2005-2009 mustang design changes

[SteezStang]

If you were an engineer or designer for ford back in 2004, what would you have changed for the 2005-2009 Mustang GT? Would you have wanted a 6 speed? 4.6 4v? 5.4 4v? Increased power output? What would you have changed about the first gen S197? Maybe even IRS? Drop your ideas in the comments I’m interested to hear what you all think

 

[Forty61]

Honestly I think it was the right car at the time.. there's things that in hindsight it's easy to say should have been done differently but that's why they evolved into what the current car is.

I still get into mine and I fall back in love with how simple and clean all the design lines are inside and out, no unnecessary "style" like all new cars seem to have. No intrusive gadgets or tech, no huge screen, no gimmicks.. it's starting to feel like the original S197s were some of the last analogue feeling cars you could buy.

 

[08TorchRedShelbyGT500]

Honestly I think it was the right car at the time.. there's things that in hindsight it's easy to say should have been done differently but that's why they evolved into what the current car is.

I still get into mine and I fall back in love with how simple and clean all the design lines are inside and out, no unnecessary "style" like all new cars seem to have. No intrusive gadgets or tech, no huge screen, no gimmicks.. it's starting to feel like the original S197s were some of the last analogue feeling cars you could buy.

What he said!!!

Nice power, very well done 'retro' look. It just works. I have not bought any other Mustang Platform. This is the platform that brings me back to the late 60's.

 

[Samos3]

Continue the rear roof/rear window slope all the way to the back like the 69/70.

Different dash pad material that doesn't give a nice 'heads up' leather grain reflection on the windshield on a sunny day!

And, yes, IRS would have been nice. Solid axles are soooo 20th century.

 

[08TorchRedShelbyGT500]

And, yes, IRS would have been nice. Solid axles are soooo 20th century.

With all respect, that's the whole point of the early S197 platform: the retro look and component construction. IRS would have taken away from this whole retro concept, IMHO. Fast forward to the more refined later platforms that integrated the IRS. If you want an IRS, buy a 2015+. The retro look faded, and the new generation and look of the Mustang evolved along with the IRS.

 

[Samos3]

With all respect, that's the whole point of the early S197 platform: the retro look and component construction. IRS would have taken away from this whole retro concept, IMHO. Fast forward to the more refined later platforms that integrated the IRS. If you want an IRS, buy a 2015+. The retro look faded, and the new generation and look of the Mustang evolved along with the IRS.

I see what you're saying, but I think after the 68 coupe IRS experiment and putting IRS in the SN95 Cobra and the LS Lincoln/Thunderbird, it was time. Every vehicle that could be considered competition to the S197 had it, including the Camaro and the Challenger/Charger.
Would you want to go back to the old shock towers and coil spring over the upper A arm for nostalgia?

 

[cavero]

Honestly I think it was the right car at the time.. there's things that in hindsight it's easy to say should have been done differently but that's why they evolved into what the current car is.

I still get into mine and I fall back in love with how simple and clean all the design lines are inside and out, no unnecessary "style" like all new cars seem to have. No intrusive gadgets or tech, no huge screen, no gimmicks.. it's starting to feel like the original S197s were some of the last analogue feeling cars you could buy.

+1 It was a smash hit for those reasons.

The one thing I would probably have gone back and changed if I could was a nicer interior, which was something it got ragged on a lot for at the time. The Interior Upgrade Package helped, and then there were added stuff like the ambient lighting package and an IUP shifter boot w/ bezel but there was and still is a lot to be desired. But then again that just gives us more to mod, right?

 

[bullitt1011]

I agree IRS not needed in '05-09. If anything have the set up in the '12-'13 Boss 302, said to be the best handling solid axle vehicle ever produced. Should have been in the Bullitt. I would have loved that.

 

[Samos3]

+1 It was a smash hit for those reasons.

The one thing I would probably have gone back and changed if I could was a nicer interior, which was something it got ragged on a lot for at the time. The Interior Upgrade Package helped, and then there were added stuff like the ambient lighting package and an IUP shifter boot w/ bezel but there was and still is a lot to be desired. But then again that just gives us more to mod, right?

