Mustang Owners Club Australia Forum

Technical & General Discussion Area => Tech Torque 1979 to 2014 => Topic started by: gstsaver on March 29, 2018, 04:32:42 pm

Title: 1987 Mustang GT Convertible
Post by: gstsaver on March 29, 2018, 04:32:42 pm: Hi,

I am looking for advise.

I just imported a 1987 Mustang GT Convertible from California and has the initial VASS inspection.

1.) Anyone else have one of these fox body in convertible. The seat belts in the rear won't pass as they need to be shoulder belts but I can't see anyway to do this with the convertible. I have the option to take the back seat out and register as 2 seater - anyone else do this ?

2.) Anyone know where to get new headlights that point the correct direction ? I have looked and looked online and can't find them. I can find clear corner lens which is good but can't find the right headlights or a conversion kit, or tail lights with amber turn signals.

3.) The speedo - do most people just cover up the miles part ? Can I do this over the plastic cover ?

4.) Seat belts for front. Where to get replacements ?

Any help is greatly appreciated !
Title: Re: 1987 Mustang GT Convertible
Post by: gstsaver on April 13, 2018, 12:03:07 pm: Nobody have any comments for me ?

Also, does anyone know when the rule for the speedo to be in majority KM started? I thought it was 1 July 1988 but I am told I have to cover up the miles ?
Title: Re: 1987 Mustang GT Convertible
Post by: Dwayne on April 13, 2018, 12:29:09 pm: There's only a couple of people on here with fox bodies unfortunately, so not much experience.

With the seatbelts, I'd speak with someone who specialises in fitting them legally.
Title: Re: 1987 Mustang GT Convertible
Post by: gstsaver on April 13, 2018, 01:31:46 pm: Thanks Dwayne.

The seat belts issue for convertibles appears to be a very technical legislative issue so I have asked Dept of Infrastructure for a ruling on that part of legislation.

For the speedo - I have looked at pictures of close to 100 import vehicles from around that year and not one removed the Miles part of the speedo. I am trying to get an answer from Vic Roads.
Vic Roads agree with me but say they can't give me anything in writing.
Title: Re: 1987 Mustang GT Convertible
Post by: Dwayne on April 13, 2018, 01:42:52 pm: Re: Speedo ... can you use a phone app to give a KM/H reading to keep them happy?
Title: Re: 1987 Mustang GT Convertible
Post by: fredm666 on April 13, 2018, 01:48:47 pm: https://www.bogaard.com.au/hud-09-digital-speedometer-kph-display.html
Title: Re: 1987 Mustang GT Convertible
Post by: Rocket060 on April 13, 2018, 05:17:10 pm: This kit looks ok and all gauges will have the same appearance.

http://www.whitegauges.net/products/1987%252d1989-Ford-Mustang-180-kmh-METRIC-White-Face-Gauges.html

Rod
Title: Re: 1987 Mustang GT Convertible
Post by: Dwayne on April 13, 2018, 05:26:37 pm: Quote from: Rocket060 on April 13, 2018, 05:17:10 pm
This kit looks ok and all gauges will have the same appearance.

http://www.whitegauges.net/products/1987%252d1989-Ford-Mustang-180-kmh-METRIC-White-Face-Gauges.html

Rod

That's a great first post Rod, welcome.
Title: Re: 1987 Mustang GT Convertible
Post by: gstsaver on April 13, 2018, 05:34:46 pm: Thanks Rod !

Before I get these though, can anyone else tell me if they had to have the speedo in just KM ? After getting transferred around in Vic Roads for 2 hours they finally put me in touch with someone who knew what they were talking about. They confirmed that prior to manufacture date July 1988 that you don't need a KM speedometer.

Speaking with my VASS guy, apparently all the VASS people go off the same guidelines which don't reference back to ADR's or the regulations. I feel these guidelines are wrong as their were no requirements for KM in speedos by any design rule prior. Even the Roadworthy states that if your vehicle is manufactured prior to July 1988 you don't even need a functional speedo !

The reason I don't want to add the decals is I want to keep it original. It is completely original with no modifications.
Title: Re: 1987 Mustang GT Convertible
Post by: scollist on April 14, 2018, 12:05:39 am: Try contacting Graham Folwell from the MOCA Vic committee. I know he has a Fox body and might be able to point you in the right direction.

http://vic.mustang.org.au/committee.html (http://vic.mustang.org.au/committee.html)
Title: Re: 1987 Mustang GT Convertible
Post by: mwizz on April 14, 2018, 09:41:16 am: Quote from: Dwayne on April 13, 2018, 01:42:52 pm
Re: Speedo ... can you use a phone app to give a KM/H reading to keep them happy?

I use a speedo app with mine and it works well
Title: Re: 1987 Mustang GT Convertible
Post by: gstsaver on April 14, 2018, 10:31:30 am: Thanks everyone.
Title: Re: 1987 Mustang GT Convertible
Post by: gstsaver on June 07, 2018, 01:17:35 pm: Anyone register their Mustangs as 2 seaters ?

I am thinking of doing this to save on the cost/hassle of getting rear seat belts installed on this car.

Does anyone have an opinion on whether that would lower the value of the car.
Title: Re: 1987 Mustang GT Convertible
Post by: Dwayne on June 07, 2018, 01:26:47 pm: Could always just register it as a 2 seater while you continue to search for a solution with the rear belts.
Title: Re: 1987 Mustang GT Convertible
Post by: gstsaver on June 07, 2018, 02:40:24 pm: Thanks Dwayne. The only issue is that if/when I decided to register as 4 seater I would have to get a new VASS cert.
If whoever I use is no longer there or if changes occur to interpretations etc. I am then up for more changes to comply. Also have to pay for a further VASS cert at that time.

VASS guys seem to charge anywhere from $400 to $1000 for VASS cert. and inspection for this year of vehicle.
Title: Re: 1987 Mustang GT Convertible
Post by: BAC on June 07, 2018, 04:08:07 pm: Quote from: gstsaver on June 07, 2018, 02:40:24 pm
VASS guys seem to charge anywhere from $400 to $1000 for VASS cert. and inspection for this year of vehicle.

If you don't mind, please PM me the details of anyone you've found that will do a VASS cert for $500 or less.