Some have known that I have been working with JPM Coachworks in the previous months to help them bring some offerings to market. I've gotten a bunch of questions from the Focus/Fiesta communities so I wanted to share some of the lessons that I learned in the process and an overall review of the parts. Like many others I was pretty disappointed in the look of some of the OEM pieces, and this definitely improved my overall experience with the cars.
The only downside that I've had with this project has been with my maintenance. First off, the door panels are held in with plastic pieces that are part of the door which are melted over the door inserts. My first idea was to drill them out, and I later learned that that isn't the way they need to be removed. To remove them properly to facilitate re-installation, you must heat them up and cut off the portion that is melted over the panel. This will leave you with the remaining hollow pieces of plastic to which you can later insert modified bolts with washers. If you drill them out there will not be enough material to thread a bolt into and will make re-installation significantly more difficult.
Secondly, the OEM shift boot is sandwiched into two pieces below the shift knob. While I'm sure it's not impossible to sandwich the new boot in a similar fashion, it's much easier to just zip-tie the new boot into place than it is to try and sandwich it back between the pieces. I bring this up because I broke a piece of the reverse lockout on the FiST, and I can assure you that it is more difficult than you think to drive without the reverse lockout...
Each piece was individually packaged in sealed bags, which I was super-stoked about for some reason.
I wanted my upgrades to be noticeable, but not overbearing. I discussed this with Joe to get his input on the overall design and we ultimately decided to use Alcantra with stitching to match the OEM stitching. I could have used either the MO-color stitching on the FiST or TS-color on the FoST (or anything completely different as they do custom work as well), but I wanted the stitching to match the Recaro's in order to look a bit more unified with the rest of the cabin. Imho, it ties everything together really well and makes the Alcantra look more like an OEM+ upgrade. Very clean and classy.
I've received quite a few compliments from people and the best ones I've received have been from those that haven't been inside a FiST as they are all surprised with how 'upscale' the new Ford interiors are, lol. That's exactly the look I wanted and exactly what I received. For pricing and availability you'll need to contact JPM Coachworks directly as they aren't listed on the site yet.
FiST interior shot (minus visors)-
FiST visors-
FoST interior shot (minus visors and rear door inserts)-
FoST visors-
The only downside that I've had with this project has been with my maintenance. First off, the door panels are held in with plastic pieces that are part of the door which are melted over the door inserts. My first idea was to drill them out, and I later learned that that isn't the way they need to be removed. To remove them properly to facilitate re-installation, you must heat them up and cut off the portion that is melted over the panel. This will leave you with the remaining hollow pieces of plastic to which you can later insert modified bolts with washers. If you drill them out there will not be enough material to thread a bolt into and will make re-installation significantly more difficult.
Secondly, the OEM shift boot is sandwiched into two pieces below the shift knob. While I'm sure it's not impossible to sandwich the new boot in a similar fashion, it's much easier to just zip-tie the new boot into place than it is to try and sandwich it back between the pieces. I bring this up because I broke a piece of the reverse lockout on the FiST, and I can assure you that it is more difficult than you think to drive without the reverse lockout...
Each piece was individually packaged in sealed bags, which I was super-stoked about for some reason.
I wanted my upgrades to be noticeable, but not overbearing. I discussed this with Joe to get his input on the overall design and we ultimately decided to use Alcantra with stitching to match the OEM stitching. I could have used either the MO-color stitching on the FiST or TS-color on the FoST (or anything completely different as they do custom work as well), but I wanted the stitching to match the Recaro's in order to look a bit more unified with the rest of the cabin. Imho, it ties everything together really well and makes the Alcantra look more like an OEM+ upgrade. Very clean and classy.
I've received quite a few compliments from people and the best ones I've received have been from those that haven't been inside a FiST as they are all surprised with how 'upscale' the new Ford interiors are, lol. That's exactly the look I wanted and exactly what I received. For pricing and availability you'll need to contact JPM Coachworks directly as they aren't listed on the site yet.
FiST interior shot (minus visors)-
FiST visors-
FoST interior shot (minus visors and rear door inserts)-
FoST visors-
![[twothumb]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_twothumbs.gif "Two Thumbs [twothumb]"){kind=icon}
