month-ish before they arrive?

I suppose I will find out soon enough, but curiosity got the best of me reading through this thread.

[capt1black]

About right. For me with completion in late july was side mirror, sidepipes, rear shocks and radiator. Mirror no big deal. Was told sidepipes were in stock but have not heard anything about getting them. Not sure if they wait for the other parts. Shocks and radiator date is in question. I have received everything else.

[ggunter]

Rear shocks, radiator, engine headers, roll bar, door latches, wing wind shields, side view mirror, Clutch master cyl, and a few other small parts. Butt... I've gotten everything except radiator and rear shocks. If I just had the radiator I could install the body and gap the doors, trunk and hood and drive it. They emailed me in late September and said they had a radiator they would ship me but.... it never came. I'll be quite now again...

[Papa]

ggunter,

Have you considered mounting the body to do your fitting now instead of waiting for the radiator? The body goes on and off pretty quickly and you'll likely have it on and off a couple of times before you're done.

Dave

[capt1black]

About right. For me with completion in late july was side mirror, sidepipes, rear shocks and radiator. Mirror no big deal. Was told sidepipes were in stock but have not heard anything about getting them. Not sure if they wait for the other parts. Shocks and radiator date is in question. I have received everything else.

Update, Bob at FFR called and mirror and pipes are on the way.

[ggunter]

I've had the body on and off several times already but not for mounting, just preliminary fitment. Once I install it and mount it I really didn't want to remove it again because it usually seems like it never goes back to that original spot you had it. And you know all of your gaps revolve around your original mounting. However it looks like I either do that or wait till the middle of December and hopefully get the radiator. Fingers crossed.... So I'll probably take your advice and do the body fitment instead of loosing four weeks of work time.

[ggunter]

Went to Rock Auto and ordered a radiator for an 81 mustang. $95 plus $18 shipping. Its supposed to be here today or tomorrow. If it works I can run and set everything and drive it, go kart style. The size is correct of course the hose bibs are not angled but that is fairly easily worked around. I'll use it till the other one comes in.

[ggunter]

I received the radiator form Rock Auto yesterday and installed it last night. I used the Boig pipes and supplied hoses and it all worked except for a 45 degree 1.75" hose that I picked up at Napa this morning. At least now I can run the car and adjust things as necessary so I can get the body on and mounted. Oh yea I got a tracking number from FFR for the rear shocks and side view mirror which should be here Wednasday. Sorry if the pics come out sideways I can't seem to figure out how to make them turn.138002

[capt1black]

I received the radiator form Rock Auto yesterday and installed it last night. I used the Boig pipes and supplied hoses and it all worked except for a 45 degree 1.75" hose that I picked up at Napa this morning. At least now I can run the car and adjust things as necessary so I can get the body on and mounted. Oh yea I got a tracking number from FFR for the rear shocks and side view mirror which should be here Wednasday. Sorry if the pics come out sideways I can't seem to figure out how to make them turn.138002

Glad to see rear shocks are coming. When was your kit finished? I may be able to guess how far down the waiting list I am.

[ggunter]

I picked it up August 20th / 9883

[capt1black]

I picked it up August 20th / 9883

Interesting, mine was before yours. I guess they don’t go by completion date for backorders as I was told. Hopefully they will be coming.

[ggunter]

What parts are you waiting for?

[ggunter]

The radiator was the big thing for me, as for the shocks I made struts from some 2x2 square aluminum tubing, round would work also. But I was stuck without the radiator. They are still talking end of December for them. At lease I can run and drive the car now. Might be a bit bumpy but oh well.

[capt1black]

The radiator was the big thing for me, as for the shocks I made struts from some 2x2 square aluminum tubing, round would work also. But I was stuck without the radiator. They are still talking end of December for them. At lease I can run and drive the car now. Might be a bit bumpy but oh well.

Same, shocks and radiator. Did the same for shocks but got excited when you said yours were coming.

[GTBradley]

I received the radiator form Rock Auto yesterday and installed it last night. I used the Boig pipes and supplied hoses and it all worked except for a 45 degree 1.75" hose that I picked up at Napa this morning. At least now I can run the car and adjust things as necessary so I can get the body on and mounted. Oh yea I got a tracking number from FFR for the rear shocks and side view mirror which should be here Wednasday. Sorry if the pics come out sideways I can't seem to figure out how to make them turn.138002
There are a number of steps to fix the picture turning, but as a simple thing to try I would suggest that right after you take the picture open it in edit mode, crop it the slightest amount and close it. For me that locks it in the orientation I took it in. I hope that works for you.

Bradley

[ggunter]

I'll try that, this side ways picture thing is annoying. And Bradley Email FFR and ask what's up, you've been waiting over 90 days.:(