Focus Ghia...

Martyvan · 14-02-2009, 06:53 PM

Does anyone here own any model Focus Ghia?? they are most likely owned by retireee age people, so many not in majority of owners on here.., but i think one would be a handy acquisition 2nd hand, being in Qld the climate control would be handy, can this be retro fitted to an LX model? hmmm

just throwing a question out there...

ant70 · 14-02-2009, 09:35 PM

At the very least , you'll be looking at this job list to change over from Manual AirCon to Auto AirCon ...

Dash out , change wiring loom in dash , change complete heater box over , degas AirCon system , drain radiator coolant then refill . Then you may need to get the Ford Dealer Diagnostic tool to programme the system to your particular car ...

Best option is to look around for a wreck and get the whole system complete .

Good luck if you go down this road .

Mullett · 14-02-2009, 11:43 PM

For the LS/LT models I have seen an aftermarket modules which simply click into the round port where the fan speed switch and temperature control and take over by digital climate control.

-RM.

Martyvan · 15-02-2009, 08:32 AM

RM, you mean something Like This?
Didnt look like a massive package either, might be cheapish to post as well...

melbzetec · 15-02-2009, 11:39 AM

You'll often find used auto climate controls for the LR on UK Ebay

eg

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ford-Focus-Ghi...1%7C240%3A1318

Not sure what is involved in fitting however. I'm sure FFOC has how to's

melbzetec · 15-02-2009, 11:47 AM

Just had a look on the FFOCUK website on what's involved, and 3 very experienced guys, who know what they're doing, took 3 long days to do it.

Their advice? "It's a massive pain in the ****, and DON"T do it"

Martyvan · 15-02-2009, 08:03 PM

Hahaha, if its that hard to do..... my question becomes, do i find a LS Ghia, or stick to a LS LX.... and just manually adjust as i have done for years.... my the main family car will have climate when it arrives.....

Mullett · 16-02-2009, 03:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martyvan

RM, you mean something Like This?
Didnt look like a massive package either, might be cheapish to post as well...

That's what I had in mind, although it looks better than the kit I saw before, and it takes over fan direction as well, which the other kit didn't. To be honest, you'll spend about 1k...for the sake of a computer turning your aircon on and off...if it's important to you, get it, if not, don't worry...If you can sell your LX for a good price, and then hunt for a cheap Ghia, it's probably a good upgrade, I've seen LT ghias for 18k lately. Depends how long you're going to keep the car :P But you do get leather with the Ghia (I think)

-RM.

819_FLY · 16-02-2009, 07:39 AM

Yet again you can ask yourself this, is it worth changing to a different car for the sake of having gucci digital climate control. I personally wouldn't bother, but I have seen people do similar things before though. I live up in Townsville and just have the aircon all the time, if it gets too cold just turn the knob up a couple notches on the temp adjuster, or reduce the fan. Sure beats going through all the work to get a new car or even ripping the dash/console apart to change a unit.

Martyvan · 16-02-2009, 07:40 PM

Sorry, i think i have confused.... Im trading my LR Zetec in on a LS LX or LS Ghia.... Im just going to have a good look around at what i can get If i can get a Ghia cheap enough the climate would be handy, but an LX would do the job just as good

Was more of a theoretical question, could it be done? but it seems a little too complex for me to complete... and not worth paying for someone to do it... if i feel its required, i just find a ghia, if one is available.

Mullett · 16-02-2009, 11:43 PM

Oh, in that case, get the ghia, no question. The price difference will be pretty minimal, but you'll have to deal with it being an auto...

-RM.

Martyvan · 17-02-2009, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mullett

Oh, in that case, get the ghia, no question. The price difference will be pretty minimal, but you'll have to deal with it being an auto...

-RM.

I actually dont mind it being an Auto, as all that car will do is about 10km each way in heavy traffic, and most of the roads are quite hilly also.... So its probably a benefit...

Its all good... have to report on findings! Only thing i dont like about the Ghia is the wheels.... i prefer the LX wheels...

Velociraptor82 · 17-02-2009, 11:27 AM

Wheels can be changed a little easier than the a/c...