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Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Suspension/Steering => Topic started by: pro-five-oh on February 01, 2006, 11:47:56 AM

Title: Tbird/cougar Koni struts and shocks
Post by: pro-five-oh on February 01, 2006, 11:47:56 AM
Hey guys, having a hard time figuring out a few things about these Konis for our cars. 

Is there any difference between the strut and shocks for 83-86 and 87-88 models?  If so, can I use 83-86 ones on my 88 Cougar?  I know the control arms got 1" or so longer on the front by 1987, but does that have any adverse effect?

I got a line on some Koni struts, they'd make a good replacement for my KYB GR2s.  I'd probably swap the Konis in when I get lowering springs too.

Thanks!
Title: Tbird/cougar Koni struts and shocks
Post by: Chuck W on February 01, 2006, 11:58:44 AM
Aside from some minor valving differences, the big difference is the mounting point at the spindle.  If the car has 10" brakes, it has the wider spindle mount, if it has the 11" brakes it has the narrower mount.  You can use the wide strut on the narrow spindle with spacers, but obviously you can't work it the other way around.

The rear shocks are the same...but they've been discontinued for a while now...so they're hard to find.
Title: Tbird/cougar Koni struts and shocks
Post by: pro-five-oh on February 02, 2006, 02:44:58 PM
Thanks again, Chuck. I have the 11" brakes, so I can use spacers for these Konis.  The seller is a foxbody Lincoln friend, got some interesting info on them.

Quote
My source is pickproparts.com and based on what they tell me, the '80-86 struts differ from the '87-'88 thusly (in inches):

Length: 0.875 longer
Compressed Length: 0.375 longer
Ext Length: 0.625 shorter
Length Traveled: 1.0 shorter

The Fox Mustang strut is only 0.375 in longer than the '87+ Cougar strut. I think you might even be able to cross shop Mustang struts.


If I lower my car 1" or so with lowering springs, these struts might actually work in the same "sweet spot" in their range of motion like a 87-88 strut would.  Thoughts?
Title: Tbird/cougar Koni struts and shocks
Post by: Chuck W on February 02, 2006, 02:56:43 PM
I'm using Mustang Konis on the front of my car, and have used Mustang struts on others.  My cars have all been 83-85's though....
Title: Tbird/cougar Koni struts and shocks
Post by: Mercoug302 on February 02, 2006, 04:30:53 PM
Quote from: pro-five-oh
Thanks again, Chuck. I have the 11" brakes, so I can use spacers for these Konis.  The seller is a foxbody Lincoln friend, got some interesting info on them.



If I lower my car 1" or so with lowering springs, these struts might actually work in the same "sweet spot" in their range of motion like a 87-88 strut would.  Thoughts?


This friend wouldn't happen to have 1FSTCAT now would he?
Title: Tbird/cougar Koni struts and shocks
Post by: DakotaEpic on February 02, 2006, 06:27:09 PM
Quote from: Chuck W
I'm using Mustang Konis on the front of my car, and have used Mustang struts on others.  My cars have all been 83-85's though....

Chuck, are they Fox or SN95 Konis?
Title: Tbird/cougar Koni struts and shocks
Post by: pro-five-oh on February 02, 2006, 06:50:30 PM
Quote from: Mercoug302
This friend wouldn't happen to have 1FSTCAT now would he?


No not him...that reminds me, WTF happened to him?  Ed has disappeared off the face of the earth. :(

Mustang Konis might be better, they are a little longer in travel than the 83-86 Tbird struts.  I heard the Fox struts are longer than SN-95s...

Hmm...decisions, decisions...
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