Australian ZC Escape - Weekend Hacks ;)

9600 Views 33 Replies 10 Participants Last post by Nigel, Nov 20, 2013

Nigel

Discussion Starter · Mar 27, 2009

Well, I have my car back. Plan for this weekend is to take the Climate Control and Stereo front Panel Apart and see if I can change the colour. Interestingly enough, the ZC escapes here in Aus have Line In on the Panel, but it doesnt go anywhere.

I pulled the head unit out today, and the Line Ins are on the back of the deck : just two plain old RCA's.
The Stereo is made by Panasonic, and appears to be modular (Front panel, Rear Deck). My Deck is the 6 stack MP3 changer, and it also has CD Changer control (and then a set of CDC-In RCA's as well).

There are good options for expansion here!. Now to think about where to put the Aux in in the car.

Photos, as well as news how I go later on.

Of course, I have a backup plan. The Aus ZC (2006) escapes have silver trim, the Mazda Tributes Black (Piano - ergh). But the Escapes have Blue Back-Lighting (Ergh) while the tributes have Amber. If I cant make the escape Amber, Im going to bolt the tribute bits in instead using the escape trim panels.

I did have a really good look for the Aux power connector : on the BA/ZA/ZB escapes, there was an Aux power connector in the dash. Not on the ZC. The Aux power in the Boot is still there though.

Updates later on if Im awake

21 - 34 of 34 Posts

Nigel

Discussion Starter · #21 · Feb 19, 2013

Wow. This was some time ago.

The Stereo Fascia is attached to the fascia including the Centre Vents, and the Cluster. You need to remove that, and the fascia comes away with it. You can then remove the stereo.

Best of luck.

Nigel

brama80

· #22 · Feb 20, 2013

Hi Nigel,
Seems the zc is no longer your ride. Still struggling to remove the stereo, maybe I need to remove the gauges trim too.

Well, thanks for your reply

Brama

Nigel

Discussion Starter · #23 · Feb 20, 2013

Oh no- I still have the zc. I haven't had the dash off for 24 months and my daughter gets my time, along with my toy (5.0 xf falcon) and daily (5.0 el falcon)

The one thing I did do is discuss with my engineer engines : I've always felt that the escape would really suit a windsor for towing and daily driving as a rwd instead of awd

Engineer tells me 7.2 liters or so is the limit... So when my el falcon dies of old age I'm fairly sure it's power plant will end up in the escape

Few challenges there, hopefully ill have the time to do it. Not for another year or so thankfully

jackson105

· #24 · Apr 28, 2013

Hi Nigel,

Can you please keep us posted on this?? V8 would be epic. I always said to my wife a 5.4 out of an xr or gt would be the bomb. :taz:

Nigel

Discussion Starter · #25 · Apr 28, 2013

I dont think the 5.4 will fit - its too wide. (thats the thought) - and I am well versed with the 5.0 (I have an XF with an EFi 5.0 and an EL with the 185... which used to be a 6.
So I'll stick with the 5.0, EFI, 4 speed Auto, and RWD. For someone else Im sure that using a Territory 4 speed auto Extension housing, and perhaps an exploder front diff might give more options but I never use 4x4 anyway - its just a great driving position car.

Im still considering the swap, however I may have to go back to a BA Escape to do it (01 model) so that I can use the 01 or 02 engine from an AU Falcon (or an EF or EL...)

I can still retro-fit the ZC interior to a BA - the wiring is 99% identical anyway so just need to wait until their price drops. For now, just get the 5.0 running eh?
Wont be for a little while yet. Have to get it into my head to sell the XF, find the right BA, then find an AU Body to cut the trans tunnel out of so I can mount the engine high enough to get over the rack. Then should be easy enough.

In the meantime... my wife wont let me touch the ZC

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jackson105

· #26 · Apr 28, 2013

WOW!!!! Unreal mate

Nigel

Discussion Starter · #27 · Sep 3, 2013

Well, I bought a BA Escape, 01 model, Gearbox dead, nice Red Colour.

Arrives in 2 weeks. ive also just stripped a ZC 4 Cyl for some insider knowlege, and Im about to get into the task of V8'ifying the BA

Wish me luck.

RobtRoma

· #28 · Sep 3, 2013

Good luck! I'm sure everyone will want to know how things progress. Please keep us up to date.

eace:

markr154

· #29 · Oct 2, 2013

Definitely subscribing to this one!!

Throw a Turbo Territory donk in it!!!!! :thumb:

Nigel

Discussion Starter · #30 · Oct 3, 2013

The Territory Engine is most likely a little too long. I did a measure up from my EL V8 against the engine bay. Looks like almost *exactly* enough room for the 8....

Oh the escape bay is about 10cm wider though - thats nice

swaggie1

· #31 · Oct 30, 2013

Nigel said:
Poor, Poor car!.

One of the biggest deficiencies in the ZC escape here is that the Low Beams switch off when the Highs go on. They in fact use pre-05 wiring (Switched Ground).

So - did the adjustment so they stay on.

(Pics to come). Wired the Low Beams switched wire to ground so that they are always on.

Hey Nigel, you just solved my problem. I have only had my zc for two months and I could not work out why the low beams turned off when I flicked the high beams On!

I started a whole new thread under Electrical Mods ( I think) to try and determine the problem, and here you have solved it. You mentioned Pics to follow, did they ever Eventuate?

Cheers

Nigel

Discussion Starter · #32 · Oct 30, 2013

Howdy. PM Me, and I'll get you my email address.

No pics here, but its a very quick fix. I'll walk out and take some photos on the weekend.

Interestingly, a 4 Cyl ZC I pulled apart (08 model) did the right thing with the lights. Shortcuts to the V6 I guess.

I have a ZA sitting out the front of the house at the moment, and as soon as It passes RWC, Im going to pull the engine, and start working on a 5.0 for it

Nigel

Discussion Starter · #33 · Nov 18, 2013

OK. Still have a BA Escape out the front. 01 model, XLT. Arrived with gearbox not working. One connector back on, and its ready to go.
But...

Im having no end of fun now with TMR Queensland, trying to work out if I'll be allowed to convert it to a 2WD. Apparently because its Complianced as a MC Class Vehicle I have to meet all ADR's for a standard Car - Meaning Steering Column, Instrument Panel, and Offset Front Impact Crash testing.

That last one is a deal breaker. Im still chasing this down, but if I cant sort that one out Im not doing a V8 Escape. Pity too - Im pretty sure its an easy fit.

Nigel

Discussion Starter · #34 · Nov 20, 2013

Well, if I lived in NSW I could do my V8 Escape. unfortunately, I dont. I have to crash test the car after I do it.... its a destructive test, soooo.. no V8 Escape for me, for now. Im keeping that one in mind though in case I ever move to NSW

So the BA is up for sale - and soon I'll have a complete set of ZC (larger, and disc rear) Brakes for an Australia Escape for sale as well

21 - 34 of 34 Posts

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