2003 Ford Thunderbird comparisons

2003 Ford Tbird

Accessories
Comparisons 02-04
Custom
Engine 03 - 04
Hood Bezel 02 - 04
I nterior Colors 02 - 04
OEM
Options - 02-04
Special Edition
Trunk - 02-04
Your 03 Rides
Wheels - 02 - 04

The New Thunderbird Compare the 02, the 03 the 04 and the 05
Ford Thunderbird

click on photos for larger, more detailed views

The Visible Changes between the 2002, 2003, 2004, & 2005
2002	2003	2004	2005
Front Fenders: Only Visible difference on the outside besides some colors	.. V8 emblem added to lower front fender in front of doors	V8 emblem in the same place as the 03, same style.	Fender V8 emblem is NOT on the 2005.
Hash Marks on upper front fenders	same	same	Hash marks replaced by 50th Anniversary bullet/blade/sabre
All other differences are on the inside or underneath:
Instrument Cluster:		Same as the 03 Except for the "light sand" and "ash" interiors which have a cream background for the guages	Same as the 04
Odometer: Digital readout font same for odometer and the "trip odometer"	Digital readout font different between odometer and the "trip odometer"
Visors vinyl	fabric	fabric	.fabric
Center Console	. Note the seat heater controls in curve These are on all 03 Premium models Delux model is same as the 2002 as there is no seat heater option	Same as the 03 Except for the "light sand" interior which has a "bronzy" finish to the "center stack" and the Special Edition has a "dark ash" center stack.	.
Ash Tray Cups Same style for all 4 years but color of 2002 matches interior of 2002, ie, it's a lighter grey than the black 2003-2005 Cup 2002 cup has been sprayed the lighter grey so that can be done to one if you can not find an oem 2002 cup and need one to match.
Header		new header with homelink, courtesy lights	same as 2004
Transmission Shifter All 2002s and standard for 2003, 2004, 2005.	. Optional Select Shift pattern for 2003s	Ditto for the 04	Ditto for the 05
Engine Compartment	. ... Many visual changes here ...with increased hp..	.	.
Keys
Leather texture: "Nudo" Leather	. "Imola" Leather leather texture is "rougher" than the 02	Leather texture is like the 03. Stitching pattern changed - vertical rolled pleats on the seats instead of horizotal.	Leather texture is like the 03. Stitching pattern is like the 04 with vertical rolled pleats on the seats except for the special edition which has horizontal rolled pleats like the first year.
Vinyl texture:	. vinyl texture is "rougher" than the 02	.Like the 03	Like the 03 Have found a 2005 Inca Gold with what appears to be an 02 interior - horizontal pleats, lighter grey, smoother texture vinyl and leather.
Aluminum Trim: Trim pattern found on the doors, dash, and door sill aluminum trim pieces of all Thunderbirds varies with the year. All years & special editions - the dash trim has the Thunderbird script.		The above is for the regular trim, The sand trim has the same stripes with a bronze color
2002	2003	2004	2005
Aluminum Trim Special Editions: The Neiman Marcus is the same pattern as the regular models for the 2002 as far as I know. I will be double checking this. Dash trim has an embossed NM logo.	007 Dash trim embossed with 007 logo/gun	Pacific Coast Roadster [love the "Dot" pattern :-) ]	50th Anniversary Dash trim is imprinted with 50th Anniversary below the Thunderbird script.
Standard Interior Color Midnight Black 2002 Black Ink 2003, 2004 and 2005
GloveBox and 2004 and 2005
Air Bag passenger side dash outlined	no outline of area for airbag	no outline of area for airbag.	no outline of area for airbag.
Top Removal Tool 2002 - about 6 inches long with red handle	2003 - about 4 inches long with red or black handle	2004 - about 4 inches long with black handle, with or without t-bird emblem	2005 - 4 inches long shaft with black handle, t-bird emblem.
Storage Cart 2002 - comes with straps	2003 some with and some without straps to hold hardtop on cart.	2004 - no straps with cart	2005 - same as 2004
Boot Cover 2002 Considered a "hard" softboot - it folds in half but with a curve at the fold. Cumbersome and a little difficult to install. Looks good when installed properly. How to Install	2003 Boot changed. softer and folds in quarters for easy storage in trunk. Comes with a Velcro strap for closing	same as 03 boot	same as 03/04 boot
Hub Caps 2002/2003 "painted" Delux hubcap	2002/2003 Chrome premium hubcap. Also found on the NM/007 chrome wheels.	. 2004/2005 "painted" Delux Hubcap It's also found on the optional Premium micro-machined wheels. The 2004/05 hubcaps will not fit the 2002/2003 wheels P.C.R. hubcaps painted to match body color	. 2004/2005 Chrome Premium Hubcap Special Edtion hubcaps painted to match the cashmere color.
Spare Tire Firestone - Spare Tire should be inflated to 60# for use Read Spare Tire page cautions	MAXXIS, T185/60R17 Spare Tire should be inflated to 60# for use	.Spare Tire should be inflated to 60# for use	.Spare Tire should be inflated to 60# for use
Tire pressure Sticker 2002 On passenger side door jamb	2003	2004	2005 On driver's side door jamb
Wheels	see Wheels page	.	.
Windshield Wiper Heated Park 2002 On all 2002s. Driver control on center panel comes on at temps below 43 degrees Fahrenheit. Requires windshield with heater elements in base..	2003 Mentioned in Manual but no manual control on dash. It is in the 2003 Electrical manual. Requires windshield with heater elements in base	2004 Not mentioned in manual but is in the 04 Electrical manual. No manual control. Requires windshield with heater elements in base.	2005 Not Available
2002	2003	2004	2005