Mine has the standard GT Deluxe interior in black with leather seats and door trim.
Nice and simple, nothing fancy. Reminds me of my old 70 fastback with standard black vinyl interior with no A/C....except my skin doesn't bake onto the seat vinyl.

 

[GriffX]

I agree IRS not needed in '05-09. If anything have the set up in the '12-'13 Boss 302, said to be the best handling solid axle vehicle ever produced. Should have been in the Bullitt. I would have loved that.

Agree, my IRS cars have less traction than my 07. Only problem is a pot hole in a corner.
What did they change for the Boss and can you retrofit it? So far I know, the front LCA geometry, and the rear UCA geometry and sway bars.

 

[GriffX]

But then again that just gives us more to mod, right?

And a cheaper price tag. I would also prefer a nice cloth seat option, too much work to keep leather or fake leather nice.

 

[Dino Dino Bambino]

If you were an engineer or designer for ford back in 2004, what would you have changed for the 2005-2009 Mustang GT? Would you have wanted a 6 speed? 4.6 4v? 5.4 4v? Increased power output? What would you have changed about the first gen S197? Maybe even IRS? Drop your ideas in the comments I’m interested to hear what you all think

With the low cost mods I've done to my '06 GT, I think it's close to how I would have wanted it to be from the factory.
I have the parts to do the '07-'10 cooling system conversion and declutter the front of the engine.
I would have liked a better designed fuel filler neck so I could fill the tank up without interruption, and a 6-speed manual transmission with a 0.82:1 ratio 5th and a 0.68:1 ratio 6th (instead of 5th). The lower four ratios work fine for me.
For the interior, the only thing I wish I had on mine that I don't already have is deeper door pockets for storage. A rear camera with bumper sensors to help reversing would also be ideal.

 

[JC SSP]

Ok I will play… something simple, beside what has already been mentioned, How about a dipstick with the automatic trans? Better rear gear options (3:73 or 4:10) from the factory. Finally, some type of shaker hood scoop option.

IRS vs solid axle is a discussion for a separate thread. lol

 

[08TorchRedShelbyGT500]

Ok I will play… something simple, beside what has already been mentioned, How about a dipstick with the automatic trans? Better rear gear options (3:73 or 4:10) from the factory. Finally, some type of shaker hood scoop option.

IRS vs solid axle is a discussion for a separate thread. lol

I do like the gear ratio thought. Way back in the day, I had a Nice 1988 LX with 2.73's in it, and back then, I went to the Ford dealer and ordered a complete 3.73 8.8 rear end. I know they can't be ordered now from Ford, but that would be a nice gear for my GT500. I guess I could special order an 8.8 3.73 from DTS Drivetrain Specialist. Once I ordered a 3.54 Dana 60 for my 1970 Plymouth GTX from them, so I suppose I could also purchase a 3.73 8.8 from them, if they had that differential in stock.

 

[Kev555]

Fuel tank filler neck i could honestly say is the only thing id change on them, Oh and nearly forgot the chocolate con rods

 

[Forty61]

The gears I agree, 3.55s were some tall gears for stock but they made for nice cruising. Weren't 3.73s optional or was that later? I know my Bullitt had them.

 

[bullitt1011]

Agree, my IRS cars have less traction than my 07. Only problem is a pot hole in a corner.
What did they change for the Boss and can you retrofit it? So far I know, the front LCA geometry, and the rear UCA geometry and sway bars.

Check this out, gives a pretty good description.

https://lmr.com/products/2012-2013-boss-302-specs

 

[bullitt1011]

Check this out, gives a pretty good description.
https://lmr.com/products/2012-2013-boss-302-specs

 

[cavero]

And a cheaper price tag. I would also prefer a nice cloth seat option, too much work to keep leather or fake leather nice.

And that's fair, $25k for a V8 was still attainable back then

 

[brasil]

..2010 front /hood... and the 05-09 rear . Better quality leather seats.. and less "CAN-BUS" stuff
Bigger front brakes ... that´s all .

4.6 with 5 speed manual and the solid axle - for me a perfect combo.