Roush Complaint

[mustangjoe]

I just spent the last 2 days on the phone with Roush regarding an issue I had with the replacement stripe kit for my 360R. Some of you read my thread on this issue. The door stripes are 3/8" short, and one of the hood sections is 1/2" short. During the past 2 days, I spent most of my time speaking with Dan at Roush. He was very polite and helpful, however, I find the end result disturbing, frustrating, and disappointing.

Dan informed me the stripes I had been sent were made according to the pattern Roush has. Roush developed the pattern after the cars were made. When the cars were originally made, the stripes were outsourced. Dan further informed me that the stripes are cut to the length according to the pattern (54 5/16"), and there was nothing defective with them in that regard. The problem is the Mustang door is 54 3/4" long. When this was discussed, Dan stated the stripes were not designed to cover the entire length of the door.

In one of my last conversations with Dan, he suggested my door was different, or that the original stripes had been stretched and that my car was the only one with this issue. Obviously, when you look at all the photos of either a 360R or a 380R, or view them in person, the stripes cover the entire length of the door. As stated above, Roush's position is that the stripes "were not designed to cover the entire length of the door."

In seeking a resolution to this issue, I asked if the "vinyl guys" could cut a set of door stripes at a specified length that would cover the length of the door, LIKE THE ORIGINAL. The response I received was "NO." Furthermore, that the pattern "is the way it is" and they weren't going to change it for "just one person."

Frankly, I expected Roush to get the replacement stripes right. They should be duplicates of the originals. That means, THEY COVER THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE DOOR. Also, when they discovered there was a problem, I expect them to WANT to correct the error. It is THEIR product, they should want to preserve the integrity of THEIR product. Putting the stripes on as now made by Roush just looks like a cheap imitation; a poorly manufactured reproduction by some "other-world country that uses cheap child labor."

Bottom line, this is not the quality of product or service I expect from a company that charges ALOT for their products.

[Shay]

Dan was right in the aspect that the earlier stripe kits were different than the ones they have now. They did outsource them on the earlier cars and as shown in the first photo, they wrapped around the panel edges.

A change was made on the later production sometime in 2004, shown on the second photo (a 440A) actually, but the same stripes. They stopped wrapping them around the panels as it created a warranty issue. They tended to "unwrap". So they stop just short of the panel edge just like current production stripes in most cases.

I imagine that Roush is not likely to provide the old design anymore as it was problematic. Bummer indeed.

[mustangjoe]

Shay, thanks for the information. I wasn't aware of a conscious change by Roush. From the pictures, though, the gap I would have on the door stripes is considerably larger. Also, I'd have to redo both sides. (The reason for the need for replacement stripes is a truck changed lanes into mine and took out part of my driver's door and quarter panel).

[Shay]

If they are a common color you might be able to find a dealer somewhere that still has some old ones in stock. It might be a task though.

[Mustanger]

Or go find a good vinyl shop & have him match your stripes... Should even be cheaper than Roush...I don't believe 360R is copyrighted is it?

[mustangjoe]

I've talked to a friend of mine at a local dealer. He has set me up with his stripe guy. I'll let y'all know how it turns out.

By the way, from the measurements, I'd have a 1/4" gap between the end of the stripe and the edge of the door. I've seen some other care that have a gap about half this much. Also, as I said, trying to match the existing side.

[mustangjoe]

Just finished meeting with teh stripe person at my friend's dealership. He confirmed the change in stripes. He also is confident he can redo the stripe to match the existing ones with no problem. Will know by this time tomorrow.

[Shay]

A lot of times they can be stretched when you install them. I have done this myself on some cars.

You just have to be careful not to stretch them crooked

[mustangjoe]

Just got my car from being "striped" on the driver's side. It looks great! The "stripe guy" matched it to the existing passenger side rocker stripe.