2003 Lincoln LS

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Here's my daily folks!

It's a 2003 Lincoln LS, and according to my local driver services division, officially a classic.

I have done a few things to it, routine maintenance and cosmetic changes only.

I also recently changed the wheels out to steelies with the correct 5x108 bolt pattern, so no spacers needed. I have a couple sets of cron Vic police center caps so I put some on to give it that "post cold war capitalist dystopia" vibe.

Or trailer park motorcade, either one.

I swapped out the instrument cluster to one from a 2003-5 Ford Thunderbird. The retro bird is on the same dew98 platform, so a lot of parts interchange.

It's worth noting the cluster is worth more than the car itself. Just search ebay for one and they're going for stupid prices.

I started a custom mesh grille for it, complete with illuminated Lincoln emblem, that I need to finally wrap up.

I'm in the middle of an audio system changeover. I have a taramps smart3 amplifier for the sub (3k rms) and I'm working on a three way active front stage. I have the kids for the a pillars worked out, just need a new set of trims to fab up. The amplifiers for the front stage are an mb quart 5ch and 2ch, and they're mates from the series, as well as being class ab for the best sound quality I can afford. I have to get a second battery hooked up and do a big3 wiring upgrade to kake it run the best in my stock alternator. I'm not buying a high output for this car, because as much as I love it, it's a piece of shit.

I'm the third owner, and it has lived here in the rust belt in the US for its whole life. I have cared for it the best, but a lot of it was too little too late.

I'm quietly searching for a more suitable example to start on my grand national 3.8 swap, then all the goodies I have built will transfer over to the better machine.

I have a long while before I get to that point, since I just decided this two weeks ago, and I don't know if my car will make it to the end.

Also, I don't want to hear the static about putting an LSX motor into it. I know, it's easier. I know it's cheaper power, but I don't care. Everyone is LS swapping their cars.

I'm deciding to lead instead of follow, even if it's a parade of one.

Without further adieu, here she is.

[Eunuco]

Those wheels make the car look like an FBI car, in my opinion. I like the overall vibe. Those steelies suit it well.
I agree on your take on LS swaps. Unique builds are more interesting, assuming that you know how to do them properly.
Why did you go for the Thunderbird gauge cluster?

Edit: I love your signature. Very retro.

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Thanks!

I've been wanting get some steelies for a while, just because.

I have four total sets of wheels specifically for this car, because I couldn't settle on the look I wanted.

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Also to add, I added the thunderbird cluster simply because I could, and it looks a lot better than the oem cluster for this car.

Of course, this is my opinion!

[boro_1]

That Thunderbird cluster makes it look a 'panther Mercury Marauder' of Lincoln's range! As classy as sporty!

Gov-spec wheels were also the very first thing for me to notice and I think they work in a unique way here. Because they are more common as 'panther thing'.

Will you install that Thunderbird cluster in a better example you've mentioned? If yes, it would be interesting to see it working with Buick turbo 

Now I understand that it was much easier to add audio upgrades in NFS Underground 2 back in the day  The entire build/project/idea/concept is very nostalgic bc folks aren't that global now... I mean it was a very 2000's thing to customize engine/exterior/audio in the same time. Modern 'enthusiastic world' is more 'one-task' as I can see

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Boro, you're right about the "one thing at a time" project gearset now. That's where I am in my work at this, the back nine, of my life.

I want to get the engine asap so I can start building it. I'm looking for the 400-500hp window in a streetable daily. I love the platform of my Lincoln, and it's already a very nimble car in stock form, perfect for some power.

I'll probably never get rid of the thunderbird cluster, although I'm also a sucker for a digital dash. I'm going to build one using intellitronix bargraph gauges, along with some other goodies if I can swing it. But the thunderbird cluster is a joy to look at, especially at night. If I can find any pics, I'll share them here. I know I have plenty I took during and after the swap. I got such a good deal on this cluster, I basically stole it. They go north of $1000 usd on ebay, and I've seen some list at $2k+. If someone waved $1000 cash in my face for it, I might sell it, and also know I would probably never get one again. As far as I know, I'm the only LS with one.

Every car is better with steel wheels. It's the truth and also a facebook group lol. I was going for an homage to the 30s-40s with the steelies, and the vic center caps are the "poverty caps" of old. If I could find some old old school poverty caps that have Lincoln branding, I would absolutely swap them over.

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Here you guys go. I dug up a pic from a couple years(ish) back.

I no longer have that radio. That's another thing I haven't been able to stay in one spot on. I'm on heading #6 currently, and the radio pictured was #4.

I think I've settled on it for a while, running a 20 year old alpine for good sound, and a modified tablet for Android auto. I am planning to adjust the radio/stack to accommodate a 10.1" modified tablet, but one thing at a time.

Anyway, night pic.

Edit: sorry it's blurry.

[Eunuco]

Here you guys go. I dug up a pic from a couple years(ish) back.

I no longer have that radio. That's another thing I haven't been able to stay in one spot on. I'm on heading #6 currently, and the radio pictured was #4.

I think I've settled on it for a while, running a 20 year old alpine for good sound, and a modified tablet for Android auto. I am planning to adjust the radio/stack to accommodate a 10.1" modified tablet, but one thing at a time.

Anyway, night pic.

Edit: sorry it's blurry.

That reminds me of my Fiesta's gauge cluster's color combination! It's interesting to see that Ford stuck to its guns on that. It's nice, but it can be a bit blinding if you don't turn the brightness down. As for the radio, I feel like a retro looking radio with modern functionality would fit the car better than some big tablet. However, I can see why you want one.

[Стив]

Here you guys go. I dug up a pic from a couple years(ish) back.

I no longer have that radio. That's another thing I haven't been able to stay in one spot on. I'm on heading #6 currently, and the radio pictured was #4.

I think I've settled on it for a while, running a 20 year old alpine for good sound, and a modified tablet for Android auto. I am planning to adjust the radio/stack to accommodate a 10.1" modified tablet, but one thing at a time.

Anyway, night pic.

Edit: sorry it's blurry.

That reminds me of my Fiesta's gauge cluster's color combination! It's interesting to see that Ford stuck to its guns on that. It's nice, but it can be a bit blinding if you don't turn the brightness down. As for the radio, I feel like a retro looking radio with modern functionality would fit the car better than some big tablet. However, I can see why you want one.

The factory radio looks a little old mannish to me. Big buttons and an oversized face with no touchscreen or smart options.

I did have an android based unit in there with a trim I made myself.

It was a frustrating unit to use so I removed it.

Currently running a 20 year old alpine with a modified Kindle fire tablet.

I have a 10.1" Lenovo I have modified, I just need to solve a boot animation issue I'm having then I'll use that instead.

Here's a pic of the old radio. It was nice how much less space this setup took, bit it sounded like shit and was so hard to use I was just done with it.

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I didn't realize there was already a pic with this tablet radio installed.

Enjoy the closeup lol

[Eunuco]

I didn't realize there was already a pic with this tablet radio installed.

Enjoy the closeup lol

Which one's the current radio?