2012 XF 5.0 build thread
#1
2012 XF 5.0 build thread
I'm going to be on these forums a lot so I figured I might as well just start a dedicated thread to the mods I'm doing to the car.
I purchased the car about 3 weeks ago and have already made quite a bit of progress. The car came with those ugly ugly chrome mirror caps. So, the very first thing I did was remove them and painted them a gloss black:
After that I read how easy it was to paint the background of the grill's growler badge so I took it off and apart and painted the background in apple red:
The very first free weekend I had I removed the front bumper, removed the grill + 2 bumper inserts, and painted them all in a gloss black to match the mirror caps:
Last night I placed an order for some new 20" wheels which I am very excited about. They said it will be 2-3 weeks until they are delivered:
I also purchased some H&R lowering springs that arrive tomorrow. However, I plan on having them installed at the same time as the wheels to minimize downtime.
Currently the car is at the auto shop getting 35% tint placed on all the windows. I've been driving around feeling completely naked so I'm glad they finally were about to fit me in.
Tomorrow I have an appointment with a local body shop to get an estimate to paint the roof, the chrome window trim, and the chrome 'thing' on top of the side vents in gloss black to match the other previously painted items. I was going to wrap it but I thought I would get an estimate on painting it before I made a decision. I did get a quote of $280 for the wrapping of just the roof.
Here are the mods I will be doing next:
I forgot to mention that I did install K&N filters a few nights ago and I think I notice a little bit of a difference. It seems slightly 'peppier' but nothing too drastic.
Stay tuned for more updates!
I purchased the car about 3 weeks ago and have already made quite a bit of progress. The car came with those ugly ugly chrome mirror caps. So, the very first thing I did was remove them and painted them a gloss black:
After that I read how easy it was to paint the background of the grill's growler badge so I took it off and apart and painted the background in apple red:
The very first free weekend I had I removed the front bumper, removed the grill + 2 bumper inserts, and painted them all in a gloss black to match the mirror caps:
Last night I placed an order for some new 20" wheels which I am very excited about. They said it will be 2-3 weeks until they are delivered:
I also purchased some H&R lowering springs that arrive tomorrow. However, I plan on having them installed at the same time as the wheels to minimize downtime.
Currently the car is at the auto shop getting 35% tint placed on all the windows. I've been driving around feeling completely naked so I'm glad they finally were about to fit me in.
Tomorrow I have an appointment with a local body shop to get an estimate to paint the roof, the chrome window trim, and the chrome 'thing' on top of the side vents in gloss black to match the other previously painted items. I was going to wrap it but I thought I would get an estimate on painting it before I made a decision. I did get a quote of $280 for the wrapping of just the roof.
Here are the mods I will be doing next:
- Mina Performance exhaust
- ECU Tuning
- Painting roof and window trim gloss black
- Paint calipers and install drilled and slotted rotors (purely for aesthetics)
- Swap headlights for the UK version (without the US required amber reflector)
I forgot to mention that I did install K&N filters a few nights ago and I think I notice a little bit of a difference. It seems slightly 'peppier' but nothing too drastic.
Stay tuned for more updates!
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loco4myjag (03-20-2016)
#4
However, I'm going to take my friends advice and wait until I get the new wheels installed before I paint the calipers. Don't want them to not jive well together and be stuck with them. Ya know?
AND, my springs arrived today!
#6
Thank ya thank ya. Mina exhaust is my very next purchase. I can't wait to really hear the V8 growl. Gets me excited just thinking about it haha
#9
However, I did install the WeatherTech DigitalFit floor liners today. They fit like they are from the factory. Very nice feeling under the foot.
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08292 (09-22-2015)
#12
It's really not too much work if you've removed bumpers from previous cars before. Just finding the screws, removing them, and then remembering where they go. I have to pull it off again soon because I just purchased some UK headlights. I can snap some pics if you want.
Ahh, thanks man. I'm happy with it so far.
Ahh, thanks man. I'm happy with it so far.
#13
[QUOTE=danke;1313566]It's really not too much work if you've removed bumpers from previous cars before. Just finding the screws, removing them, and then remembering where they go. I have to pull it off again soon because I just purchased some UK headlights. I can snap some pics if you want.
I always thought the UK headlights being for right hand drive would not work here in the states.
I always thought the UK headlights being for right hand drive would not work here in the states.
#14
#15
[QUOTE=JgaXkr;1314062]
The RHD lights without problems could be reprogramming for LHD lights by SDD software
It's really not too much work if you've removed bumpers from previous cars before. Just finding the screws, removing them, and then remembering where they go. I have to pull it off again soon because I just purchased some UK headlights. I can snap some pics if you want.
I always thought the UK headlights being for right hand drive would not work here in the states.
I always thought the UK headlights being for right hand drive would not work here in the states.
#17
The following 3 users liked this post by danke:
#18
#19
Thanks.
I did. You have to remove the front bumper and then remove the grill. After that us self-etching primer (3-5 coats), wet sand, gloss black paint (3-5 coats), gloss (2-3 coats).
I did. You have to remove the front bumper and then remove the grill. After that us self-etching primer (3-5 coats), wet sand, gloss black paint (3-5 coats), gloss (2-3 coats).
#20
Originally Posted by hen555
Nice mods looking great! Can you or someone post videos of the Mina exhaust for the 5.0 ? I curious to know how it sounds!
Also did you paint the grill and bumper teeth your self? I want to get mine like that so I am wondering how to do it. Looks so nice
Also did you paint the grill and bumper teeth your self? I want to get mine like that so I am wondering how to do it. Looks so nice