Options I wish FFR would offer.

[AC Bill]

I'm sure there are some options that if offered from FFR, could be quite attractive to new builders, and also guys retrofitting their Roadsters. Prices would have to be attractive of course!:)

I wish that FFR could supply original style rectangular tail lights, with two functioning bulbs, ready to attach, and at a reasonable price.

I think it is about time that FFR offered an optional modern wiper system, that was adapted to fit the Roadster, rather than the antique system they currently offer. Perhaps their techs could adapt a marine style wiper system to suit?

Any other builders may want to chip in, as to what options they would like to see..?

[ChopperJustin]

Bill,

I'm not building yet, so I'm curious. What makes the antique wiper assemblies inferior to a modern wiper system? Thanks...

[canuck1]

Bill,

I'm not building yet, so I'm curious. What makes the antique wiper assemblies inferior to a modern wiper system? Thanks...

The hardware that goes into the current wiper setup isn't what you would describe as robust. It's a finicky install process that works OK once you get it, but I would best describe it as adequate, not great.

The blades are very short and don't clean a very tall section of the windshield. The wiper stroke is also short and doesn't give much more than what I like to describe as a porthole to look through when it is really coming down. Of course by then you are usually more concerned about the water inside the cockpit! :rolleyes:

Sean

[sharkx]

So you want original style tail lights but not original style wipers?

I'll be the first to admit that the wipers are a pain but they do work as advertised.

Bruce

[efnfast]

Wipers .... we don't need no stinking wipers - just hang your head out the side of the windshield! ;)

Although it's not really an option, I wish they'd work on their mold quality- I would imagine that the cost of the better cooling, passed onto the customers, would be less than the bodywork some of us have paid?

[Steve C]

Trunk Monkey for security!

[Bob Russel]

Great discussion AC Bill.

I know that most of my top 10 list are options that can be added by other “vendors” but I would like these options to be possible add-ons to the complete kit.

1. How about a steering column with a turn signal and tilt steering?
2. How about a fresh air vent mod for interior?
3. How about power steering?
4. How about an upgrade option for the wiring harness that upgrades the connectors?
5. How about a glove box?
6. How about chrome or billet trim bezels?
7. How about 2 green turn signal LED’s?
8. How about a hydraulic clutch?
9. How about a center console?
10. Finally and my biggest ask is how about an oil temperature gauge with the vintage gauges?

I understand that FFR can’t be a one stop shop for every builder but a few of these add-ons would be nice to get directly from FFR.

[weendoggy]

How about a Maroni sticker. :)

[Big-Foot]

A true Scuff-N-Shoot fitted body would sell a lot more kits I think..

I would guess that a number of people are scared away by tales of 10k pluss body shop bills for Body/Paint work.. A S-N-S would allow the weekend warrior the option to bring his car into a Maaco for the Ambassador (or whatever they call it today) $499 paint job...

[Chris Canning]

Right Hand Drive Option.
Pretty simple, reverse the bends on the footboxes, new steering plate on right hand side and a right hand rack.
Would open up Markets in Australia,UK,South Africa and Asia.
FFR taking over the world!!

[efnfast]

A true Scuff-N-Shoot fitted body would sell a lot more kits I think..

I would guess that a number of people are scared away by tales of 10k pluss body shop bills for Body/Paint work.. A S-N-S would allow the weekend warrior the option to bring his car into a Maaco for the Ambassador (or whatever they call it today) $499 paint job...

12k here ..... mine was pretty bad :( (although a thousand or so of that went to grafting in the supersnake scoop)

[Bob Cowan]

A Cobra/Roadster is rude, crude, fast, and fun. It's not a modern car with all the modern conveniences. Where do you draw the line? That's a tough call. Considering how little I'v used my wipers, I think they're fine. The turn signal is a toggle switch on the dash; and I'm OK with that. Bezels, fresh air vents, tilt wheel, trunk monkey, etc, are (IMO) fluff. Except maybe the trunk monkey, that could go either way. Nice to have items, but not necessary for the majority of builders. That leaves an open market for aftermarket suppliers. And I'm OK with that, too.

I do think there are a couple of things that FFR could engineer into the kit, or offer as options that would be better from them than from aftermarket.

- Full width roll bar
- High back seats
- Complete IRS - Parts are available new from Ford
- Brake upgrade option - like piston fronts for those that are planning on racing.

[DougR]

I agree with Bob. A "Track Pack" option would be great with a full width roll bar, high seats, upgraded brakes with "street" and "race" pads included, quick release steering wheel, longer wheel studs, etc.

[Scott L]

X2 on the Track Pack set up -

Kirkeys
Full width bar
Big / better brakes
Koni upgrade
Choice of safer belts (2")
QR Steering

I would have jumped all over this.

I would also like to see improved lighting front and especially in the rear (LED?)

