We now have several of the key pieces associated with this project completed as such they are either already in our facility or on the way as such the final disassembly time is here. We need to disassemble and remove a great portion of the dash so we can integrate Kip's carbon fiber gauge panel and carbon fiber binnacle, the OEM magnesium center console will be removed so we can integrate Kip's very cool carbon fiber/leather center console cubby as well and reroute the wring for Shadowman's subwoofer relocation as well as the video screen integrated rearview mirror and rearview camera , and lastly we need to remove all of the headliner and A pillar trims so that we have the access to integrate our custom wiring harnesses created for the rearview mirror with the integrated video, the backup camera, as well as the overhead dome light.
Here is the bulbous OEM subwoofer and amp location. Fortunately this will be the last time that this gal appears with it like this as it is not only a visual distraction but then add to this the location is not conducive to quality sound. [ View Pictures ]
Here the OEM subwoofer and the associated amplifier has been removed as we make ready to integrate Shadowman's subwoofer relocation system. [ View Pictures ]
Now the next phase of this project will be the disassembling of the lower dash. We offer a word of "caution"; this is not so much a difficult task but rather one that requires patience, a very methodical approach, and lots of blue and white tape so as to insure that no secondary damage is caused during the process.
Here we are removing the OEM magnesium center console so that we can integrate Kip's cool carbon fiber/leather cubby, relocate the OEM wiring harness (there is no cutting but rather we simply reroute it) so that Shadowman's subwoofer system can be integrated and then lastly we will also be running some of our camera and overhead dome light wires within this area. As when working on all parts of the gal we carefully and methodically mask and protect all exposed surfaces so that no secondary damage is caused during the process. [ View Pictures ]
Look what fell out as we lifted the center console; seeing this made it perfectly clear to us that a Ford Racing short shifter had been installed by another because this is a component of the OEM shifter's anti-vibration system. It never ceases to amaze us just how often extra parts are found during the course of our massaging these gals. [ View Pictures ]
Here the lower portion of the dash has been removed for access as will be needed during the various phases of this project. [ View Pictures ]
Here we are removing the OEM gauges so as to make them ready to be integrated into Kip's carbon fiber gauge panel. [ View Pictures ]
Here the binnacle has been removed; this piece also houses the switch gear. We removed this so that we can remove and prepare the switch gear to be integrated into Kip's carbon fiber binnacle. [ View Pictures ]
Here we have removed the rearview mirror, sun visors, and all of the headliner and A pillar trims so that we can integrate required custom wiring harness and the overhead dome light which is one of the features of our rearview mirror with the video display built in system. [ View Pictures ]
We will share how the individual process are integrated as they are tended to. Certainly there are several objectives when tending to personal touch items such as these however our primary objective is to "integrate" rather than simply add. The process of integration nets an OEM look, feel, as well as serviceability.
Now we will be integrating Shadowman's custom subwoofer relocation system. This system requires no drilling or cutting of the factory wiring harnesses to successfully relocate the OEM subwoofer within a custom enclosure to be located behind the passenger seat and the OEM amplifier will be relocated behind the driver seat. Once the integration has been completed it will appear as if OEM, operate better than OEM, and cause no disruption in the seats operation or travel.
Here the core of the conversion; the aluminum panels are being created and hand fit to insure that everything fits as designed prior to them being upholstered in the same material as was used when creating the custom subwoofer enclosure. [ View Pictures ]
Here is where the upper portion of the aluminum panel are secured through the use of the OEM channel in the bulkhead. [ View Pictures ]
Here you can see that the side is secured as the result of the OEM leather wrapped "B" pillar trim. [ View Pictures ]
Here you can see that the aluminum panels are integrated over the existing OEM bulkhead sound deadening material. The process causes no damage to this material as such the ability to remove the system and convert the gal back to OEM remains painless and very easy to do. [ View Pictures ]
Here are examples of the OEM Torx as used to secure the lower portion of the aluminum panels into existing Nutserts already in the bulkhead as such no drilling is required. [ View Pictures ]
Here the OEM subwoofer assembly which included the OEM amplifier is being disassembled so the pieces can be migrated into the new system. [ View Pictures ]
Here the aluminum panels have been upholstered and the OEM canvass bag retainers and the OEM amplifier are being installed. [ View Pictures ]
Here the complete aluminum panels have been fully integrated into the gal; all that remains now is to complete the minor tweak to the OEM wiring harness and then to position the custom subwoofer enclosure. [ View Pictures ]
Here the OEM wiring harness is being tweaked ever so slightly. We will be removing the insulation so as to further separate the two harnesses that are within in a sense creating a larger "Y" out of the harness so that it will naturally extend to the new amplifiers location. There is not cutting as such once again the ability to return the gal to OEM condition is very easy. [ View Pictures ]
Now we will be installing a fresh covering of plastic on this gal. She arrived with some plastic already in place however her coverage was limited and there were far too many seams, exposed edges, and stretch marks as the direct result of the previous installation.
