Post a picture you took today

[1997ThunderbirdLXV6]

...now I worry about clearances for the shift cable, etc.

Overall, I think it's doable but there are several unknowns.

Case in point: would I really be the first person to ever convert an MN12 to column shift?! Why is there no how-to article anywhere...? You all had 30 years to figure this out

 

[Zep5.0]

Please don't do this. There is no reason for it and there is very little room under the console, so no storage room available. Plus you can't have much wood on a column shifter...

 

[1997ThunderbirdLXV6]

Please don't do this. There is no reason for it

Well, there is if you like column shifters. I prefer drive controls on the driver side only, and I prefer the look and feel of a column shifter.
However, the whole idea may fall apart over the shifter not clearing the dash bezel because our column shroud is fairly short, and the bezel curves outward.

there is very little room under the console, so no storage room available.

I know. It would be a fairly shallow tray, enough for a wallet, etc.

Plus you can't have much wood on a column shifter...

Very true!

I'm still considering another project: a gated shifter as in an 80s Mercedes, with wood shift knob of course.

 

[Grog6]

Having swapped a shitload of panther transmissions, you'd need the bracket and the manual lever. The panther actuator is above,tbird is below. that makes them rotate opposite; the cable goes thru under the console, so you'll likely need a longer truck cable.

 

[1997ThunderbirdLXV6]

the cable goes thru under the console, so you'll likely need a longer truck cable.

I was thinking to route the cable through the firewall, same as on Panthers. I thought that the hole may already be there (?).

Overall, this does appear more complicated, the more I think it through.

Routing a longer (truck/van) cable from the column into the console and through the hole under the floor shifter I think would create kinks in the cable. Not sure how flexible these cables are...


Another reason  not to do this: the floor shifter also serves as my wrist rest when using my phone's touch screen (see magnetic phone mount in photo above).

 

[Derphound01]

The 1992-95 Taurus used the same steering column as the Thunderbird. They all had mounting provisions for the column shifter. Taurus parts should be a direct swap. You even have a Taurus cluster so it wouldn't be impossible to get the gear indicator working.

 

[Grog6]

View attachment 9525

A tip on non-insert fireplsces,is that a piece of steel across the back doubles the heat out into the room. It gets hot, and radiates ir. I use it in my firepit; I use a piece of stainless, and it throws heat like crazy .

 

[CDsDontBurn]

Anybody ever seen a Thunderchero before? I saw one posted up on Reddit!

 

[CDsDontBurn]

Oh yeah. I also saw this guy on my drive into work this morning. Driver appeared to be somewhat young, mid 20s perhaps? And looks like he had Fusion wheels on?

 

[Derphound01]

I believe those are Explorer wheels.

 

[1997ThunderbirdLXV6]

 

[Derphound01]

Fancy. They look too big on that MN12. Makes it sit like a monster truck.

 

[1997ThunderbirdLXV6]

Fancy. They look too big on that MN12. Makes it sit like a monster truck.

Would be interesting to know what aspect ratio tires he has on them. I agree, they look a bit off, but I don't think they're necessarily too big (17"); I think the right tires would make them look better.

 

[Irv]

Fancy. They look too big on that MN12. Makes it sit like a monster truck.

That's what happens when running large wheels with the stock ride height. The car needs to be lowered so the gap isn't egregiously larger than the sidewall height.

 

[XR7-4.6]

I don’t know how it is but that threshold from 16” to 17” makes a massive difference. The aspect ratio looks fine to me, that’s basically stock tire height, a lot of people go down a size from ideal for 17s.

Anybody ever seen a Thunderchero before? I saw one posted up on Reddit!

View attachment 9614

It was for sale at one point, I think someone in the FB group actually bought it

 

[CDsDontBurn]

I don’t know how it is but that threshold from 16” to 17” makes a massive difference. The aspect ratio looks fine to me, that’s basically stock tire height, a lot of people go down a size from ideal for 17s.



It was for sale at one point, I think someone in the FB group actually bought it

Is that person here or even TSTSNBN?

 

[XR7-4.6]

Is that person here or even TSTSNBN?

Not that I know of, I don’t even check TSTSNBN anymore

 

[CDsDontBurn]

Meh. It was a curiosity. Sounds like you are on FB and TSTSNBN FB page.

 

[XR7-4.6]

Meh. It was a curiosity. Sounds like you are on FB and TSTSNBN FB page.

I occasionally pop in there, I mostly just use FB for marketplace

 

[racecougar]

Anybody ever seen a Thunderchero before? I saw one posted up on Reddit!

View attachment 9614

The owner is a member on the FB page.

Couple shots that I just snapped.

 

[Kidd-7]

This morning’s sunrise.

 

[KevinVarnes]

Is the sky on fire? It is supposed to be grey and cloudy at all times.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Is the sky on fire? It is supposed to be grey and cloudy at all times.

Only in Michigan. NC is exempt from that requirement.

 

[Kidd-7]

I did have to get used to that exemption when I moved down here.

 

[racecougar]

Looks like it'll be another good day for pushing snow.

 

[Boston-Bull]

​

 

[Kurt K]

 

[Derphound01]

 

[Kidd-7]

 

[Little Ice-Cable]

Unless we run into any more problems it should begin getting painted next week.