Who are the proud 20th Anniversary Kit Owners?

[RRussellTx]

I think this represents 11 of the 20:

001 - The Original Raffle Car
002 - BobCarter - Springfield, MO
003 - edwardb - #8674 - Lake Orion, MI
004 - ThickCobra #8658 - Kenosha County, WI
005 - SlowLeak - #8685 - Verona, WI
008 - BadAsp427 - #8690 - Summerville, SC
009 - Paul_M - Briarcliff Manor, NY
010 - RRussellTx - #8697 - Parker, TX
015 - Railroad - Heart of Dixie
018 - RR20AC - Puyallup, WA
020 - RLKfarmboy - Central Ohio

plus a prototype version for Dave's son Adam

Who else is out there

[RR20AC]

RR20AC gets a delivery in November!

[edwardb]

Great idea! I'll be watching. I'm interested too.

[RRussellTx]

Thanks RR20AC - I updated the original post to include you. EdwardB should have the build well documented for us by the time you get your kit. We are lucky to have him lead the way!

[SlowLeak]

I have #005. Delivered 8/15/15. #8685 Verona, WI

[ThickCobra]

Mine is scheduled for delivery this Wednesday. I dont know what the number assigned to it is but will post it when I know. I will also take plenty of pics and post a few when I figure out how to do it. And, if I have permission. BTW... I am really pumped.

[David Hodgkins]

The one Dave is setting aside for Adam is the prototype and is not one of the twenty.

I was "working" at FFR that Friday before open house - hanging out and answering phones while everyone set up - and spoke to a few of you who were ordering, which I believe includes edwardb. At the time I thought I had some time to order one because they were going to go to existing customers only. Then Dave walked in and said sell 'em to anyone and by the end of the first day, over half were sold. they were gone within a day or two after that.

My brother has a 15 year car as you may know and I believe it's something special and yes, will be collectible some day. You guys are a lucky bunch.

[edwardb]

I was "working" at FFR that Friday before open house - hanging out and answering phones while everyone set up - and spoke to a few of you who were ordering, which I believe includes edwardb.

Yes you did! You made me wait on hold for over 30 minutes. Seriously though, it was my choice to wait and it was worth it. I was at a rest stop off the New York State Thruway on my way to the FFR Open House. I wasn't leaving until my anniversary Roadster was ordered.

[Gumball]

I have #005. Delivered 8/15/15. #8685 Verona, WI

I may be heading up your way with 7074 some nice fall weekend - would be happy to drop in so you could show family / neighbors a finished one.

PM me if you'd like.

[Georg]

Mine is completed on 22nd of August and still waiting in the crate for pick up. Working still on a solution to get it to my home in China. Import regulations are getting really taff and me very frustrated. Hope I don't have to look for a place for long term storage in the US... :-((

Sorry to FFR for the delay...

Georg

[RRussellTx]

ThickCobra - did you get your kit? If so, where are the pics and what #of20 are you?

Mine was completed on 8/22 and is on a Stewart truck headed this way. It was supposed to be here today but the truck had 'issues' and is now scheduled for Friday. Fingers crossed...

[ThickCobra]

RRussellTx,

My car was completed 8/1 and was delivered by Stewart, as promised Wednesday, September 2. Very exciting day. I don't quite understand the numbering system, but the front factory tag reads # 105956. Also, not certain where this sits in the 1-20 count. And, yes, I have a some pics and will try to attach a few. I am still new to the forum so I may not have pic privileges yet. But, I'll try.

And, I will chime in that it is great having Edwardb providing build progress, as I refer to them regularly. Working thru some of his tips will certainly save me time, but more importantly rework. As I loaded the car up with almost every option, I'll need all the advice I can get.

While I'm at it here, the powder coated DS footbox front panel doesn't appear to match up with the frame. The panel accompanying the wilwood pedal box does, but isn't powder coated. Anybody, thoughts?

[edwardb]

RRussellTx,

My car was completed 8/1 and was delivered by Stewart, as promised Wednesday, September 2. Very exciting day. I don't quite understand the numbering system, but the front factory tag reads # 105956. Also, not certain where this sits in the 1-20 count. And, yes, I have a some pics and will try to attach a few. I am still new to the forum so I may not have pic privileges yet. But, I'll try.

And, I will chime in that it is great having Edwardb providing build progress, as I refer to them regularly. Working thru some of his tips will certainly save me time, but more importantly rework. As I loaded the car up with almost every option, I'll need all the advice I can get.

