1987 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe Shift May 28, 2014, 05:46:18 PM The shift in our '87 Turbo Coupe has melted, and we were looking at replacements online and came across one on this website.https://www.mustangsunlimited.com/itemdy00.asp?T1=7213CL+01The website says that the shift will work on 1983-2004 Mustangs. Does anyone know if this shift will work on the '87 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe? Quote Selected
1987 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe Shift Reply #1 – May 28, 2014, 06:04:33 PM Any shifter that works on a stang will work on a tc. It's the same shifter from the factory. Quote Selected
1987 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe Shift Reply #2 – May 28, 2014, 06:12:28 PM Oh yes. Will work fine. Quote Selected
1987 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe Shift Reply #3 – May 28, 2014, 08:37:00 PM The shifter itself will work and the thread size is the same. However, the thread depth may be "shorter", with the shifter not screwing down as far as the original shifter (i.e. some threads may show when the shifter is screwed down as far as it can go). It may not "clock" the same way, either, and will need a jam nut to allow for the shifter handle to be straight. That's my experience with a single reproduction leather shift for a Mustang. Your results may vary...Daniel Quote Selected
1987 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe Shift Reply #4 – May 28, 2014, 09:57:34 PM Thank you for all of the feedback. Quote Selected
1987 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe Shift Reply #5 – May 28, 2014, 10:03:43 PM Maybe this weekend I'll post the shift handle you listed and compare it to my TC handle (leather is partially melted, too). You'll be able to see the differences and decide for yourself. Like I said, I have experience with only one aftermarket shift handle, so other manufacturers/brands may be longer and better oriented to what the factory has. Quote Selected
1987 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe Shift Reply #6 – May 28, 2014, 11:12:43 PM I used one off of a sho taurus. its rubber but looks identicle. the supercoupe also looks identicle but is also the same py style leather.pull your handle off and bring it into your junkyard and just try some s on it off random cars. most puppiesanland cars use a tiny thread, but tons of small cars and trucks use the same 12mm thread and most are 5 speeds.Also, don't bother with autozone s. they all use a plastic thread adaptar. i was constantly tighte.ing and lossening mine as i was driving and it litterly ate through. Quote Selected
1987 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe Shift Reply #7 – May 29, 2014, 02:17:45 PM I posted a similar thread on the NATO message board and was directed to an older thread that contains the part number of a shift that looks similar to the original shift s that came on the '87 TC. The part number is XR3Z-7213-BA. The thread with the shift comparisons can be found here-http://natomessageboard.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=224534&page=1Later on in the thread the shift with the XR3Z-7213-BA part number is compared to the original TC shift . Quote Selected