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View Full Version : Jeff & Bob’s MK5 Roadster Build – Chicago



jeffbob
02-12-2025, 10:13 PM
We are excited to have taken delivery of our MK5 on 5th February 2025 – our journey started with a long road-trip (NY to LA) and an idea to build our own MK4. We were about to press go and the MK5 video link was tagged on the FF Forum. We called FFR and enquired about the MK5, placed our order on 26th November 24. Stewart delivered – their driver Kelly was amazing, helped us get everything unloaded and set up – thank you Kelly.

Jeff, from sunny California, Bob, from the rainy UK now living in SoCal! We have no experience in building cars, attended the FFR MK5 reveal day in Wareham which was an amazing experience, learnt a good deal and had the pleasure to meet Ron E, Jeff K, some of the FFR team and viewed our MK5 awaiting transport to SoCal.

Our build is focused on touring and will take the more modern approach with a black theme – wheels & color undecided but leaning towards an Aston Martin Green, matt black wheels, roll bars and exhaust, interior by Intertrim UK.

We will be joined by Sarge, an Aussy Sheep dog in charge of all thing's security and Boomer, an Aussy Cattle dog overly fond of demolishing cardboard boxes....

So here we are excited & apprehensive……the journey begins…

Short MK5 Build Specification:

MK5 Roadster – Full Kit – Delivered to SoCal 5 Feb 2025 – FFR
Engine – 347 + Rear Sump Configuration (Coupe 65) - Blueprint
Gearbox – TKX 5 Speed 0.68 5th Ratio + Mid-Shift (Coupe 65) - Blueprint
Frame – New Mk5 – Powder Coated - FFR
Air Conditioning & Heating - FFR
Brakes – Willwood Red + Power Booster - FFR
Power Steering – FFR
IRS, Touring Shocks, Sway Bars – Front & Rear – FFR
Hard Top – when released later this year – FFR
Driver & Passenger Roll Bars – Black – FFR
Touring Exhaust - Black – FFR
Wheels – Forgestar CF5V 18" Matte Black
Turn Signal Switch Controls – FFR
Seats, Dashboard & Interior – Intertrim UK
LED Lights, Drop Trunk, Tunnel Parking Brake – FFR

Thank you to everyone on this blog for your inspiration this far…appreciate all your support going forward. All comments and feedback welcome.

PMD24
02-12-2025, 10:41 PM
Welcome! I'll be watching your thread. I'm a few months into the build of an MK4 and trying to do a thorough job of documenting what I'm going through in my build thread. My car experience is similar to yours so you may find some things in my thread helpful. Enjoy the journey. I'm loving it.

Pat

TXeverydayDad
02-12-2025, 11:01 PM
Welcome! It’ll be exciting to follow along!

Tango
02-12-2025, 11:04 PM
YES!!!!! Will be following.

Nigel Allen
02-13-2025, 03:55 AM
Great to see you have a couple of Aussies to help out!

Cheers,

Nige

PNWTim
02-13-2025, 10:11 AM
Sounds great! Congratulations and looking forward to following along.

gbranham
02-13-2025, 11:33 PM
Congrats, and welcome!

Greg

HealeyBob
02-14-2025, 10:59 AM
Congratulations on the build. I have not ordered yet and debating between a MK4 and MK5. Many options I like are not available yet for the MK5. Plus I am not big or tall so a MK4 will fit fine. One question I have for you guys is have you selected a painter yet? I live on the central coast SLO and am investigating painters.

jeffbob
02-15-2025, 01:44 AM
Congratulations on the build. I have not ordered yet and debating between a MK4 and MK5. Many options I like are not available yet for the MK5. Plus I am not big or tall so a MK4 will fit fine. One question I have for you guys is have you selected a painter yet? I live on the central coast SLO and am investigating painters.

For body setup and paint we have been talking with Ken Pike in Marysville CA - very helpful & supporting - great resource & experience with these cars.

Ref the MK4 / MK5 thinking we eventually decided to go the MK5 route as we felt it offered a more comprehensive FFR package for the build we wanted to achieve at a very comparable cost after all the additional items we added. We are apprehensive around the low level of build knowledge but looking forward to discovery and discussion as an essential part of our build journey! Attending the MK5 reveal day in Wareham and meeting everyone was a major help. Always available to provide insight on our experiences this far...

jeffbob
09-08-2025, 01:24 AM
Inventory - Went very well with almost no missing parts - back orders completed within 6 weeks - note we did not order wheels or interior items - great work FFR - Thank You

Body Buck - Decided to build body support frame - quick and easy following drawings in Manual - great area for storing longer lead build items not immediately required

Steering Brakes Suspension - Followed Manual (Rev M) quite closely - not too many issues although a few bolts were short due to new LCA design - replaced with same spec longer bolts - changed parking brake to Wilwood E-Brake - two rights of passage so far - differential install (big fight) & brake disc safety wiring (cake baking competition)....

Panels - All lined up and drilled - powder coated flat black and few key panels installed - most remain removable until essential to complete install - essential to consider panel overlap for drilling and correct fit - some panels will have M3 or M4 rivet nuts for access & some will have black head self tapping screws

General - Very much enjoying the build experience so far - we are not rushing and have been following some very good build forum posts as the MK5's start to progress - thank you all - our target is to be ready for body paint around February 26 - making changes as we go - fuel system upgrades including Pro-M Fuel Hanger & Trickflow filter, big bore fuel vent (Breeze), Lokar throttle cable & mount - happy to share details

Photos

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jeffbob
09-09-2025, 12:09 AM
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