While I'm at it here, the powder coated DS footbox front panel doesn't appear to match up with the frame. The panel accompanying the wilwood pedal box does, but isn't powder coated. Anybody, thoughts?

The tag number on the front of your car is the sales order number. Your chassis number should be on the paperwork somewhere, and you will receive a serial number tag and MSO with your chassis number probably pretty soon. In the meantime, if you look on the 2 x 2 inch tube along the bottom of the dash -- about where your left knee would be sitting in the driver's seat -- you should see an engraved number. It should be obvious because they mask the powder coat away from it. That's your chassis number. Starts with "F5R." The last four digits are the build sequence number, and the ones most use referring to their car. Mine is #8674, for example. For your count in the 1-20, this too I recall was somewhere in the delivery paperwork. At the very least, the guys on the dock knew what mine was when I picked it up. But you can tell real easily. Look at your gauges. They have your number on each face. Mine is 003. For the powder coated DS footbox front panel, I agree. Seems FF did the white powder coat on the wrong one. There are two versions of the DS footbox front panel. One for the Wilwood box. It only has one large opening in the middle for the steering column, and the clutch cable is on the outside edge. The other front panel is for a Mustang pedal box and has two large openings. One for the steering column and one for the brake master cylinder. And the clutch cable is on the inside edge. Unfortunately, the anniversary kit has the Wilwood pedal box standard, but they powder coated the donor panel. I wouldn't hesitate to contact FF if you want them to fix it. They should. I'm actually going to be replacing a number of the engine compartment panels because I'm using the King modified panels to better fit the Coyote. So I'm going to have some new powder coating anyway. It won't be a big deal to get the right front panel coated. I just hope they can reasonably match the white panels FF provided because I still will be using a bunch of them.

Glad my thread is useful! I'm still anxiously waiting for some pretty important parts, plus have been on a family trip. But making some progress and will be posting another update in the next day or two.

[ThickCobra]

Thanks for the feedback. As I was reading your response, Tony from FFR emailed me that they powder coated the wrong foot box panel and would be sending me the correct panel shortly. I will be very interested to see how close you come to matching the white powder coat panels. It would nice if they would share the color code. Also, I just checked the frame and we have #8658 and 004 on the guages and paperwork. Nice to know.

[David Hodgkins]

Georg if you can't work out the details and need to give up the kit, let me know. I'd sell my first build to do another Anniversary car. We could work out the details with FFR...

edwardb, the FFR stamped ID actually begins F5R, not FFR...

[edwardb]

Thanks for the feedback. As I was reading your response, Tony from FFR emailed me that they powder coated the wrong foot box panel and would be sending me the correct panel shortly. I will be very interested to see how close you come to matching the white powder coat panels. It would nice if they would share the color code. Also, I just checked the frame and we have #8658 and 004 on the guages and paperwork. Nice to know.

Speaking of white powder coat, I remembered one other thing. When I did my inventory, I found that FF didn't powder coat the cover for the DS footbox. There's an access hole on the top inside panel on the DS footbox. Intended to allow easier access to the Wilwood MC's and other stuff under there. It was a mod many added to their builds, and FF made it standard for Mk4's at some point. My earlier Mk4 (#7750) didn't come with it. Anyway, there's a cover, sort of oval in shape and bent diagonally, that's meant to go over this access hole. It's 100% visible with the hood open, so you certainly want it finished like everything else. Mine was not powder coated, but packed with the rest of the uncoated aluminum parts. It's not a big deal for me, because of the King mods I mentioned before, and this part is replaced with a different one. But for those who intend to use the stock pieces, something else to check and I assume based on the response from FF regarding the front panel, they would resolve it.

[edwardb]

edwardb, the FFR stamped ID actually begins F5R, not FFR...

Oops, you're absolutely right of course. My bad. I fixed the post. Amazing when I do things from memory rather than actually looking.

[ThickCobra]

Good catch. I did notice that oval piece while taking inventory, but wasn't certain what it was . And, mine is also not PC.

[edwardb]

Good catch. I did notice that oval piece while taking inventory, but wasn't certain what it was . And, mine is also not PC.

Just to be clear, it's this one. Yeah, sorta oval... It's part number 15521.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Thick,
If it's truly oval it is probably the filler for the hole in the RH side F panel. This piece too should be coated on the anniversary cars since it's purpose is to cover a hole that is not used with the FFR radiator.

Jeff

[edwardb]

Thick, If it's truly oval it is probably the filler for the hole in the RH side F panel. This piece too should be coated on the anniversary cars since it's purpose is to cover a hole that is not used with the FFR radiator. Jeff

Hey Jeff. True enough, except the RH side F panel provided (and coated) didn't have the donor radiator cutout. Nice. So that oval fill piece isn't required, even though included in the kit.

