our new ford escape

[gary s]

got our "new" ford escape back from the body shop today.

it is an 08 XLT black pearl slate that i picked up out of our fleet with 36K miles.

the bumpers needed to be painted and it also needed a very good detail. i also added a limited grill, 18" msw wheels with 255/55/18 continental cross contact lx tires.

should be great for the wifey as we needed a vehicle with a little more room then the matrix and also i feel more comfy as it is a 4X4 with side/head airbags.

some pics:

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[Kane Oster]

Are you sure you have an edge? That looks a WHOLE lot like an Escape lol. Just asking...

 

[gary s]

kane,



its an edge in an escapes body, :lol:



oops, i am getting old

 

[Rodger Tellefson]

Looks like an Escape to me too.

 

[John Z]

I tell you what sucks... The fact that the bezel is formed around the stock radio, and you can't upgrade it. Why did they do that???

 

[Gavin Allan]

What sucks worse is all those buttons for the hvac and radio.



Why can't they keep it simple instead of making all those tiny buttons that are impossible to see or identify by feel?

 

[EddieS'04]

Nice, Get rid of the roof rails. I did on my wifes '08 before she left me. Looks much better and lower profile.

 

[Dan Long]

Metra makes a dash kit that will allow you to upgrade to an aftermarket radio. They're a bit pricey (~$200 usually), but they've done a pretty good job with a lot of the new vehicles that have integrated radios like that. They include new buttons and circuitry that keeps as much of the OEM function and appearance as possible.

 

[Shaun Tucker]

Gary,



That is one of the nicest Escapes I have seen. Love it

 

[gary s]

fast ed & shaun,



thanks ... eddie, do you have pics of the roof rail removed?. sounds like a very goo idea.



btw, from a toyota guy, i am surprised at the ford bash on this thread :huh:

 

[FlipTrac_511]

Gary S. That wheel/tire combo looks awesome. Fills the wells nicely. Great color too.

 

[gary s]

fast ed,



good point

think i gotta' remove those roof rails.

appreciate if you can let me know the procedure.

thanks

 

[Kevin Lang]

i am surprised at the ford bash on this thread

Because American Car Afficionados, like the republican party, have no solidarity.

 

[Shaun Tucker]

I dont see any Ford bashing. Just complaints about the stereo in the Escape.



And Eddie's distaste for roof rails

 

[Jerry Abson 3]

Fast Eddie, I am assuming that you mean the escape looks alot better, not the ex wife?!:lol:



I love all those buttons, looks cool to me. I am still waiting for my department to get me out of the POS honda NGV and into the new hybrid escapes.



Very Nice!

 

[Shaun Tucker]

Jerry,



I love the green colour on the hybrids.

 

[Jerry Abson 3]

Shaun, unfortunatly, its a city vehicle, so it will be white. I just want something that rides nice, doesn't have to be re-fueled every freakin day, is comfortable to sit in, has a trunk, and doesn't have a bomb behind you!



Our car czar (funny how that works) is such a dimwit, she gave 2 to one guy! This is how I had to trade out my old low mileage 1999 Dodge Neon (which was even better than this POS) for the high mileage 2003 Honda NGV:

Take car to garage

Drop off dodge

Take temporary vehicle

return to garage once current NGV user returns vehicle

Current NGV vehicle user cannot recieve new hybrid vehicle until you return Dodge to garage



why couldn't we meet at the garage and swap? Jeese, she is such a ditz! I asked why I am returning the low mileage car in for a high mileage, and she said becouse the other one is older, and will break down more:blink:



My low mileage had like 20,000 miles on it, the new had over 50,000. Uhmm, so which one will break down sooner?!



Sorry, ranting, got off trac.

 

[JerryW Gilliland]

Gary, that's a fine looking Escape.



Love everything about. Especially the stance with the tire wheel combo.



Good makeover job, buddy!

 

[EddieS'04]

Gary S, I didnt get any pics of her escape. I didnt get to finnish the job. I needed to paint the plugs. Hers doesnt look bad.She has the dark met. blue xlt. The threaded rivets are bottomed. No worry about leak. I still used black rtv sealant though..

Here is pics of what I used. I had to trim the shaft and sand the tops for paint. These are the lowest profile and closest fit. Pepboys for this brand.

Also a pic of the painted ones on the trac.



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[EddieS'04]

GaryS, Aslo forgot to mention. On the escape ford used locktite. You need a #2 or #3 phillips that the pointed tip is missing. Probably metric. I had to use my air ratchet to make it easier...



If you dont need the rails it does give it a lower profile look.