K-Member brace, has anyone used one?

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K-Member brace, has anyone used one?

July 05, 2014, 03:40:12 PM

Just a quick question but has anyone here used a Mustang K-Member brace on their Thunderbird/Cougar? According to coolcats it should bolt in no problem. I've been thinking about picking up one of these two Maximum Motorsports pieces:

2-point: http://www.maximummotorsports.com/2-Point-K-Member-Brace-1982-93-Mustang-Hardtop-automatic-transmission-P815.aspx
Looks easy to install and should fit fine.

4-point: http://www.maximummotorsports.com/4-Point-K-Member-Brace-1982-93-Mustang-Hardtop-P810.aspx
The 4-point looks like a pain to install and I have to re-route the transmission cooler line.

K-Member brace, has anyone used one?

Reply #1 – July 05, 2014, 07:16:06 PM

My Turbocoupe came with a kmember brace. I just thought all the birds came with one? I took mine off for the swap and was thinking of putting it back on.

K-Member brace, has anyone used one?

Reply #2 – July 06, 2014, 12:58:01 AM

My Sport came with one. Still there.

K-Member brace, has anyone used one?

Reply #3 – July 06, 2014, 01:07:53 AM

My Thunderbird has never had one. In any event I would assume the Maximum Motorsports unit is stronger.

K-Member brace, has anyone used one?

Reply #4 – July 06, 2014, 07:04:28 AM

I was under the impression the 4 point would not work in the later cars due to k-member differences.

K-Member brace, has anyone used one?

Reply #5 – July 06, 2014, 05:43:02 PM

Quote from: V8Demon;435552

I was under the impression the 4 point would not work in the later cars due to k-member differences.

Hmm I'm not sure. I thought they were the same dimensionally but the early (83-85) cars had the Mustang style mounts?

K-Member brace, has anyone used one?

Reply #6 – July 07, 2014, 01:58:42 PM

Read the notes on each one, two point will clear and auto or manual tranny where a four point will only clear a manual. There are other subtle differences as well.

Darren

K-Member brace, has anyone used one?

Reply #7 – July 07, 2014, 03:57:28 PM

I will direct your attention HERE

Dimension "E" is the one in question. (Problem is, very few data points have been acquired for said dimension)

I do remember trying to fit a KB LCB on one of the '83's we had YEARS ago, and the mounting points on the lower rear of the K-member did not line up. This was before I had a welder handy and when I was still figuring these cars out. I haven't revisited it since, so maybe we can come up with some definitive info.

Looking at info, the 85-88 cars have an E dimension of 32-3/8" at the outside of the rear K-member mounts. The Mustang (Aftermarket) ones look to be narrower. You may be able to cheat the mounting plates/holes in a bit.

K-Member brace, has anyone used one?

Reply #8 – July 07, 2014, 09:03:08 PM

If I order one I think I'm going to order the two point one. It looks like it "should" bolt right up: http://www.maximummotorsports.com/assets/install/pdf/chass_stiff/MMKB2-2.pdf

If I buy it I'll post back up with results and pictures.

K-Member brace, has anyone used one?

Reply #9 – August 19, 2014, 12:14:53 AM

I ended up getting this bar for my birthday from Maximum Motorsports: http://www.maximummotorsports.com/2-Point-K-Member-Brace-1982-93-Mustang-Hardtop-automatic-transmission-P815.aspx

It bolts right in. Sort of. It comes with 5/8" mounting hardware. The holes it bolts to in the frame are 1/2" holes. So you have to drill the holes in the frame slightly larger than 5/8" to mount the bar. I did that and the bar bolted right in. The car feels slightly more planted around corners but I could be imagining it. I can't imagine it added more rigidity than the strut tower bar did. Here's a picture of it inatalled.

(Yes I know there is some dirt around the driver's side attachment bolt for the steering rack. The return hose was leaking and I replaced it. Turns out I missed some of the gunk. The picture showed me I have some more cleaning to do :hick:)