[ThickCobra]

You guys have made me realize, I need to inventory the panels. Though I've taken inventory (a few times now) of everything else, I have not identified and checked off all panels. Today's the day. My son is coming over today so it will be a nice little project. And, he's a great puzzle solver. This being one of the reasons I haven't tackled it yet.

[ThickCobra]

Jeff, you can call me Jay. I like my handle, but it sounds funny.

[ThickCobra]

You can tell I'm in my garage working on my car by the questions. Just curious, but are all power steering racks remanufactured? And, I guess powder coating is not an option unless I dismantle the unit.?

[RRussellTx]

Attachment 45526

I'm #10 of 20

[edwardb]

You can tell I'm in my garage working on my car by the questions. Just curious, but are all power steering racks remanufactured? And, I guess powder coating is not an option unless I dismantle the unit.?

I don't think you can buy a new PS rack from your local parts store. They'll all be reman's. Even the very nice Unisteer PS rack that Breeze sells is a reman unit. Nothing wrong with a good quality reman PS. Theoretically, the wear parts, seals, etc. are all replaced. I suspect you would have to get into a higher end rack like Flaming River, AGR, etc. to be all new. And be ready to pay for it. No, I don't think you can PC a power steering rack without disassembly. The 400 degree or so oven would not be nice for the boots, O-rings, seals, etc. The Breeze PS rack is powder coated (can you tell I like it?) so I'm assuming they do the coating before assembly.

[edwardb]

Attachment 45526

I'm #10 of 20

I'm hoping this is a picture of your kit delivery today? I'm anxious to see it! Unfortunately, the attachment isn't loading.

[RRussellTx]

It was supposed to be a pic of my gauges. I tried to take it directly from the post using my iPad camera but it apparently did not work very well. I have some proper pics from a real camera but for some reason I just don't want to be inside by the computer right now...

I got the kit around 4:00pm yesterday and I'm done with the first pass of my inventory (no roll bars, sway bars, cv axles, steering wheel, brakes and a few other odds and ends). The brakes were not even listed anywhere in the paperwork so it looks like they forgot to include it in the Anniversary package.

I've taken a bunch of pics and have the body ready to come off. I'm assembling the body buck now and then I'll get some buddies to come over and check it out and help me lift the body off later today.

Happy days are here!

[edwardb]

I got the kit around 4:00pm yesterday and I'm done with the first pass of my inventory (no roll bars, sway bars, cv axles, steering wheel, brakes and a few other odds and ends). The brakes were not even listed anywhere in the paperwork so it looks like they forgot to include it in the Anniversary package.

Congrats on your delivery! Take your time with the inventory, and check every piece. I found 10-12 errors between what was said to be delivered and what I actually received. Some just plain missing, others were the wrong size, etc. Also make sure all the Anniversary Edition pieces are there. I had to call about the bumpers, door panels, and roll bar trim rings. I don't have the Wilwood brakes yet either. They appear on your original sales order, but not on any of the shipping or backorder paperwork since they come directly from Wilwood. That was my experience with the previous Mk4 as well. But I'm a little surprised they're not here yet. Last time they were delivered before the kit. Sounds like you received your IRS UCA's and LCA's. I'm officially frustrated. Still don't have mine. They told me on Monday CV axles just arrived, so hopefully they'll ship soon. Have fun! It is quite an adventure.

[RRussellTx]

I am indeed checking it all but I don't have much of a reference on most of it. I think they gave me the wrong front shocks. Are all 4 Koni shocks supposed to be the same? My rears look like your fronts but my fronts are not adjustable and are painted solid red...

I do have the uca's and lca's for the IRS.

[edwardb]

I am indeed checking it all but I don't have much of a reference on most of it. I think they gave me the wrong front shocks. Are all 4 Koni shocks supposed to be the same? My rears look like your fronts but my fronts are not adjustable and are painted solid red...

Take it a box at a time, and use the box listings FF provides. Parts are generally grouped into logical assemblies. Parts that you don't recognize can generally be identified by a process of elimination using the description on the box list. Especially for first time builders, doing a thorough inventory is a good time to learn what the various parts are and get familiar with them. The manual has a lot of pictures, and that also can be used to help identify parts. I also use a digital caliper to measure stuff where it applies, including all hardware. Most digital calipers can switch between SAE and metric which is nice because the kit has plenty of both. Most recommend leaving the parts in their original boxes once inventoried, and using the box lists to find the parts when ready for assembly. I also recommend putting any backorder parts into the box they were supposed to be in, once received. Of course, anything you can't account for or doesn't seem right, immediately report to FF once you've completed the inventory. They're generally very good to take care of it. Officially they want you to report all shortages or problems within 45 days. In fact, you probably noticed they have stickers on the boxes saying this. But they're generally pretty relaxed about it. Maybe more important is you want the parts to be all available once you start working on that assembly step.

