[JT_Money]

Hello.  Here are some pictures of my new Redfire SEL v6.  We picked it up last Sunday, 9/3.  So far, I love the way the car drives.  I had a 2000 Mustang GT that I traded in for something more comfortable and more economical.  I am very happy and we couldn't pass up the 0% plug my wife's grandpa allows us to get Z plan pricing...no wheeling and dealing....

 

[chris06fusion]

Re: New Redfire SEL v6 w/20"s *Pics*

Looks Great! Did you add the wheels or did the dealership?

 

[JT_Money]

Re: New Redfire SEL v6 w/20"s *Pics*

Dealership.  I think the tires are too small.  I think these wheels are 20x9 or 20x8.5 and they put 225/35/20s on there.  They look a little strecthed.  Should of put a 245 or something on instead.  The dealership also said there was a lowering kit but I have found it has the stock springs.  That is going to be my battle this week trying to get a refund for a "lowering kit".

Is this what your springs look like and can you get me the model number for yours?





Those pics are from the rear springs....

 

[chris06fusion]

Re: New Redfire SEL v6 w/20"s *Pics*

My pic didn't turn out very well but the numbers is 6e5c 5560BF. Looks like they may have screwed you. :doh: How much did they charge you for the so called lowering kit?

 

[Scape2]

Re: New Redfire SEL v6 w/20"s *Pics*

:shock: Wow! your car looks sharp. I almost went with a redfire SEL v6 loaded with all options. It came down to the redfire and the silverfrost. I am a family man, so I had to go with what would not stand out so much. I felt the cops would pick me up faster with a red car. Good thing you got your windows tinted. Ford needs to to this on all Fusions in my book. Nice wheels/tires also. How does the car ride and handle now?

 

[JT_Money]

Re: New Redfire SEL v6 w/20"s *Pics*

[quote author=Chris06Fusion link=topic=56676.msg946689#msg946689 date=1158075808]
My pic didn't turn out very well but the numbers is 6e5c 5560BF.  Looks like they may have screwed you.  :doh: How much did they charge you for the so called lowering kit? 
[/quote]

Are those the fronts or rears?

My stock rears are 6E5C-5310-BG.

 

[chris06fusion]

Re: New Redfire SEL v6 w/20"s *Pics*

Thats off the rear... Where did you get that #? You pic shows the same # I have.

 

[JT_Money]

Re: New Redfire SEL v6 w/20"s *Pics*

OOps...that was the number off the fronts....i called my dealer and left message...wonder how long they take to call back...

 

[chris06fusion]

Re: New Redfire SEL v6 w/20"s *Pics*

I will be surprised if they call you in the next 24hrs. That whole thing is crappy if you ask me.

 

[JT_Money]

Re: New Redfire SEL v6 w/20"s *Pics*

Chris, I'll let you know what they say. If I don't hear from them today, I'll just show up at the dealer tomorrow....but I will give them a chance to call me back. Thanks for the info on your rear springs.

Have you ever measured form the top of the fender well to the ground?

Front Left - 27" 1/4
Front Right - 27" 3/8
Rear Left - 26" 5/8
Rear Right - 27" 1/4

 

[whatup]

Re: New Redfire SEL v6 w/20"s *Pics*

Sweet ride man!! And welcome.

 

[chris06fusion]

Re: New Redfire SEL v6 w/20"s *Pics*

How are you making out with this issue JT?

 

[JT_Money]

Re: New Redfire SEL v6 w/20"s *Pics*

[quote author=Chris06Fusion link=topic=56676.msg958468#msg958468 date=1158542069]
How are you making out with this issue JT?
[/quote]

So far I found out that my dealer shipped a few mustangs and fusions down to a spring shop. At the time, there wasn't a spring kit out yet.....not sure when this was done but I am pretty sure Eibach and H&R have been out for more than 2 months...but I might be wrong.....so I have "cut factory" springs. They charged me $995 for a "lowering kit" which consists of cut factory springs. I am still fighting this right now. I am giving them until tomorrow to get back to me. If not, I will call and see what I have to do get a refund and some Eibachs or H&R springs installed! I am very frustrated with this dealer and I will let Ford Customer service know that we are Z Plan buyers and got stuck with $995 cut factory springs!!!!