Here the new plastic is being installed. We will be wrapping her complete nose which will included 100 % of the front fenders, a portion of her roof as well as several other key areas such as the rockers as well as in front of and behind the rear wheels. [ View Pictures ]
Now we will be integrating Kip's very cool carbon fiber/leather center control cubby. This is a personal touch item that all of these gals should have come with.
Here are some of the steps as we complete the integration process. The OEM magnesium center console is carefully and methodically protected so as to insure that no secondary damage occurs during the process of drilling and cutting as we prepare it to receive the new cubby. Once in place it appears and operates as if OEM and even as small as it is add a huge amount of storage and convenience within the gal. [ View Pictures ]
Here are the carefully selected aluminum push/push switches that we will integrate within the cubby to operate the manually when desired the dome light as well as the rear view camera which will display in the new OEM Ford mirror with the integrated video screen. [ View Pictures ]
Now we will be integrating the OEM Ford dome light into the gal's headliner. We do this as a by-product of the new OEM Ford mirror that has an integrated video monitor built in that we will be integrating. Furthermore simply have a viable dome light becomes a very nice feature.
Here we are making a slight modification to the OEM dome light; we needed to remove the extended plastic mounting points because within the Ford GT the mounting surface is flat. [ View Pictures ]
Here we are simply removing a small piece of the headliner insulation thus creating the needed space for the dome light to fit. [ View Pictures ]
Here we have are pattern in place as we prepare to make the final tweak to the headliner prior to integrating the new dome light. [ View Pictures ]
Here we are dry fitting the new dome light first and then proceeded to integrate it fully. [ View Pictures ]
We secure the new dome light with nylon screws so as to insure that there is never a secondary electrical issue associated with this integration. [ View Pictures ]
Here the OEM Ford dome light has been integrated. [ View Pictures ]
Now before we reinstall the headliner we will insert all new retainers. These are reused by many however by design they should only be used once. [ View Pictures ]
Here the back half of the headliner has been reinstalled. Now we need to reinstall the clamshell pull handle bezel and then continue with the electrical integration. [ View Pictures ]
With the integration of the OEM Ford dome light completed now it is time to create the required custom wiring harnesses. During this process we will strive to migrate the new wires into the existing OEM wire sheathing however when this is not possible we create our own custom wiring harnesses using OEM style sheathing so that the look, feel, and future servicing remains as if OEM.
Here we are routing the secondary ground lead for the dome lights mechanical switch through the existing OEM harness as it has the same operational wiring within. [ View Pictures ]
Here we have used a Deutsch connector to integrate the new OEM dome light. [ View Pictures ]
Here we are fabricating the custom OEM style wiring harness that will run from the new OEM style rearview mirror with integrated video down to the SJB box at which point it will be integrated. [ View Pictures ]
Here is the new OEM rearview mirror with both auto dimmer and integrated video for the backup camera. [ View Pictures ]
Here the custom wiring harness for the rearview mirror has been fully integrated. [ View Pictures ]
Here we have begun the process of integrating the rearview camera. [ View Pictures ]
Here we have applied Mylar to the back of the license plate and also incased the camera wiring within a custom mylar sleeve to as to insure that no secondary heat damage or deterioration is caused over time. [ View Pictures ]
Here the rearview camera has been fully integrated. [ View Pictures ]
Here we have integrated another Deutsch connector; this one resides under the OEM magnesium center console and will integrate with the pair of switches that will allow for manual override of the integrated OEM dome light and for the operation of the rearview camera. [ View Pictures ]
Here a pair of very cool and small push/push aluminum switches is being integrated into the carbon fiber/leather cubby that we integrated earlier. You can see the custom wiring harness created with the reciprocal Deutsch connector end for under the OEM magnesium center console so as to insure the ease of service over time. [ View Pictures ]
Here the camera is on line; note there are many reflections within the mirror in this picture caused by the secondary lighting position within and around the gal as we continue to work on her. [ View Pictures ]
Now we will be integrating Kip's beautiful carbon fiber instrument face and carbon fiber binnacle. This process requires not only the removal of the OEM assemblies but also all of the gauges, switches, associated circuit boards, and retainers, must then be migrated from the OEM assemblies onto the new carbon fiber assemblies; a tedious process.
