I am beginning work on my new project ('88 Sport) and need some help from all of you knowledgeable sorts.
My '88 has a swapped-in '91 Mustang k-member and a full SN95 5-lug swap (a-arms and spindles). I test fit some 17x8 5-spoke Mustang wheels and found the fronts stick out too far for my tastes. The tire (245/45/17) is right at or just outside of the fender lip, maybe 1/4" at most. From what I have read here and on Coolcats, stock '88 a-arms are the same length as SN95's. However, the Mustang k-member is about 1 1/2" wider than the stock '88 Tbird k-member. So this would push the wheels out about 3/4" on each side.
After all of my searching, I think I am more confused than before. Hence, these questions:
1) It seems I could just swap in some Mustang Fox body a-arms to "pull" the wheels back in a little. First, would this work? Second, will the SN95 spindles mount correctly to the Fox Mustang a-arm ball joints?
2) Will a Fox Mustang a-arm cause issues with front-end alignment, strut mounting, tie-rod ends, sway-bar mounting, etc?
3) I also need to replace the steering rack. I'll just get a stock Fox Mustang 15:1 unit and a new PS pump. Any concerns about using a Fox Mustang rack with a Fox Mustang k-member and Fox Mustang a-arms in a Tbird? (LOL!! That really sounds odd....)
Thanks, everyone, for helping me figure this out. It's the first step in getting this old girl back on the road. Albeit a big one! Thanks!
It's time for some new wheels. But I am pulling my hair out trying to decide what wheels I like/look good. Since the car already has a 5-lug conversion, I am thinking about the following:
I am also not sure what wheel color/finish I prefer (satin/silver, chrome, powdercoated grey/black, etc). Pic of the car is below, Current plans are to strip her bare and repaint the original Scarlot Red (paint code 2D) or go with a clearcoated medium-dark red.
Anyways, post up your pics before I go bald!! :pbb: Thanks!
New member checking in to what looks like an excellent forum! I have always loved Tbirds and just sold my '97 Sport (MN12 chassis). As luck would have it, I found a 1988 Tbird Sport for $300. She's a roller (no motor or tranny), although I did get a 302 shortblock in the deal. Based on the current condition of the car, there is a fair amount of work that needs to be done to get her back on the road. Most of my previous builds have been Mustangs, so this one will be interesting since my searches here and through the "typical" vendors shows a serious lack of stock and aftermarket products. However, I will still follow my typical build process, which is interior, then exterior, then drivetrain.
With that being said, I have a few questions if you guys don't mind.
1) Dash pads - Does anyone make replacement dashboards/pads or am I going junkyard shopping?
2) Speedo/tach/gauge cluster - I found a few posts about the elusive 140 mph Motorsport speedo/cluster, as well as some posts about converting my 80 mph unit. Unfortunately, I am not clear on exactly what needs to be done. Does anyone or any company recalibrate these two units to bring the speedo up to 140 mph and the tach to 7,000 (preferrably with a "pick it yourself" redline)?
3) Passenger seat - My car only has a power driver's seat. Is the wiring harness already there to convert my passenger seat to power? Also, from my searches it appears I will need to get a new console plate with the appropriate holes for the new seat controls. Does Ford still make this or do I need to junkyard one and buy the decal from AM?
4) Autolamp conversion - I have to pull the dash to replace the heater core and work out some wiring issues, so is it possible to convert a "regular" headlight system to autolamps?
5) Interior kits - 5.0Resto makes all kinds of interior kits for Mustangs (carpet, door panels, replacement screw kits, etc). Does anyone make any of these parts for our TBirds? I am mainly interested in replacement screw and carpet kits.
6) K-Member - I know it isn't really interior related, but the previous owner tried to install a Mustang k-member because he said the motor mounts for Tbirds are over $100 each. Needless to say, it is now a mess. Since this car is a V8 car and an HO motor is no different physically from a non-HO motor, why would you need to swap k-members? Does anyone make a k-member (stock or otherwise) that doesn't push the front wheels forward?
Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. I can already see a lot of enjoyment in this project and look forward to partiting in this board and maybe a few events here and there. I snapped a couple of pics of how she is now. Ignore the wheels, as these will change to something else soon. Hopefully, the "after" pics will be amazing compared to these!