Stay tuned....

 

[ming321]

Re: New Redfire SEL v6 w/20"s *Pics*

I'm not an expert on this JT, but I've heard you should never cut springs. Besides throwing off the "spring rates", or whatever the technical term is, it's just plain dangerous. And to think they charge a grand for it is CRAZY. Once you get this fixed, I hope you won't ever visit that dealer again.

 

[chris06fusion]

Re: New Redfire SEL v6 w/20"s *Pics*

[quote author=ming321 link=topic=56676.msg962968#msg962968 date=1158691502]
I'm not an expert on this JT, but I've heard you should never cut springs. Besides throwing off the "spring rates", or whatever the technical term is, it's just plain dangerous. And to think they charge a grand for it is CRAZY. Once you get this fixed, I hope you won't ever visit that dealer again.
[/quote]

Yea, YOU NEVER CUT SPRINGS! They would be crazy to do this! I hope you get them busted with this!

 

[Metallicat]

Re: New Redfire SEL v6 w/20"s *Pics*

Why can't you cut springs? Do they weaken and shatter or something?

[quote author=Chris06Fusion link=topic=56676.msg963408#msg963408 date=1158702232]
[quote author=ming321 link=topic=56676.msg962968#msg962968 date=1158691502]
I'm not an expert on this JT, but I've heard you should never cut springs.  Besides throwing off the "spring rates", or whatever the technical term is, it's just plain dangerous.  And to think they charge a grand for it is CRAZY.  Once you get this fixed, I hope you won't ever visit that dealer again.
[/quote]

Yea, YOU NEVER CUT SPRINGS!  They would be crazy to do this!  I hope you get them busted with this!
[/quote]

 

[ming321]

Re: New Redfire SEL v6 w/20"s *Pics*

Let me qualify this by saying I'm not an expert. I've seen on numerous TV shows and read in numerous websites that it's not a good idea to cut springs. Having said that, I've also seen it done on TV before. However, my understanding is that it messes up the ability of the spring to absorb the suspension load correctly. A factory spring is set with certain load capabilities depending on the cars weight, type of suspension and probably a lot of other things. If you cut the spring, you change that settings and it throws off the entire suspension. At least that's my best effort at a non-technical explanation of what I've heard and read before. One other thing, I figure if it was a good idea to just remove a spring and whack off a couple of inches, companies like Eiback, Intrax and others wouldn't be around very long. I would welcome a more techinical answer- but I think this gives you an idea.

 

[waldo]

Re: New Redfire SEL v6 w/20"s *Pics*

The cut springs are the least of your problems. Those tires are likely way underrated for the load of the vehicle. Are they load rating 93 or higher? If not then they are unsafe, and the dealer should never have put them on, I thought it was actually illegal, but if not then they are certainly opening themselves up to huge risk of liability. Sounds like a very shady dealer to me.

 

[ming321]

Re: New Redfire SEL v6 w/20"s *Pics*

Ok Waldo you've now opened a new can or worms. I've seen load ratings on tires before and thought I understood their function. Basically it kept you from putting a tire designed for a car onto a truck or suv. Can you explain why the load rating is an issue based on JT's set up (lowered ride height and larger diameter rims). I would be very interested in the education. Thanks

 

[chris06fusion]

Re: New Redfire SEL v6 w/20"s *Pics*

[quote author=Waldo link=topic=56676.msg976348#msg976348 date=1159274112]
The cut springs are the least of your problems. Those tires are likely way underrated for the load of the vehicle. Are they load rating 93 or higher? If not then they are unsafe, and the dealer should never have put them on, I thought it was actually illegal, but if not then they are certainly opening themselves up to huge risk of liability. Sounds like a very shady dealer to me.
[/quote]

Yes, please explain... I have never heard of this before.