For the shocks, yes, you should have four of the all aluminum double adjusting Koni shocks. They're all four actually the same part. The only difference between front and back is the springs. There are different weights for front and back. The red Koni's are the standard ones. They did the same thing with my kit, e.g. shipped the front standard shock and springs. I reported it, and they sent me a shipping label to return, which I did. I did receive four of the special shocks though. They were all in the same box.

[ThickCobra]

Just to be clear, it's this one. Yeah, sorta oval... It's part number 15521.

I received the powder coated cover for the DS footbox. I am finding F5R (did F5R as that's on the frame) to be very responsive.

[rickscobra]

OK guys, I am off to pick up my kit next week. I have to admit that I am having a hard time understanding all the issues I read on this forum about the packaging of kit parts. FFR has been delivering these kits for a long time and I would think that putting the right parts in the right boxes should not be big deal. Who actually packs these boxes and how hard can it be to get it right? I understand back orders, but not the issues documented on this forum. The factory is very high tech, so how can the packing process consistently be so low tech? Is there an explanation? Sorry for the rant, but what don't I understand?

[edwardb]

OK guys, I am off to pick up my kit next week. I have to admit that I am having a hard time understanding all the issues I read on this forum about the packaging of kit parts. FFR has been delivering these kits for a long time and I would think that putting the right parts in the right boxes should not be big deal. Who actually packs these boxes and how hard can it be to get it right? I understand back orders, but not the issues documented on this forum. The factory is very high tech, so how can the packing process consistently be so low tech? Is there an explanation? Sorry for the rant, but what don't I understand?

This is going to sound defensive, but I'll respond anyway. First, can you be more specific about what you mean by "all the issues?" If you're only referring to the 20th Anniversary models, yes there have been a couple glitches. For example the ones documented here regarding powder coat. Yes, they missed a couple of pieces or did the wrong ones. Powder coating aluminum panels is not something they normally do. In my kit, the first 20th Anniversary delivery, there were a few parts I shouldn't have received, and a few missed that I should have received. So mistakes on this short run of 20 kits mainly can be attributed to exactly that IMO -- a short run outside the normal process. And as pointed out, they are quick and more than willing to resolve.

Everyone is encouraged to inventory their kit when delivered. You will find the documentation is actually very good. The boxes are all numbered, and you will get a detailed list of exactly what's in each box. It's very structured, and easy to check things off as you go through each box. For a complete kit, especially a complete kit plus the extras in the 20th Anniversary model, I'm guessing the part count is in the high hundreds (>1000?). Is it possible you will find a couple errors while doing your inventory? Yes. Report them and they will be resolved. Could it be better? Probably yes again. There can always be fewer mistakes. But I wouldn't let this take away from what you're about to do. I also think it's easy to get the wrong impression from on-line forums like this. Much of the bandwidth is about errors, problems, fixes, etc. Including my personal build thread. But what isn't talked about is the very high percentage of stuff that is received correctly, fits, works, goes as planned, etc.

One other comment. There are aspects of FF's R&D and factory operations that are most definitely high tech. But being an IT and Logistics professional my entire career, I wouldn't characterize the warehouse, kitting, and shipping processes as particularly high tech. They have computer systems, but it's still people manually pulling parts off warehouse racks and bins and staging shipments. Not a negative statement at all. It's exactly what I would expect in a business of that size. Human error can and does happen. My observation after having been around the operation and the guys working there a couple times is that they're a small and hard working group. They do a lot and care about what they're doing.

You kind of give a free pass to the backorder process. I actually think that's the weakest part. What I see is a company very aggressively marketing their products, including with frequent sales. Additionally, they are continually offering new models, new options, etc. While FF manufactures a lot of their parts, they also buy a lot of them. The supply chain doesn't always seem able to keep up, and long backorders sometimes result. Specific example: The 20th Anniversary model includes a very cool Wilwood brake setup. Something FF hasn't offered before plus it has first time/custom aspects because of the new 2015 Mustang IRS. The 20th Anniversary model was announced in June. First deliveries were in August. Wilwood just now has the brakes in production. None have been delivered as I understand. I'm trying to keep this in perspective as the price of being an early adopter. But I've never been accused of being very patient.