Here are a few of the steps involved as the carbon fiber instrument panel and binnacle are made ready to be integrated into this gal. [ View Pictures ]
Here the fully prepared assemblies are being very methodically inserted into the gal's dash. [ View Pictures ]
We are now able to finalize the integration of Shadowman's subwoofer relocation system.
Here the OEM subwoofer has been integrated within the new custom enclosure and the OEM amplifier has been brought on line as we have plugged all of the OEM harnesses into place. [ View Pictures ]
We have seen many of the gals come through with a Mafia; better known as a MAF signal calibrator. This device is used to allow for proper tuning of the gals with smaller pulleys as well as those with a Whipple supercharger however most are randomly placed at some point near the throttle body and in our opinion generally looking like an afterthought; akin to a bulls-eye. This gal was no exception as such we elected to integrate one of our custom Mafia mounting plates and at the same time we disassembled the Mafia so we could wrap the wiring harness with OEM sheathing so that once back in place it would remain all but invisible because it will appear as if simply another OEM component.
Here is how the Mafia was previously mounted by another facility with nothing more than numerous randomly placed zip ties used to secure it. [ View Pictures ]
Here we are methodically tweaking the Mafia so as to make it ready to be integrated. We created these Mafia mounting plates that will secure it under the OEM or AccuFab throttle body and then use one of the unique OEM zip ties that secure the harness to the side of the intake bellows. [ View Pictures ]
Here the Mafia has been fully integrated back into this gal. As stated earlier; it is nearly invisible and if noticed appears as if an OEM assembly. [ View Pictures ]
Now we will be integrating the custom hard stainless steel lined automatic fire suppression system as designed by Shadowman.
Here we are integrating the fire suppression bottle mount onto the OEM Ford Racing transaxle cooler mount. During this process you will see that we do not simply mount the bracket but rather shape it and bore holes through it so that once completed it will appear as an OEM assembly. Our goal is integration and not a simple installation. [ View Pictures ]
Here Shadowman's fire suppression system has been fully integrated. The system has been charged and checked for leaks as such the owner will certainly have increased peace of mind. [ View Pictures ]
Now one of the items that folks asked about all the time after looking at pictures of the Ford GT from days gone past as well as a couple of the show cars shown in the early days before they were released to the public were silver buttons within the seat rather than the black buttons as presented when the gals were finally brought to market. Well as the result of much effort by Andrew Revai supported by Shadowman this question was finally put to rest as anodized aluminum buttons have been created.
Here are the affectionately referred to "Hot Buttons" integrated into this gal as one of the final touches before she is made ready for the third annual Ford GT Rally in Las Vegas. [ View Pictures ]
At the last minute we were requested to put a fresh load of oil and filter in her engine and transaxle and complete a thorough check out prior to her being placed on the road to Vegas and then just about the time we were make her ready to be shipped home we were called told that rather than shipping her home was to be driven. It was a wonderful experience being able to meet her Papa.
We use only OEM fluids and filters when completing services on these gals. During this process we also methodically check her from stem to stern, lube secondary areas such as door hinges, revitalize and protect all of the rubber seals with a special dressing, and then last but not least verify that the tires are all without flaws and at the proper pressure so as to insure that the next leg of her journey is uneventful. [ View Pictures ]
Here she is pulling away as she begins her day long road trip back home.

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