The scuff and spray body is a dream, but I would absolutly pay $5K more for this option. Maybe even $6K if it is good enough to just polish the gel-coat. $10K paint jobs kill the dream for many budget builders.

[Roadster]

Nice thread.

I started one the other day. Not only things you can add to the kit but things they can modify or improve on.

Example is move the 3/4 inch front tube down 3/4 of an inch to allow a Power Booster for power brakes,

Thread here

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?285-List-Improvements-for-the-Roadster-MKV!

Rgds

Rob

[JGPierce]

Complete IRS is already available, just not in print.

[ThreePointTwo]

Oil slick and smoke screen buttons.

[Bob Cowan]

Complete IRS is already available, just not in print.

Well, there it is. Great minds think alike (or something like that).

Maybe I was just channeling somebody.

[LuckyWinner]

If I was to chose two...it would be the bodywork option and the full width roll bar. On the roll bar I heard they used to offer it as a option....why did they stop????

[Hotrod]

If I was to chose two...it would be the bodywork option and the full width roll bar. On the roll bar I heard they used to offer it as a option....why did they stop????

My guess is there were not a lot of takers. It was available on the MK2's when I odered mine back in 03. Dan

[frankeeski]

If I was to chose two...it would be the bodywork option and the full width roll bar. On the roll bar I heard they used to offer it as a option....why did they stop????

The full width roll bar is available from a couple different places but no longer from Factory Five. Something like this one?
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa78/frankeeski/SlthrrnUtah.jpg
They stopped making them just prior to ordering my kit. It forced me to find another option. I made my own and a few more for other members. I just don't think the demand was there for FFR to continue to make them in house so they stopped.

As far as the body goes, I think Dave and his crew have made huge strides in making the body out of the mold worlds better than it once was.

[labmonkee]

Right Hand Drive Option.
Pretty simple, reverse the bends on the footboxes, new steering plate on right hand side and a right hand rack.
Would open up Markets in Australia,UK,South Africa and Asia.
FFR taking over the world!!

+1!

[Martin]

+1!

+2

Building a kit car is hard enough. If you've never done it before, the prospect of LHD->RHD conversion on top of building the car is daunting. Yes, I am biased, but we are about to go through all of this for a UK car that will eventually be shipped to NZ.

[Bill_VA]

Carbon fiber options would be great. I think I was one of the last ones to get CF door liners and real CF spats from FFR. Way back when I first looked into FFR, they even offered a complete CF body. An all CF car with yellow stripes would be cool.

[Rootbeer Roadster]

A simple option would be an access panel for the driver footbox. Since this involves assembly they could just sell the hardware and plans and let the builder do the work.

[AC Bill]

I could have named more options, but I was being cautious not to infringe on any of the vendors that currently sell the options. I know some already offer rectangular tail lights, but they either need extensive modification for two bulbs, or the two bulb ones currently available are extremely expensive. I figured with the ability's of FFR's staff, they could produce a set already modified for two bulbs, at a reasonable price. I bet they would sell like hotcakes..

Interesting..I never thought of a better body straight out of the mold as an added option?
I wonder how much more time it would actually take for them to produce a better result, and how much cost it would add? How much would you be willing to pay for that option?
I know for a fact that there are some other replica's that have produced excellent bodys right from the mold, so it can be done!

[LuisL]

I wish that FFR could supply original style rectangular tail lights, with two functioning bulbs, ready to attach, and at a reasonable price.

YES!!! I LIKE THESE!!!

I think it is about time that FFR offered an optional modern wiper system, that was adapted to fit the Roadster, rather than the antique system they currently offer. Perhaps their techs could adapt a marine style wiper system to suit?

HHMMMM I REALLY DON'T NEED WIPERS.....

CHEERS

LUISL

[Dave Smith]

This is a great discussion thanks. Our number one priority above and beyond even the new car is the Trunk Monkey (must see you tube).

Wipers are in the crosshairs... Lucas Cable Drive = Lowest Common Denominator.

[Dave Smith]

Current projects: Mendeola deliveries! LS install kit for 33, Coyote install kit for Mk4 and 33 (maybe Coupe, but lower rank), taking hard look at 33 grill (original not symetric would require tooling change) a slew of smaller projects that constantly evolve...

Dave

[Finallygotit]

Not so much an option but maybe something to look at for the future.... bump-outs for the DS foot box. Maybe an option, depending on engine choice, larger/longer PS foot box.

[WIS89]

This is a great discussion thanks. Our number one priority above and beyond even the new car is the Trunk Monkey (must see you tube).

Wipers are in the crosshairs... Lucas Cable Drive = Lowest Common Denominator.

Well, hot damn, it's good to see that Dave and his team has the priorities straight!! (LOVE the trunk monkey!!)....