[RRussellTx]

check your wheels too - these are my fronts:

[rickscobra]

OK guys, I am off to pick up my kit next week. I have to admit that I am having a hard time understanding all the issues I read on this forum about the packaging of kit parts. FFR has been delivering these kits for a long time and I would think that putting the right parts in the right boxes should not be big deal. Who actually packs these boxes and how hard can it be to get it right? I understand back orders, but not the issues documented on this forum. The factory is very high tech, so how can the packing process consistently be so low tech? Is there an explanation? Sorry for the rant, but what don't I understand?

This morning, my rant of yesterday seems pretty silly. Edwardb did an excellent of putting it all in perspective. Must be the one week to go jitters. I have visited the FFR plant and have nothing but admiration for the entire team. As has been pointed out here, the assembly process does not need to be followed per the big book. A big plus is I only live four hours from FFR and easily drive down to solve any problems I have. I am beyond stoked at this point. Being retired, I will be working on my kit full time.

[ThickCobra]

I'm just checking in and curious as to how all the 20th Anniversary owners are doing. I'm making steady progress on my car with a few hick-ups here and there but overall enjoying the build. And, I'm very appreciative for all the patience displayed towards me as I have and will continue to have many questions and requests for guidance. Sometimes even minor annoyances can get to you. I have learned quickly that if something doesn't work or fit, it's best to tackle the next day. Amazing how a fresh look, and reaching out for guidance, can bring clarity of an area one may have struggled with. Very rewarding. I'll post pics of my progress as soon as I figure out how.

As a side note, I found it interesting that we received return mailing labels for the extra shocks and springs shipped with the components along with the new upgraded shocks. I guess enough honest people posted F5R on the error. Good to hear.

[edwardb]

I'm just checking in and curious as to how all the 20th Anniversary owners are doing. I'm making steady progress on my car with a few hick-ups here and there but overall enjoying the build. And, I'm very appreciative for all the patience displayed towards me as I have and will continue to have many questions and requests for guidance. Sometimes even minor annoyances can get to you. I have learned quickly that if something doesn't work or fit, it's best to tackle the next day. Amazing how a fresh look, and reaching out for guidance, can bring clarity of an area one may have struggled with. Very rewarding. I'll post pics of my progress as soon as I figure out how.

I'm making decent progress with mine. I've received nearly all the backordered and missing parts, so fast running out of those excuses. As of Monday or Tuesday I will have everything except the Wilwood brakes. I'll post an update to my build thread probably mid-week or so. Tease: Will be pictures of the completed IRS, assuming the CV axles that are in transit to me fit properly. While I've been waiting for backordered stuff, I've worked on a bunch of other little things that will make the build faster when I get there, like the gas tank, hood hinges, e-brake handle, radiator, sheet metal, etc. In the next week or so I'm going to order the Coyote for my build. That will be another big step.

Your point about sometimes walking away is a very good one. I've found repeatedly that something that won't work, won't fit, whatever, late in the day magically is easily resolved the next day when I'm fresh. I've also learned (the hard way...) that when something doesn't fit or seems wrong my first impulse should not be to start cutting or drilling.

As a side note, I found it interesting that we received return mailing labels for the extra shocks and springs shipped with the components along with the new upgraded shocks. I guess enough honest people posted F5R on the error. Good to hear.

Yea, I received that email too. I think it was sent to all 20th Anniversary customers. I found the extra shocks and springs during my initial inventory back in August. I also had a set of Coyote headers (the $600 ones) that I didn't order. I reported this stuff to FF and they sent a label and it was all back at their place several days later. I don't know why anyone would expect to keep stuff they didn't pay for. Especially when it's right there on the box inventory list.

[RRussellTx]

I'm having a lot of fun with my build! It seems like 2 steps forward and then wait a week or two on parts, tools or research (which I find fun). I got my random steel parts powder coated in black last week and had them do a couple of the non-white panels as well to see how it would look (and they looked sweet so I'll be getting the rest of them done at some point).

I received my Eastwood flaring tools with the AN kit so I'll be practicing with that soon. I also got my in-tank fuel pump from Forte. I figured out that I'm missing the spacers on the front lower ball joint so I need to contact FF tomorrow before I can finish up the front end. Still waiting on everything else from FF so I have not been able to finish much.

Right now I'm trying to figure out what kind of reservoir and mount to get for a 3 compartment brake/clutch setup.

[ThickCobra]

So...how do we update the 20th Anniversary list?