Regards,

Steve

[Pierre B]

A true working set of wipers for one of these cars would need to have blades on both sides of the windshield. I have the archaic setup and the wiper arms do function, but I have never had them brush the windshield: I don't want the scratch/streaks that will come along with that. RainX is my good friend, and I apply that solution regularly; yes, to both sides fo the windshield! I have even pulled the fuse to my wipers so I won't turn them on accidentally (I have a functioning fuse hanging below the spent one on a nylon cable tie). If I really need the wipers at any time, all I have to do is swap the fuses and I'm in business.

[Arch]

Well, I am on the road with my 3.1 and very happy with the results. FFR plus the vendors that support this car had everything I needed.
However - Plus Plus on an improved body. Ken Pike, Street Rod Painter, in California did mine. Tons of work, great result and nearly $10,000 all in. If a scuff and paint body was available, I would gladly have paid several thousand dollars for it and been ahead of the game. Painting these cars isn't all that difficult, but the body work is another thing all together. For most parts of the country, just finding someone to do the body is difficult and the results and time frame vary quite a bit.
Dave, I know each generation has an improved body. Maybe the MK 5 can get a great one.

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj7/McQ2013/Howard2.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj7/McQ2013/878b3cc3.png

Arch

PS. for me the essentials included wipers, seat heaters, heater, vents, and other creature comforts. With that I have a near race car that can comfortably travel hundreds of miles day after day and I can be energized and not overly tired at the end of each day.

[ram_g]

Current projects: Coyote install kit for Mk4 and 33 (maybe Coupe, but lower rank),
Dave

As I was reading this thread from the top, "more support for the Ford modular engines" was the thought foremost on my mind.

Even the Mk3.1 Complete Kit 4.6 option needs a lot of work to be truly useful - I needed to have access to a bunch of donor parts (fuel tank, fuel pump & driver, filler neck, radiator tank, clutch cable, etc.) that are provided/duplicated in the Complete Kit but don't work with the 4.6. And of course we're not even talking about the 2005+ 4.6 engines that need custom fabricated headers, etc.

Why support the modulars? Simple reason is that there are part of the country that require OBD-II testing and that's the only way to get it (using a Ford engine)...

[2FAST4U]

Original style pedal box
Original style trunk
Original style footboxes

[canuck1]

I have even pulled the fuse to my wipers so I won't turn them on accidentally (I have a functioning fuse hanging below the spent one on a nylon cable tie). If I really need the wipers at any time, all I have to do is swap the fuses and I'm in business.

I did the same thing with my trunk monkey system. Wouldn't want to release these guys when I was picking up my son at school?"



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8avOiTUcD4Y

:p

Sean

[Roadster]

Move 3/4 tube just a bit so we can use a power break booster! Needs to move down 3/4 inch!

[Dajomaco]

Hey Bill. I agree , I like the rectangle tail lights as well

[joecamire]

Oil slick and smoke screen buttons.

Flux Capacitor???

[Olli]

My kit came with the trunk monkey option. It was a special that FFR ran last April.

Olli

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d101/ollijo/Photo3-1.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d101/ollijo/Photo2-3.jpg

[Kaelan G]

LED indicators and brakes.

[donpny]

I would like to see:
undercar exhaust
better carpeting or at least options for carpet upgrades
turn signals
better shift knobs and handles
oh and rectangular LED tail lights or round LED lights
option for better headlights

But thanx for what I have got.

DonPNY

[Dajomaco]

tilt steering

[cheap]

AWD for the GTM or as-yet-to-be-named kit
Better body would be AWESOME.
Better carpet w/ rubber molded in where my heel wears
ditch the supplied headlight switch and work something into a combo turn signal switch
clearance for a power brake booster OR
electric power steering/power brake option
a nice S2000-esque FFR custom start/stop button

ALUMINUM FRAME

[JGPierce]

Dave,

Any time frame on the wiper option? I know you've got a lot on your plate.

[Marty Prario]

How about a Lexan Winshield option for those who don't use wipers.

x2 on the trunk monkey

[Bill_VA]

Something I thought about while driving around is how nice a slightly taller windshield, maybe just 1.5" - 2". I bugs me that my head sticks out above it. I'm only 5' 11", using Street Performers with Breeze mounts so the seat can't go any lower.

[Martin]

How about a Lexan Winshield option for those who don't use wipers.

x2 on the trunk monkey
Fast Freddie offers one of those.

[AC Bill]

Something I thought about while driving around is how nice a slightly taller windshield, maybe just 1.5" - 2". I bugs me that my head sticks out above it. I'm only 5' 11", using Street Performers with Breeze mounts so the seat can't go any lower.

Try the optional (sun) wind visors that are available from FFR. They work really well.

[Big-Foot]

I am glad that FFR has moved the trunk latch pin off center by 1/2" so that the handle can be in the center of the trunk rather than offset..

Kudos!!!

[Scalded-Dog]

Better body would be AWESOME.


I could be wrong here (others please chime in) but I have heard the MK4 bodies are a vast improvement over the MK3. If not I would definitely agree on that one.....body work on that MK3 was a nightmare.